AyasİsosTravels AİT6501: Cultural tour 10d9n full board: Van-Akdamar- Diyarbakır-Mardin-Urfa- Nemrut Dağ-Sézaré- Cappadocia: accommodation in 4* hotels and boutique hotels.
This beautiful, exclusive tour takes us through the old and new civilizations:
We go from Van Meer to find Vanmonster and Ah Tamara Island, to Ahlat to Van Meer to awaken the Seljuk princes and princesses from their deep sleep in their Seljuk mausoleum’s and tombs, to Mardin to discover this picturesque city, to Diyarbakır, to Daarülzaferan Monastery to return the Syrian population of Turkey, to Harran-Urfa to see Abraham-Sarah-Isaak-Ismael, to read the pieces of Old Testament writings in Harran by Abraham, to Nemrut Dag, land of Antıokos 1st, springing from eastern and western gods and goddesses on its tumulus, one of 8th World Wonders, to Soganlı Valley with Taşkın Paşa-Cemil-Sinassos-Mustafapaşa-Ürgüp-Göreme-Uçhisar-Ortahisar, to underground city of Saratlı, to Caravanserails of Agzıkarahan, to Aksaray with its Turkish Pizze Tower. In Acemhöyük–Yelijova south of Salt Lake wait first know of our world us to speak to us through the world of Epopee Gilgamıche with the story of Mehmet, Anatolian Siciffe.
- B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner.
Content
AyasİsosTravels AİT6501: Cultural tour 8d7n full board: Van-Akdamar-Diyarbakır-Mardin-Urfa-Nemrut Dağ-Sézaré- Cappadocia: accommodation in 4* hotels and boutique hotels. ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Day 1: Arrival From .................................................................................................................................. 2
Day 2: Van (100 km) ............................................................................................................................... 3
Day 3: From-Tatvan-Bitlis-Silvan-Tigris–Hassuni-Diyarbakir Mardin(451km) ...................................... 4
Day 4: Mardin – Harran – Urfa ............................................................................................................... 5
Day 5: Urfa, Unesco World Heritage –Urfa Archaeological Museum-Göbeklitepe-Atatürk Dam-Kâhta ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Day 6: Kahta -Nemrut Dağ-Kahramanmaraş-Kayseri (407 km) ........................................................... 7
Day 7: Kayseri-Cappadocia (160 km) .................................................................................................... 8
Day 8: Kayseri-Cappadocia ................................................................................................................... 8
Day 9: Cappadocia-Peristrema Valley –Ihlara-Guzelyurt – Hasan Day ................................................ 9
Day 10: Return journey Cappadocia-Europe......................................................................................... 10
Prices........... ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Notes...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Optional Trips ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Included .............. .................................................................................................................................. 11
Not Included .......................................................................................................................................... 11
AyasİsosTravels: Multilingual Cultural Tour Provider and Operator....................................................... 11
Day 1: Arrival Van
Arrival From Airport. Reception and then transfer to the Hotel Ramada (4*) with welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Van (100km)
After breakfast we stop at Van Kasteel. This ancient Van stood where once - 3000 years ago - the Urartean city of Tushpa flourished, but Van was finally destroyed during WWI, when several battles took place here to establish an Armenian state.
We take a trip to the famous Çavuştepe Castle, located on a ridge 28 km south of Van. This fortress is a good example of the architectural mastery of the Urartu civilization. There are two castles: the upper castle and the lower castle. Above are the remains of a temple and below are the ruins of a palace, a temple complex, royal tombs and a large food depot with 30 storage vessels, on which the measurement in cuneiform writing can still be seen. This complex would have been the "Sardurihurda" fortress of King Sargon II from the 8th century BC.
We then sail to the island of Akdamar, which is located in the middle of Lake Van. We see the Holy Cross Dome Church in Armenian style, built of red sandstone. The island of Akdamar, now uninhabited, was a religious center 1,000 years ago and was also the seat of the Armenian Patriarch for several centuries. The Holy Cross Dome Church is particularly known for the sculptures that are placed against the outer walls. Mainly there are images from the Old Testament such as: Samson, David, Adam and Eve, Christ on the throne, Mary with the Christ child and the sacrifice of Abraham. Because there are also reliefs of the Abbasid caliph Muktadir, the building shows a wonderful mixture of Christian and Islamic art. Over the centuries, the church has been expanded several times, including me there with a north chapel, a large porch and a bell tower.
Today lunch consists of a cozy picnic at restaurant Deniz in Gevaş. At the end of the day, we also stop to visit the Seljuk necropolis and admire the beauty of a Turkish princess. Finally, we drive back to our hotel (4* or 5*) in Van for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: From-Tatvan-Bitlis-Silvan-Tigris–Hassuni-Diyarbakir Mardin(451km)
After breakfast we leave Van for a very varied day with various highlights. We drive south of the ge as well them.
Turkish-Kurdish and Armenian motifs as well as their Persian motifs. From Meer over the Kuskunkıran Pass (2234 m) to Tatvan, about 145 km. Then we follow the valley of the Bitlis river. Bitlis is the city of Turkish tobacco. En route we stop at the world famous Malabadi Bridge over the Batman River, a tributary of the Tigris. The bridge was built at the time of the Artukids in the 13th century.
Lunch is in Silvan-Tigranokerta, founded in the time of the Assyrians and visited by Alexander the Great. This place flourished under Tigran the Great, an Armenian king. Silvan was also called Martyropolis by the Byzantines because of the presence of 40 tombs of Christian martyrs, who were murdered during the 2nd Schappur of the Persian Empire. Constantine the Great had Silvan Castle restored and used it as a military garrison. During the First World War Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was in Silvan in charge of the battle against the Russian armies. As a result, the cities of Muş and Bitlis again fell into Turkish hands.
AyasİsosTravels in Silvan2007 with Ayas Tourism as Guide.
After lunch in the presence of the mayor of Silvan, we will visit the Selahattin Eyyoubi Mosque, the Broken Minaret, the Church of Kıldan, the Museum of Atatürk, the Caves of Temtemburg, Hamido, the approximately 300 trough Lodietic houses, the Castle of Hassuni and several fountains and waterwheels. From the point of view of monument preservation, the European Union subsidizes the restoration of places of interest in this place. There is also an opportunity to get to know the local population.
On our arrival in Diyarbakır we visit the ramparts. They have a length of 5.5 km, are made of black basalt stone in the shape of a fish and date back to Roman times. Here in Diyarbakir we can also take pictures of the Tigris Delta and the bridge over the Tigris. It is from here that the Tigris is navigable, at first only for chalices (rafts made from inflated animal skins).
Lunch in Silvan, the Byzantine Martyropolis because of the relics of Christian martyrs killed by the Sasanians. It is also the place from which in WWI the Turks, led by commander Kemal (Atatürk), drove the advancing Russians back for a while and were able to relieve Bitlis and Mus. After lunch visit to Silvan where European money is used to restore many buildings, fountains, water wheels, churches, and mosques. On our arrival in Diyarbakır, we visit the 5.5 km long Roman basalt ramparts and the gardens of Hevsel, all parts of a UNESCO cultural landscape. A Brussels resident on the Tigris with AyasİsosTravels.
Dinner and overnight in a charming 4* hotel in Mardin.
Day 4: Mardin – Harran – Urfa
After breakfast, the city of Mardin with its typical Arabic character, narrow steep streets and decorated white houses is on our program. According to Arnold Toynbee, the well-known English historian, it was the most beautiful city in the world around 1950. From the roof of the Sultan İsa Bey Medrese (1385) we have a beautiful view over the city and the Mesopotamian plain. After the visit to the Grand Mosque, we leave for the Dier-as-Saffron Monastery hidden between vineyards and gardens in an inhospitable landscape. Most Syriac Orthodox patriarchs are buried here. Until 1933, the monastery was also the seat of the patriarch, who now resides in Damascus. After lunch departure to Biblical Harran from where patriarch Abraham left for Canaan. It is the warmest place in Turkey, but also one of the most picturesque villages due to its well-insulated mud beehive houses. Dinner and overnight at Urfa Hilton.
Day 5: Urfa, Unesco world heritage –Urfa Archaeological Museum-Göbeklitepe-Atatürk Dam- Kâhta
We visit Urfa where history begins with Abraham. The Archaeological Museum tells us more about the sequel.
Lunch in Gol, known for its Mesopotamian specialties. In the afternoon, extensive visit to Göbeklitepe, 15 km from Urfa, the archaeological sensation of the last quarter century, perhaps even of the last millennium! At 11,500 years old, it is the oldest known temple complex in the world. This piece of Unesco world heritage has not yet revealed all its secrets. Well circulate and there are all sorts of interesting hypotheses.
After this visit, we drive about 100 km to Adıyaman. We stay in KAHTA at the foot of NEMRUT DAGI, a boutique hotel. We will visit the Nemrut Dag up at sunset or at sunrise, depending on local conditions.
Day 6: Kahta -Nemrut Dağ- Kahramanmaraş-Kayseri (407 km)
Even before sunrise we leave with minibuses to the highlight of the trip: Nemrut Dağı. On the gigantic plateaus of Mount Nemrut (2150m) we find the Commagene gods' heaven. The colossal statues were commissioned by Antiochos I (69-36 BC). Considering himself divine, Antiochos also added his own image to the line. Antiochos I is descended from the Persian king Darius through his father Mithridates and from Alexander the Great through his mother Laodike. His empire, Commagene, was a buffer state between the area of Greeks, Romans and Persians. That is why gods from both cultures were worshipped. The tumulus on this mountain is still 160 m high and has a diameter of 150 m.
