Mesopotamia & Cappadocia
1 day - Istanbul - Mardin
Departure from Istanbul to Mardin.
Transfer and hotel accommodation. Walking tour of Mardin.
Mardin possesses a "clay seal" that no other civilization has in terms of art and stone monuments since ancient times. The resources that sum up Mardin's civilization are "stone and clay".
Sung in the enchanting songs of the peoples, the ruins of ancient cities, mosques, churches and monasteries. Supreme Commonwealth of Religions: Muslims, Assyrians, Christians and Yezidis. Languages, religions, sects and religious freedom are here in Mardin. From the first turn of the wheel of Mesopotamia, the cycle of life begins here. The whole world is surprised by his insatiability, love, respect and patience.
Did you know that in 1960 the whole city was protected by UNESCO! Before Mardin, only Venice had been awarded such an honor!
Visits:
Ulu Mardin Mosque
Mor Behnam Church
Shatana Family House
Zinjiriye Madrasah
Arrival at the hotel. Dinner. Free time.
Overnight in Mardin.
Day 2 - Mardin - the pearl of history / Midyat - the ancient city
Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide, departure for the tour.
Although Mardin has gone through different historical processes with very different linguistic, religious and cultural mosaics, it shows a great unity and solidarity that can be seen especially in Mesopotamia. Throughout the history of civilization, each epoch gave birth to a new and next epoch.
What we will see:
Monastery Deyuril Zafaran
Deyuril Zafaran Monastery (Saffron Monastery) 5th century - Famous not only for its rich history, but also for its caves in the rocks, carved by monks, as well as for its unique stone ceiling without a binding composition - the plates are tilted and held together for almost one and a half thousand years.
Ancient city of Dara
The ancient city of Dara from the 6th century, the early Byzantine city of Dara, was founded just 30 years after the fall of Ancient Rome and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in recent years.
Mor Gabriel Monastery
It was founded in 397 by Syrian Orthodox monks. Since then, it has been operating non-stop, annually receiving up to 20,000 pilgrims...
Old city of Midyat
Stroll through the streets of this ancient city and admire its beautiful oriental architecture, where majestic golden houses with carved windows and doors rise above high walls. The city of Midiat itself is mentioned in history as early as the 8th century BC, when it was captured by the Assyrian king, but over the centuries it changed hands many times. Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Mongols and many other conquerors were able to visit here.
Konukavi
The most famous landmark of Midiat. The stone guest house of the governor, which occupied the highest point of the old city. Konukevi starred in the popular TV series "Syla", which is why access here was closed for many years.
Arrival at the hotel. Dinner. Free time.
Overnight in Mardin.
Day 3 - Sanliurfa - the city of the prophets
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for an excursion to Sanliurfa.
In recent years, important information about the history of mankind has been obtained thanks to the archaeological finds discovered one after another in Şanlıurfa. The history of human settlements in the center of Urfa dates back to the period from 9500 BC. to the Neolithic, with prehistoric times. The statue in the form of a man is called the Man of Urfa.
A city with a very rich history, the area played an important role in the formation of Christianity and the Crusades. The Sanliurfa region has an extremely rich ancient history. Some scholars suggest that Adam and Eve lived nearby in Göbekli Tepe. According to Jewish and Muslim traditions, Urfa is considered the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. The area is also closely associated with the activities of the Prophet.
But not only major religions revere this city. Armenians consider it a sacred city, according to them, the Armenian alphabet was created here. Urfa is a city that has been owned by different civilizations, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Sassanids, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottoman Empire.
What we will see:
Gobekli Tepe. Temple complex.
Göbekli Tepe temple complex 10,000 BC A unique find of archaeologists in 1994 is the oldest temple in the world, which was called the "Turkish Stonehenge". Although Göbekli Tepe is older than Stonehenge by as much as 7000 years (!), Like the Egyptian pyramids and all the other traces of ancient civilizations found on the planet!
Sacred pond Baliklygol with carps
Sacred carp pond Baliklygol is a sacred pond associated with the legend of Prophet Abraham. It is located in the courtyard of an old mosque from the 12th century.
Archaeological Museum of Sanliurfa
The Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum has 14 main exhibition halls and 33 animation zones. In addition, on the territory of the archaeological park there are chronological samples of buildings, reflecting the architectural features of the period, and an excavation training site suitable for experimental archaeological research.
The Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum occupies an important place among world museums in terms of Neolithic artifacts. Artifacts and sculptures from Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple in the world, are on display here. By visiting this section, you can also get important information about the beliefs of people of that period thanks to the reliefs of a leopard, a wild boar, a stork, a fox, a gazelle, a scorpion, a snake and a headless man. in temple structures, and you can see an impressive copy of the Göbekli Tepe temple in a separate section.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Free time.
Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 4 - Gaziantep - Center of Civilizations
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for an excursion to Gaziantep.
Gaziantep, the largest city in Southeast Anatolia, is an affluent metropolis with a population of almost 2 million. As one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia, the city has been home to many civilizations and has maintained its importance through every period of its rich history. The city's location at the crossroads of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean makes it a meeting place for various civilizations, cultures and religions. The Silk Road made it an important cultural and commercial center. Located between Mesopotamia, where the first civilizations originated, and the Mediterranean lands inhabited since prehistoric times, passing along the historical Silk Road, being at the crossroads of intersecting roads, the popularity of the province in the commercial and cultural-artistic area continues to this day.
What we will see:
Zeugma Mosaic Museum
The covered part of the museum occupies an area of 25,000 square meters, the open part - 30,000. Its size is comparable to the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, the largest mosaic museum in the world. The museum has many exhibits from the Roman era. But the main symbol of the museum is a fragment of one of the mosaics - a gypsy. The girl's eyes are arranged in such a way that it seems that they are looking at every viewer.
Bakyrzhylar copper market
This oriental market is one of the five largest historical bazaars in Turkey. Unforgettable taste, a mix of modernity and history. The copper business with over 500 years of history in Gaziantep continues today and is still produced by copper craftsmen. The bazaar, which offers traditional copper products, will enchant you with beautiful handmade embroidery. Bakırcılar is a bazaar where you can feel the historical fabric with its deep history and cheerful craftsmen. The bazaar, which is the oldest shopping area in the city, is currently attracting the attention of tourists.
Almaji Bazaar
Oriental market of spices, local products and souvenirs (Apple Bazaar), known as the oldest bazaar in Gaziantep. The Almaji market will enchant you with Gaziantep walnut sausages on the shelves, fruit porridge made from carefully selected Antep pistachios, dried vegetables hanging from the ceiling, delicious teas, the famous Menengich coffee and various spices sold at the bazaar.
Cafe Tahmis
Authentic Oriental Cafe Tahmis 1635. This cafe is called the highlight of the city, and its signature drink is roasted coffee with wild pistachios.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Free time.
Overnight in Gaziantep.
Day 5 - Gaziantep - Cappadocia
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to Cappadocia.
Cappadocia is one of the important tourist regions of Turkey. As a result of volcanic activity, a very rare natural phenomenon occurred here thousands of years ago. Due to its enchanting beauty, this place is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
After arriving in Cappadocia, we will have a tour of the mesmerizing landscapes, also called "lunar landscapes".
What we will see:
Valley of Love, Valley of Pigeons and Derwent Valley. Admire the magnificent views from the observation decks.
The Hill of Lovers is one of the places where you can see the light and shadows of Cappadocia like lace at dawn and share this visual feast. Here you will take the most beautiful pictures of Cappadocia.
Dove Valley
Pigeon Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Cappadocia, has been welcoming all its guests for many years with its incredible views and the famous sunset witnessed by Uchisar Castle. This wide valley between Uchisar and Goreme really got its name from the pigeons. Pigeon droppings are said to be very useful in the cultivation of grapes, which attracted the attention of the people living here due to pigeon breeding, which originated in the 9th century. For this reason, the rock-cut nests that stand out today were built by farm workers who chose the valley instead of houses to increase their productivity.
Devrent Valley
Devrent Valley, located in the Avanos region, also dates back to those times that touched Cappadocia like a magic wand, like a fairy-tale portrait. Because every fairy chimney in the valley looks like it was once alive but turned to stone, it has become known as "Imagination Valley" or "Rose Valley", perhaps due to the color of its rocks at sunset.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to watch an amazing show of whirling dervishes (for an additional fee).
The Dervish Ceremonial Dance is a magical atmosphere, traditional Turkish music and costumes, where you completely forget about time and lose your sense of space.
Dervishes are Muslim monks with an extremely interesting life story and rituals. The dance of whirling dervishes is called "Sema" or "Mevlevi's joys". This dance has been practiced for years.
Arrival at the hotel, check-in, dinner, free time.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6 - Cappadocia - Country of beautiful horses
Cappadocia, where you become a stunning witness of landscapes from fairy tales, with thousands of fabulous chimneys and interesting rock formations created naturally with lava and ash that spread over an area of 25,000 m2, as a result of volcanic eruptions on Mount Erciyes, Guludag and Hasandag, about 60 million years ago.
