During thousands years, the landscape of Cappadocia, covered with soft volcanic ash, underwent an intense wind and hydraulic erosion which created one of the strangest spectacles of the world and made monumental peaks, fairy chimneys, capped pinnacles, cones and fretted ravines and canyons in a lunar landscape. With its unique geological formations, Cappadocia is incontestably a phantasm of nature and almost another planet. Cappadocia is not only a wonder of Nature. Man lived there: In this wondrous and unusual landscape sculpted by Nature you will discover sites of historical and artistic interest.
The shores of the Mediterranean Sea coast are some of the most charming in Turkey.
On this coast with a rich history, added to the amazing spectacle of a sea with limpid water striking the abrupt cliffs, you will discover the archaeological richness, demonstration of more than 3000 years of history, culture and mythology. Greek and Roman cities, which are admirably preserved, with a Lycian necropolis, lost in the vegetation, or immersed at the bottom of a turquoise sea.
An easy excursion, accessible to everyone; discovery of archaeological sites, with the privilege of visiting those accessible only on foot and a sea-trip, around the remains of the immersed city of Kekova; and, finally, a truly enriching cultural exchange with the hospitable and gracious people of the remote villages we cross.
And, we will spare one and half days for discovering Istanbul which was successively Constantinople, Byzance and Istanbul: the richest and the most attractive city of the country. It is a unique city, built embracing two continents – Europe and Asia – and it preserves prestigious monuments testifying to the richness of its history. Please have your own opinion !
Itinerary 15 days :
Day 1 / Ankara:
Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel for overnight. Dinner is free.
Days 2 to 4/ Cappadocia:
3 days of hiking in the most beautiful canyons and valleys unique in the world. During our stay our principal halts will be the valleys of Ihlara, Avcilar, Akvadi, Pasabag, Pancarlik, Gulludere and Guvercinlik which offered refuge to many civilisations. Rock formations out of a land rise up before you at every turn and entice you to look longer and wonder at their creation. Mustafapasa, Zelve, Cavusin, Goreme, Ortahisar, Uchisar: the cave dwellings villages, which were the centres of the development of Christianity. We will visit churches and chapels decorated with bright paintings and frescoes, ancient remains of exceptional interest. Derinkuyu and Mazokoy are underground cities extending in a labyrinth underground. We spend all nights in hotels in Ankara and comfortable pensions in Cappadocia.
Day 5 / Konya:
Transfer to Konya, the ancient Seljuk capital. Visit to the Museum-Mausoleum of Mevlana the founder of the Whirling Dervishes order. Overnight in hotel.
Days 6 to 12 / Mediterranean coast:
6 days of discovering of the unusual landscape of the Lycian coast whose turquoise gulfs and bays the sea has eroded. Visit the sites Phaselis, Pinara, Simena, Kayakoy, Myra, Tlos, Telmessos and Caunos. Not only will you marvel at the beauty of the Oludeniz lagoon, but our sea trip will show you the vestiges of a blue tinged sunken city, in the bluish lights of sea-beds around the Kekova island. Overnight stops in hotels, pensions and in villager-guesthouses. 2 / 3 h of trek per day.
Days 13 & 14 / Istanbul :
One and half days to discover this legendary city, old Constantinople, set on 2 continents.
Day 15 / Home :
Transfer to the airport for return flight.
Favourable season: All the year.
Level: easy.
Travel with your family and friends as a small group independent tour.
