Fernwayer’s Private Tours in Cappadocia

A sky dotted with hot air balloons may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cappadocia, but this Turkish region shaped by time, wind, and volcanic forces has much more to offer. Led by knowledgeable local hosts, our private Cappadocia tours take you along the iconic fairy chimneys, hidden churches, and underground cities where ancient civilizations once thrived. You’ll pose against the balloons on a sunrise photoshoot, witness the wild Yılkı horses galloping across open plains, and connect with local craftsmen working with ceramics, textiles, and jewelry. With Fernwayer, you’ll get to the real heart of Cappadocia, sampling delicious buffalo-based treats from a local farm, capturing a potter shaping a clay piece on an old-style wheel, and embracing the landscape from all angles alongside a seasoned photographer.

The Human Edit

Need help planning your trip? A Fernwayer curator takes your preferences and designs a custom travel itinerary that works. This is human-led travel planning — by someone who understands the art of travel itinerary design — built around your dates and preferences. Each personalized itinerary uses Fernwayer experiences as anchors and complements them with recommendations for flights, hotels, restaurants, and self-explore ideas.

Book a Human Edit

Fairy Chimneys, Pigeon Houses, and Iconic Valleys

Walk among Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and explore pigeon houses adorned with centuries-old wall paintings that reveal the region’s enduring human occupation. Departing from Göreme, you’ll soak up the views from the Göreme National Park and surrounding castles like Uçhisar, Cappadocia’s highest lookout. Then venture through artisan towns and natural sites like Devrent and Pigeon Valley, marveling at the surreal volcanic landscape, where rocks have taken on fantastical shapes and pigeons glide over you in a circling dance. Led by a native Cappadocian and archaeology expert, these classic tours offer an overview of Cappadocia’s top attractions, exploring history, geology, and art.

Arts & Crafts Tours

The riverside town of Avanos is where many of Cappadocia’s artisans gather. Pottery has been made here for thousands of years, with the Hittites pioneering the craft. Today, the tradition continues through the hands of modern artisans who still shape clay by hand in ateliers hidden in the back of ceramic shops. Our artisan tour invites you to explore these spaces, witnessing live pottery demonstrations, while also diving into other crafts such as textiles, jewelry, and the delicate art of Ebru (Turkish marbling). You’ll meet master artists and collectors specializing in these trades and follow their daily rituals, giving you a deeper appreciation for Turkish crafts.

Underground City Tours

Go beyond the surface with our Cappadocia underground city tours, tracing the footsteps of ancient civilizations in villages carved into the rocks. Choose a full-day adventure through the lush valleys and cave settlements of southern Cappadocia, visiting Ortahisar Castle, Kaymaklı Underground City, and hiking through the Red and Rose Valleys. Or opt for a deeper cultural immersion with a private tour of Cappadocia’s churches and monasteries, including the hidden Keslik Monastery, the ancient village of Mustafapaşa, and the frescoed churches of Soğanlı Valley. These experiences offer a journey back in time, touching on faith, art, and natural influences that have shaped this Anatolian region over the centuries.

Photography Tour

Capture the wildlife and breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia with our curated photography tours and private photoshoots. Choose from sunrise portrait sessions backed by Cappadocia’s hot air balloons, sunset shoots with the region’s iconic Yilki horses, or take the camera into your own hands to capture these elements through your eyes. Each experience is led by expert local photographers, who will frame you in the best light or help you find the best angle for that memorable hero shot.

Cappadocia Day Trips

Venture beyond Cappadocia’s valleys into the rural ends of Anatolia. Follow the seasonal buffalo migration in Hurmetci Village, where over a thousand buffalo cross lush fields and rivers at sunset—a perfect opportunity for wildlife photography. Or lose yourself in the dreamlike reflections of Tuz Göl, Cappadocia's salt lake and Turkey’s second-largest, where vast salt flats mirror the sky and the sunset hues. Beyond photography, you’ll experience traditional meals made with locally-sourced ingredients and connect with villagers who have long called this place home.