9-Day Anatolian Legacy Tour: From Ankara to Cappadocia, Hattusa & Antalya

(Dinner included)

Arrive in Ankara and meet your transfer assistant, who will hold a sign with “Your Group Name” on it. Then, you will be privately transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have free time for the rest of the day.

Dinner and overnight in Ankara

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

We will begin the Ankara tour the day after breakfast. The first visit to the ancient Gordion ( 95 km away), the former capital of the Phrygians, and the Tomb of King Midas, which was discovered in  1957. The city is renowned for the story of the Gordian Knot, famously cut by Alexander the Great. Artefacts from Gordion Ancient City and Midas Mound are exhibited in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Midas Museum.

We return to Ankara and visit ANITKABIR, the eternal resting place of the Great Leader Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Take a lunch break in a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, which attracts attention with its unique works from different Anatolian civilisations. It is home to dazzling artefacts from the Phrygians, Hatti, Hittites, Lydians, Assyrians, Romans, and Byzantines.

We will visit Ankara Castle and its historical inns, such as Kurşunlu Han, Mahmutpaşa Bedesten, and Sulu Han. Later, we will visit the Hacıbayram Mosque and the Temple of Augustus, built by the Roman Emperor Augustus.

Finally, we will take a sightseeing tour of the Çankaya and Kavaklıdere districts, where embassies, consulates, the Prime Ministry, and parliamentary buildings are located. We will conclude our tour with coffee at the Panora shopping mall. Accommodation in Ankara

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

We will start our journey from Ankara to Alacahöyük at 7:30 AM, covering approximately 230 km in about 3 hours.

Hattusha, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the capital of the Hittite civilisation. The city's walls, gates, and temples offer visitors the splendour of the ancient period. The Yazılıkaya Open Air Temple bears traces of Hittite religious ceremonies. Here, you'll explore ruins from various ancient cultures, including  Hatti, Hittite and Phrygian. You'll also see artefacts like statues and jewellery that showcase their rich history.

Next, we will visit Yazılıkaya, a sacred open-air temple featuring rock carvings of gods and goddesses. Afterwards, we’ll return to Hattusa to explore its key sites, including the Great Temple and the Hattusa Museum.

After a lunch break at a local restaurant, we’ll continue to the Alacahöyük Ancient City and Museum. This site is significant in Hittite history. It is known for its ancient dam, 13 royal tombs from the Bronze Age, and impressive artefacts reflecting Hittite art and architecture. Finally, we will drive to Yozgat city, about 110 km away,

Accommodation in Yozgat.  

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will start our journey to Cappadocia. Our first stop is Sarıkaya to visit the Basilica Therma Bath, a 2nd-century Roman bathhouse still used today. Travelling, we’ll enjoy stunning views of Central Anatolia’s mountains, plateaus, and quaint villages. We will arrive in Cappadocia in approximately 1.5 hours.

We have a lunch break in Avanos. Then, visit a pottery workshop atelier to see how potteries are made by hand.

First, we watch the fascinating view of the Love Valley from the Panorama point.

Visit Pasabagi Valley (Monks Valley) and Devrent Valley, famous for their rock formations resembling different animal figures. Most formations, such as giant camels, seals, and dolphins, have distinctive shapes.

We have a lunch break in Avanos. Then, visit a pottery workshop atelier to see how potteries are made by hand.

Goreme Open Air Museum is home to fantastic monasteries and chapels like the Dark Church ( Extra), Apple Church, Snake Church, and Saint Barbara Church. You will see the sceneries and figures from the Old and New Testament on well-preserved frescos from the iconoclastic period.

Accommodation in Cappadocia

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Hot Air Balloon Tour  04:30 – 09:00 ( Optional and reservation a few days before with your guide)

Return from the Balloon tour, take breakfast, and start the Cappadocia day tour.

Cappadocia is one of the most extraordinary places in the world with its fantastic fairy chimneys.

Visit the Uçhisar Castle, made of volcanic rocks and the highest point in Cappadocia. From here, we will see fairy chimneys, valleys, and a fantastic regional view. Next, we will see the Pigeon Valley and visit Cavusin Village.

The sightseeing tour of Göreme Village features fascinating cave houses and an authentic atmosphere.

Kaymaklı Underground City is believed to be the oldest underground city in Cappadocia. It is estimated that people have lived in houses built on the rocks since the Paleolithic Period. However, we know they were mainly used to protect against Roman, Persian, and Arab attacks and as storehouses. You will be amazed to see how people lived in these underground cities with endless narrow tunnels and stairs.

Accommodation in Cappadocia

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will depart for Konya and Antalya. we visit Sultanhanı Caravanserai, built by the Seljuks in 1229 to accommodate Silk Road Caravans.

Upon arrival in Konya, we will visit the Mevlana Museum, which houses the tomb of the great 13th-century Persian poet and founder of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi. Commonly known as Rumi in Western countries, he is referred to as “Mevlana,” meaning “our master,” by Muslims.

We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, sampling the region's famous "Etli pide." After lunch, we will stroll through the streets of Konya for a short shopping expedition. We will then continue our journey to Antalya, passing through the scenic Taurus Mountains and enjoying breathtaking views of the Anatolian steppe. At the end of this beautiful journey, we will arrive at Antalya.

Accommodation in Antalya.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will begin our Antalya tour. Our first stop will be the archaeological site of Perge Ancient City, a prominent Pamphylia city visited twice by Paul the Apostle and his companion, St. Barnabas. We will explore Perge's extensive ruins, which include a well-preserved theatre, the Agora, Roman baths, the Great Gymnasium, and the Necropolis.

Next, visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos to see the remarkably preserved Aspendos Theater. This magnificent theatre still hosts concerts and art events today.

Lunch break in a local restaurant. Following lunch, we will head to Antalya’s Old Town and the ancient Antalya Harbor, where you will see historic landmarks such as Hadrian’s Gate, the Antalya Clock Tower, and the Fluted Minaret. We will stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town (Kaleiçi) and have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs at local shops.

Accommodation in Antalya.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast in Antalya, we set off towards Ankara. After 1.5 hours, we arrive at Ancient Sagalassos on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List. Sagalassos, known as the "City of Love and Emperors," was established at 1750 m in the Ağlasun district of Burdur. It has a history of 5,000 years, and today, it is one of the best-preserved ancient cities.

The Antonine Fountain, built by Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 161 AD, is a magnificent work of art. Discover this extraordinary place with its 9,000-person theatre, agoras, Roman baths, and library.

Arrive in Burdur after a pleasant journey and visit the Burdur Museum.

Burdur Museum, where the statues and other works found in Sagalasso are exhibited. We take a lunch break in Burdur and taste the local dessert, walnut paste.

After a pleasant journey that included enjoying Anatolia's villages, towns, and changing geographical landscape,

Accommodation in Ankara.  

(Breakfast  included)

Free time in Ankara depends on your flight time. Our tour concludes with your transfer to Ankara Airport for your departure flight. Hope to see you on another tour.