Ait 6501 - Van-Mardin-Urfa-Kayseri-Cappadocia-Aksaray Cultural Tour

IMPORTANT NOTE: This program has been arranged for participants from abroad, and we kindly request you to contact GoAyas Tour Organization department to get information about the program changes for our domestic guests.

Day 1: Arrival in Muş

Arrival at the airport. Welcome and transfer to Hotel Ramada (4*) with a welcome cocktail, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2: Van (100 km)

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we visit the ancient city of Van Kasteel. Van, once the city of Urartu called Tushpa 3000 years ago, was finally destroyed during World War I when several battles took place here to establish an Armenian state. We then visit the famous Çavuştepe Castle, located on a ridge 28 km south of Van. This castle is a beautiful example of Urartian civilization's architectural craftsmanship. There are two castles: the upper castle and the lower castle. The upper castle contains temple ruins, and the lower castle houses the remains of a palace, a temple complex, royal tombs, and a large food depot with 30 storage jars bearing cuneiform inscriptions. This complex would have been the fortress of King II. Sargon from the 8th century BC, called "Sardurihurda."

Next, we proceed to Akdamar Island, located in the middle of Lake Van, to see the Armenian-style Holy Cross Church, built of red sandstone. Akdamar Island was once a religious center and also the residence of the Armenian Patriarch for several centuries. The Holy Cross Church is famous for its sculptures mainly placed on the external walls. It depicts images mostly from the Old Testament: Samson, David, Adam and Eve, Jesus seated on a throne, Virgin Mary with Jesus as a child, and the sacrifice of Abraham. It also showcases reliefs of the Abbasid caliph Al-Muqtadir, making it a splendid blend of Christian and Islamic art. After a picnic lunch at the Deniz Restaurant in Gevaş, we visit the Seljuk necropolis and admire the beauty of a Turkish princess. Finally, we return to our hotel (4* or 5*) in Van for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Tatvan-Bitlis-Silvan-Dicle-Hassuni-Diyarbakır-Mardin (451 km)

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we depart from Van for a colorful day towards the south. We drive to Tatvan via the Gevaş region, where we encounter Turkish-Kurdish and Armenian motifs alongside Persian motifs. We then continue along the Bitlis River Valley. In Bitlis, known as the city of Turkish tobacco, we stop at the world-famous Malabadi Bridge, built during the Artukid period in the 13th century and spanning the Batman River, a tributary of the Tigris.

We have lunch in Silvan-Tigranokerta, an ancient city founded during the time of the Assyrians and developed under the reign of the Armenian king Tigran the Great. Silvan was also known as Martyropolis by the Byzantines due to the presence of 40 Christian martyr tombs killed during the 2nd Shapur period of the Persian Empire. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was in Silvan during World War I, fighting against the Russian armies. As a result, the cities of Muş and Bitlis came back under Turkish control. After lunch, we visit various sites in Silvan, including Selahattin Eyyubi Mosque, Kesik Minare, Kıldan Church, Atatürk Museum, Temtemburg Caves, and Silvan Castle. We also witness the local population and have the opportunity to recognize their culture.

Upon arriving in Diyarbakır, we visit the city's ancient walls. The walls, made of black basalt stones in the shape of a fish, date back to the Roman period and are approximately 5.5 km long. From here, we can take pictures of the Dicle Delta and the bridge over the Tigris River in Diyarbakır. The Tigris River was once navigable only for drinking cups made of inflated animal skin.

Afterward, we have lunch in Silvan, known as the Byzantine metropolis, due to the remains of Christian martyrs killed by the Sasanians. Silvan also played a significant role during World War I, where Turkish troops under the command of Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk) managed to push back the advancing Russians and relieve the cities of Bitlis and Muş. After lunch, we visit Silvan, where European funds are used to restore many buildings, fountains, water wheels, churches, and mosques. Upon arriving in Diyarbakır, we visit the 5.5 km-long Roman basalt walls and the Hevsel Gardens, which are part of the UNESCO cultural landscape. In the evening, we have dinner and stay overnight at our 4* hotel in Mardin.

Day 4: Mardin – Harran – Urfa

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we explore the city of Mardin, with its typical Arab character, narrow steep streets, and whitewashed decorated houses. From the roof of Sultan Isa Bey Medrese (1385), we get a beautiful view of the city and the Mesopotamian plain. After visiting the Grand Mosque, we head to the hidden Dier-as-Saffron Monastery, nestled among vineyards and gardens. Many Syriac Orthodox patriarchs are buried here, and until 1933, it served as the residence of the patriarch, who now resides in Damascus. After lunch, we depart to Harran, mentioned in the Bible as the place where Abraham left for Canaan. Harran is one of the most picturesque villages due to its well-insulated adobe beehive houses, known as "Harran Houses." In the evening, we have dinner and stay overnight at Hilton Urfa.

