World Heritage Tours - World Heritage Tours - Tours in the Middle East, Tours in South America, Tours in Indochina, Tours in Africa,  African Safaris
World Heritage Tours - World Heritage Tours - Tours in the Middle East, Tours in South America, Tours in Indochina, Tours in Africa,  African Safaris
GRAND TURKEY
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Turkey
Travel Turkey
Eastern Anatolia is a part of Turkey that has its own unique past. The region’s long and turbulent history has left monuments to its various civilizations: Byzantine monasteries and churches, Seljuk mausoleums and caravanserais, elegant Ottoman mosques and hilltop citadels. Our 22-day Grand Turkey tour is an attempt at understanding the history and culture of this unique part of Turkey.


Tour Summary
Map
Day
Place
01
Trabzon
02
Trabzon / Erzurum
03 Erzurum / Ani / Kars
04
Kars / Dogubeyazit / Mt Ararat / Van
05
Van
06
Van / Diyarbakir
07
Hasankeyf / Mardin
08
Diyarbakir / Harran / Urfa
09
Urfa / Mt.Nemrut / Kahta / Antakya
10
Kahta / Gaziantep / Antioch / Adana
11
Antioch / Tarsus / Adana
12
Adana / Cappadoci
13
Cappadocia
14 Cappadocia / Konya / Antalya
Travel Turkey
15 Perge / Aspendos / Antalya
16 Aphrodisias / Pamukkale / Denizli
17 Denizli / Ephesu / Izmir
18 Pergamum / Troy / Canakkale
19 Canakkale / Gallipolis / Istanbu
20 Istanbul
21 Istanbul
22 Istanbul / Departure

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites in Turkey covered on this tour
Historic Areas of Istanbul (1985) Strategically located on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than two thousand years. Its masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th- century Suleymaniye Mosque, which are now jeopardized by overpopulation, industrial pollution and uncontrolled urbanization.
Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (1985) In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculptured by erosion, the Goreme Valley and its surroundings contain sanctuaries hewn into the rock, providing irreplaceable evidence of Byzantine art of the post-iconoclastic period. Dwellings, troglodyte villages and underground towns representing a traditional human habitat, dating back to the 4th century, can also be seen there.
Nemrut Dag (1987) The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69-34 B.C.) who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates after the breakup of Alexander's empire, is one of the most ambitious constructions of Hellenic times. The syncretism of its pantheon, and the lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's culture.
Archaeological Site of Troy (1998) Troy, with its four thousand years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first excavations at the site were started in 1871 by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant and substantial demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century BC, immortalized by Homer in The Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world since that time.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Trabzon
Upon your arrival in Trabzon, you are met with a friendly 'merhaba' (hello) and escorted to your hotel. You will have the day free to begin exploring Trabzon or to relax at your leisure. Learn more about the cultural adventure ahead of you at an orientation meeting at 7pm. During dinner get acquainted with the other members of your group.
Overnight: Usta Park Hotel, Trabzon (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Trabzon/Erzurum (Drive)

Trabzon, the city which Don Quichote dreamt constantly of being the king of. Start the day with a visit to the 14th. c. Sumela monastery, and continue to the Zigana Pass. Enjoying wild scenery of Kop mountain we arrive in Erzurum
Overnight: Polat Renaissance Hotel, Erzurum (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Erzurum/Ani/Kars (Drive)

Following a visit of the city's Seljouki monumentssuch as the Yakutiye Madrasa, the Great Mosque drive across the vast plains along the Araxes river to Kars. Visit Ani, the border town to Armenia, once the capital city of an Armenian kingdom. Back to town for a stroll along the streets where Orhan Pamuk's "Snow" was set.
Overnight: Simer Kars Hotel, Kars (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Kars/Dogubeyazit/Mt Ararat/Van (Drive)

Drive through the countryside to visit Ishak Pasha Palace. On route to Van, The 17000 feet Mount Ararat, fabled to have housed the Ark of Noah will be viewed for most of the way. Locals weave animal figures on the Sumak Kilims as a depiction of the ark's passengers.
Overnight: Merit Sahmaran Hotel, Van (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Van
Our first visit will be to Cavustepe, a Urartian citadel complex dated back to 8th c. The 16th c. Hosap Castle will make you feel like you are in a sci-fi movie. A lake-side lunch will be followed by a cruise to the Akthamar Island, for a visit of a unique Armenian church, adorned with a stone carved story of the people and their faith. Visit a local carpet and handicraft center, and finally the Van Castle for a glance at the Urartian capital Tuspa. (B, L, D)

Day 06 Wednesday: Van/Diyarbakir (Drive)
Drive up the mountains for a stop in Bitlis to visit a Seljuki madrasa. Continue to upper Mesopotamia (between the Euphrates & Tigres) and visit the 13th c. Malabadi - one of the largest bridges of the past. Enjoy a lovely sunset on the city walls of Diyarbakir -
The Great Mosque.
Overnight: Class Hotel, Diyarbakir (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Hasankeyf/Mardin (Drive)
Drive along a land spotted with oil wells, and irrigated by the waters of Tigris. Visit the remains of Hasankeyf's monumental Zeyl Abidin tomb, rock houses. Continue to Midyat, well known for its stone carvings and monastaries. Final visit will be to Mardin, and Dayr-ul Zafaran monastery. Return to Diyarbakir. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Diyarbakir/Harran/Urfa (Drive)

