Combination- Cappadocia South East ( Nemrud Urfa) 6 Days
Istanbul Cappadocia Nemrud Urfa Cappadocia Istanbul
Main Sites visited: Istanbul, Urfa, Nemrud, Cappadocia.
Day 1 Istanbul- Cappadocia
Take the morning flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Nevsehir departure 07:45am or 17:45pm. Arrival and meeting just outside the arrival’s gate with a sign bearing your name. Transfer to Hotel.
Free afternoon. Some interesting walks can be done in the afternoon, guided (extra) or on own: Walking for about 2- to 5 km in one of the most attractive valleys of Cappadocia : Iceridere valley, Caglak valley near Ayvali, Red Valley, Rose valley, Gomeda Valley or Pigeon valley. Overnight Cappadocia.
PS: There are other flights available out of Kayseri departure at, please ask, it may cost extra.
Day 02: Cappadocia Kahta (B)
Departure from your hotel in Cappadocia at 08:30.
Drive to Karatay Caravanserai and visit the caravanserai. On the way to Kahta (Nemrut) stop at Kahramanmaras for lunch and a taste of its famous ice cream. Arrive to the hotel in Kahta city.
Evening at leisure and overnight in Kahta.
Day 3: Mt. Nemrut Urfa ( Gobekli Tepe) (B)
in the morning 03:30 am departure.
Hike to the summit of the Mt. Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunrise, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology. There we will hire small mini-buses to drive 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. 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. Drive to Urfa on the way visit Ataturk dam and look over to the Ataturk Dam; a modern day wonder. You will also see Gobekli Tepe which is a hilltop sanctuary erected on the highest point of an elongated mountain ridge some 15 km northeast of the town of Sanlıurfa. Overnight stay in Urfa.
Day 4: Urfa (Harran) Cappadocia (B)
Departure from your hotel at 08:30.
Urfa (Edessa), 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 Israel, the Promised Land. We will also visit the holy sites in Ainzelha, a lake with millions of domesticated fish. While in Urfa we will 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. Drive to Cappadocia (or you can fly back to another part of Turkey from Urfa.) Arrival and check-in to your hotel. Overnight Cappadocia
Day 5 Cappadocia (B.L)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:30am
Tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the “table top” mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and Visit to Sahinefendi- Sobessos, newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses & Archaeological excavation site. Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light. The Medrese (Theological School) from Seljuk Turks in Taşkınpaşa is the witness of an early and rich Turkish settlement in the town. Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
Overnight Cappadocia
Day 6 Cappadocia Istanbul (B.L)
Meeting at the hotel reception at 09:30am
In the morning, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Zelve Open Air Museum: a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses; visit to Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Climb on top of the Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Transfer to airport to take the flight to Istanbul (Atatürk Airport) by Turkish airlines.
INCLUDING:
- Domestic flights in the program.
- Airport transfers where needed.
- Transportation by a comfortable AC non smoking Luxurious car/Van with professional driver.
- Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours.
- Accommodation in Charming or Deluxe superior Hotels
- Entry fees to the sites and museums
- Parking fees.
EXCLUDING
- International flights
- Drinks, Lunch, Dinner
- Tips to guide, driver and hotel personnel