Day 5: Urfa, UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Urfa Archaeology Museum - Göbeklitepe - Atatürk Dam - Kahta

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, We visit Urfa, where history began with Abraham. The Archaeology Museum gives us more information about the continuing film. After lunch, we head to the village of Harran, where Patriarch Abraham set off for Canaan. Harran is Turkey's hottest place, but also one of the most picturesque villages due to its well-insulated adobe beehive houses. After lunch, we visit Göbeklitepe, the archaeological sensation of the last quarter-century or maybe even the last millennium, located about 15 km from Urfa. At 11,500 years old, it is the oldest known temple complex in the world. This part of the UNESCO World Heritage site has not yet revealed all its secrets, and there are various interesting hypotheses. After this visit, we travel approximately 100 km to Adıyaman. In Kahta, we stay at a boutique hotel at the foot of Mount Nemrut. We will visit Mount Nemrut during sunset or sunrise, depending on local conditions.

Day 6: Kahta - Nemrut Mountain - Kahramanmaraş - Kayseri (407 km)

Before dawn, we take minibusses, by having our brakfast in the vehicle, to the most important site, Mount Nemrut. In the vast plateaus of Mount Nemrut (2,150 m), we find the paradise of the gods of Commagene. The colossal statues were commissioned by King Antiochus I (69-36 BC), who considered himself divine and added his own figure to the statues. Antiochus I was a descendant of King Darius of Persia through his father Mithridates and a descendant of Alexander the Great through his mother Laodice. Commagene was a buffer state between the Greeks, Romans, and Persians, so gods from both cultures were worshipped here. The tumulus on this mountain is still 160 m high and 150 m in diameter. After descending from Nemrut, breakfast tastes even better. We then proceed to Kahramanmaraş, visiting its copper workshops and spice market. We then continue towards Cappadocia via the high plateaus of the Anti-Taurus Mountains. On the way, we visit Kayseri, known as one of the economic hotspots in Anatolia, where we see the Grand Mosque and a cylindrical rotating tomb, a textbook example of a Seljuk tomb dating back to 1276. In the evening, we have dinner and stay overnight at our hotel (4*) in Kayseri.

Day 7: Kayseri - Cappadocia (160 km)

Today, after open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we have the entire day to explore this unique region. Over time, the effects of weather elements such as wind, rain, and temperature differences have shaped a unique tuff erosion landscape called fairy chimneys, decaying cones, and rock formations that resemble a moon landscape. We visit Göreme Open-Air Museum with its rock churches and beautiful frescoes. We are also amazed by the beauty of the Devrent Valley and the panoramic view of Uçhisar. In the evening, we enjoy a delicious dinner accompanied by a folkloric dance show. We stay overnight at our hotel (4* or 5*) in Cappadocia.

Day 8: Cappadocia (100 km)

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we explore Ürgüp's ancient houses and continue through the Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, and the Monks Valley to get to Ihlara Canyon. We embark on an easy walking tour along a pastoral brook, passing by various early Christian rock churches. Afterward, we have lunch in the valley and proceed to the picturesque village of Güzelyurt. We then continue to the Hasan Günü area, where we have dinner and stay overnight at our hotel (4* or 5*).

Day 9: Cappadocia - Peristrema Valley - Ihlara - Güzelyurt - Hasan Günü

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we are greeted by camels and donkeys with their drivers, awaiting us on the Silk Road of Ağzıkarahan Agzikarakah Caravanserai Road. There are over 40 underground cities in Cappadocia. Used as storage and shelter during Persian and Arab raids, each city consists of several tunnels, ventilation shafts for fresh air, several rooms, storage areas, and rainwater reservoirs. The entrances are closed with a millstone. Today, we visit the underground city of Saratlı.

After open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we have the opportunity to taste wines with the inhabitants of the Saratlı Underground City. Alevism, Bektashism, and Sufism see Ali as a gate to mystical knowledge and an esoteric interpretation of Islam: Asadullah (Lion of God). About a quarter of Turkey's population is Alevi. Alevism is a movement within Shia Islam that emphasizes much less on laws and regulations and much more on respect for other people regardless of their religion, race, origin, or gender.

On the 10th of Muharrem, the Day of Ashura, we have lunch in Peristrema Valley - Canyon.

We continue with a light hiking tour along a beautiful stream in Ihlara Canyon; an early Christian legacy with primitive rock churches.

Day 10: Return Journey to Europe

Unfortunately, this special journey comes to an end today. After breakfast and tasting pistachio Turkish baklava, we take a flight back home to Europe.

Price Includes

• 10 days and 9 nights in charming 4* (or 5*) hotels, full board accommodation.

• Welcome dinner on the first evening and breakfast on the last day.

• Transportation within Turkey.

• Evening dinner with a folkloric show.

• Services of a Dutch-speaking tour guide, a university-educated guide.

Price Excludes

• Drinks at hotels and restaurants
• Entrance fees to museums as per the itinerary,
• Optional tours, drink expenses,
• Lunch at specialty restaurants for 9 days.
• Transportation within Europe,
• Return flight tickets Europe/Turkey,
• Airport tax,
• Insurance.