Eastern Turkey: Itinerary
| 10 Day Fully Escorted Tour of Cappadocia and Eastern Turkey |
| Day 1 |
USA / Cappadocia via Istanbul |
| Depart for Cappadocia, Turkey via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines
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| Day 2 |
Cappadocia |
Arrive in Cappadocia. Meet your guide upon arrival. Transfer to your cave hotel.
Meals: At the hotel
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| Day 3 |
Cappadocia |
After breakfast visit Devrent imagination valley(a lunar landscape), Zelve open air museum(houses carved in rock, Seljukian mosque & remains nearly from all
the ancient civilizations), Pasabaglari(Fairy chimneys), Avanos (pottery demonstration with the Hittite tecnique Pigeon valley, Uchisar rock-castle, Esentepe(panoramic view
of Goreme valley) and Goreme open air museum(rock cut churches, frescoes, monastery). Return to your hotel for overnight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 4 |
Cappadocia - Gaziantep
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Departure from your hotel at 08:30. Drive to Karatay Caravansarai and visit. Stop at Kahramanmaras for lunch and a taste of its famous ice cream. Continue on
to visit the world famous Gaziantep Mosaic Museum containg Zeugma Mosaics. We will also visit the old city castle, copper bazzar and the famous Baklava shop (Baklava is
originally from Gaziantep). Overnight stay in Gaziantep
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 5 |
Gaziantep - Sanli Urfa |
After breakfast, we drive to Sanli Urfa. On the way we stop at Nizip (soap and olive oil district) and see the remains of the old city of Belkis or (Zeugma)
located at one of the two points allowing the easiest passage across the River Euphrates with a bridge first built by Alexander the Great. Continue on to Urfa and after a
walk through the local covered bazaar. We'll have lunch at a local restaurant. Spend the late afternoon relaxing at the hotel by the pool or walking through the town to
discover the many hidden treasures.
Overnight stay in Urfa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 6 |
Sanli Urfa - Kahta |
Urfa is the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. Urfa has been occupied since the Babylonians followed by the Hurrites, Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks. We will
visit nearby Harran and see the incredible beehive houses. Harran according to the Bible was the site where Prophet Abraham spent a few years with his family before moving
on to modern time Israel. We will also visit the holy sites at the Ainzelha, a lake with millions of domesticated fish. While in Urfa we will also visit the cave where the
prophet Abraham was born and visit a bustling sheep market as well. There are exceptional photo opportunities in this area. In the afternoon drive to Kahta city on the way
see the Ataturk dam, third largest in the world.
Overnight stay in Kahta
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 7 |
Mt Nemrut - Mardin |
Early morning 03:30AM departure. Hike to the summit of the mount Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites) to watch the
spectacular sunrise over the heads of colossal heads Gods, as you step into mythology. 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. Antiochos built the entire complex approximately 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 Karakus. Then drive back to the hotel for breakfast. You then depart to Mardin with a lovely ferry
ride across the dam and have lunch in Siverek. We will reach Mardin around 4PM
check into hotel. You will take the time to visit, walk in its busy streets and bazaars, and admire the stonework all around the town. Overnight stay in Mardin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 8 |
Mardin |
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 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. We drive to Hasankeyf, with stop at the beautiful little town of Midyat to see the Monastery and ancient houses on the
way. The archaeological and religious the history of Hasankeyf goes back 10,000 years. Some of the city's historical treasures will be inundated if construction of the
Ilisu Dam is completed. These include ornate mosques, Islamic tombs and cave churches. Overnight stay in Mardin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 9 |
Istanbul |
After breakfast you will be transfer to airport for a short flight to Istanbul
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel
Meals: Breakfast
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| Day 10 |
Istanbul / USA |
Transfer to airport for the final departure
Meals: Breakfast
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