- Day 1 - Istanbul to Cappadocia - (L)
Early in the morning we will pick you from your hotel and transfer you to the domestic airport and put you on a 1 hour flight to Kayseri, after arrival we will transfer you to Cappadocia and continue on the program.
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 2 - Cappadocia to Istanbul - (B/L)
Today will be spent walking through an underground city where ancient people once fled for their lives escaping the Arab invaders, wandering through Ihlara 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. You will be amazed at the elaborate ancient ventilation system in place. These cities were fortified and prepared for it’s inhabitants to hide out for months from attackers, especially during the Arab invasions. During Christian times the hiding worshippers even built little chapels that you can still see.
*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.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Day 3 - Cappadocia to Amasya - (B)
After breakfast we will provide a bus transfer from Cappadocia to Amasya, ( this will be a scenic and fun drive)
After arrival you will check into your hotel, Overnight stay.

Day 4 - Amasya - (B)
After breakfast you will have a full free day to explore this amazing amasya city on your own, Overnight stay in Amasya,
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Amasya stands in the mountains above the Black Sea coast, the city was built in a narrow valley along the banks of the Yesilırmak River. Although near the Black Sea this area is very high above the coast and has an inland climate, well-suited to growing apples, for which the province of Amasya is famed.
In antiquity Amaseia was a fortified city high on the cliffs above the river. This area has a long history as provincial capital, a wealthy city producing kings and princes, artists, scientists, poets and thinkers, from the kings of Pontus, through Strabo the geographer, to many generations of the Ottoman imperial dynasty and right up to being the location of an important moment in the life of Ataturk. With its Ottoman period wooden houses and the tombs of the Pontus kings carved into the cliffs overhead Amasya is still attractive to visitors.
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Day 5 - Amasya to Trabzon - (B)
After breakfast we will provide a bus trasfer from Amasya to Trabzon, ( this will be another scenic drive through picturesque Pontic Mountains, After reaching Trabzon, you will check into your hotel, Overinght stay in Trabzon.

Day 6 - Trabzon - (B)
After breakfast you meet your tour guide then we will continue on your tour, Today you will visit Sumela Monastery,
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Little about Sumela Monastery
It sits high up on the cliffs of mouth Mela, southeast of Trabzon. It was founded in the 4 th century by 2 Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, who were guided to the site by an icon of a "black" image of the Virgn, allegedly painted by St. Luke. After their deaths, sumela became a place of pilgrimage. It was decorated with frescoes, and its treasures included priceless manuscripts and silver plates. The monastery was built several times -the ruins seen by today's visitors date largely 19 th century. In the Ottoman era, sumela enjoyed the protection of the sultans, but it was abandoned and badly damage during the War of independence. In recent years, extensive restoration has been carried out. Little about Trabzon
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then drive south to Gumushane, breath taking view of Zigana and Pontic Mountains, picturesque villages will be your scene on the way, After visiting Gumushane and Karaca Cave, then head back to Trabzon for your overnight stay.

Day 7 - Trabzon to Uzungol - (B/D)
After breakfast we will start the day visiting Hagia Sophia Church of Trabzon, then we will do a short panoramic tour of the region then we will continue on our drive to Uzungol, on the way we will stop at a traditional restaurant then continue on our scenic drive to Uzungol, after arrival, you will check into your hotel then will have a free afternoon to relax and explore on your own. Overnight stay in Uzungol.
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Uzungol is a lake situated to the south of the city of Trabzon in Turkey and It is also the name of a nearby village. It was formed by landslide making the stream bed to become a natural dam in the valley of Haldizen Stream.
The area is most famous for its natural beauty. Located in a valley between high rising mountains, the lake and village at first appear inaccessible. The surrounding greenery of the mountain forests and fog, occasionally enveloping the lake at night, also add to the scenery.
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Day 8 - Uzungol to Ayder - (B/D)
After breakfast we will depart from Uzungol and drive to Ayder. on the way we will visit the Rize town, Tea Plantations, Trekking into Goksu Falls, Early in the evening we will arrive in Ayder, check into our hotel, Overnight stay in a traditionally designed wooden hotel in Ayder.

Day 9 - Ayder to Trabzon then back to Istanbul - (B)
After breakfast we will depart from Ayder and return to Trabzon, we will be driving on scenic roads with breath taking views, small traditional villages, waterfalls with small stops on the way we will arrive in Trabzon, get on the flight back to Istanbul, After arrival in Istanbul we will provide a transfer to your Istanbul hotel.

Tour ends

Total cost will be ------ per person in double ----- Euros in single room ( price given upon request, just e-mail us the date you wish to go, then we will get back to you with the price, hotel names and their web sites)

Price includes
* Istanbul - Trabzon - Istanbul flight tickets
* 3 nights accommodation in centrally located unique hotels
* All of the land transfers and guiding
* Admissions and entrance fees to the sites
* Meals mentioned on (B/L/D) codes
* All of the Tax and service charges

Excludes
* Drinks with meals
* Tips

We can always customize this program and includes more sites like, Eastern Turkey, Ephesus and Pamukkale,