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Tour Stages ;
Stage 1 - Black Sea
Region
Stage 2 - Eastern Turkey
Stage 3 - Greater
Anatolia
Stage 4 / 5 -Western Turkey
click for Stages |
COMPLETE TURKEY TOUR
What better way to see and experience Turkey than
a complete 28 day tour from the metropolis of Istanbul, through the
agricultural lands of the Black Sea along the silk trade routes into the
east of Turkey and then along the famous coast lines of the Aegean and
Mediterranean Seas. The tour include Istanbul. Mt Ararat, Mt Nemrut with
its stone heads, Cappadocia and its moonscapes, The Ancient city of
Ephesus. You have the option not just to take the full complete tour but
to take sections of it. In actual fact you could pick up sections on
different holidays or only do areas of Turkey that interest you the
most. The choice is yours.
Day 1 – Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey!!! Today is your arrival day. Airport transfers are
available from Ataturk International Airport during the hours of 8am
till 11pm. Transfers will be made to your Hotel
Day 2 – Istanbul City Tour
We depart from the hotel at 08:30 for the Istanbul city tour. “TOPKAPI
PALACE” The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the
19th centuries. The palace houses an exquisite collection of crystal,
silver, and Chinese porcelain. Robes worn by the sultans and their
families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, and
the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next on the
list is the “SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE” Across from St. Sophia built
in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the “BLUE
MOSQUE” because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik
tiles. Outside the Blue Mosque we find the “HIPPODROME”. The Ancient
Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races and entertainment. The
Hippodrome comprises of three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the
bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. After a short
enjoyable lunch break we head to the “SPICE BAZAAR” (Egyptian Bazaar)
the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway,
saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
After the tour you have the option to experience The bosphorus Cruise
which will depart after the city tour. You will have the chance to enjoy
magnificent views of bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe.
Day 3 Safranbolu
08:30 am we depart for Safranbolu (From the 13th century to the advent
of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important
caravan station on the main East–West trade route. The Old Mosque, the
Old Bath House and Süleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322. During its
apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban
development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire.) On arrival we will
walk through the historical Safranbolu Bazaar, continuing on to Cinci
Hodja Caravanserai, Cici Hodja Bath House, Kaymakamlar House (Museum), -
- Overnight stay in Safranbolu
Day 4 Safranbolu – ANKARA
After Breakfast at 09:00 am we departure sleepy Safranbolu for Ankara (
3 to 4 hours drive ) On arrival we will have time for lunch before
taking the city tour of Ankara which is the 2nd biggest city and the
capital of Turkey. On the tour you will visit Ataturk`s (founder of the
modern Turkey) Museum and the Ataturk Mausoleum. Overnight in Ankara
Day 5 Ankara – Amasya
After breakfast drive to Amasya – Amasya Tour. Amasya is one of the
provinces which is distinct both with its natural setup and historical
values it holds. It was the homeland of the famous geographer Strabo.
Located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (Iris) river, it has a past
of 3000 years during which many civilizations left priceless remains of
their times. The ruins of the citadel on the rock face of the cleft
shelters 2000 year old water-channels, 1000 year old bridges, a mental
hospital, an Ottoman Palace and a secret underground passageway.
Overninght in Amasya
Day 6 Amasya – Trabzon
After Breakfast at 09:00am departure for Trabzon. When the Roman Empire
was divided into two at the end of the 4th century, Trabzon remained
under the sovereignty of the Eastern Roman Empire which later on was
called as Byzantine Empire. When relations and wars between the
Byzantines and the Arabs started, the Arabs called the people under the
Roman Sovereignty as Rum, and the areas under the Roman sovereignty as
Diyar-i Rum or Memleket-ul Rum (land of Rums). Over Night in Trabzon
Day 7. TRABZON
Depart for St. Sophia ( Ayasofya ), a 13th century church and study its
extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar
Hatun Mosque, Castle and Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside
retreat), visit Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town).
