2024 Turkey Starfall Trip 7 Nights with Istanbul and Cappadocia

As you arrive in Istanbul you will be met by Eclipse Traveler representatives and transferred to your hotel. For early arrivals the rest of the day is yours to discover the lively Istanbul City on your own. Tonight, a welcome dinner will be hosted by the founder and owner of the Eclipse Traveler followed by a welcome briefing about the tour days ahead.

Today after breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the impressive Topkapi Palace, which served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the XVI and XIX Centuries. It has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. We also pay a visit to the magnificent Haghia Sophia (St. Sophia’s Basilica) built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the VI Century. It is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels. After lunch we will visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture, and marble latticework. Then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine life for 1000 years, where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place. We will also visit Basilica Cistern. Then we will finish the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, which is the world’s largest and the oldest shopping venue. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Transfer to Istanbul Airport for Kayseri Flight from Istanbul.
You will be met by Eclipse Traveler representative and short city orientation tour of Kayseri City.
Then we will drive to the Archaeological Site of Kültepe-Kanesh. The site of Kültepe, which was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kanesh and centre of a complex network of Assyrian trade colonies in the 2nd millennium B.C., is located 20 km to the northeast of the modern city of Kayseri. Situated just at the foot of Mount Erciyes (ancient Argeus) and on a fertile plain, Kültepe occupies a position at which historic and natural routes, leading from Sivas in the northeast and Malatya in the southeast, converge. This naturally advantageous position allowed Kültepe to emerge as a centre of importance in the world of ancient politics and trade. Kültepe thus became a key centre of culture and commerce between Anatolia, Syria, and Mesopotamia by the end of the 3rd millennium B.C. and especially during the first quarter of the 2nd millennium B.C. The site is composed of two parts, an upper mound, and a lower town:

1. Upper Mound-Kanesh

Rising 21 m above the surrounding plain, the Kanesh mound measures approximately 550 x 500 m in diameter. It is nearly circular in appearance and is one of the largest among central Anatolian ancient mounds. Excavations revealed that the Upper Mound was inhabited from the earliest phase of the Early Bronze Age to the end of the Roman Period.

2. Lower Town-Karum

The Lower Town, which the Assyrians called the Karum (literally, “quay”), surrounds the Mound. In certain parts, the occupation layers of the Karum rise up to 2 m above the surrounding plain. The diameter of the entire settlement including both the Mound and the Karum is at least 2.5 km. The Karum is the part of the site where foreign and native traders lived and conducted business. It was inhabited for approximately 300 years.

Assyrian Trading Colonies Period

Soon after the north Mesopotamian city of Ashur established itself as an independent state at the end of the 3rd millennium B.C., King Erishum I launched a series of trade reforms in order to secure the future of his kingdom. He lifted the state monopoly on trade, thereby allowing long-distance commerce to be carried out by private individuals operating within ‘family firms.’ This in turn led to the creation of a highly complex and wide-reaching trade network between north Mesopotamia and Anatolia during the first quarter of the 2nd millennium B.C. The centre of this network was the ancient city of Kanesh, from which incoming Assyrian goods were redistributed further into Anatolia. Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered a series of highly important monumental administrative structures as well as residential neighborhoods.

The cities of the Old Assyrian Trading Colony Period comprised stone-paved streets (with subterranean drainage channels) and open spaces separating individual neighborhoods. Houses with mud-brick walls rising on stone foundations and supported by timber beams ranged from small, two-roomed structures to larger complexes of six or more rooms; most houses had two storeys. Constructed in local Anatolian manner, the houses were closely built.

After Lunch drive to our hotel and check in. Overnight Kayseri.

This morning first, we will visit the local archaeological museum in Kayseri, ancient Mazaca, with finds from the Early Bronze Age, Hittite period, Iron Age, Hellenistic and Roman times. There are a total of 13 exhibition halls namely Chalcolithic Period Hall, Early Bronze Period Hall, Tablet Hall, Assyrian Trade Colonies Period Hall, Hittite Period Hall, Late Hittite Period Stone Artefacts Hall, Archaic-Classical Period Halls, Hellenistic Period Hall, Roman Period Hall, Eastern Roman Period Hall, Seljuk Period Hall and Ottoman Period Hall where the artefacts found in Kayseri and its surroundings and brought to our Directorate and the artifacts found in the Kültepe Kaniş/Neşa excavations, which were excavated continuously from 1948 to the present, in Kültepe Karum/Kaniş Ruins, 22 km east of Kayseri are exhibited. There is also a temporary exhibition hall where temporary exhibitions are held.Then, drive to a medieval Seljukian 12th century medical facilty namely Gevher Nesibe Hospital in the city center. The Gevher Nesibe Hospital and Madrasah is a historical landmark located in Kayseri, Turkey. It was commissioned by Giyaseddin Keykhusrev I in 1206 and was named after Gevher Nesib Sultan, the daughter of Seljuk emperor Kilicharslan II who ruled from 1105.

