Hidden Turkiye 22 Days

Day 1 – Arrival Istanbul
Arrival in Istanbul and Meet&Greet at the airport, transfer to the hotel, check- in. Leisure afternoon. Overnight Istanbul.
IST airport: After luggage section, continue to Exit Gate Number 9. We will be waiting there with a digital sign.

Day 2 – Sultanahmet – Old Istanbul (B)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:00am
Visit to Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed (Entrance to Harem is included). We will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. After lunch break visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the Yerebatan underground Cistern. At the end of the tour, at request, free time to see the Grand Covered Bazaar (except Sundays). Overnight Istanbul.
*May be done as a walking tour if your hotel is located in Old City area. *Order of visits may be reversed..

Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise with Beylerbeyi (B)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:45am
Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market on the Golden Horn. Board your cruise* of the Bosphorus, the waterway, which separates the continents of Europe and Asia. Pass Rumeli fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to prepare for his conquest of Istanbul. Time for lunch in a restaurant. Cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia and visit Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, then on to Camlica Hill for a magnificent view of Istanbul.
*Order of visits may be reversed..
*Cruise is done by public boat unless other arrangements are made. For private boat alternative please ask.

Day 4 – Istanbul – Trabzon (B)
Pick-up from hotel 2 hours before flight departure.
Transfer to the airport to take the morning flight to Trabzon. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Visit to Sümela Monastery, is a spectacular rock-hewn monastery perched dramatically on the narrow ledge of a steep cliff in the forests south of Trabzon. It was built in the fourth century, just before the Roman Empire split into east and west, by two Athenian priests, Barnabas and Sophronius, who, according to legend, found a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave. Overnight Trabzon.

Day 5 – Trabzon – Erzurum (B.D) (300 km, 4 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Drive along the Silk Route through the Zigana Mountains which will take us to Karaca Cave that is considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its colors and formations. Continue to Erzurum via Bayburt where we check-in for overnight stay in Erzurum. Visit Cifte Minare and Yakutiye Medrese. Free time in Rustem Pasha Bedesten, devoted manufacture and sale of Oltutas jewelry. Overnight Erzurum

Day 6 – Erzurum – Sarikamis – Ani – Kars (B.D) (250 km, 3,5 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
After breakfast, today we drive to Ani via Kars. Ani dates back as far as the 5th century AD and from 806 it served as the capital of Armenia. After our visits here we drive to Sarikamis once a favourite retreat of the Tsars of Russia where we spend the night. Overnight Kars.

Day 7 – Kars – Dogubeyazıt (200 km, 3 hours) – Van (B.) (180 km, 3 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Today we head on further south to Van via Dogubeyazit where we visit the legendary Ishakpasha Palace built towards the end of the 18th century by a powerful local family who were the rulers of the area. We then drive further past Mt. Ararat which according to ancient tradition is the mountain on which Noah’s Arkrested. Ararat consists of 2 peaks: Buyuk Agri (5165 m) and Kucuk Agri (3925 m). We visit the Muradiye waterfalls en route. Overnight Van.

Day 8 – Van (B.)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
After a leisurely breakfast, we first visit Akdamar Island on which an 11th Century Armenian Monastery is situated with beautiful architecture on by the Lake Van. Continue with Tusba Castle. After lunch at a local restaurant we head on to Cavustepe. Overnight Van.

Day 9 – Van – Mardin (B.) (500 km, 6,5 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Early departure for the longest ride of the tour (7 hours). Drive west from Van around the southern end of Lake Van to Bitlis, then southwest to Mardin near the Iraqian border. We travel via Bitlis and Ahlat where we will visit the Conic Tombs of Seljuk-Turkish period. Overnight Mardin.

Day 10 – Mardin – Sanliurfa (B.) (220 km, 3 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Mardin: located on a high hill overlooking the plains of southern Turkiye and Syria. After breakfast, we will visit Deir-Al-Zafaran (the Saffron Monastery), center of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchy and still an active monastery. After lunch drive to Hasankeyf, situated by the Tigris river. Soon to be submerged under the flood waters of a new dam on the Tigris, Hasankeyf has hundreds of caves, hidden waterways, tombs, a larger and smaller Palace, as well as ruins of the Great Mosque. Drive to Sanliurfa for overnight.

Day 11 – Sanliurfa – Göbeklitepe – Mt Nemrut (B) (180 km, 2,5 hours)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
In the morning, we will visit Urfa Archaeological Museum. This museum exhibit a huge collection, founded from Harran and Gobeklitepe Area. We will also visit the holy sites at Balıklıgöl, a lake with millions of domesticated fish. While in Urfa we will visit the cave where the prophet Abraham was born. Then, walk through the local covered bazaar of Sanliurfa. We will drive to visit Gobeklitepe, a hilltop sanctuary erected on the highest point of an elongated mountain ridge some 15 km northeast of the town of Urfa. What makes Gobeklitepe unique in its class is the date it was built, which is roughly twelve thousand years ago, circa 10,500 BC. We will visit nearby Harran and see the incredible beehive houses. Harran- according to the Bible- was the site where prophet Abraham spent a few years with his family before moving on to Israel, the Promised Land. There are exceptional photo opportunities in this area. Overnight near Mt Nemrut.

