TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 01-Istanbul Bursa (180 km) (Lunch, Dinner)
Arrive at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul. Welcome and
assist by our English speaking tour guide. Upon arrival drive to Bursa. Bursa
was the second capital of the Ottoman Empire. we will visit the Grand Mosque;
Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman
architecture. Green Tomb; Set amidst cypresses on top of the hill in Yeşil
neighborhood in Bursa, the mausoleum stands higher than the rest of the
complex. It is built on a hexagonal plan and crowned with a hemi-spherical
dome. The exterior of the mausoleum is clad with green-blue tiles that give it
its name. visit Silk Market; Koza Han (Silk Bazaar) The Koza (Cocoon) .
Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight in Bursa.
Day 02 : Bursa - Mt Uludag - Bursa (Breakfast,Dinner)
After breakfast we will be transfer to Mt. Uludag by Cable Car.
Have free time to wonder around and play snow balls or ski (Excluded Skiing
Equipment) Uludag; is the fabled Mount Olympus of Mysia. The ski centre, in the
Uludağ National Park, is 36km south of Bursa (a city of 600,000 people)
accessible, either along a sealed road, or else by a combined cable-car/bus
route that may be preferable when the road is icy. The skiing at Uludağ is
usually open from December until late March. Heli-skiing is also available and
there are vast off-piste bowls to explore, albeit a threat to conservation within
the national park. Back to Bursa hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Bursa – Pamukkale (
490 km ) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast , we drive to Pamukkale. After lunch, Visit
Pamukkale, where Calcareous hot springs descending over cliffs have created
fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins Free time for
walking on terraces. Tour the ruins of Ancient City Hierapolis. Visit Textile
Factory Outlet which is major export of Turkey. Free time for shopping.Enjoy
Thermal Spa at hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Pamukkale.
Day 4 Pamukkale / Konya / Cappadocia ( 695 km ) (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
Following an early breakfast, we will drive through an interesting
landscape where peasants make their living, to have lunch enroute before
arriving in Konya. Konya was the center of the Seljuk Empire as well as the
city of Mevlana and his Whirling Dervishes. After visiting the Mevlana Museum,
we will continue to Cappadocia Cappadocia which is considered to be one of the
natural wonders of the world with its surrealistic geological creation. Visit
Oresin Caravanserai, an 13th century outstanding example of the Inns used by
traders during the Silk Road. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 Cappadocia (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today we visit one of the Underground City where early Christians
lived secretly in order to survive and keep their faith. Picture stops will be
given at the Valley of the Birds and at the foot of the Uchisar Castle. Lunch
will be at Avanos Village followed by the famous local pottery work shop . Then
visit Dervent Valley & Pasabag Valley which has unique volcanic formations.
Stop by local carpet weaving cooperative to see hand-made Turkish carpets.
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia. ( Free time to pray at restaurant during
lunch )
Day 6:
Cappadocia – Ankara – Bolu ( 510 km ) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Visit Salt Lake on
the way. After lunch, visit the Ataturk Mausoleum – the final resting place of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – Father of modern Turkey. The architecture of the
mausoleum is a mix of different styles that represent the various Anatolian
civilizations.
Day 7: Bolu – Istanbul ( 275 km
) (Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast drive to Istanbul. Upon arrival to Istanbul we
will have lunch at local restaurant. Visit Blue Mosque, famous for its blue
tiles and unique with its 6 minarets built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Then
visit Hippodrome – where chariot races and gladiator sports used to take place.
Then visit the marvelous oriental Topkapi Palace was the residence of Ottoman
sultans for almost four centuries and is Istanbul's premier must-see
attraction. Then finally drop to the 500year old Grand Bazaar - a maze of more
than 4000 stalls and shops. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Istanbul Departure (Breakfast) After breakfast free time until
transfer to airport. Transfer to the airport.