Lunch at a seaside restaurant in Akçaabat. Afternoon we explore the
cobbled stone streets of Trabzon. Drive to Boztepe; enjoy our tea from
samovar with the panoramic view of the city. Dinner & overnight stay in
Trabzon.
Day 8. SUMELA MONASTERY, ZIGANA, KARACA CAVE, ERZURUM
Depart for Sumela Monastery, visit the 4th century Sumela Monastery
which clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast
flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, lunch, traveling along
the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) will take us to
Karaca Cave, considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its
colors and formations. Drive to Erzurum via Bayburt. Dinner & overnight
stay in Erzurum.
Day 9. ERZURUM, KARS
An early morning departure from Erzurum will take us on a beautiful
drive to Kars passing on the way Sarikamis, the coldest spot in Turkey!.
We will arrive in Kars and visit Ani at the Turkish-Armenian border. We
will take a 45-minute drive to the medieval Armenian City of Ani, which
lies mostly in ruins. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the
ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravansaries. Enjoy a walk
around the ruins and see the beautiful view to the Armenian border
imagining it as a city with one million people rivaling Bagdad in its
time! This city has experienced the cultures of Urartians, Armenians,
Georgians, Mongols, Russians and finally the Turks.
Day 10. DOGUBAYAZIT (Mt. Ararat):
This morning we will drive for 3 1/2 hours along the "Silk Road" to
Dogubayazit. At the Iranian border we will see a site known as the
Crater Hole. This is a beautiful, yet rugged area. We will have the
opportunity to see Mt. Ararat from all sides. It is believed by some to
be the resting-place of Noah's Ark; but to date no one has found
anything that has been verified as the Ark - yet the search is still on.
In the afternoon we will stop and see the Ishak Pasa Palace. This
complex is a combination of a mosque, a fortress, and a palace which
originally had a room for every day of the year! Below you can also see
the remains of Eski Bayazit, and Urartian City which flourished in 1000
BC. Over Night in Dogubeyazit
Day 11. DOGUBEYAZIT VAN
After visiting the Iranian border, we will depart for Van in the early
morning, a drive of approximately three hours. This city has been
established 13th century BC, when the Hurrites arrived. Then the
Hittites, Urartians, Persian, Armenians, Macedonians, Romans and finally
in 11th century the Turks came here. From here, we will visit the finest
Armenian architectural wonder of the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar
Island. We’ll also visit the wonderful Kurdish castle of Hosap very
close to the Iranian border as well as the Urartian citadel. Over Night
in Van
Day 12 Van – Ahlat - Batis - Diyarbakir
After visiting the eerie 12the century Selcuk cemetery in Ahlat in the
morning we will head to Bitlis for lunch and a good walk around, Batis
otherwise known as Alexander's town. Its a unique medieval town! then we
will drive to Diyarbkir for the night.
Day 13 Diyarbakir - Urfa
Mardin is very unique with lovely old-Arabic style houses. It is a city
that played an important role in the early development of Christianity.
We will take the time to visit, walk in its busy streets and bazaars,
and admire the stonework all around the town. We will also visit the
Monastery of Deyr-az-Zaferan just outside of town, founded in 762 A.D.
It was the seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for almost 800 years.
This monastery is built on top of a 4000-year-old temple used by sun
worshippers. Drive on to Urfa for Overnight
Day 14 Urfa – City Tour
Urfa, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. Urfa has been occupied
since the Babylonians followed by the Hurrites, Hittites, Assyrians,
Greeks. We will also visit the holy sites at the Ainzelha, a lake with
millions of domesticated fish. While in Urfa we will shop at the
bustling covered bazaar as well. There are exceptional photo
opportunities in this area.
Day 15 URFA - MT.NEMRUT - Kahta:
From Urfa we will drive two hours to Adiyaman-Kahta. There we will
organise transfers up the mountain. This extraordinary landmark rests at
an elevation of 8000 ft. The mountain top complex is composed of two
flattened areas strewn with statues and separated by a false peak of
crushed rock. Antiouchus built the entire complex approximately 2000
years ago as a monument to his "divine ancestry." After watching sunset
and exploring the mountain we will make our way to Kahta for the night.
