Total distance covered: 315 km.

Scenery: Dramatic lunar landscapes and stunning views of the Salt Lake.

Note: We’ll visit the mausoleum of Hacibektas, an intriguing pilgrimage site that few tourists get to see. Please wear appropriate clothing and show respect during the visit.

08:00 a.m. - After breakfast, we’ll include a tour of Ankara, the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey, home to over 5 million people and a vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts the State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, and numerous national theater companies. We’ll visit the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk, the ancient Ankara Castle, which dates to the 8th century B.C. We’ll also include admission to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, offering insight into the various cultures that have left their mark on Turkey. By late morning, we’ll stop at a large shopping mall where you can choose from a variety of dining options at the food court.

01:30 p.m. - Departure from Ankara. We’ll travel through the arid regions of central Turkey on our way to Cappadocia, with a stop to photograph the striking Salt Lake.
05:30 p.m. - Arrival in Hacibektas, a key destination for religious tourism in Turkey. We’ll visit the mausoleum of Haci Bektas, a 13th-century Sufi mystic from Anatolia who emphasized humanism in his teachings. The sanctuary’s architecture and interior design beautifully reflect the rituals and symbols of Bektashism.

06:30 p.m. - Departure from Hacibektas.
07:30 p.m. - Arrival in Nevsehir/Avanos. Dinner will be included.