Day 12 – Mt Nemrut – Cappadocia (B) (500 km, 7,5 hours)
According to the season you can visit Mt Nemrut during sunset or overnight and visit during sunrise. For sunrise tour, you should get up around 2:30am
Then we hike to the summit of the mount Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunset, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology. This extraordinary landmark rests at an elevation of 7000 ft. The mountain top complex is composed of two flattened areas strewn with statues and separated by a false peak of crushed rock. Antiochus built the entire complex approximately 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry. In the afternoon we will drive to see Tumulus Tomb of Karakus, cross over the still functioning Cendere Bridge (Septimus Severus bridge) and the old castle, Arsemeia
Drive to Cappadocia (7,5 hours) and for overnight.

Day 13 – Cappadocia (B.)
*Optional Hot air ballooning: Pick up from hotel around 04:00-05:00 (according to the season) and drive to balloon take off place. Take the balloon flight and after the flight you will have your certificate and return to hotel around 07:00-08:00 (according to the season). Refresh and relax a little and ready for your day tour.
Meeting at the hotel reception at 10:00am
Start the day with Pigeon Valley. Then tour to Özkonak or Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. Visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. After lunch visit Ürgüp fairy chimneys. Then continue to Ortahisar see the castle then have a Turkish Coffee break. Finish the day with panorama of the Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations, is in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist crowd. Overnight Cappadocia.

Day 14 – Cappadocia (B.)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 10:00am
After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Pasabag near Zelve ; "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies". Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Continue to Uchisar to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia.

Day 15 – Cappadocia – Konya (250 km, 3 hours drive) - Antalya (B) (300 km, 4 hours drive)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Drive to Konya, en route, visit to Sultanhani Caravanserai, roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Caravanserai is supported the flow of commerce, information and people across a network of trade routes of Asia, North Africa and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice road. In Konya center, visit to Mevlana Sufi temple. Mevlana is the founder of Sufism and whirling Dervishes. Overnight Antalya.

Day 16 – Antalya (B)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:30am
Visit to Perge – Aspendos and Kursunlu waterfalls or Antalya Museum. Overnight Antalya

Day 17 – Antalya – Pamukkale – Laodicea (B.D) (280 km, 4 hours drive)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Drive to Pamukkale (4 hours), on the way, visit to Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Excavations still going on and an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus will be uncovered soon. We see the ancient theatres, the remains of basilica which was recently uncovered, ancient stone water pipes, Temple A, agora, monumental fountain. After Laodicea, Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders that you can see from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side. About 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): “pamuk” for cotton and “kale” for castle. Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters. Overnight Pamukkale.

Day 18 – Pamukkale – Kusadasi (B.D) (200 km, 3 hours drive)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:00am
Drive to Ephesus, on the way, visit to Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias was primarily known as a center for the arts, specifically sculpture. The Aphrodisias School of Sculpture had a distinctive style and was very well circulated throughout the Greek and Roman world. Overnight Kusadasi.

Day 19 – Kusadasi – Ephesus (B.D)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:00am
Visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. We will spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many other familiar historical names. The recently opened Terrace Houses (optional visit with extra entrance fee) where the wealthiest Romans lived are an excellent example of sensitive excavation and presentation. The mosaics and frescos are spectacular. The next stop is The House of Virgin Mary. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after the Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and he was buried. Visit to temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Overnight Kusadasi near Ephesus.

Day 20 – Kusadasi – Pergamum (200 km, 3 hours drive) – Troy – Canakkale (B) (240 km, 3,5 hours drive)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:00am
Visit Pergamon or Pergamum that became an important kingdom during the Hellenistic period, Pergamon had the second best library in the ancient Greek civilisation (the ancient Library of Pergamum), after Alexandria. When the Ptolemies stopped exporting papyrus, partly because of competitors and partly because of shortages, the Pergamenes invented a new substance to use in codices, called pergaminus or parchment after the city. This was made of fine calf skin, a predecessor of vellum. Asclepion, located to the southwest of the lower city, was a sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepics which was one of the largest hospitals in history, is located to the west of the city, which was a great center of culture, art and medicine. Then visit Troy (Truva) is an ancient city which existed over 4000 years and known as the center of ancient civilizations. The remains of the city – the remains from the thieves and destructors – can be visit in here.

Day 21 – Trojan Horse – Gallipoli – Istanbul (B) (350 km, 4,5 hours drive)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:00am
Visit famous wooden Trojan Horse. Continue to Gallipoli and then across the Dardanelles to Istanbul for overnight.

Day 22 – Leaving Istanbul (B)
Pick-up from hotel 3 hours before flight departure.
Transfer to the airport to take to your international flight and leave Turkiye

Abbreviations

B = Breakfast L= Lunch D = Dinner (Lunch excluded on private tours)

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