3 NIGHTS \ 4 DAYS YOGA & MEDITATION IN CAPPADOCIA

- WELCOME AT CAPPADOCIA AIRPORT AND PRIVATE TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL

Turkish Airlines, Istanbul (IST) to Kayseri (ASR): 18:10 – 1925

Overnight at Duven Hotel or similar boutique hotel for 3 nights on bed and breakfast basis.

Evening yoga and meditation at hotel.

SUNRISE YOGA AT LOVE VALLEY & PRIVATE CLASSIC CAPPADOCIA TOUR

Early departure to Love Valley before sunrise from hotel. Doing sunrise yoga watching the gorgeous scenery of Cappadocia. After sunrise yoga drive back to hotel for take a breakfast. Then visiting Devrent and Pasabag –three coned fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch is in Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. In the afternoon visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th & 13th century).Depending on the period of the season, Goreme Open Air Museum visit time can be altered to avoid crowds of tour buses. If you wish take a break at anywhere for doing yoga during the tour.

WHIRLING DERVISHES CEREMONY IN THE EVENING AT 18:00

Sufi whirling is a form of Sama or physically active meditation which originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kamala. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one’s body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the sun. As explained by Sufis. In the symbolism of the Sema ritual, the semazen’s camel’s hair hat (sikke) represents the tombstone of the ego; his wide, white skirt represents the ego’s shroud. By removing his black cloak, he is spiritually reborn to the truth. At the beginning of the Sema, by holding his arms crosswise, the semazen appears to represent the number one, thus testifying to God’s unity. While whirling, his arms are open: his right arm is directed to the sky, ready to receive God’s beneficence; his left hand, upon which his eyes are fastened, is turned toward the earth. The Semazen conveys God’s spiritual gift to those who are witnessing the Sema. Revolving from right to left around the heart, The Semazen embraces all humanity with love.

Evening yoga and meditation at hotel.

HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT & PRIVATE HIDDEN DWELINNGS OF CAPPADOCIA

Early morning hot-air balloon. Experience begins by transfer of the passengers to the headquarters with luxury minibuses. Our passengers will have an open buffet – full catered delicious breakfast and their checkin will be made while the pilots are choosing a good launch site according to the wind directions. Once the launch site is selected, the passengers will proceed to the launch site where they will witness how the crew and the pilot unload, assemble and inflate the balloon. Following an introduction to the safety factors of ballooning with your pilot, your amazing experience will begin. 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, hat, sunglasses and of course camera is a must. The flight presents many photo opportunities and lifetime memories to cherish. The flight will last approximately for 90 minutes. In keeping with ballooning tradition, our passengers are treated to a champagne ceremony upon landing by our crew. The passengers will receive a memento certificate. All our passengers are covered with insurance by Eureko Insurance Company. After the flight our luxury minibuses will take you back to your hotel. Your entire balloon adventure lasts about 180 minutes.

Back to hotel for second breakfast and leisure time till pickup time at 10:00. Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations, is in the heart of Cappadocia but away from the tourist crowd. Rock-Cut hermit churches with frescoes and paintings fit with the Valley’s meditative atmosphere, remained intact since the beginning. Our lovely hike will start from a beautiful panoramic point presenting us great light in the morning for pictures. After the hike we give a refreshment break in Cavusin village which will be complemented by a visit to the ruins of Cavusin Town. Doing yoga and meditation before stopping for a lunch and a rest. After lunch, 20 minute drive will take us to the least visited Underground city; Ozkonak which was discovered by a villager while he was looking for the water disappearing from his irrigation system in his field. Unlike other underground cities, Ozkonak has different ventilation and security system. 3 of the 5 floors are open to visitors and believed to shelter 60,000 people from persecution and loots.

Evening yoga and meditation at hotel.

MORNING YOGA AT HOTEL & PRIVATE TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR YOUR ISTANBUL FLIGHT

Turkish Airlines, Kayseri (ASR) to Istanbul (IST): 11:15 – 12:45 at noon
End of the services.