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Destinations & Itinerary |
 Istanbul-Cappadocia-Mt.Nemrut-Urfa-Harran-Mardin-Diyarbakir-Van- Dogubeyazit-Kars-Trabzon
Day 1 Istanbul ---> Cappadocia
Arrive at Istanbul Airport and take evening flight to Kayseri. Transfer to hotel, Overnight Ürgüp. (D)
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Day 2 Cappadocia
Visit Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Then drive to Pasabag (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. In the afternoon, visit Goreme Open Air Museum where the remains of rock-cut churches and frescoes. Lastly, before returning your hotel, visit the natural catles at Uchisar. Overnight Urgup. (B/L/D)
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Day 3 Cappadocia
Visit Rose Valley, explore rock-cut churches and hike 5 km. through the Güllüdere Valley. Then visit Cavusin village. This village is famous for the houses and churches of the Christian clergmen. In the the afternoon visit Kaymakli Underground-city where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit the naural castles at Ortahisar. Overnight Urgup. (B/L/D)
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Day 4 Cappadocia To Mt. Nemrut
Early departure from Cappadocia for Adiyaman. We drive the Taurus Mountain chain, giving opportunity to observe the countryside and life of rural Turkey. After having lunch in Tekir Forest, we head towards Kahrananmaras, which is famous for its ice cream. We arrive Kahta in the late afternoon and visit the Karakus Tumulus where royal family members were buried. Then visit the old Roman Cendere Bridge over the Cendere stream. We then visit Mithridates I Hierotesion in Arsemia, which was once the capital of the Kommagene Kingdom. Finally we go to Mt.Nemrut to see the Colossal God statues while the sun is setting. Then we have dinner at Ataturk Dam. Overnight Kahta. (B/L/D)
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Day 5 Urfa & Harran
Visit Atatürk Dam, which is one of the biggest project of Turkey. Then heading towards Sanliurfa We visit the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham with its moques, Abraham's bith cave. In the afternoon we visit another archeological site, Harran, a mystical and ancient ''bee-hive'' house village built of mud-brick, which is mentioned in Genesis. Overnight Urfa. (B/L/D)
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Day 6 Urfa To Mardin
We leave Urfa to Mardin, It looks spectacular,its tiered layers of houses, mansions, mosques and churches. In Mardin, we visit Deyrülzafran monastery, which is still used by the Syrian Orthodox communities. In this monastery we first an underground vault, which is said to have been used as temple by sun-worshippres 2000 BC. Overnight Diyarbakir. (B/L/D)
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Day 7 Diyarbakir To Van
We visit the city walls of Diyarbakir, which was built by the Romans. Then we visit the Ulu Cami, the first of Anatolia's great Seljuk Mosques Afterwards we drive to Bitlis to visit 13th century Caravansarai. We catch the ferryboat to Akdamar Island, situated in the biggest in Turkey, to view an exquisite example of an Armenian Church. Overnight Van (B/L/D)
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Day 8 Van
First we visit Van Castle, which is 100m. high and 300m. wide at the base. It was the sight of an 8 Urartians temple, of which only a couple of arched niches remain. Cuneiform inscriptions on a statue based in one of the niches document the life and works of Menua, an important Urartian King. Then we continue to Cavustepe, the site of an Urartian Royal Palace, built between 764 and 735 BC. Then the next stop is Hosap Castle. Overnight Van. (B/L/D)
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Day 9 Van To Dogubeyazit
On the way to Dogubeyazit we stop at the wonderful Muradiye Waterfall. Then we head for Ishakpasa Palace, a 17th century palace set on a 200m high plateu overlooking the town.
Overnight Dogubeyazit. (B/L/D)
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Day 10 Dogubeyazit To Kars
We drive to Kars, which has a spectacular castle and still has fine examples of Armenian architecture one of which is the breathtaking site of the ancient city of Ani located on the Armenian-Turkish border. Overnight Kars. (B/L/D)
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Day 11 Kars To Trabzon
We drive west along the Black Sea to Trabzon, founded by the Kingdom of Miletus, the largest city in the Black Sea region. The route will go through a forested region, passing through small, unspoiled villages untouched by tourism. We shall arrive in Trabzon in late afternoon, giving some free time to enjoy the city. Overnight Trabzon. (B/L/D)
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Day 12Trabzon
After breakfast we visit the Hagia Sophia Museum with its spectacular frescoes, We then head inland to visit the mystical Sumela Monastery, dating back to early Christianity, which was built high into the side of the steep cliff face. Overnight Trabzon. (B/L/D)
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Day 13 Departure
Transfer to Trabzon Airport for your morning flight to Istanbul.
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