Drive to Urfa, along the banks of the largest man made lake in Turkey (of Ataturk Dam). which is the birthplace of Abraham. Ruins of the oldest Islamic university also an astronomy center with its observation tower still standing, and the Harran houses built of mud-bricks are all unique features of this land. Visit Urfa bazaar.
Overnight: Harran Hotel, Urfa (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 09: Urfa/Mt. Nemrut/Kahta/Antakya (Drive)

Drive to Adiyaman, along the banks of the largest man made lake in Turkey (of Ataturk Dam). Climb up the mount Nemrud, where Kommagenian king Antiochus' tomb was built, surrounded by the gigantic statues of local gods. Explore the terraces & statues.
Overnight: Buyuk Hotel, Antakya (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Kahta/Gaziantep/Antioch/Adana (Drive)
Drive to Gaziantep. Visit museum for looking the famous mosaic of the Zeugma. Afternoon will be spent in Antakya, a true treasure of history, religions and food. The word "Christian" was first used in this town where St. Peter gathered early Christians in a cave church for mass. The second largest mosaic museum is another highlight of the day.
Overnight: Cukurova Surmeli Hotel, Adana (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 11: Antioch/Tarsus/Adana (Drive)
Drive along Meditarrenean, through the fertile Cukurova plains, barred by Taurus mountains range. St.Paul was born in Tarsus, and Alexander The Great marched his armies through this land. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Adana/Cappadocia

In the morning cross Taurus Mountains and visit Eskigumus Monastery. In the afternoon see the natural rock citadel of Uchisar. Visit Soganli village.
Overnight: Kapadokya Inn, Cappadocia (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Cappadocia
Explore the frescoed interior of Goreme's churches.Visit the underground chambers and galleries of Ozkonak. You will take a walk in the red valley of Dervent, observe the uniquely formed pinnacles of Avcilar and Pasabag. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Cappadocia/Konya/Antalya (Drive)
Morning drive Konya. Visit Mevlana Museum. Continue to Antalya.
Overnight: Golden Ring Hotel, Antalya (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Perge/Aspendos/Antalya (Drive)
Explore Greek and Roman archaeology starting with the ruins of Perge. Visit one of the best preserved Roman theaters in Aspendos. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Aphrodisias/Pamukkale/Denizli (Drive)
An inland drive will take us to Aphrodisias; the cult city of Aphrodite. Explore Hierapolis and the calcareous cascades of Pamukkale.
Overnight: Hierapolis Termal Hotel, Denizli (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 17: Denizli/Ephesus/Izmir (Drive)
Drive to the Aegean coast for a visit of Ephesus, where St.Paul stirred up the worshippers of mother goddess Artemis, the temple of whom is one of the seven wonders of ancient world.
Overnight: Aksan Hotel, Izmir (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 18: Pergamum/Troy/Canakkale (Drive)
Early drive to Pergamum for a visit of its acropolis. Drive along the Aegean coast to Troy, around which Achilles dragged the dead body of Hector, as told in Homer's Iliad. Continue onto Canakkale.
Overnight: Akol Hotel, Canakkale (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day19: Canakkale/Gallipolis/Istanbul (Drive)
Cross the Dardanelles to Gallipoli for a visit of the infamous World War 1 battle sites. Continue to Istanbul.
Overnight: Grand Yavuz Hotel, Istanbul (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 20: Istanbul
Visit Blue Mosque, Hippodrome. Enjoy successive courtyards and treasures of Topkapi Palace. Grand Bazaar for the rest of the day. (B)

Day 21: Istanbul
Saint Sophia, and Saint Savior in Chora preserve best examples of Byzantine Art. Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus to unveil beauties of European and Asian shores of the city. Last stop is the Spice Market. (B)

Day 22: Depart Istanbul
This morning we bid this magical land ‘”gule gule” (goodbye) as we are transferred to the airport. (B)
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

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Departure Dates
2008
May
04, Jun 08, Aug 31, Sep 14 & 28

Prices
Season Tour Price US$ / CA$ Single Sup US$ / CA$
2008 3940 700
Supplement surcharge for Sep departures is US $ / CA $ 200 per person sharing
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include:
• Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
• Meal plan as mentioned (B = Breakfast L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
• International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides

Estimated International Airfare(not included in tour price)
East Coast US $ / CA $ 1200
West Coast US $ / CA $ 1400
Please note: This tour operates with a minimum of 02 and a maximum of - participants.

Other Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your individual needs.

Customized tours can be conducted in English, French, German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted in the designated language only.

Contact Information
Bestway Tours & Safaris
Fax: +1-604-264-7774
206–8678 Greenall Ave Phone: +1-604-264-7378
Burnaby B.C., Canada Toll Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844
V5J 3M6 Email: bestway@bestway.com
30 years in small group journeys

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photographs © Peter Langer
Site updated April 04, 2008
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