STAGE 4 - Western Turkey 1
9 Day Cappadocia to Kusadasi Tour Itinerary
Tour Departure Dates
25th May 2009
7th July 2009
11th August 2009
8th September 2009
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Tour Description
Takes you from the moonscapes and cave civilizations of central Anatolia down to the Mederteranean Coast to the Aegean. the great ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos and Ephesus are visited along with the natural wonder of the calcium terraces to Pamukkale.
Day 1 – Cappadocia
Welcome to Cappadocia!!! Today is your arrival day. Airport transfers are available from Airport or Bus Station during the hours of 8am till 20:00pm. Transfers will be made to your Hotel
Day 2 Cappadocia
Goreme Valley, where we'll examine the process of the rock formations of Cappadocia. Later we drive a bit further and visit the cave dwellings in conical rock formations around Uçhisar. Tea and coffee break in a cave house before we go to Goreme Open-Air Museum, where the best preserved frescoed rock cut churches and monasteries are located. After we have buffet lunch, we visit the Family Fairy Chimneys of Urgup. Wine taste in a local winery and visiting the wishing hill in Urgup.
A short walk in Devrent Valley where the rock formations look like different figures. The Monk's Valley will be our next stop where we see monk's cells in multi-capped Fairy Chimneys. Avanos, the pottery town of Cappadocia is visited, and after a short walk in Rose valley Cavetown, will take you to a remote place for sunset.
Day 3 Cappadocia
We'll pick you up in your hotel and depart at 09:00 o'clock to drive to Ihlara Valley. There, we'll walk nearly 4 km and visit the frescoed churches before it gets hot.
Lunch is in Ihlara Valley, at bank of Melendiz River, which is flowing in the valley. After lunch, we'll visit Selime Cathedral and return back to Derinkuyu Underground City. On the way, we'll visit the Nar Crater Lake. Whilst all other tour groups are at Ihlara Valley, we will be in an underground city where temperature is 12-13 C afternoon!!!.
After we visit the biggest underground city of Cappadocis, we'll drive to the Pigeons Valley to see pigeon houses, which were made to collect guano in.
Day 4 Cappadocia – Konya – Antalya
Today is along driving day but is broken up with a lunch break in Konya. This morning we drive to Konya and see the imposing green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Islamic Sufi sect (Sufism is less an Islamic sect than a mystical way of approaching the Islamic faith. It has been defined as "mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God." “Whirling Dervishes”).
Day 5 - Antalya City Tour Aspendos & Perge
After breakfast departure for Perge.
PERGE: According to the geographer Strabon, Perge has been founded by Akhas who came down here after the Trojan wars. Perge was first mentioned in 334 BC when Alexander the Great passed through here. In the following years, Perge went under the control of Pergamon when the Kingdom of Pergamon became a part of the Roman city. Especially in the first and the second centuries BC, Perge became one of the richest towns in Pamphylia. Therefore it is not a surprising that St. Paul started his campaign in Anatolia from Perge in 46 AD. The people of Perge loved and respected their Artemis to such an extent that Christianity had to wait for another 400 years to enter here. In the Byzantine period, Perge was the seat of the bishop. Even though Arabs raided Perge in the 7th century AD, when Seljuk Turks settled the area, records show the existence of an older race living here.
After the tour, departure for Aspendos. Lunch break on the way.
ASPENDOS: The eastern land of Antalya was called Pamphylia in ancient times. The Toros Daglari ( Taurus Mountains ) forms a beautiful back drop to the fertile coast, rich with fields of cotton and vegetables. Aspendos (Belkis) lies 47 km east of Antalya in the Pamphylian plain. In 486 BC, Greeks and Persians had a great battle here (Greeks won they didn't stay for long). During the reign of he Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-80 AD) Aspendos got its theatre, which is the best preserved of all. It was built by Romans and maintained by Byzantines and Seljuks. The ruins of the ancient city are extensive and include a stadium, an agora, and a basilica. After Aspendos return to hotel for dinner. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 6 - Antalya - Pamukkale
After breakfast depart for Pamukkale. We shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, walking around this natural phenomenon gives you the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs that flow down the calcium terraces. Over Night in Pamukkale.
Day 7 - Pamukkale to Kusadasi
You don't have to wake up early, enjoy the thermal poll in Hotel and sunshine and and explore the city, shop in the local markets. After lunch we depart for Kusadasi. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy party and explore Kusadasi. Over Night in Kusadasi
Day 8 - Ephesus & Kusadasi
At 0830 we depart for Ephesus (20 min drive) - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C. The tour of the ruins also includes a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus. After lunch, we will make a shopping tour in which you will become aware of the ancient arts of Turkey like leather manufacturing and jewellery. As this will be a guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight in Kusadasi
Day 8 Kusadasi – End of Tour
Breakfast Included
Today your tour is over. Please make your own arrangements for departure remembering that your hotel will need you to check out before midday. We hope you had a memorable tour and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Turkey Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Turkey.
TOUR INCLUDING
3, 4 star and Butique Hotels in each area
3 Night accommodation in Cappadocia with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Night accommodation in Antalya with Breakfast and Dinner
1 Night accommodation in Pamukkale with Breakfast and Dinner
2 Night accommodation in Kusadasi with Breakfast and Dinner
Guided Tour to Cappadocia
Guided Tour to Konya
Guided Tour to Pamukkale
Guided Tour to Kusadasi
Guided Tour to Ephesus
Private Air-conditioned busses
Private Professional English speaking tour guide
All entrance fees mentioned in the Itinerary
Private Return airport transfers
Tour Excludes :
International Flights
Personal expenses: Lunches, Extras at hotel or meals
Tipping: Tips for guide and drivers
Insurance: All types
Tour Departure Dates
25th May 2009
7th July 2009
11th August 2009
8th September 2009
STAGE 4 Tour Price
Per Person |
Shared Double |
Single |
Euro: |
€ 619.00 |
€ 759.00 |
