October 29 Special Iconic Tour of the Land of Princes and Along the Trail of the Hittites: Amasya, Tokat, Çorum | 2-Night Stay with Departure from Ankara

Departure Points & Times

• Ankara Aşti Berat Buffet (01:30)
• Ankara Ümitköy Galeria Front (01:45)
• Ankara Kızılay Square Gama Business Center Front (02:00)

After picking up our guests from the designated departure points, we begin our tour with a night journey accompanied by brief information shared by our guide inside the vehicle.

Following our night journey, in the morning hours, we arrive at Boraboy Lake, a hidden paradise within Amasya's lush nature. In the peaceful atmosphere of the lake surrounded by dense forests, during the free time provided, you can enjoy being alone with nature, take walks around the lake, and capture this unique scenery in photos. After visiting Boraboy Lake, we head towards Amasya, brought to life by the Yeşilırmak River. During our journey along the Yeşilırmak Basin, we reach Amasya while panoramically observing settlements built on the valley slopes and the region's characteristic historical texture. Our city tour in Amasya begins with the Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Medicine and History Museum, which carries the legacy of one of the most important figures in Anatolian medical history, Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin. While discovering the legacy left by the famous physician and surgeon Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin, who lived in the 15th century, to the world of medicine, we closely examine works that shed light on medical practices of that era and the history of health in Anatolia.

After our museum visit, we turn our route towards the traces of the legendary love story of Ferhat and Şirin. We see the water channels said to have been dug through mountains by Ferhat to reach Şirin, and visit the Lovers' Museum established by the Amasya Municipality. Then, we move to the II. Bayezid Complex, one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in Amasya. We explore the historical atmosphere and architectural details of the complex, which consists of mosque, madrasa, and soup kitchen sections.

We continue our program with a visit to the Amasya Archaeology and Mummies Museum. In the museum where archaeological artifacts from different periods found in Amasya and its surroundings are exhibited, we particularly receive information from our guide about mummies belonging to the Ilkhanate Period. After our museum visit, we proceed to Şehzadeler Park located on the banks of Yeşilırmak. After seeing the statues of princes raised in Amasya, which left a mark on Ottoman history, we enjoy a pleasant walk along Yeşilırmak. During our walk, we view the historical Amasya houses along the Yeşilırmak riverbank and the Amasya Royal Tombs carved into the steep cliffs of Harşena Mountain, one of the city's iconic structures. These impressive rock tombs built for Pontus Kings during the Hellenistic Period showcase Amasya's thousands of years of history with their commanding position over the Yeşilırmak Valley. After the free time provided for you to photograph Amasya's unique city views, explore its historical markets, and shop for local products, we complete our program. Dinner and accommodation will be at our hotel.

 

Food, Drink, and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Will be taken freely along the route (Extra/Optional)
Lunch: Will be taken at a suitable restaurant in the area (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Taken as an open buffet or set menu at the hotel. (Included in Tour Price)

Accommodation: Amasya Hotels etc.

After having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we bid farewell to Amasya and head towards Çorum, which carries the traces of the Hittites, one of Anatolia's most ancient civilizations. Throughout our journey, we receive information from our guide about the historical development of the Hatti and Hittite geography, the ancient cultures of Central Anatolia, and the place of the Hittites in Anatolian history. Upon reaching Çorum, we proceed to Hattuşaş Ancient City, one of the most impressive stops on our program. In Hattuşaş, which was once the capital of the Hittite Empire and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we discover the traces of a magnificent civilization dating back thousands of years. During our visit to the ancient city, we see the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, the Earth Gate, the city walls, and the temple areas. As we walk through the streets of Hattuşaş, reflecting the advanced urban planning of its time and the strong state structure of the Hittites, we embark on a journey into the political, religious, and cultural world of the Hittite Empire alongside our guide's narration.

After our visit to Hattuşaş, we turn our route to Yazılıkaya Open-Air Temple, one of the most important sacred sites of the Hittites. In this impressive sacred area nestled among natural rock formations, we closely observe the reliefs of gods, goddesses, and kings carved onto the rock walls. Through these reliefs, we receive detailed information from our guide about the Hittite belief system, the pantheon of deities, and religious rituals. Leaving behind the mystical atmosphere of Yazılıkaya, we head towards Çorum city center. We continue our program in the city center with a visit to the Çorum Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. In the museum, by examining cuneiform tablets, seals, statue fragments, and everyday life objects from the Hatti and Hittite periods, we witness more closely the thousands of years of Anatolia's past. After our museum visit, we conduct a panoramic tour in Çorum city center. From outside, we view Çorum Clock Tower, one of the city's iconic structures, and Çorum Castle, which reflects the historic texture of the town. Following our city tour, we are given free time for Çorum leblebi, one of the most special flavors associated with Çorum. After a brief briefing on traditional production culture and its significant place in Çorum cuisine, guests who wish can shop for local delicacies and souvenirs. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.

 

Food, Drink, and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be taken at a suitable restaurant in the region (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in Tour Price)

Accommodation: Tokat hotels, etc.

After having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart from Tokat city center and head towards Ballıca Cave, one of the region's most impressive natural wonders. Listed on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, Ballıca Cave welcomes us with its millions-of-years-old natural formations and its unique atmosphere. During our tour inside the cave, we get a close look at stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and onion-shaped stalactites; our guide provides information about the cave's formation process, its unique microclimate, and its natural structure. After our walk through the impressive cave galleries, we take a photo break to immortalize this unique natural marvel. Following our visit to Ballıca Cave, we return to Tokat city center and continue our historical and cultural exploration. Our first stop is Tokat Mevlevihane, one of the important Sufi centers in Anatolia. In this historic building carrying traces of Mevlevi culture, our guide shares information about Mevlevi philosophy, the sema tradition, dervish lodge culture, and Tokat's place in Sufi history. After visiting Mevlevihane, we tour the Tokat Archaeology Museum. Accompanied by artifacts from the Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods found in the museum collection, we embark on a journey spanning thousands of years into the past of Tokat and its surroundings. Next, we move to the Tokat City Museum. In this museum reflecting the city's social and cultural life, we learn about traditional professions, daily life, local culture, and the transformation Tokat underwent during the Republican era, witnessing the city's story from the past to the present. After our museum visits, we view Tokat's characteristic historic streets and traditional Tokat houses panoramically. As we walk among these historic structures, which stand out with their timber-frame construction, projecting facades, and unique street fabric, we closely explore Tokat's traditional urban identity.

We then proceed to Tokat Taşhan, one of the most special stops of our city tour. At Taşhan, an important commercial structure from the Ottoman period, our guide provides information about Tokat's position on historic trade routes, the inn culture extending from the past to the present, and Ottoman commercial life. For the final stop of our program, we head to Yazmacılar Çarşısı (Yazmacı Bazaar) to get up close with Yazmacılık culture, one of Tokat's most important traditional crafts. We discover the traditional printing technique using wooden blocks, the colorful motifs, and the place of Tokat's unique Yazmacılık tradition in cultural heritage. During the free time given in the bazaar, you can examine local products and handmade souvenirs, and shop for items reflecting Tokat's traditional character. After our free time, we complete our tour exploring the history, culture, and natural beauty of Amasya, Çorum, and Tokat, and begin our journey back to Ankara.

Food and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Buffet or set menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in Tour Price)
Lunch: To be taken independently during free time in the area (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: To be taken independently along the route. (Extra/Optional)

Accommodation: No accommodation on the return day.