See the unique fairy chimney rock formations of Cappadocia
Go to the Göreme Open Air Museum and visit the rock-cut churches
Be stunned by the petrified valley of Uchisar Castle
Discover a landscape filled with dovecotes at Pigeon Valley
Explore the underground city of Kaymakli
Hike to the villages of the Red Valley
Visit the former Greek enclave of Mustafa Paşa, inhabited by Greek Orthodox families until the beginning of the 20th century
Stay in a cave hotel
Overview
Discover the unique rock formations of Cappadocia on a 2-day tour from Istanbul. Explore underground cities and rock-cut churches in the Devrent and Red Valley, and see the dovecotes of Pigeon Valley. Sleep in a cave hotel.
What to Expect
Cappadocia is a dreamy slice of central Turkey dotted with curious mushroom-shaped rock formations fondly known as “fairy chimneys.” On this 2-day tour from Istanbul, you will travel to the heart of the region and discover a world of underground cities, rock-cut churches, natural rock castles, and cave hotels.
The history of Cappadocia is every bit and as remarkable as the landscape, and you will discover how volcanic eruptions created a surreal moonscape, and lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces.
You will discover how Cappadocians chiseled homes in the soft rock, paving the way for cave-dwelling hippies and today’s boutique fairy-chimney hotels. The area’s most extraordinary phase was during the Medieval Era, when the valleys were a refuge for Byzantine Christians. The religious troglodytes established monastic settlements, and their cave churches add a biblical solemnity to the Flintstones-like region.
You will depart from Istanbul on the overnight bus. A shuttle bus is available from the Why Not Tours office at 19:00 for the transfer to the bus terminal for the 20:30 bus departure. Relax on the 11-hour journey, arriving in Cappadocia at 07:00 for a hotel check-in.
Day 1: Cappadocia - North
Following a 09:00 pick-up from your Cappadocia hotel, drive to the Devrent Valley, where you will walk through the fairy chimney rock formations. Your introduction to the region will take you to Paşabağ, where you can witness pottery production using ancient techniques in a pottery workshop at Avanos.
Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, home to the earliest churches and chapels carved in the rocks. Admire the finest frescoes before driving to Pigeon Valley, so-called due to the large number of dovecotes scattered across the valley. You will also see the petrified valley of Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the region. Finally, enjoy panoramic views of the region at Esentepe. Transfer to your cave hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Cappadocia - South
Today you will drive to the Red Valley. Hike into the wonderland as far as the village of Çavuşin, an old Christian settlement of rock-out dwellings. Continue to the underground city of Kaymaklı. The rock-cut city beneath the earth extends over 8 levels, where early Christians used to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecution. Explore the rock formations in the village of Çatalkaya, and end your tour at Mustafa Paşa, a former Greek enclave that was inhabited by Greek Orthodox families until the beginning of the 20th century.
Your Cappadocia south tour will end at 16:30, after which you will have 4 hours free time to relax before your overnight departure to Istanbul. Traveling by bus, you will arrive back in Istanbul at 07:00 the following morning, where a free shuttle bus is available to select areas of the city, including Sultanahmet and Taksim.
What's Included
Transportation by air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicles
Expert guide during tours
Entrance fees
Lunch during tour
Accommodation
What's Not Included
Dinner
Meeting Point
Meeting point varies depending on option booked.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder