13 DAYS HISTORICAL HERITAGES OF TURKEY

Arriving into Istanbul, we drive 44km or about 1 hour into the city centre.

Start your morning with a visit to the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora with some of the oldest-surviving Byzantine mosaics and frescoes (closed on Wed). Step into the atmospheric Suleymaniye Mosque, located at the highest end of the city, to witness one of the grandest architectural achievements of the Ottomans.

After lunch, we dedicate the afternoon to explore the Sultanahmet historic district, visit the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, and the 6^th-century Hagia Sophia (closed on Mon).

Today, we will visit the Topkapı Palace (closed on Tue) before the full crowd arrives, once the centre of power of the Ottoman and now a fantastic museum. Explore the King’s & Queen’s Chambers as well as Harem (closed on Tue).

Proceed to the fascinating Blue Mosque, and explore the largest underground water cistern in Istanbul, Basilica Cistern.

In the afternoon, enjoy a 1.5hr private motor yacht cruise on the Bosphorus, marvel at gorgeous palaces, impressive castles and restored Ottoman villas and residence of Istanbul’s elite.

We drive 340km or 4 hours to Troy.  This afternoon, visit the archaeological and mythological site of Troy, being listed as UNESCO World Heritage, is the home of the “Trojan Horse” and “Helen of Troy”, hear the tales of the Trojan War of Homer’s Iliad. Trojan Wars, also visit the 3,700 year old city wall, House of Troy I, the Bouleterium (Senate Building), The Oden (Concert Hall) and the excavations in progress.

Continue another 30km for 0.5 hours to Canakkale for the night.

Today, drive about 215km or 3.5 hrs to Bergama to make an excursion of the country’s most celebrated archaeological sites.

Once the capital of the East Roman Empire, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pergamon is equally impressive, boasting the ancient world’s second largest library, the steepest Theatre of Anatolia, the epic Altar of Zeus, as well as the Roman Medical Center ruins of Asclepion. Take a cable car up to the Acropolis before exploring the lower Agora terraces.

Continue drive for 186km or about 2.5 hours to Sirince.

Let us whisk you into Ephesus, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As you wander through monumental UNESCO-listed ruins such as the Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, one can imagine how life must have been like at the commercial centre of the ancient world, as well as one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world.

We continue to visit House of the Virgin Mary, where the Virgin said to have lived the last years of her life.

We will devote the rest of the afternoon for a guided tour of  the Ephesus Archaeological Museum (closes at 6:30pm) which contains artefacts from the ancient city.

Check out in the early hours for your 20min or 17km transfer to Izmir airport to arrive at 4:40am to check in for your flight to Gaziantep (one flight a day).

Fly        XQ 9128           Izmir (ABD) / Gaziantep (GZT) 06:20-08:00 (1h 40m)

Upon arrival at Gaziantep, you will be transferred for approx. 160km or 2 hrs towards Sanliurfa, where according to the Bible and Quran, is the birthplace of Abraham – the biblical patriarch of Israel whose story is told in the Book of Genesis.\

After lunch, you will enjoy a tour of Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum where you will view the unique items ranging from many civilizations, we will focus on the Neolithic Halls, exhibiting sculptures and small finds from Gobekli tepe as well as other nearby pre-pottery Neolithic sites to aid your understanding of visit to the ancient site later.

Proceed to the Gobekli Tepe – pre-dating Stonehenge by more than 6,000 years and is now celebrated as the world’s first and oldest temple. Archaeologically categorized as a site of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period (9600 – 7300B.C.), the world’s oldest temple sits in the same time-frame when Plato’s Atlantis civilization is said to have disappeared. Listen to fascinating tales of an archaeologist who will show you around this ancient site.

Return to Sanliurfa for the night.

Today will be a busy and long but exciting day!

Check out and depart early at 6:30am. Travel approx. 49km or 40min towards the legendary village of Harran. The ancient city is a major crossroad for primary trade routes from ancient Mesopotamia to the west. The most distinctive aspect of Harran is, and you can visit models of these at the Harran Cultural Centre. Harran also has a “kale” (fortress) dating from the 11th Century, an impressive city wall and ancient remains of abandoned caravanserais and mosques.

