CAPPADOCIA, in other words katpatuka, Land of Beautiful Horses. Cappadocia is one of the flowers of the world with history, one of the most amazing geography, [...]
23 Days Grand Turkey Tour - 23/22
23 Days Grand Turkey Tour
Day 1 Saturday Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore. Overnight Istanbul
Day 2 Sunday Istanbul Old City
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. Overnight Istanbul (B)
Day 3 Monday Gallipoli Battlefields
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels. Overnight Canakkale (B, D)
Day 4 Tuesday Troy, Acropolis of Pergamum
This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse and then tour the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made Pergamum a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. Overnight Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 5 Wednesday Ephesus, Kusadasi
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Overnight Kusadasi (B, D)
Day 6 Thursday Pamukkale, Hierapolis
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Overnight Pamukkale (B, D)
Day 7 Friday Silk Road, Konya
Today we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. Tonight, don't miss the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening! Overnight Cappadocia (B, D)
Day 8 Saturday Cappadocia, Goreme, Underground City
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia through the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, the fairy chimneys and explore the many levels of an underground city. Overnight Cappadocia (B, D)
Suggested Activities:
Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia: Flying in a hot air balloon is the best way to discover the deep valleys and rock formation of Cappadocia.Our experienced professional pilots will be delighted to take you on an unforgettable journey over Cappadocia. A voyage beyond words over the most stunning landscape.
Cooking Class at Cappadocia: Cooking classes are taught by a local village woman who will guide you through the process of preparing and cooking a traditional Turkish 3 course meal.This will be include soup,at least 2 type of main dishes and a dessert.
Day 9 Sunday Ankara
Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul (B)
(Optional morning flight to Istanbul from Kayseri, Cappadocia)
Day 10 Monday Istanbul
Breakfast at your hotel then today we cruise along the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorous which is jewel of the city.Spice bazaar and Golden Horn. This afternoon , we visit the Asian side of Istanbul, Camlica Hill with its panoramic view and Beylerbeyi Palace. Overnight Istanbul. (B, L)
Day 11 Tuesday Istanbul
Today you are free to explore this exotic city that spans east and west, before boarding your flight to Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia (B)
Day 12 Wednesday Gaziantep
Early morning departure for Gaziantep, where we will see the noteworthy Roman mosaics of Zeugma in the Archeological Museum. Along the way we will visit Yesemek which is the largest known sculpture workshop in the ancient Near East. Overnight Gaziantep (B)
Day 13 Thursday Sanli Urfa
Today we drive to the ancient city of Sanli Urfa, home of Abraham and a centre of Islamic pilgrimage famous for its ancient bazaar. On the way we will visit remains of the ancient Roman city of Zeugma by the River Euphrates. Overnight Sanli Urfa (B)
Day 14 Friday Kahta
Discover the ‘City of Prophets’ as we visit Abrahams caves, the pool of sacred Carp and the busy colourful silk bazaar before visiting nearby Harran to see the incredible beehive houses. In the afternoon we drive to Kahta with a brief stop at Ataturk dam, third largest in the world.
Overnight Kahta (B)
Day 15 Saturday Mt Nemrut
Today will be an experience to remember as we visit Mt Nemrut and the mountain top sanctuary of Antiochus I at sunrise, the site of ancient Arsemia,visit the Karakus Tumulus before continuing to Mardin, overlooking the vast plains of Mesopotamia.
Overnight Mardin (B)
Day 16 Sunday Mardin
This morning we travel to the city of Mardin and it’s Arabic style houses decorated with intricate carvings before continuing onto Hasankeyf, to visit the cliff top roman ruins of ancient Cephe and the old town of Midyat. After lunch by the Tigris River we depart to Tatvan, a small village on the edge of Lake Van and watch the sun set over the lake before heading to Van.
Overnight Van (B).
Day 17 Monday Van
Today we take a ferry to Akdamar Island and visit the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross built in the 10th century.its built of carved red stone. Overnight Van (B)
Day 18 Tuesday Dogubeyazit
Today we drive the ancient ‘silk road’ Dogubeyazit located at the foothill of Mt Ararat, the highest mountain in Anatolia and Noah’s Ark is thought to have landed.
We also tour Ishak Pasa Palace and visit the remains of Eski Beyazit, an ancient Urartian City before continuing onto Kars.
Overnight Kars (B)
Day 19 Wednesday Kars
An early morning departure to the medieval City of Ani, close to the Turkish-Armenian border. We also have a chance to visit the impressive Kars Castle, and surrounding ancient churches.
Overnight Kars (B)
Day 20 Thursday Erzurum
Today we drive southwest to the scenic heights of Erzurum. On the way we will visit a 12th century Medrese, talk with the imam at the 12th century Mosque and enjoy the ethnographic museum. Overnight Erzurum (B)
Day 21 Friday Trabzon, Sumela Monastery
We will enjoy a scenic drive towards the historic city of Trabzon today, via Karaca Cave before visiting the breathtaking Byzantine Monastery of Sumela which is 1600 years old ORTHODOX Monastery. Overnight Trabzon (B)
Day 22 Saturday Istanbul
Today we tour the historic city of Trabzon, once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Hagia Sophia Museum built as a church in the 13 th century and still it houses wonderful wall paintings and mosaics, before our flight back to Istanbul. (B)
Day 23 Sunday Istanbul
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your outbound flight. (B)
INCLUSIONS
Inbound Airport Transfer - Istanbul - Atatürk Airport (IST)
OR Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
o Outbound Airport Transfer - Istanbul - Atatürk Airport (IST)
OR Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
o Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
o Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
o Entrance fees
o 13 Breakfasts
o 13 nights - Special Class Cave & 4 star accommodation in total.
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