After climbing the Nemrut, breakfast tastes all the more to us. Continue to Karamanmaras We visit the copper workshops and the spice market. Then we leave for Cappadocia via the high plateau of the Antitau Rus Mountains.
On the way we visit Kayseri, an economic hotspot, one of the so-called Anatolian Tigers. We visit the Great Mosque and the cylindrical döner kümbet, a textbook example of a Seljuk mausoleum from 1276.Dinner and overnight in Kayseri, hotel 4*.
Day 7: Kayseri-Cappadocia (160 km)
We have all day today to get to know this unique region. Over time, under the influence of weather elements such as wind, rain and temperature differences, a unique tuff erosion landscape has been created, which looks like a lunar landscape with the so-called fairy chimneys, rotten cones, and rock points. Of course, we will visit the Goreme Open Air Museum with the rock churches and their beautiful frescoes. We also admire Devil's Valley and Uçhisar moonscape. This is followed by a delicious dinner with a folkloric dance evening. Overnight in our hotel 4*-5*.
Day 8: Cappadocia
After breakfast buffet, we will visit the ancient houses of Ürgüp and continue through the Valley of Roses, the Valley of Camels, the Valley of the Virgin Mary.
Afterwards, we discover various old crafts: Carpets and knotting, nomadic culture objects, an onyx workshop,
This afternoon we eat 'Cömlek Kebab', another regional specialty, with a beautiful view of the Kizilirmak River.
In the afternoon we visit the former Sinassos now called Mustafapasa, it testifies to what is known in the Greek history books. We drive on to Soganli, the volcanoes Erciyes and Hasandag never lose sight of us.
Dinner and overnight in our hotel 4* or 5* charm boutique.
Day 9: Cappadocia-Peristrema Valley – Ihlara-Guzelyurt
After breakfast, way to Caravanserai Ağzıkarakan Agzikarakah from Silk Road welcome you by its camels, mules.
There are more than 40 underground cities in Cappadocia. They were used as a depot and shelter during the raids of Persians and Arabs. Each city contains several tunnels, a ventilation shaft for air exchange, several rooms, storage areas, rain pits. The entrances were closed with a millstone. Today we visit the underground city of Saratli.
Alevis wine tasting with residents of the Underground City of Saratli.
Alevism, Bektashism and Sufism see Ali as the doorway to the mystical knowledge and esoteric interpretation of Islam, as carried to him by Muhammad: Esedullah-Asadullah (Lion of God). About a quarter of the Turkish population is Alevi. Alevism is a movement within Shiite Islam, the soft side of Islam. The emphasis is much less on laws and regulations, but all the more on respect for other people regardless of religion, race, origin and gender.
10 de Muharrem, the day of Ashura: Huseyn bin Ali, Grand Son of Mohamet, was killed in Kerbela.
Lunc in Peristreme Valley -Canyon.
Continue to Ihlara canyon for a gentle gorge walk along an idyllic babbling brook; Selime-Belisirma-Ihlara with its primitive rock churches of the early part of Christianity.
Day 10: Return journey Cappadocia-Europe
Unfortunately, today a special journey comes to an end and we take the plane back home, after breakfast and the Turkish Baklava with pistachios.
Prices
• • Tour Price List from AyasİsosTravels: Travel Products (Tours, Tours, Group Tours, Vacations) from AyasİsosTravels in Turkey
• • Or please send an e-mail for the special conditions and prices.(partners@ayasisostravels.com)
Comments
• Departure date can be adjusted for private groups
• A special price has been decided groups of more than 23 people, for members of cultural associations, for students, teachers, people with disabilities and their companions.
• Please send an e-mail to know the special conditions and prices.
• A free place for closed groups of more than 23 people for performances in Turkey.
Optional trips
• Discovery of Cappadocia in a hot air balloon
• Spinning Dervish Dancing.
Including
• • 10 days 9 nights full board in 4* (or 5*) charming hotels, according to the cities.
• • Dinner the first evening and breakfast on the last day.
• • Lunch in the restaurants with specialties 9 days.
• • Transport in Turkey.
• • Entrance fees of museums visited on the programmed.
• • Dinner with folkloric show
• • Service of a Dutch-speaking tour guide, university-trained guide.
Not included
• • Drinks in hotels and restaurants,
• • Optional excursions, drinking money
• • Transport in Europe,
• • Return flight tickets Europe/Turkey,
• • Airport tax,
• • Insurance.
Departure days can be adjusted (according to the request of the special groups).
AyasİsosTravels: Multilingual Cultural Tour Provider and Operator.