You can enjoy Cappadocia - the “Land of Beautiful Horses” - not only from the ground, but also by rising high into the sky. The incredible beauty that opens before your eyes will not leave you indifferent.
Balloons Cappadocia
You can make such a trip in a hot air balloon! The amazing scenery, dozens of hot air balloons rising into the sky in the rays of the rising sun and the amazing picture of the awakening of Cappadocia will undoubtedly leave the most vivid impression. An hour-long flight will allow you to enjoy the fabulous valleys and see places that are inaccessible to walking.
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for a tour of Cappadocia.
What we will see:
Goreme Open Air Museum
После завтрака, у нас будет возможность посетить музей под открытым небом Гёреме, находящийся под охраной ЮНЕСКО. Ансамбль церквей, удивительные пейзажи и старинные настенные росписи, сохранившиеся на протяжении веков.
The park is a rocky, windswept landscape with a network of ancient interconnected underground settlements.
Underground city of Kaymakli
Cappadocia, where you can discover a completely new beauty every time, where the first visit is not always the only one, arouses great interest with its underground cities, which number more than a hundred and represent the most mysterious story.
We will visit one of the underground cities of Cappadocia, where during the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th century AD. followers of Jesus Christ secretly preached the Christian religion. We will go down deep into the earth and see the ingenious arrangement of the city, which could provide temporary residence during the persecution of more than 5,000 people.
We will visit the city of Avanos, famous for its pottery and carpet weaving.
Pottery of the region
When you go to Cappadocia, don't think that the only thing that will stay in your memory and fill your memories will be limited to fairy chimneys, underground cities and vast valleys! When you see the ceramics of Avanos, you will realize that the people of this region, who seem to be endowed with the wisdom of the past, are in fact artists descended from ancestors, fathers, in short, from genes. Just looking will not be enough, you can try to make a vase with your own hands.
Handmade carpets
In the Avanos district of Nevsehir, famous for its handicrafts. Carpet factories, shops visited by people, offer a "living museum" service.
Visitors, accompanied by a guide, observe the production of silk by artisans, the processes of dyeing roots and the work of women weaving carpets on a loom, and witness the adventures of making carpets woven from threads into a loop.
Pearl of Cappadocia: onyx stone
The onyx stone, known as the lucky stone, is a semi-precious stone. This stone is actually gray and black with light veins. This opaque stone is as bright as glass.
Onyx, which contains many minerals, is very impressive from an aesthetic point of view because it can be worked with. For this reason, it has been used in the manufacture of many home decorations since ancient times. Today, this type of stone is used especially in jewelry and rosaries.
During our tour, we will show you these beauties, and you will also have the opportunity to shop.
Return to the hotel. Dinner. Free time.
A trip to the evening program "Turkish Night" (for an additional fee).
This festive folk extravaganza will give you a sea of joyful emotions and leave the most colorful impressions in your memory for a lifetime! From the very beginning of this festive performance, you will be in a great mood for the whole evening. A joyful atmosphere of general fun will be created by incendiary performances of professional artists and masters of oriental dance.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 - Final. Departure from Kayseri to Istanbul
This is our last morning in magical Cappadocia...
After breakfast, we will start packing, getting ready for departure and making wishes...
After all, good dreams, conceived in magical places, tend to come true...
And Cappadocia is without a doubt one of those places!
By the appointed time, a comfortable transfer will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to the airport of departure. Departure from Kayseri Airport to Istanbul.
Come again or as the Turks say "Yine bekleriz"!
See you soon!
Additional services
Tours on request:
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Hot air balloon flight – 250-300 euros (per person)
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Jeep safari - 55 euros (per person) Dervish dance - Sema - 25 euros (per person)
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Traditional Turkish evening and Belly Dancer show - 45 euros (per person)
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Quad bike safari - 50 euros (per person)
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Horse riding - 40 euros (per person)
*** Slight price changes are possible.
Important information
What is included in the price?
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Accommodation in boutique hotels and 4*/5* hotels, 6 nights with breakfast.
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Overnight stays in Cappadocia are based on the "BB" system (breakfast included)
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Comfortable air-conditioned minibus - only for our group.
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All entrance tickets, according to the program.
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Professional guide in Russian.
***Price per person in a double room. For single occupancy, there will be a difference of EUR 150 per stay.
The price does not include:
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Airfare for arrival and return
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Lunches and dinners
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All drinks
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Insurance - highly recommended.
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Additional excursions on request.
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Personal expenses
*** Tips for guides and drivers (5 people and less 10 €/person/day; 6-9 people 8 €/person/day; 10 people and more 5 €/person/day