Cappadocia - Ephesus 5 days Escorted Tours (Customizable)

Istanbul - Cappadocia - Ephesus
Guaranteed departure everyday in 2008 !

A visit to Efes, once the commercial center of ancient world, is a highlight of any visit to Turkey

Day 1 - Istanbul - Cappadocia
Take the early morning flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri. Arrival and meeting at the airport just outside the arrival's gate with a sign bearing your name and transfer to Cappadocia. In the morning, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Zelve Open Air Museum: a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses; visit to Pasabag "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies". Lunch in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Climb on top of the Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Overnight Hotel Cappadocia. (L)

Day 2 - Cappadocia
Drive to Ihlara Valley, on the way, visit to Crater Lake of Narligol. Walking in Ihlara Canyon, a "mirage" in the Steps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: "Valley of the Sky" along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches, spread across a wild plantation, surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Lunch in Belisirma a local restaurant by the river. Stop by Selime, a village with cave houses at the end of the canyon and a "star wars" like landscape. On the way back, visit to Caravanserai of Agzikarahan, a safe stop for camel caravans on the legendary Silk Road.
Overnight Hotel Cappadocia. (B.L)

Day 3 - Cappadocia
Tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and Visit to Sahinefendi newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses & Archaeological excavation site. Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light. Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek. Overnight Hotel Cappadocia. (B.L)

Day 4 - Cappadocia - Ephesus
Take the morning flight from Kayseri to Izmir  by Sunexpress ( Thursday, Friday- Sunday, direct flights by Sunexpress - Departure: 09:10am Arrival: 10:45am, the other days via Istanbul by Turkish airlines: 06:55 ASR IST 08:25 TK0267 THY  11:00 IST ADB 12:00 TK0320 THY) . Arrival and meeting at the airport and Visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. We will spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many other familiar historical names. The recently opened Slope Houses where the wealthiest Romans lived are an excellent example of sensitive excavation and presentation. The mosaics and frescos are spectacular. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after the Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. Overnight Sirince or Kusadasi near Ephesus. (B)

Day 5 - Izmir- Istanbul
Transfer to airport and take the morning flight at 10:30am to Istanbul Atatürk Airport to connect your international flight.

PS: Please let me know if you wish to join a group tour or have the tour just for you privately. Below, please check the rates accordingly.

• If you wish to customize or arrange this tour just for you privately please contact us for details and rates.

• Please ask for discounted rates for family and for large groups.