Day 16 Kahta to Gaziantep
Drive to Gaziantep, home to the famous Turkish dessert of baklava .
Visit the archaeological museum and explore the old city on foot and
overnight in Gaziantep.
Day 17 Gaziante – Adana – Tarsus
we depart for Adana in the morning and start our tour with the museum of
Archiology the 16th Century Ulu Mosque and the 19th century Clock Tower
then on to Tarsus going through Cleopatra Door and Yedi Uyurlar Cave –
Overnight in Tarsus
Day 18 Tarsus – Cappadocia
After an early breakfast, we drive north to Cappadocia on arrival we
will check into your exquisite boutique cave hotel the perfect place and
environment to spend the afternoon recharging the batteries, Cappadocia
is unlike anything you will ever see in your life from the landscapes to
the cave dwellings.. . Fascinating place...
Day 19 Cappadocia
Goreme Valley, where we'll examine the process of the rock formations of
Cappadocia. Later we drive a bit further and visit the cave dwellings in
conical rock formations around Uçhisar. Tea and coffee break in a cave
house before we go to Goreme Open-Air Museum, where the best preserved
frescoed rock cut churches and monasteries are located. After we have
buffet lunch, we visit the Family Fairy Chimneys of Urgup. Wine taste in
a local winery and visiting the wishing hill in Urgup.
A short walk in Devrent Valley where the rock formations look like
different figures. The Monk's Valley will be our next stop where we see
monk's cells in multi-capped Fairy Chimneys. Avanos, the pottery town of
Cappadocia is visited, and after a short walk in Rose valley Cavetown,
will take you to a remote place for sunset.
Day 20 Cappadocia
We'll pick you up in your hotel and depart at 09:00 o'clock to drive to
Ihlara Valley. There, we'll walk nearly 4 km and visit the frescoed
churches before it gets hot.
Lunch is in Ihlara Valley, at bank of Melendiz River, which is flowing
in the valley. After lunch, we'll visit Selime Cathedral and return back
to Derinkuyu Underground City. On the way, we'll visit the Nar Crater
Lake. Whilst all other tour groups are at Ihlara Valley, we will be in
an underground city where temperature is 12-13 C afternoon!!!.
After we visit the biggest underground city of Cappadocis, we'll drive
to the Pigeons Valley to see pigeon houses, which were made to collect
guano in.
Day 21 transfer Cappadocia – Konya – Antalya
Today is along driving day but is broken up with a lunch break in Konya.
This morning we drive to Konya and see the imposing green-tiled
Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Islamic Sufi sect
(Sufism is less an Islamic sect than a mystical way of approaching the
Islamic faith. It has been defined as "mystical Islamic belief and
practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and
knowledge through direct personal experience of God." “Whirling
Dervishes”). After the Konya Tour Depart for Antalya. Check in to your
hotel. The rest of the day is yours to discover Antalya. Over Night in
Antalya
Day 22 - Antalya City Tour Aspendos & Perge
After breakfast departure for Perge.
PERGE: According to the geographer Strabon, Perge has been founded by
Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first
mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the
following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the
Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the
first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns
in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his
campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. The people of Perge loved and
respected their Artemis to such an extent that Christianity had to wait
for another 400 years to enter here. In the Byzantine period, Perge was
the seat of the bishop. Even though Arabs raided Perge in the 7th
century AD, when Seljuk Turks settled the area, records show the
existence of an older race living here.
After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient
times. The Toros Daglari ( Taurus Mountains ) forms a beautiful back
drop to the fertile coast, rich with fields of cotton and vegetables.
Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In
486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won they
didn't stay for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus
Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best
preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines
and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a
stadium, an agora, and a basilica. After Aspendos return to hotel for
dinner. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 23- Antalya - Pamukkale
After breakfast depart for Pamukkale. We shall visit the calcium
terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis,
walking around this natural phenomenon gives you the option of lying in
the waters of the natural springs that flow down the calcium terraces.
