Tour Style : Small Group Tour
Duration : 20 Days / 19 Nights
Departures : All year round – Guaranteed Departure
Highlights : Ankara, Cappadocia, Mt Nemrut, Urfa, Konya, Antalya, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy, Gallipoli, Istanbul

Day 1 – Arrival in Ankara Aırport
Welcome to Turkey, arrival in ANKARA. Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in ANKARA

Day 2;Meet at the Ankara Airport.
Sightseeing in Ankara – we first visit Ataturk’s Mausoleum. On the exterior of the great hall of the mausoleum are inscribed Atatürk’s Address to Turkey’s Youth and extracts from his Tenth Year Speech ending in the famous words, “Happy is he who calls himself a Turk”.

We then visit the internationally aclaimed Anatolian Civilizations Museum which has a number of exhibits of Anatolian archeology. They start with the Paleolithic era, and continue chronologically through the Neolithic, Early Bronze, Assyrian trading colonies, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuq and Ottoman periods.

The exhibits of gold, silver, glass, marble and bronze works date back as far as the second half of the first millennium BC. The coin collections, with examples ranging from the first minted money to modern times, represent the museum’s rare cultural treasures.

The museum was elected as the first “European Museum of the Year” in Switzerland on April 19, 1997.

Afternoon bus to Cappadocia at 16:30pm from Ankara bus station
Aarrive Urgup bus statio at 20:00pm
Meet and transfer to cave hotel.

Day 3 –Fairy Chimneys Tour at 09:30am

In this day you will be able to see:
DEVRENT VALLEY: Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.

LOVE VALLEY: The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.

AVANOS: A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.

UCHISAR: Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 4-Rose Valley & Mazıkoy Underground City Tour at 09:30am

You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you.

CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintigs date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away 
however.

MAZIKOY: One of largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.

PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.

Overnight in Cappadocia

Day 05 :Mt. Nemrut, Sanliurfa and Harran Tour from Cappadocia
CAPPADOCIA – KAHTA
Depart from your hotel in Cappadocia. We begin heading east and make a short photo stop at Incesu Caravansary. We will also get a magnificent view of Mt. Erciyes near Kayseri. Lunch and tea break. We may stop in Kahramanmaras for a taste of Turkey’s most famous ice cream. Arrival in Kahta, near the mountain, check in hotel, dinner and overnight. L.D.

DAY 06 KAHTA – MT. NEMRUT – HARRAN – SANLIURFA
Rise early for the drive and the walk up to the summit of Mount Nemrut. See the magnificent relics of the tumulus of the Commagene king Antiochus Epipanes I atop Mt. Nemrut (2150m above sea-level) located near Adiyaman and Malatya. The amazing statues of the Gods on the Nemrut summit make it a very impressive site. View a fantastic sunrise from the East Terrace. Visit the East and West terraces, fire altar, statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus Epipanes I, tumulus, and see the world’s first horoscope. Descend down the mountain through small villages and beautiful scenery. Stop in Arsemia to see the old castle and remains of bridge made during the time of Alexander the Great, then cross the Cendere Roman Bridge built by Septimus Severus in the 2nd century AD and still in use! Visit Karakus, which is the tumulus of the royal Commagene women and features columns with eagle and relief. Breakfast and pack up at hotel. Drive to Harran; city of the prophet Abraham. We will walk through the village with its fortress, old Islamic school and beehive shaped adobe houses. Experience the village life. We continue to Sanli Urfa for lunch and then a view of the castle with Roman columns. Visit Mevlid Halil Mosque and the cave of Prophet Abraham. Halil Rahman Mosque and the sacred fish pool. Time permitting a chance to wander in the old Bazaar. Overnight in Sanliurfa. B.L.D

DAY 07 SANLIURFA – CAPPADOCIA
We will depart Sanli Urfa after breakfast and continue to Biracik for a view of the fortress, then and cross the Euphrates River. Biracik is known for the nearly extinct Bald Ibis. Lunch. Return early evening in Cappadocia. B

Day 08 DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY & IHLARA VALLEY TOUR
Depart from your hotel,for Derinkuyu Underground city to visit the huge refugee settlement carved by early christians,where they could hide from persecutors.From Derinkuyu continue to the beautiful valley of Ihlara,Formerly known as peristerema.Explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 4 km through the valley.On the way back visit the monastaries in Selime village.
Evening Bus to Konya.
Overnight Konya.

