5 Day Tour of Magical Cappadocia and the South East of Turkey

Take a few days and take a South East Turkey with a tour to witness the distinctive Sanliurfa and Gobekli Tepe and take a hot air balloon ride in the magical Cappadocia.

Highlights

See the mysterious landscape of cappadocia and visit an underground city

Explore the Uchisar Rock-Castle, the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and go to a traditional pottery workshop in Avanos

Stop at Kahramanmaras for a taste of its famous ice cream

Hike to the summit of the Mt. Nemrut, one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites

Explore Urfa, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham

Visit the Gaziantep Zeugma Museum with the collection of impressive mosaics

What's Included

Inclusions

Domestic flights in the program
Transportation by a comfortable AC non smoking Luxurious car/Van with professional driver
Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours
All accommodation
Entry fees to the sites and museums
Meals as stated in the itinerary

Exclusions

Other services not mentioned
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (optional)
Meals that are not stated in the itinerary
Drinks

Itinerary

Istanbul - Cappadocia

Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and upon arrival, you will be met at the airport just outside the arrival’s gate and transfer to Cappadocia.    Tour the Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most fascinating underground settlements in Cappadocia then drive to Sahinefendi ( Sobesos ) which is newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses and Archaeological excavation site. Villages in the valleys are surrounded by the “tabletop” mountains which are spectacular. Continue to the Keslik Monastery close to Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a thin smoke layer which you can only see by torchlight. Visit Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; outstanding examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. Visit Saruhan Caravanserai, a roadside inn where travellers would rest and recover from their day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of information, commerce and people across a network of trade routes of North Africa, Asia, and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice Road. Continue with the panorama of the Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations and is in the heart of Cappadocia but still away from the tourist crowd.

Cappadocia Hot Air ballooning with sunrise (optional, extra)

Early in the morning, you have the option to take a once in a lifetime hot air balloon to have some magnificent views of Cappadocia (extra charge). Meet at the hotel reception after breakfast, then have your first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia with some rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley, walk-in Pasabag near Zelve and wonder at the “fairy chimneys” where the sound of the wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch in Avanos which has been the centre of terra cotta work of art since around 3000 BC and you will get a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. In the 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). Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.