Over Night in Pamukkale.
Day 24 Pamukkale to Kusadasi
You don't have to wake up early, enjoy the thermal poll in Hotel and
sunshine and and explore the city, shop in the local markets. After
lunch we depart for Kusadasi. You will be given your room key and the
rest of the day is yours to enjoy party and explore Kusadasi. Over Night
in Kusadasi
Day 25 - Ephesus & Kusadasi
At 0830 we depart for Ephesus (20 min drive) - once the commercial
centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The
city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural
program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once
considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt
several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The
tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths,
as well as the Library of Celsus. After lunch, we will make a shopping
tour in which you will become aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like
leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you
will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well
known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping
experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 26 Bergama – Canakkale
Today we drive to Pergamum (45 minute drive) - see Asklepion, Zeus’s
alter, the Red Bassilcia etc. BERGAMA is the site of the Hellenistic -
and later Roman city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a
powerful local dynasty. Its foremost attraction is the Kizil Avlu or
"Red Basilica", a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis,
originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris and converted to
a basilica by the early Christians, when it was one of the Seven
Churches of Asia Minor addressed by St John in the book of Revelation -
though sadly it's now a crumbling ruin with a mosque in one of its
towers. After Pargamum we continue towards the our hotel in Canakkale.
Over Night in Canakkale.
Day 27 – Canakkale – Troy – Gallipoli - Istanbul
After breakfast we drive to Troy where you can explore the site of the
legendary town, made famous by Homer in his Iliad and visit the Temple
of Athena and have lunches in Eceabat. After Lunch visit the sites that
have made Gallipoli a landmark and the memorial for all those that fell
during the Battle of Gallipoli during World War 1. Gallipoli also stands
as the birth place for the foundation of Turkey as we know it today. The
rise of Turkeys founder Ataturk as well as the friendships formed
between several nations during the battle for the Dardanels. Over Night
in Canakkale
Day 28 – Istanbul – End of Tour
Breakfast Included
Today your tour is over. Please make your own arrangements for departure
remembering that your hotel will need you to check out before midday. We
hope you had a memorable tour and we look forward to seeing you in the
future on another tour. Have a safe trip back home and
thanks for choosing our agency.
TOUR INCLUDING
3, 4 star and Butique Hotels in each area
3 Nights accommodation in Istanbul with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Safranbolu with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Ankara with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Amasya with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Nights accommodation in Trabzon with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Erzurum with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Kars with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Dogu Bayazit with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Van with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Diyabakir with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Nights accommodation in Urfa with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Gaziantep with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Kahta with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Nights accommodation in Adana with Breakfast and Dinner
3 Night accommodation in Cappadocia with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Nights accommodation in Antalya with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Night accommodation in Pamukkale with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Night accommodation in Kusadasi with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Night accommodation in Canakkale with Breakfast and Dinner
Guided Tour to Istanbul City Tour
Guided Tour to Safranbolu
Guided Tour to Ankara
Guided Tour to Amasya
Guided Tour to Trabzon
Guided Tour to Erzurum
Guided Tour to Kars
Guided Tour to Dogubayazit
Guided Tour to Van
Guided Tour to Diyarbakir
Guided Tour to Mardin
Guided Tour to Urfa
Guided Tour to MT Nemrut
Guided Tour to Gaziantep
Guided Tour to Tarsus
Guided Tour to Mersin
Guided Tour to Adana
Guided Tour to Cappadocia
Guided Tour to Konya
Guided Tour to Pamukkale
Guided Tour to Antalya Aspendos & Perge
Guided Tour to Kusadasi
Guided Tour to Ephesus
Guided Tour to Bergamon
Guided Tour to Troy
Guided Tour to Gallipoli
Guided Tour to Canakkale
Private Air-conditioned busses
Private Professional English speaking tour guide
All entrance fees mentioned in the Itinerary
Private airport transfers
Tour Excludes :
International Flights
Personal expenses: Lunches, Extras at hotel or meals
Tipping: Tips for guide and drivers
Insurance: All types
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