Istanbul and Cappadocia after Boom
After Boom and Lisbon, our journey can continue to Istanbul from 27 to 31 July, with Cappadocia and a sunrise balloon flight, weather permitting. Mauritius passport holders need a Turkish visa to leave the airport.
How the extension fits
- 25 to 27 July: back in Lisbon after the festival, with a day at Costa da Caparica.
- 27 to 31 July: Istanbul, optional, and it requires the Lisbon part.
- Within 27 to 31 July: Cappadocia, optional, and it requires Istanbul.
- 31 July to 1 August: the overnight flight home from Istanbul, landing in Mauritius at midday.
Why Türkiye? Our flight packages already connect through Istanbul, in both directions. The extension turns that connection into a stop: instead of changing planes on the way home, you spend four days in Istanbul and, if you choose, Cappadocia.
What it includes
Istanbul
A 4-star stay, a welcome dinner, daily breakfast, private tour transport and the listed excursions.
Cappadocia
A hotel, domestic flights, sightseeing and a sunrise balloon experience, weather permitting. A Turkish Night is an optional extra, with Cappadocia only.
Single or mixed rooms in Türkiye are quoted by the team while the single supplement is confirmed. Prices are on the Boom 2027 page.
The Turkish visa
Ordinary Mauritius passport holders need a visa for Türkiye. The foreign ministry lists two routes: a one-month multiple-entry e-Visa from the official e-Visa website, or a three-month visa from a Turkish embassy or consulate.
If you only change planes in Istanbul and stay in the transit lounge, as on the way out to Lisbon, the ministry says you do not need a transit visa. For the extension you leave the airport, so you need the visa. This is a summary of official pages as we read them on 2 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and rules change: check the official sources before you book and again before you fly.
Istanbul
The Historic Areas of Istanbul have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. The listing includes the Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque.
Hagia Sophia and the other mosques are places of worship, with their own visiting rules and hours. Check them on the day.
Cappadocia and the balloons
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia were inscribed by UNESCO in 1985 for both culture and nature: a landscape sculpted by erosion, with sanctuaries cut into the rock, troglodyte villages and underground towns.
Why "weather permitting" matters
Türkiye's civil aviation authority controls balloon flights with a flag system. Only a green flag clears the balloons for take-off; a yellow or red flag keeps them on the ground. The morning flying window runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11:00.
So a sunrise flight is planned, never guaranteed, and the terms for weather disruption are still being confirmed.
Who the extension suits
It suits travellers who want more than the festival and are not in a hurry to get home: four more days, two very different places, and a journey home that stops properly instead of running through a corridor between gates. It suits less well anyone who needs to be back at work the Monday after Boom, or anyone who would be disappointed if the balloon did not fly.
Before you go
- Visa: apply for the Turkish e-Visa on the official site in good time.
- Rooms: if you want a single or mixed room in Türkiye, ask the team for a quote.
- Places of worship: check visiting rules and hours on the day.
- Balloon: treat it as a hope, not a promise, because it depends on the flag.
Money
The currency is the Turkish lira, with banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira in circulation.
Questions
Do Mauritians need a visa for Türkiye?
Yes, for an ordinary passport: an e-Visa for one month or a visa from a Turkish mission for three months. Not if you stay in the Istanbul transit lounge.
Is the Cappadocia balloon flight guaranteed?
No. Flights only take off under a green flag from the civil aviation authority, so they depend on the weather on the day.
Can I book Cappadocia without Istanbul?
No. On our Boom journey, Cappadocia requires Istanbul, and Istanbul requires the Lisbon part.
What does the Istanbul extension include?
A 4-star stay, a welcome dinner, daily breakfast, private tour transport and the listed excursions, from 27 to 31 July.
What currency is used in Türkiye?
The Turkish lira. Banknotes in circulation run from 5 to 200 lira.
What happens if the balloon flight is cancelled?
Flights depend on the green flag, and our terms for weather disruption are still being confirmed. The team will set them out before you book the extension.
Can I have a single room in Türkiye?
Yes, on request. Single or mixed rooms are quoted by the team while the single supplement is confirmed.
When do I get back to Mauritius?
With the Türkiye extension, the flight leaves Istanbul overnight on 31 July and lands in Mauritius at midday on 1 August.