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ITINERARY DAY 1. GOREME - SULTAN MARSHES - TUFANBEYLI
Departing Göreme we
pass through the spectacular fairy chimneys and rock formations of
Cappadocia before our first stop at the ‘Sultan Marshes Bird Paradise’.
Then we drive to Yahyali, a famous carpet-weaving center at the
base of the Taurus Mountains. In the village you will be invited
to see firsthand the age-old crafts of handspun wools, natural vegetable
dye processes, and women hand making local carpets. After lunch we will
begin our adventure through the spectacular Taurus Mountain scenery.
Rising to a height of approximately 2,500 meters, this winding road with
its sheer drops leads you to the village of Tufanbeyli, the home
of the Indigo Kilim Project. This village is extremely
traditional and you will experience a way of life that is common to more
than one third of Turkey’s population but something a visitor rarely
sees. DAY 2. TUFANBEYLI
We start our day with a trip
to one of the Byzantine historic sites in the area and a gentle tour of
many of the surrounding stone and wood villages of this spectacular
mountain region. Returning to Tufanbeyli we will join our village
friends to prepare many of the traditional dishes that will eventually
be our evening meal. Watch and participate in kilim making, embroidery
and local handwork followed by free time for soaking up the scenery and
traditional village life. This will be a day when you will understand
the true hospitality and friendliness that is Turkey.
DAY 3. TUFANBEYLI – KAYSERI – AKSALUR – GOREME
We leave Tufanbeyli and the
majestic Taurus Mountains and journey via parts of the Old Silk Road
to the ancient city of Kayseri, often referred to as the Capital
of Cappadocia, which is now a modern bustling city. Here we will visit
the Seljuk Tombs (including the revolving tomb) and Archaeological
Museum and the ancient covered bazaar. The bazaar serves the needs
of the local population but bargains for visitors can still be found!
Then join us at one of the best-known restaurants for a famous Iskender
kebab. From Kayseri we travel to the seldom visited Incesu
Caravanserai, a stopping point for traders and their camels along
the Old Silk Road. On our return to Göreme we will stop
off at Aksalur panorama for a spectacular view “from on top of
the world” of Cappadocia. The afternoon will be spent as optional free
time or at Indigo Gallery in Göreme for your exclusive carpet
educational. These educational sessions will enable you to learn more
the culture of the people and how their lives are such an intrinsic part
of their carpet weaving.
DAY 4. GOREME – UCHISAR – TASPINAR – SULTANHANI – GOREME
The last day of our tour will
take us to carpet-washing canters where you will be amazed to see fields
of carpets washed and drying in the sun. Then, following the base of
the Toros Mountains, past the Ihlara Canyon, we will continue on
to the village of Taspinar (the home of the famous Taspinar
carpets). In this extremely rural village we will again see the women
hand-spinning wool and weaving beautiful carpets. Again, there will be
a full village lunch with the women in their houses. Circling the most
desolate reaches of the Central Anatolian plateau, we visit the carpet
repairers in the village of Sultanhani. Around the world, these
famous carpet restoration shops are held in tremendously high respect
and a visit to them offers a great insight into this ancient craft. We
will visit the Sultanhani Caravanserai and return to Göreme via the
large agricultural town of Aksaray.
DAY 5. GOREE - KAYSERI Transfer to airport for ongoing destinations. |