13 DAYS CAPPADOCIA - EAST TOUR

Take the earlier morning Flight from Istanbul to Kayseri. We will meet you at the airport. You will be transferred to Cappadocia. Your Tour will start in Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley). You will drive further to Paşabağı (Valley of Monks), to witness and wonder the Fairy Chimneys. Continue to drive to Avanos for lunch and to visit a terra-cotta art center, ( Avanos is a typical terra-cotta art center). After driving to Göreme Open Air Museum in Göreme, where you can visit some earlier Byzantine churches. The next drive to Uçhisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia,  you will have a mesmerizing panoramic view over Cappadocia. At last, you will visit Ortahisar Castle, the castle was carved by the first Hittites for protection during the wars. You will be escorted to your local Hotel. Overnight Cappadocia. (Half Board)

Hot Air Balloon Flight if chosen(this flight can be purchased for more info look for the balloon thumbnail.).We will meet you at the Hotel Lobby. The Tour will begin in Mustafapaşa Village, a typical old Hellenic village is one of the villages that still keep the historical nature unharmed in Capadoccia. Continue moving on to Soğanlı Valley, where you can see some ruins and rock-cut churches of Byzantine (10th to 13th century), you will have lunch at Soğanlı at a local restaurant. After Soğanlı you will visit Sobesos: early Byzantine mosaics (5th - 8th century). Continue to drive to the Keşlik Monastery complex. On the back way, you will visit the Underground City in Kaymaklı, one of the biggest underground settlements of Cappadocia. You will be escorted to your Hotel. Overnight Cappadocia. (Half Board)

You will be picked up at 9:30 from your Hotel. Drive to the Underground City in Derinkuyu, also one of the biggest and famed underground cities in Cappadocia. There are many underground cities in Cappadocia. After 41 minutes’ of driving, you will arrive in Ihlara Valley-Ihlara Canyon, hiking 4km along the Melendiz River. The path leads you to Belisirma Village, where you will have your lunch at a local restaurant. After then you will visit Selime Monastery in Selimiye Village, a monastery that smells of history. On the back way, is your next stop Pigeon Valley, the name comes from different living pigeons species, the pigeons add a different beauty to the landscape.  After Pigeon Valley, you will drive to Esentepe Panorama, where you will have a mesmerizing view over the Göreme Village. You will be escorted to your Hotels. Overnight Cappadocia. (Half Board)

Departure from your hotel at 08.30 am. Drive to Karatay Kervansaray on the legendary Silk Road. Stop at Kahramanmaraş for lunch ( it’s famous with their ice cream). Continue you will visit the famous Gaziantep Mosaic Museum, discovered from ZEUGMA. You will visit the old city castle, copper bazaar and some other shops( like baklava shops). Overnight Gaziantep. (Half Board)

Today you will keep driving to Şanlıurfa. On the way, you will stop at Nizip to pay a visit to the ruins of the ancient city of Belki (Zeugma) by the River Euphrates. Lunch in Urfa and after lunch a walk through the local covered bazaar. After check-in at the hotel, free time for relaxing or discover some hidden historical treasures in the town Urfa by walking. Overnight in Urfa. (Half Board)

The birthplace of the prophet Abraham. Urfa is known as the prophet's city. Next, you will visit Harran. ( Harran according to the Bible was the site, where prophet Abraham spent a few years with his family before moving on Israel). You will also visit holy sites at the Anzelha, a lake with millions of fishes. After you will visit the cave, where the prophet Abraham was born. On the way to Kahta, you will see the Atatürk Dam, which is once of the third-largest in the world. Overnight Kahta. (Half Board)

In the morning 03:30 am  departure. Hike to the summit of Mt. Nemrut (one of the most popular Unesco world cultural heritage places). Watching the sunrise and marvel at the gigantic heads and statues of ancient divinities. These gigantic remains are at an elevation of 8000 ft. Antiochos build the entire complex around 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry. Also definitely take time to visit the old castle Arsemeia, cross over the still functioning Cendere Bridge ( Septimius Severus bridge ) dating all the way back to the 3rd century and Tumulus Tomb of Karakuş. Then drive back to the Hotel. You will reach Mardin with a ferry boat by crossing the dam, Lunch in Siverek. Arrival in Mardin and check in to your hotel. You will take the time to discover the town. Overnight Mardin. (Half Board)

In the morning visit Mardin. Mardin is very unique with lovely old-Arabic style houses. The houses are often decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading center with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. You will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia. It is a city that played an important role in the early development of Christianity. You will also visit the Monastery of Deyraz-Zaferan just outside of town. You drive to Hasankeyif, with a stop at the amazing little town of Midyat to see the Monastery and ancient houses. Hasankeyif, with its history that spans nine civilizations, the archaeological and religious. After lunch by the Tigris River, you depart to Tatvan, a small village on the edge of Lake Van. Overnight in Tatvan. (Half Board)

Depart from Tatvan and a beautiful drive around the lake to reach Van city, Established 13th century BC, from here, you will take a ferry across the lake to visit the finest Armenian architectural wonder of the Church of Holy Cross on Akdamar Island. Step Over to the huge Van Castle from the days of Urartu and see Van. Overnight Van. (Half Board)

Drive to Doğubeyazit. At the Iranian border, you will see a site known as the Crater Hole. This is a beautiful, yet rugged area. You will have the possibility to see Mt. Ararat from all sides. It is believed by some to be the resting- place of Noah’s Ark. You will stop and see the Ishak Paşa Palace. This complex is a combination of a mosque, a fortress, and a palace. Below you can also see the remains of Eski Beyazit and Urartian City. Overnight Kars. (Half Board)

After breakfast, you will 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 of the Armenian border imagining. Also, visit the impressive Kars Castle. Overnight Kars. (Half Board)

Leave Kars after Breakfast and drive to Erzurum. Of great interest will be the villages of Stone houses and black sheep on green meadows. Visit the 12th-century Yakutiye Medresesi ( Museum). Visit also Norman Fairy chimneys. Overnight Erzurum. (Half Board)

Transfer to the airport Erzurum and fly to Istanbul.

Tour Time Period         : 13 Days

Availability                    : All Year any Time

Hotel  Cappadocia        :  Cave - Stone or star Hotel   ( Half Board)

Hotel in Easten             :  Star Hotels - ( Half Board)

Start and Finish            : Cappadocia Airport – Erzurum Airport

Guiding Languages       :Your preferred languages, when available.