CAPPADOCIA : A FANTASTIC BLEND OF NATURE, CULTURE, HISTORY AND CULINARY EXPERIENCES

Cappadocia is the name given to the region in central Anatolia which was once the heart of the Hittite Empire, later an independent kingdom, and then a vast Roman province. Explore the fascinating Cappadocia.

Millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion have resulted in a surreal, lunar type landscape littered with strange rock formations. In addition, churches beautifully decorated with frescoes, houses and underground cities hollowed out of the soft rock offer an insight in to life in the region as it was centuries ago. Small tracks covered in volcanic sand twist and turn among the rock formations, valleys, vineyards and villages, offering a wonderful way to explore the region far away from any kind of motor traffics.

DURATION

4 Nights / 5 Days

PROGRAM

Day 1 : Full day dream tour
After breakfast drive to So?anl?. Visit to So?anl? Valley that is an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. Ke?lik Monastery, near Cemil village, hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light. The Medrese (Theological School) from Seljuk Turks in Ta?k?npa?a is the witness of an early and rich Turkish settlement in the town. Visit to Mustafapa?a (Sinassos), an ancient Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses: very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture. Lunch will be in one of them.

After lunch drive to Red Valley. Walking for about 4 km in one of the most attractive valleys of Cappadocia: Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations, is in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist crowd. Rock-Cut hermit churches with frescoes and paintings fit with the Valley's meditative atmosphere, remained intact since the beginning.

Return to the hotel and dinner at leisure.

Day 2 : Relax
Breakfast and full day at leisure in relaxation with Turkish baths and special SPA treatments.

Lunch  and dinner at leisure.

Day 3 : Full day legend tour
After Breakfast, your first real encounter with Cappadocia's almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent valley, where the rock formations are amazing. A walk through the Zelve Open Air Museum is a journey into the past, with its troglodyte houses. This is one of the earliest inhabited and latest abandoned monastic settlements in Cappadocia. After Zelve visit of Pasabag's "fairy chimneys", where the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies. From here pause at Avanos, a centre of terracotta art since 3,000 BC, for a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. After lunch in Avanos, visit of the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. These are found in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings dating from as early as the 10th century. We complete the tour with a visit to the Uchisar Rock-Castle, giving you a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.

Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 4 : Full day mirage tour
After breakfast,  the tour begins with a descent towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the underground city of Kaymakli; one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia's many such settlements. From here we drive to Ihlara canyon, walking through the canyon via the Steps of Anatolia to Belis?rma village, the ancient Peristrema. Set by the Melendiz River this is known as the "Valley of the Sky". Churches carved from the rocks form a gallery of early paintings that are remarkable for their accuracy. We lunch in Belisirma at a local restaurant by the river. On the way to the Caravanserai of Agzikarahan, we visit the beautiful village of Selime. Agzikarahan is a very fine example of the Turkish Seljuk art, built in the early 13th century on the legendary Silk Road, for the accommodation of the traders and their camels.

Return to the hotel and dinner at leisure.

Day 5 : Departure
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Cappadocia Cave Resort, a Luxurious Cappadocia Resort Experience

Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa is located on the top of the Cappadocia. It is 4km far away from Göreme which has the the biggest Open Air Museum of the world, 10km from Pasabag and Zelve, 15km from Avanos and Ürgüp, 30km from Nev?ehir Airport, 70km from Kayseri Erkilet Airport.

Breathtaking panoramic view over the magical lunar landscape of Cappadocia; dining experiences, cozy and intimate accommodations, a very exclusive, private spa and memories to last a lifetime. Life moves forward, seasons pass, yet time stops along the historic sights of Cappadocia, a calming resort and spa retreat nestled among the Rock carved dwellings of Uchisar.

An award-winning culinary experience awaits you at Padishah Restaurant with its Turkish and Japanese cooks, where the superb wine cellar and cuisine are matched only by the spectacular scenery.

Awaken to a new day; experience the world's first Cave Spa at CCR "LEEA Spa" where the last remnants of stress are gently erased with a myriad of indulgent therapies, calming touches and fragrant aromas. Couples massages can be enjoyed in our special indoor treatment dwelling, selecting your own music, the skilled hands of our therapists will ease away the tension.

NOTE

Besides these daily tours, there are mountain bike, trekking tours and also hot air balloon flights :

The flights start at sunrise, every day all year round (weather permitting of course). It is strongly advised to book well ahead of your stay.

There are two available programs:

1 - Exclusive Deluxe Program:
This flight is the one recommended in guide books as the highlight of your visit to Cappadocia! Your pilots will be your guides, taking off at dawn and averaging well over 1½ hours in the air. Thanks to their expertise, the balloons - limited for comfort to an average capacity of just 10 passengers each, will alternately drift deep through the canyons, brushing the treetops and exploring hidden places in the valleys, or float high above the landscape's unique topography.  We select our take-off sites daily according to the wind direction to ensure the maximum flight time and the most interesting flight path: with no engine or steering in a hot air balloon, there is no pre-determined route so every flight is different. This is just part of what makes ballooning with company so special, and why you are guaranteed the experience of a lifetime by flying with us!

2 - The Sponsored Balloon Program:
These balloons can carry up to 20 passengers in one basket. Highly experienced pilots will take you for a memorable flight through and over the valleys in a similar manner to the flight described above. Because of logistical arrangements and the larger-sized baskets, these balloons will use a standard, wind-protected take-off site.  Flight time is approximately one hour. 

Please note:  Full passenger insurance is carried.  In the event of cancellation of the flight due to bad weather conditions, a full refund will be made.  We will accept cancellations in writing up to 48 hours before the flight date with no charge; however, last-minute cancellations or no-shows will be charged in full.

Both landings are celebrated in the traditional way with a special sparkling "Cloud 9 Cocktail".  Also included in this programme are transfers to and from your hotel, light refreshments before and after the flight, a personalized Flight Certificate and a guarantee that this experience will surpass your highest expectations!

On the Relax day during sunset or on the departure day we offer also the opportunity of a horseback riding for a couple of hours through the valleys.

Please remember that all our holidays tours can be fully customized. Contact us for more information on prices, terms and conditions.