Day 1. Arrival to Cappadocia
Our service starts with transfer from Kayseri (ASR) or Nevsehir (NAV) airports to Cappadocia. Up to your flight time, we can arrange a program for today.
We will organize a welcome dinner to meet with your tour leader/ Guide and the rest of the group.
(D)
Day 2. Cappadocia (Cooking Class)
Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon flight by the time of sunrise.
After breakfast at our cave hotel, Our tour starts from Goreme Open Air Museum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its intricate rock-cut churches and monastic dwellings, adorned with stunning frescoes that depict scenes from the Byzantine era, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich history and artistry of Cappadocia. Our next stop will be one of the pottery workshops in Avanos, a charming town nestled along the banks of the Kızılırmak.
Visitors can partake in hands-on experiences, where skilled artisans demonstrate the age-old tradition of pottery making, allowing guests to create their own unique ceramic masterpiece while immersing themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region. We will have a light lunch and and after that we will go to Ayvalı village for our Cooking Class. We will learn, cook and have for dinner a local menu. (Pottery kebap, Mantı – some kind of Turkish ravioli, Lentil soup etc)
(B,D)
Day 3. Cappadocia
Today, we are heading to see one of the underground cities in Cappadocia. After exploring the stunning architecture of this place, we will have some photo stops to see Goreme village, Uchisar town and ortahisar town from different angles. Lunch will be in a bakery to taste some Turkish “Pide”. Our final stop for today is a Carpet Workshop. The carpet weaving culture of Turkey has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. Many centuries ago, Turkish nomads in Central Asia began weaving carpets as an essential part of their daily lives. Over time, the art of carpet weaving became more intricate and refined, and Turkish carpets became one of the most sought-after and well-regarded carpets in the world. Today, Turkish carpets are beloved for their intricate designs and high quality, and they remain an essential part of Turkey’s rich cultural heritage. The process of carpet weaving is a complex and time-consuming one that requires a great deal of skill and patience, and Turkish weavers take great pride in their craft. Despite the challenges of modernization, the carpet weaving culture of Turkey continues to thrive and remains a vital part of the country’s cultural identity. After a fulfilling and busy day, relax at our hotel and get ready for another…
(B,D)
Day 4. Cappadocia – Gaziantep
After breakfast, we are hitting the road for Gaziantep, which is the 9th city, added to UNESCO’s gastronomy list from around the world. There are two cities from China as well as others from Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Lebanon, Sweden and Columbia. Once we reach the city, we will see Gaziantep Mosaic Museum, one of the largest mosaic museums in the world. Then we are checking-in to our hotel and after a short break we are going out again for dinner. It is time to taste some best kebabs in the world. Overnight in Gaziantep.
(B)
Day 5. Gaziantep (cooking class)
Today, we will skip the breakfast at the hotel and go out to have some local dish for breakfast that is called “Beyran”. Traditionally, this heavy meal is a standard breakfast for the local people for centuries. We will see how they are making and serving also. After this delicious meal for breakfast, we will stroll in the old town around the castle about 2 hours to spend some calories and see copper bazaar and spice market. Maybe a little shopping from spice market also. At the end of strolling in the old town, we will stop in a famous coffee shop called “Tahmis” to try some “Menengiç” coffee made from pistachio. And in the second half of the day, we will attend a cooking class to learn some local food. Have dinner in the same place. Overnight in Gaziantep.
(-)
Day 6. Gaziantep (Cooking Class)
Today, we skip the hotel breakfast again and try another kind of traditional breakfast again. This time, we will watch and learn about “katmer”, which is a kind of dessert, but locals have it for breakfast. After the sweet taste of breakfast, we will see 2 little museums. The Toy Museum and Ataturk’s House. In the second half of the day, we will attend another cooking class for a different menu in a different place. “Yuvalama” is the name of the main course in this menu. For tonight, before we go back to our hotel, we will go and try some other kind of dessert called “kunefe”. We will learn how to make kunefe as well. Overnight in Gaziantep.
(-)
Day 7. Gaziantep – Mardin
After breakfast at the hotel, we check-out and leave for Mardin. We will see Gobeklitepe on the way. Göbekli Tepe is a fascinating archaeological site, considered one of the most important and enigmatic discoveries in the field of archaeology. It is believed to be the oldest temple complex ever discovered, dating back to the Neolithic era, approximately 12,000 years ago. The site consists of multiple circular structures, or enclosures, with large stone pillars carved with intricate animal reliefs. These pillars, some reaching up to 6 meters in height, are believed to have served as monumental sculptures or totems. Excavations at Göbekli Tepe have revealed evidence of communal gatherings, religious rituals, and early forms of social organization. The site’s construction and ongoing maintenance must have required significant manpower and coordination. This suggests that even in a time prior to permanent settlements and domesticated plants, humans were capable of organizing large-scale projects. In conclusion, Göbekli Tepe is an extraordinary archaeological site that challenges our preconceived notions about the development of human society. It provides valuable insights into the early origins of religion, social organization, and symbolic representation. As archaeologists continue to explore and decipher Göbekli Tepe, we can only expect to uncover more secrets and deepen our understanding of our ancient past. Then we drive to Mardin and overnight in mardin.
(B, D)
Day 8. Mardin – Cooking Class
We will start our day after breakfast at the hotel and go to see Mor Hananyo Monastery. Then come back to the old town to stroll about 2 hours to see the narrow streets, and magnificent view of Mardin. For the second half of the day will be Cooking Class for some local food.
(B, D)
Day 9. Mardin – Kars
We have to discuss today as there is no direct flight from Mardin to Kars. We either will be driving all day (700 km) or take a connected flight from Istanbul.
Overnight in Kars.
Day 10. Kars – Cooking Class – Cheese
After breakfast, we will drive to see the ancient city of Ani. Then come back to the city center and see the Kars Castle. We will visit one of the producers of Gruyere cheese of Kars and then attend a cooking class for some authentic local food (a dish from goose maybe? ).
As an option, we can attend a “Caucasian Night” dance show for the dinner.
(B, D)
Day 11. Kars – Ayder (Rize)
After breakfast at the hotel, we have about 5 hours’ drive to reach Ayder. We will see “The Black Lake” on the way. Once we reach Ayder, we will spend the rest of the day exploring the area and trying Rafting on the “Fırtına Deresi” can be a highlight.
(B, D)
Day 12. Ayder – Cooking Class
Today, we will skip another breakfast at the hotel and go out for “Muhlama” for the breakfast. After breakfast, we will change our vehicle to take a 3 hours’ trip to see “Zilkale” and a waterfall in the forest. After that, we will continue with minivan again to reach the top of some mountains to reach “Badara Yaylasi”. We will be the guest of a little restaurant there and cook some local dishes together with the owner and her family in the traditional way. Come back to Ayder for overnight.
(B, D)
Day 13. Ayder
We will wake up early and hit the road to reach “Kavron Plateau” and a village that is used on summer times only. We will have fresh, organic milk and some pastries for breakfast. After spending about 1 hour after breakfast, we are heading for another plateau to have a whole lamb on wood fire that we can make together. Some of the most delicious, organic lamb that we can find in Turkey are from this area. Overnight in Ayder.
(D)
Day 14. Ayder – Trabzon
After breakfast, we leave from our hotel and the first half of the day will be some shopping stops on the way to Trabzon. Rize Bezi (a special fabric belongs to this city, some natural honey and the last one will be hand forged knives in the town called Surmene). After Lunch, we will visit “Sumela Monastery” and take you to your evening flight to Istanbul. (around 19:00 pm)
(B)
End of our services.
