- Day 1 -
** As we say in Turkey, HOS GELDINIZ! Welcome to Turkey. We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After a short briefing about your tour you will have the afternoon free to rest and explore Istanbul on your own.: <overnight in ISTANBUL
- Day 2 This will be a full day of exploring the historical sites of Istanbul.
Sites you’ll see today
Byzantine Hippodrome -The focal point of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Constantine. Within it’s center you will see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.
Topkapi Palace--the residence and leadership center of the Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. It was built in 1459-1465 shortly after the conquest of Constantinople. You will see the Treasury that includes the Topkapi Dagger, the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s Diamond, and the jewel encased bones of St. John the Baptist’s skull and arm bone. You also will see the Harem where all the women of the Palace were "kept", and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle that is home to some of the holiest Muslim relics...including the mantle worn by the Prophet Mohammed and hairs from his beard.
*Blue Mosque--World renown for it’s architecture and focal point for worshipping Muslims
*Haghia Sophia--1,400 year old supreme church from Byzantium times which houses famous Byzantine Mosaics
*Underground Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century--Wander underground in this cavern built during the time of Justinian and view classical columns including one with the base carved as the head of Medusa
*In the evening we will join for another Turkish dinner.
>Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner provided<overnight in ISTANBUL
- Day 3 -
Early in the morning we will transfer you to the domestic airport and will put you on a 1 hour 15 minute flight down to Antalya, after arrival we will meet you at the Airport and transfer to your hotel, After check in, you will have free day to relax or to explore Antalya's old part ( Kaleici ) Overnight stay in Antalya
- Day 4 -
Around 09:00 you will be picked up from your
All day you will be visiting the ruins of Side, Perge, Aspendos and Manavgat water falls will be the last stop After the tour you will depart from Antalya to Cappadocia on an Overnight stay bus
- Day 5 -
Ealry arrival in Cappadocia, transfer to your hotel, free day to relax or to explore the Urgup town on your own, Overnigt stay in Cappadocia
- Day 6 -
Sites you’ll see today
*The World Heritage Site of Goreme Open-Air Museum --This is a cluster of rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries which include some wonderful 11th and 12th century frescoes on the cave walls. This place was used by the Christians as a place of refuge from those opposed to Christianity and also was a major monastery. Rooms, churches, houses, and gathering halls have all been cut into the rock or formed from natural caves. Within the caves you can explore and see the preserved mosaics and frescoes.
*Fairy Chimneys--These geological phenomenon have been shaped over millions of years. They were formed during volcanic eruptions in the region. Reaching at times 40 meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a "hat" top to them.
*Devrent Valley--This valley is know as "the pink valley" because of the color of it’s soil. This is a lovely place to wander around and look at the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy Chimneys.
*Uchisar Castle--Also called a fortress, this is actually a formation of two gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller rocks that together form a natural fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine and Ottoman times. You can climb and explore the different caves and rooms throughout the fortress, experiencing first-hand what it must have been like to hide in these fortified rocks, waiting for the ancient enemy to pass by or give up.
*We will also get the chance to visit local craftspeople and learn how they make dolls and create traditional pottery.
>Breakfast/Lunch <overnight in URGUP.
- Day 7 -
Today will be spent walking through an underground city where ancient people once fled for their lives escaping the Arab invaders, wandering through Ilhara Gorge and spending time in an Anatolian village. As we will need to drive for awhile in order to reach our first destination, we will be starting out quite early this morning.
Sites you’ll see today
*Underground City of Derinkuyu -- You will gradually stroll your way down into the depths of the earth in this ancient underground city that has 18-20 floors as deep as 40 meters below the ground. Don’t worry, you will only go down to the 8th floor. Cappadocia has around 36 underground cities. Archeologists date these back to the time of the Hittites which lived 4000 years ago. Others believe they were inhabited around the 7th century BC.....Regardless of how old or young they are, undoubtedly they will leave you with a sense of awe of how the dwellers of these cities lived. As you wind down you will begin to feel as if you are in a huge block of Swiss cheese. Everywhere you look there will be nooks and crannies carved into the rocks: holes, windows , paths, alleys, little rooms. . . it is really a maze of mass proportions. You will see ancient kitchens and stables; storage jars for oil, wine and water; rock carved tables, chairs, and beds; and deep wells for water supplies.
*Ihlara Gorge will seem like an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. Delve into the gorge and see the beautiful greenery as you follow the river. Around you will see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon holes cut into the cliffs by the monks. They used these pigeons as messengers to communicate with their monk friends!
*Traditional Anatolian villages --The head-scarved women out at work in the fields from sun up until sun-down, and the mustached, vest-wearing men hard at work playing cards in the coffee shops. You will get time to stroll in such a village and see the average Turkish villager at work...or play. >Breakfast/Lunch provided,
After the tour we will transfer you to the Kayseri airport and will put you on a 1 hour flight back to Istanbul, after your arrival then we will transfer you to your hotel & Overnight stay in Istanbul
- Day 8 -
After breakfast you will have a full free day to relax or explore istanbul on your own, Overnight stay
- Day 9 -
Gule, Gule! It is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well, asking that you keep Turkey and all of us in your hearts and hoping that our paths cross again in this life! If you have extended your time with an additional add-on trip, we will be confirming this day with you your additional schedule. To see additional trip add-ons, see below or go to the top of this page and click on trip add-ons.
Total Cost
By Bus ; 535 Euro per person in double and 545 Euro for single supplement,
By Plane ; 755 Euro per person in double and 875 Euro for single supplement,
Includes ; 4 airport transfers, 2 ways domestic flight tickets, All of the the guided tour in Istanbul, Antalya and in Cappadocia - All of the entrance fees to the museums and to the ancient sites, 4 lunches, professional tour guides. all of the tax and servoce charges.
For all your questions, please contact us at info@encounterturkey.com
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