From Harran, transfer 3.5hrs or 223km to the sanctuary at Mount Nemrut (elevation at 2124m). Nemrut Dagi (Mountain of the Gods) is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest ancient treasures of Turkey and most fascinating archaeological sites of the Middle East, notable for the summit where a number of enigmatic colossal statues of the Kingdom of Commagene are erected around what is assumed to be a royal tomb from the 1^st century B.C.  Enjoy a 2 hours tour of both the Eastern Terrace and Western Terrace (involve 300-600m of uphill walk) as well as the Tumulus of Antiochus.

Continue 40min or 23km drive to the ancient city of Arsemia, one of the summer capitals of Kommagene Kingdom.

Transfer to Adiyaman for the night after today’s long journey.

Depart early at 7am, we will drive 494km or 6-7 hours or 494km to Cappadocia. The chauffer through the countryside offers a glimpse of everyday life in rural Turkey.

Upon arrival at Cappadocia, discover one of the secret underground cities. Channel your inner Indiana Jones through the labyrinths of Kaymakli (largest) or Derinkuyu (deepest). Enjoy a visit to the Rose & Red Valley with its fairy chimneys and colourful sediments, best seen during early morning or late afternoon.

Rise early for a rewarding hot air balloon ride as you soar above the magical landscapes of Cappadocia (additional cost).

Continue to Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site where unique frescoes are painted onto the walls of churches caved into the volcanic formation.

Discover the surreal pinnacles and bizarre shapes of Love Valley, Monk’s Valley (Pasabagi), Zelve Valley, Imagination Valley (Devrent), Urgup, Pigeon Valley and Uchisar Castle.

Check out and depart at 8am for transfer towards Ankara.

Drive for approx. 250km or 3 hours, we will arrive the ruins of ancient Hittie capital of Hattusa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the nearby ruins of Yazilkaya.

Enjoy a tour of Yazilkaya (means  ‘Inscribed Rock’ in Turkish). This open-air natural shrine, with wonderful reliefs of the gods and goddesses cut into the rock walls, was home to fresh water springs and is thought to have been a place of worship. A must visit is the two galleries.

Then proceed to the spectacular capital city of Hattusa of the Hittite empire, a sprawling city set on the acropolis now all in ruins. In the Bronze Age, the Hittite kingdom encompassed an area that stretched west to the Aegean Sea and south into Syria with its command centre here in HattuÅŸa.

As you make your way around and through the grounds, you will see excellent carvings and pillars adorning the entrances, including great example piece of engineering the pottern tunnel by the royal city walls. (Tour duration of Hattusa site is about 2.5hours)

Visit the local archaeology museum of Bogazkoy bearing examples of artifacts all unearthed at HattuÅŸa.

After your tour, continue your road transfers for 192km or 2.5 hrs to Ankara.

Check out this morning and enjoy a 3 hours tour visit the Ankara Archaeological Museum, the best place in the country to get to grips with the complex weave of Turkey’s history, the exhibits here house artefacts from about every significant archaeological site in Anatolia.

In the afternoon, drive for 225 km or 2.5 hours to Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Safranbolu was an important caravan station whose Ottoman-style wooden houses and narrow streets once witnessed bustling trade.

Check out after breakfast. Follow in the footsteps of medieval traders, taking the same journey they once took on the east-west trade route between the Black Sea and Mediterranean. You will enjoy a sightseeing tour and insights into its history, starting on Hidirlik Hill for panoramic views, then have time to get lost in its cobbled streets and soak up the colourful sights and sounds at the Eski Carsi (Safranbolu’s old town)  and Arasta Bazaar. Try your hand at haggling as a tribute to the town’s trading past.

After lunch, you will be transfer for approx. 400 km or 4.5 hours by road to Istanbul.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before the transfer to Istanbul Airport for your onward journey.