Package Details

DAY 1: ISTANBUL > ANKARA Early departure from Istanbul, for a drive to Ankara, the Turkish capital. Your half-day tour in Ankara will include the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic. You will have dinner and spend the first night in Ankara. DAY 2: ANKARA > CAPPADOCIA After breakfast, you will leave the hotel to travel to the Cappadocia region. Cappadocia was an object of desire to men, even before it was mentioned in the Holy Bible. Once the capital of the powerful Hittite empire, later a refuge for early Christians; it is a land of magic, a region of exceptional natural wonders (in particular characterized by fairy chimneys), and a unique historical and cultural heritage. Prepare yourself to travel back in time, and prepare your mind to wander between the images of ancient people and the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. The drive to Cappadocia will take you to the shores of the picturesque Salt Lake, a vast ocean of white. You will have a chance to see the Turkish village lifestyle at short stops at the villages of Yaprakhisar and Selime. The first spot to visit in Cappadocia will be the Ihlara Valley, which was formed by volcanic eruptions; and where the scenery is fascinating. You will also visit the rock chapels with amazing frescoes. You will then visit the Derinkuyu Underground City, where the early Christians seek refuge as they fled the wrath of non-believers. This long day’s journey will end at Nevsehir, the center of the Cappadocia region; where you will have dinner and stay for the night. DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA Your day of wonders will begin early, even before breakfast. You will be picked up from the hotel to watch the sunrise over this magnificent land, from a hot air balloon. You will have a unique, fairytale-like experience, dipping down to pick fresh from the treetops, or soaring above the landscape, picking out landmarks never before noticed. You will then return to the hotel for breakfast, before continuing to explore Cappadocia. Then you will climb up to the citadel of Uchisar, which was used as a watchtower. You will see the Pigeon Valley with pigeon houses on the slopes of the valleys. You will enjoy the amazing panorama from Esentepe and Cevizlibag. You will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum. The area is populated by chapels, with awe-inspiring paintings made by exiled Christians during the Roman era. You will take a short walk to Zelve – Pasabag where you will find the most interesting rock formations, called “fairy chimneys”; as well as the first examples of a monk’s chapel. You will then visit Avanos, the pottery village, where tiles and plates are crafted, using the millennia-old Hittite technique. You will then return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Soganli Valley to enjoy a little trekking and visit the churches. You will then stop at Sahinefendi, a unique village, where you will find an opportunity to visit Sobesos, an ancient Roman city, which was very recently discovered. You will explore the Keslik Monastery and the ancient Greek village of Mustafapasa. On your way back to the hotel, you will visit the Saruhan Caravanserai, which was a pit stop for the travelers of the Silk Road and their camels, as well as a local wine factory, to taste the delicious Cappadocia wines. DAY 5: CAPPADOCIA > ISTANBUL You will leave the hotel after breakfast, and proceed to Istanbul via car.