Gevher Nesib Sultan was severely ill and during a visit by Sultan Keykhusrev I, she expressed her wish for her property to be used to build a hospital that would offer free medical treatment to all, including those who could not afford it. In accordance with her wishes, Giyaseddin Keykhusrev began construction of the hospital in 1204 and completed it within two years, opening it to the public in 1206. Later, Izzettin Keykaus built a medical madrasah to the east of the hospital between 1210-1214. The hospital also had a special unit for the treatment of mentally ill patients. The patients were treated with a combination of water therapy, music, and suggestion techniques.

After lunch we will stop by the Museum of Seljukian Civilization. Based on the history of the city, the museum, which focuses on the Anatolian medieval and Seljuk Civilization, was planned with a thematic approach. In one part, the museum emphasizes the civilization about the Seljuk Civilization, while the other part brings the feature of healing to the fore. In the section about Seljuk Civilization, There are sections such as ‘Seljuk City’, ‘architecture’, ‘art’, ‘science’, ‘clothing’, and ‘Seljuks in Kayseri’, ‘Seljuks in Anatolia’.

Return to our hotel for brief period for having a bit of rest and then drive up to Erciyes Mountain to gaze supernatural event on that night.

We will return to our hotel around midnight after viewing the natural event from one of the mountain peaks.

After breakfast and some lazy morning hours to pack, a late morning departure to Cappadocia. After driving around 55 minutes we’ll stop at a viewpoint from which Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys, Goreme and Uchisar Villages are all visible. It’s a snapshot of what’s to come in one of the most breathtaking regions of Turkey. A half hour further on, we pay a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the reasons Cappadocia gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage. This impressive feat of construction extends eight storeys below ground, though only four are open to visitors. Returning to ground level, we continue to another scenic overlook to see Uchisar Castle and

Today we will continue touring the spectacular Cappadocia Region. Viewing the fairy chimneys from above is a magical sight. Treat yourself to an optional sunrise hot air balloon tour for what will surely be one of the most memorable mornings of your life. Our included sightseeing program kicks off at 9.30am after those who have been ballooning return. We’ll explore the rock-hewn churches and pigeon lofts of the Red and Rose Valleys on foot before driving to Cavusin to view an abandoned village with amazing views. After lunch, your guide will show you the Goreme Open Air Museum which features the best-preserved rock churches in Cappadocia. Though it’s best known for its natural beauty, Cappadocia also has a rich cultural heritage. Girls still weave carpets for their wedding dowry the traditional way and we’ll have the privilege of a visit to a local cooperative so you can see the process close up.
Tonight, we will have stargazing in a different part of the Cappadocia Valley.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

Early morning optional tour opportunity: Hot Air Balloon Ride The balloons will climb approximately 300 meters (1000 feet) during the flight. A panoramic and marvelous view will greet the passengers while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations. Balloons move by the wind, and you will float wherever the wind takes you; so that each flight brings new and memorable experiences. Each passenger is to dress according to the temperature. Flat shoes, a hat, sunglasses and of course a camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime memories to cherish.

After having a late breakfast, we will proceed to Avcilar Valley, where poplars and fruit trees contrast with the bleached tuff rock. After lunch in Avanos there’s a pottery demonstration. Later we head to Pasabag and to Devrent Valley, both renowned for their distinctive fairy chimneys. After lunch late afternoon visit a famous pottery workshop and see the local production. Overnight in Cappadocia. Return to our hotel, after a having a bit rest dinner will be served at our hotel and next, we will take to a Cultural Folkloric Night with Belly Dance show in an underground Cappadocian Club where you will have your unlimited local wine spirits with snacks while enjoying the cultural night.

Transfer to Kayseri Airport for a flight to catch your international flight back to USA.