Salt Lake, Underground City & Caravanserai Tour : Discover Anatolia’s Gems

Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Anatolia, where natural wonders meet ancient history. Our exclusive tour takes you to Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü), an unparalleled natural spectacle, and delves into the mysteries of the St. Mercurius Underground City, before visiting a historic Silk Road Caravanserai. This curated experience offers a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, profound historical insights, and a touch of ancient nomadic charm, making for an unforgettable day trip from Cappadocia. Salt Lake, a dazzling white expanse nestled in the heart of Anatolia, holds the prestigious title of the second saltiest lake globally. The specific area we visit provides a safe and accessible entry point, with the lake’s remarkably shallow depth (around 40 centimeters) inviting you to stroll barefoot across its surface, creating stunning, mirror-like reflections perfect for photography. Witnessing the horizon vividly present, Salt Lake transforms into Turkey’s largest natural mirror. Depending on humidity levels, the horizon line can seemingly vanish, creating a captivating optical illusion where the earth appears to both reflect and seamlessly blend with the sky – a truly enchanting, moving poem of a landscape. Beyond this natural marvel, your journey will take you deep into history. You’ll explore the St. Mercurius Underground City, a fascinating subterranean complex rich in captivating historical and architectural intricacies, offering a mystical voyage through time. As your day of exploration nears its end, we’ll make a final, significant stop at the Öresin – Tepesidelik Han Caravanserai. Strategically located on the historic Silk Road route, this impressive caravanserai stands as one of the monumental inns constructed by the Seljuks approximately every 40 kilometers, offering a glimpse into centuries of trade and travel.

Tour Highlights

Itinerary

Your adventure begins with a convenient 10:00 AM pickup from your Cappadocia hotel.

Our first destination will be The St. Mercurius Underground City. Nestled in central Turkey, this ancient subterranean settlement is steeped in historical significance and exudes a mystical atmosphere. Its captivating historical and architectural features draw countless visitors, offering a mesmerizing voyage into the annals of history. The Saratlı excavation project, which commenced in 2011 and continued until 2016, successfully cleared and opened three floors of this seven-story underground settlement for tourism. During these remarkable excavations, a total of 37 graves, containing individuals of various ages, were discovered on the church floor. Notably, one particular tomb situated within the church held a man and a woman interred one atop the other within the same sarcophagus, adding to the site's intriguing narrative.

As we make our way back towards Cappadocia, we’ll make a poignant stop at the Öresin – Tepesidelik Han Caravanserai. Strategically positioned on the historic Silk Road route, this caravanserai stands as one of the grand monumental inns constructed by the Seljuks at regular intervals of approximately 40 kilometers, serving as vital rest stops for traders and travelers for centuries.

Following this insightful visit, you'll enjoy a leisurely lunch at 1:00 PM, savoring local flavors before embarking on the journey to the magnificent Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü). Here, you will be greeted by the dazzling white expanse of salt, a truly unique natural wonder. At this extraordinary location, you'll have the opportunity to create lasting memories. The specific area we visit provides a safe and easy entry point. With the lake’s depth measuring around 40 centimeters, you can comfortably take a barefoot walk on its shimmering surface and capture stunning photographs. Salt Lake’s awe-inspiring beauty truly is a treasure in the midst of Anatolia.

Salt Lake offers an extraordinary optical phenomenon where the horizon appears vividly prominent, effectively serving as Turkey’s most expansive natural mirror. Depending on humidity levels, the horizon line may occasionally vanish, creating an enchanting illusion where the earth seems to both reflect and meld with the sky – a truly unique and captivating visual performance, akin to a moving poem.

At approximately 4:00 PM, we will begin our comfortable return journey to Cappadocia. By around 6:00 PM, you will be safely dropped off at your hotel, carrying with you incredible memories of Anatolia's hidden wonders.

 

 

Included

Lunches at Local Restaurant With Soft Drink

Transportation With Comfortable Minivan and experienced driver

Professional and experienced tourist guide

Entrance fees to the museums and sites

Local taxes – Parking fees – Diesel Expenses

Highway tolls

Excluded

Optional Tours

Personal Expenses

Details

— Daily Tours will be scheduled between 09.30am – 10.00am and 4.00pm-5.00pm.

— Transportation, including hotel pick-up and drop-off, will be provided with our new model and comfortable vehicles, suitable for the number of guests, and our experienced driver team.

—- Lunch at Local Restaurant:
Lunch will be served at select and local restaurants with rich options to cater to your palate and preferences. Your guide will assist you in choosing the restaurant that best suits your taste.

— About the Guide:
Our guides are licensed by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and are highly experienced. They will organize your tour in the most efficient and unique way possible.

— Museums and Ruins:
Museum and archaeological site entrance fees are included in the program. We will ensure fast entry to the museums without wasting time waiting in ticket lines.

Group Size: Our prices are based on a group size of up to 20 people. For larger groups, please inquire about special rates.

Inclusions and Exclusions: The program details the inclusions and exclusions. If you wish to make any changes, such as adding or removing items, we are happy to accommodate your request.

 

Reductions – ADD ONS
Single Supplement –  EUR
Infact Discount ( 0-2 ) – 100 %
Child Discount ( 3-8 ) – 50 %

 

Private Salt Lake, Underground City & Caravanserai Tour

Best Rates

Tour Type Group Size Price For Per Person
Private Tour 2 Person 180 EUR
Private Tour 3 Person 150 EUR
Private Tour 4 Person 125 EUR
Private Tour 5-6 Person 100 EUR
Private Tour 7-9 Person 90 EUR
Private Tour 10-12 Person 85 EUR
Private Tour 13-16 Person 80 EUR
Private Tour 17-20 Person 75 EUR

 

This is a private tour and the departure date can be any day.

For private groups of family and friend group, please ask our special rates

Please contact us to learn all the details to the finest detail.

You can reach us via the Whatsapp button or info@tubostravel.com . We will respond as soon as possible.

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