Start your adventure in Tehran by hiking up Mount Tochal which provides stunning views of the city. Once you reach the top, grab some traditional tea from one of the vendors and watch the sunset. Afterward, head to Darband for dinner and traditional Persian music under the stars.
Spend the day exploring Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, by starting at the UNESCO-listed Old City which houses the iconic Maiden Tower. Stop by the Hirkan National Park and the ultra-modern Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center for stunning views and a taste of Azerbaijani culture.
Tbilisi, Georgia's charming capital, offers endless excitement from adventures such as white water rafting, hot air ballooning, and paragliding. Start at the Georgian National Museum and enjoy Georgian cuisine in the old city before hopping on a cable car for stunning panoramic views of the city.
Cappadocia, Turkey is a fairy-tale destination known for its hot air balloons, cave hotels, and unique landscapes. Visit the Goreme open-air museum to see ancient cave dwellings or take a hot air balloon ride for magical views of the valleys and mountains.
Istanbul has endless adventure opportunities such as cruising the Bosphorus, taking a Turkish cooking class, or exploring the Grand Bazaar. Start at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia before heading to Taksim Square for traditional Turkish tea and coffee.
Most regions in this itinerary can be traveled by train, bus or car. A flight is needed from Tehran to Baku. Estimated travel time and costs are as follows:
Tehran to Baku (2 hours, $100-$150)
Baku to Tbilisi (3 hours, $50-$100)
Tbilisi to Cappadocia (10-11 hours, $50-$150)
Cappadocia to Istanbul (10-11 hours, $50-$150).
If you have more time, consider spending a day in Yerevan, Armenia or exploring the Black Sea coast in Georgia. If you have less time, skip Baku and head straight to Tbilisi or stay two nights in Cappadocia instead of three.
The main airport in Istanbul is Istanbul Airport (IST), which is located 35km northwest of the city center. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is the second airport serving Istanbul. The airport code for Tehran is IKA, and it is located 30km southwest of Tehran's city center.