Cappadocia

three millions years ago violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes (3916 m) and Mount Hasan (3300 m) covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tuff, a soft stone compressed of lava, ash and mud. The wind and rain have eroded this brittle rock and created a surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines, in colours that range from warm reds and golds to cool greens and greys. Goreme is one of those are regions in the world where the works of man blend in obtrusively to the natural surrounding. During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed our of the rock , their ochre-toned frescoes reflecting in the hues of the surrounding land space. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tuff merge harmoniously into the landscape. Cappadocia is also natural wonders and unique area in the world with its history.

Itinerary : 8 days

Day 1 : Ankara
Meet the group at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ankara

Day 2 : Ankara - Cappadocia ( 275 km)
In the morning we visit citadel of the city, it is the oldest part of the city has many examples of traditional architecture. After visit we walk down to Anatolian civilisation Museum an old bedesten has been beautifully restored and now house of marvellous and unique collection of many civilisation. we also visit the magnificent tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is evidence of the honour of which the memory of the commander of the Army for national Independence and founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. Afternoon depart from the capital to Cappadocia area. Overnight hotel

Day 3 : Uchisar - Goreme We commence to visit the region with Uchisar is famed for its immense fist-shaped tower of volcanic tuff. This citadel, the highest point in Cappadocia, offers a stunning panorama of the Goreme Valley. The "Fairy Chimneys" or other worldly rock formations to the north, west and east of the site are said to have been tombs carved out of soft rock in the Roman period. Afternoon visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the best-known site in the region. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to 13th centuries and many of them are built on an inscribed cross-plan with a central cupola supported by four columns. The first settlements in the area were founded after the missionary journeys of St. Paul in the year AD 53. The soft rocks were hollowed out for different purposes. The museum also contains many of the rock churches. Overnight hotel

Day 4 : Derinkuyu underground city – Soganli - Urgup
In the morning we drive to visit the fascinating underground city of Derinkuyu (8 floors on 57 m. underground !). all underground cities used by Christian of the seventh century, who were fleeing from persecution. They sheltered from the iconoclastic strife of the Byzantium as well as other invasions in these safe and well- hidden complexes. These cities were a complete and self- sufficient environment, including rooms for grain storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and air shafts. After visiting we drive to Soganli, is picturesque with its innumerable chapels, churches, halls, houses and tombs. The frescoes, from the 8th to the 13th centuries, trace the development of Byzantine painting. We drive to Urgup, a lively tourist centre at the foot of a rock ridge riddled with old dwellings, serves as an excellent base from which to tour the sights of Cappadocia. Overnight hotel.

Day 5 : Avanos- Zelve- Kizilcukur valley- Cavusin
In the morning we visit Anavos town, on the banks of the Kizilirmak river, displays attractive local architecture and is known for its handicrafts. Pottery is the most popular handicraft and rug weaving and knotting is also making a come-back. We drive to Zelve, consists of three valleys of rock churches, where "fairy chimneys" are clustered together. It was an important religious centre during the Iconoclastic Period with its monasteries and churches. We pass to Kizilcukur Sometimes known as the ‘’red hole’’ Kızılcukur is probably the hottest valley in region. Hidden in its array of fairy chimneys is The church with grapes where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing.(The vine produced here now is very sweet and heavy ). To watch the sunset is very famous from this valley. We pass trough Cavusin village of a collapsed section of early Christian cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide, which together wit earthquakes and natural erosion has caused a split in the plateau. The atrium of the church at cavusin hac cascaded down, exposing some of the frescoes. The richness and variety of these frescoes has caused to be reportedly among the best works of early Christian icon painting. Overnight hotel.

Day 6 : Eski Gumus- Nigde- Ihlara. In the morning transfer to Eski Gumus Monastery , a Byzantine monastery and church with massive columns and frescoes. These frescoes, dating from the 10th and the 11th centuries, among the best-preserved in the region. Monastery contains smiling Virgin Mary frescoes. After a short transfer we arrive at Nigde. We visit elegant Alaaddin mosque dates from Seljuk Empires. Era of Mongol rule area and the Sungur bey Mosque and Hudavent Hatun Mausoleum are an excellent example of the Anatolian tower-tomb from the 14th century. After visiting we drive to Ihlara, dotted with rock cut churches, was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by primeval earthquakes and the was once rushing river is now a quiet stream. As we visit along the winding valley, with cliffs reaching up to 170m in some places , we see small garden cultures that originally would have provided for the colonies and made them self supporting. There are many rock-cut churches in this valley with well preserved frescos dating from the 9th century. Overnight hotel

Day 7 : Konya - Ankara In the morning we drive to Sultanhani caravanserai , dates back from 13th century. The gate is a fine example of Seljuk architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia to Europe. transfer to Konya, was capital of Seljuk empire from 12th to 13th centuries. Konya is a city for its works of Seljuk art and architecture and for its tomb of 13th century poet and philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. During that period of cultural, political and religious growth, the mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi order known in the west as the Whirling Dervishes. The striking green-tiled mausoleum of Mevlana is Konya’s most famous building. After visiting of Mevlana we can visit Aleaddin Mosque was built the great Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. After visiting our bus take us to Ankara. Overnight hotel

Day 8 : home
In the morning , after breakfast transfer to the airport and fly home.

Season : April to December

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