Day 09 – Half Day Free in Konya Then Noon Bus to Antalya
Visit Konya City by yourself; see the imposing green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect ( Whirling Dervishes ).
Afternoon Bus to Antalya
Overnight Antalya

Day 10 Antalya City Tour

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 11- Boat Cruise  / Antalya

Departure from Antalya Harbour around 10:30. Enjoy some swimming or snorkeling at the tranquil Ag Bay where lunch will be served as well. Our 1st night is spent in beautıfull Bay,

Stay Antalya

Day 12– Bus To Pamukkale
Free Day Pamukkale
Overnight Pamukkale.

Day 13 Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour
At 08:30 we depart to visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis , then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs.
Afternoon Bus to Kusadasi. Overnight Kusadasi.

Day 14– Ephesus Tour
We depart at 09:00 and we visit one of the best-preserved ruins in the world ‘ Ephesus ‘.We start with the Temple of Artemis which was one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Then we tour the amazing site of Ephesus and wonder at the people who built and walked through this ancient city. Overnight in Kusadasi

Day 15 Bergama – Troy
At 08:30 we depart to visit the BERGAMA is the site of the Hellenistic – and later Roman – city of Pergamon, ruled for several centuries by a powerful local dynasty. After the tour, lunch break then departure to Troy . Your guide will explain the mythology surrounding Troy, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy, as well as the history and discoveries of the archeological diggings from its discovery by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870’s to the present day and on going. Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 16 Gallipoli – Istanbul
At 08:00 we depart for Gallipoli . There you will be informed about the Gallipoli Campaign which has changed the course of the 1st World War. Visiting Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand memorial you will have the chance to see the battle fields and experience one of the main events of the war. After the tour depart for Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 17- Bosphorus & Two Continents
Breakfast Included
Pick up at 08:30 from the hotel for the Tour of Bosphorus and the Asian part of Istanbul. During the tour we will enjoy a BOSPHORUS Boat Cruise, and visit the Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Bridge and the Asian side of Turkey. The night is yours for you to sample some of the city’s finest cuisine.
Accommodation in Istanbul.

Day 18 istanbul City Tour
Breakfast Included
Pick up at 08:30 from the hotel for the Tour of “Old City” from where the Centre of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. During the tour you will be visiting; Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace , lunch the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR, Süleymaniye Mosque, Turkish Textile and Carpets demonstration. Accommodation in Istanbul.

Day 19:Princess Islan Tour at 08:30am
If you feel the need to escape from the bustle of Istanbul for a day, nothing could be easier. You simply join us aboard a ferry bound for the charming Princes’ Island . Our destination is Buyukada, the largest of the island chain, but we will pass by four other islands on the way. All are famous for their mild climates, lush vegetation and ornate Ottoman houses, and on all of them cars are banned. The preferred means of transportation is the charming horse-drawn carriage known as the phaeton, which we will use on our circular tour of Buyukada, passing elegant mansions draped in brilliant purple bougainvillea. You will feel as though you have stepped back into a more leisured and gracious age, almost expecting grand 19th Century ladies and gentlemen to come strolling down to the waterfront on an afternoon promenade. Lunch will be at one of the many excellent traditional fish-restaurants on the waterfront, gazing across the water at the Asian shore of Istanbul, so close though it feels worlds away. Pick up and drop off at your hotel is included.

Stay Istanbul

Day 20 End of the tour
Breakfast Included
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Yuki Tour