Great ATATÜRK and the Fairy Tale (6Days)
Itinerary
Day 1 – Ankara
Flying any time you prefer. There are several direct flights to Ankara. Arriving at the airport and meet our guide. We will have a board on which your names are written.
Mausoleum of Atatürk
First, we will go to the Mausoleum of Atatürk the founder of the Turkish Republic.
So who is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk?
One of the great figures of the 20th century, Atatürk rescued the surviving Turkish remnant of the defeated Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I. He galvanized his people against invading Greek forces who sought to impose the Allied will upon the war-weary Turks and repulsed aggression by British, French, and Italian troops. Through these struggles, he founded the modern Republic of Turkey, for which he is still revered by the Turks. He succeeded in restoring to his people pride in their Turkishness, coupled with a new sense of accomplishment as their nation was brought into the modern world. Over the next two decades, Atatürk created a modern state that would grow under his successors into a viable democracy. (For a more complete discussion of this period in Turkish history, see Turkey, history of: The emergence of the modern Turkish state.)
Ankara Castle
Ankara Castle (Turkish: Ankara Kalesi) is an historic fortification in the city of Ankara, Turkey, constructed in or after the 7th century. The earliest fortification on the site was built in the 8th century BC by the Phrygians and rebuilt in 278 BC by the Galatians. The castle was rebuilt or renovated under the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman empires.
Lunch at a local restaurant
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Anatolian Civilizations Museum reaching the present time with its historical buildings and its deeply rooted history was elected as the first “Museum of the Year” in Switzerland on April 19, 1997.
Overnight in Ankara
Day 2 – Hattusas
Hattusas (the old capital of Hittite)
Then drive to Hattusas,, located in Türkiye’s Anatolian heartland province of Corum, is definitely worth visiting. The remnants of the Hittite Capital date back to the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. The Hittites were a remarkable civilization. The kingdom stretched from the Aegean across Anatolia, northern Syria and to the Euphrates river.
Lunch at a local restaurant
After lunch, we will visit the temples and castles. The two rows meet on the north wall where the most important images in the shrine of Yazilikaya are to be found: The God of Tempests Teshub and the Goddess of the Sun Hepatu. The largest relief in the main gallery, however, is the one representing King Tudhaliyas IV, thus giving us a date in the second half of the 13th century B.C.
Transfer to the airport
Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 4 Cappadocia District
Hot air ballooning in the morning (extra)
Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
The day will begin with the Devrent Valley, which (or imagination valley )is the bewitching corner of Cappadocia which have the endless legends and attractions. Literally we can say you will explore the valley by dreaming not by walking because the other name of this valley is ‘Imaginary Valley’. There are no churches inside, Roman graves and stone carved residential areas but you will create your own fairy tale with your characters.
Pasabag (Monks Valley)
Then we will go to the Pasabag which is one of the most popular spots in Goreme, Cappadocia with its epic fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.
Pottery Workshop
At this stop, we will learn how humans used potteries in times past and will learn how to make pottery. If you wish you can try it. And then we will visit the pottery shop to make shopping.
Onyx Workshop
At this stop, we will visit the onyx workshop. You can watch how to shape the marble and how to make it shiny. And then if you wish you can make shopping.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Goreme Open Air Museum
One of Turkey’s Unesco World Heritage sites, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is an important stop on any Cappadocian itinerary. First, an important Byzantine monastic settlement that housed some 20 monks, then a pilgrimage site from the 17th century, this splendid cluster of monastic Byzantine artistry with its rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries is 1km uphill from Göreme’s center.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 5 – Cappadocia District
First, we will check out from the hotel and prepare for the tour.
Kaymaklı Underground City
We will take about a 40-minute way to reach the Kaymaklı Underground City.
It was built to escape from persecution and invasions, temporarily by the earliest Christians.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Nar Lake (Photo Break)
The way will take approximately 1 hour to reach Nar Lake. We will have a stop at Nar Lake for taking photos. You can see the heart shape If you look at it from the right point.
Ihlara Valley
One of the unique canyons, Ihlara Valley hypnotizes the visitors both its breath-taking, brilliant scenery of nature and its fascinating churches, monasteries carved into the soft rocks which create an awesome atmosphere.
We will hike about 3.8 km by the river.
Lunch at the Canyon
Sarihan Caravanserai
We will stop by in Sarihan Caravanserai to visit that 13th-century residence for the merchants and their camels.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 5 – Konya
We will check out and then drive to the Konya know as old Iconium.
Sultanhan
En route, we will visit the Sultanhan which is the biggest caravanserai of Anatolia.
Then we will check in to the hotel.
Museum of Mevlana the Rumi
Then we will visit the Mevlana Museum.
For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the main reason to come to Konya is to visit the Mevlâna Museum, the former lodge of the whirling dervishes and home to the tomb of Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna), who we have to thank for giving the world the whirling dervishes.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Free time in the city
Overnight in Konya
Overnight in Pamukkale
Day 6 – Return to Istanbul
• Transfer to the airport
We come to an end to our 6 Days Central Anatolia Tour. We hope you enjoy Turkey and our services at TB Turkey Travel. We look forward to welcoming you in Turkey.