5 Days Cappadocia – Mt Nemrut – Göbekli Tepe – Gaziantep (Self-Launched)

Fly from Istanbul (SAW or IST) to Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) with Pegasus/AJet/Turkish — book 3–6 weeks ahead for ~£25–50 one way. From Kayseri airport take the Havas or local bus to Göreme (~£4–6, ~1hr) or a shared shuttle. Check into a cave hostel in Göreme village and spend the afternoon wandering the village, watching sunset from Sunset Point with a cheap çay, and stocking up on essentials. Book your balloon flight now for tomorrow morning if you want one (weather-dependent; ~£150–230 booked direct through operators like Royal or Butterfly, or via GetYourGuide).

🚌Domestic flight Istanbul→Kayseri ~£25–50 + Havas/shuttle bus to Göreme ~£4–6

🛏Cave dorm or budget cave guesthouse in Göreme (~£12–18/night)

• →Sunset Point in Göreme
• →Göreme village walk and viewpoint
• →Book hot-air balloon flight for dawn tomorrow

Optional dawn hot-air balloon flight (separate cost). Otherwise, do Cappadocia independently: hire a scooter/bike (~£12–18/day) or use the local dolmuş network, and walk the Red Valley and Rose Valley trails past rock-cut churches. Stop at Çavuşin's cliffside Greek village churches, climb Ortahisar Castle for views, and visit Pigeon Valley's dovecotes. In the afternoon take a dolmuş to Özkonak underground city (entry ~£3) — or join a small-group Red Valley Green Tour via GetYourGuide (~£30–40) if you'd rather not navigate yourself. Evening: pottery kebab and local wine in Göreme.

🚌Scooter rental or dolmuş hops ~£5–15

🛏Cave dorm or budget cave guesthouse in Göreme (~£12–18/night)

• →Red Valley and Rose Valley hike
• →Çavuşin rock-cut churches
• →Ortahisar Castle
• →Pigeon Valley dovecotes
• →Özkonak Underground City

Morning bus or dolmuş from Göreme/Nevşehir to Kayseri or Niğde, then an intercity bus east to Adıyaman (~8–10hrs total; ~£15–20). Alternatively, catch an overnight bus so you arrive fresh. Check into a budget hotel in Adıyaman (Kahta side is closer to Nemrut). In the afternoon arrange a shared minibus (dolmuş) or a small-group Mt Nemrut sunset tour from Kahta (~£25–35 including transport and guiding; self-drive is possible but the road is slow). En route see Karakuş Tumulus, the Cendere (Severus) Bridge and Arsameia. Watch sunset over the colossal Commagene statues on the summit, then descend for dinner in Kahta.

🚌Intercity bus Cappadocia→Adıyaman ~£15–20 + shared minibus to Nemrut ~£8–12

🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse in Adıyaman or Kahta (~£18–25/night)

• →Karakuş Tumulus
• →Cendere (Severus) Bridge
• →Arsameia ancient capital
• →Mt Nemrut summit at sunset

Early bus or shared minibus east to Şanlıurfa (~2.5–3.5hrs, ~£6–10). Drop bags at a guesthouse near Balıklıgöl, then take a local dolmuş or taxi (~£4–6 return) out to Göbekli Tepe — the 11,500-year-old temple site, entry ~£5 with Museum Pass. In the afternoon head south by dolmuş to Harran (~£3–4 each way) to see the mud-brick beehive houses, ancient city walls, castle and the old Islamic university ruins. Back in Şanlıurfa, visit the Mevlid-i Halil Mosque and Prophet Abraham's Cave, the Pools of the Holy Carp at Balıklıgöl, and the oriental covered bazaar in the evening.

🚌Bus Adıyaman→Şanlıurfa ~£6–10 + local dolmuş/taxi ~£10–15

🛏Budget guesthouse/hotel in Şanlıurfa (~£15–22/night)

• →Göbekli Tepe archaeological site
• →Harran beehive houses and ruins
• →Mevlid-i Halil Mosque and Abraham's Cave
• →Pools of the Holy Carp (Balıklıgöl)
• →Şanlıurfa covered bazaar

Morning bus to Gaziantep (~2hrs, ~£5–7). Visit the outstanding Zeugma Mosaic Museum (entry ~£6) with the famous Gypsy Girl mosaic, and grab lunch — Gaziantep is Turkey's food capital, so try baklava and beyran soup. Optionally stop at the Gaziantep Castle area and local bazaar. In the late afternoon, fly from Gaziantep (GZT) back to Istanbul (~£25–45 booked ahead). If flights are pricey, take a bus to Adana or Mersin and an overnight bus/flight onward — but the flight is usually the best value.

🚌Bus Şanlıurfa→Gaziantep ~£5–7 + domestic flight Gaziantep→Istanbul ~£25–45

🛏— (onward travel)

• →Zeugma Mosaic Museum (Belkıs-Zeugma)
• →Gaziantep bazaar and castle area
• →Baklava and local food tasting