8-9 hours
Luxurious A/C vehicles
Carefully-selected boutique restaurant
Hattusha Ancient City, Lunch & Yazilikaya Open Air Temple
Everyday of the Year
Private Tour
The tours we offer are designed for those who prefer a relaxed pace, comprehensive insights from knowledgeable guides, local meals in small boutique restaurants (we avoid large bus group venues with open-buffet lunches), and a small group experience. If you prefer tours that visit many sites quickly, these may not align with your expectations.
Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cappadocia at 09:00 AM, and we will set off towards one of Turkey’s most historically rich locations: The Hittite Capital: Hattusha (Hattusa) Ancient City. This ancient settlement, dating back nearly 4000 years, stands as one of the region’s most remarkable archaeological treasures. Although the site was discovered in 1834, it wasn’t fully excavated until 1906, the same year when a copy of a peace treaty between Hattushili III and Pharaoh Ramses II was found. This discovery was crucial in confirming the city’s identity as Hattusha. Since then, collaborative work by German and Turkish archaeologists has greatly enhanced the knowledge of this extraordinary place.
In the 13th century BC, the city was protected by an intricate double-wall system extending approximately 8 kilometers, serving as a formidable defense against attacks. On the eastern flank, the Kayalı Boğaz outpost stood about 1.5 km from the Royal Gate, providing extra security. To the north, outside the city’s fortifications, lies the Osmankayası necropolis, featuring rock-cut tombs. Nearby, the Yazılıkaya rupestral sanctuary is renowned for its stunning bas-reliefs, considered the unrivaled masterpiece of Hittite art, offering profound insights into the ancient religious and cultural traditions.
During the tour, we will visit several of the city’s most outstanding landmarks, including the Great Temple, the Storage Buildings, the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, and the Sphinx Gate, among many others. Each of these locations holds great historical and archaeological importance, providing insight into the daily life of the Hittites and showcasing their impressive architectural skills.
One of the most significant structures in Hattusha is the Great Temple, dedicated to the storm god and the sun goddess, Arinna. This temple is surrounded by numerous buildings, including storage facilities, which reflect the city's active commercial activities. Thousands of cuneiform tablets have been uncovered here, revealing important details about the administrative and religious customs of the Hittite civilization. Just north of the temple, we will examine the remains of the Assyrian karum settlement—a complex of houses organized around a central courtyard. Some sections of this settlement date back to the pre-Hittite era, making it a crucial site for understanding the area's historical and cultural development.
We will also explore the Yazılıkaya Open Air Sanctuary, a key religious location for the Hittites. Serving as the spiritual heart of the Hittite empire, this sanctuary is renowned for its intricate carvings of Hittite deities, illustrating the deep reverence the Hittites had for their numerous gods. Often called "the land of 1000 gods," the Hittites worshipped a vast pantheon, and the sanctuary’s reliefs offer a captivating insight into their religious beliefs and rituals, showcasing the faith of one of the ancient world’s most influential civilizations.
Following our exploration of Hattusha’s rich heritage, we will head back to your hotel. The tour is scheduled to conclude between 16:30 and 17:00, with a drop-off at your accommodation, giving you time to ponder the remarkable history and unforgettable experiences gained from this journey into the heart of the Hittite empire.
The rate list for this private tour will be as:
Please send us an email to get more information or text/call us through our Whatsapp Number, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Pick-up from your hotel
Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
Transportation with luxury vehicles
Entrance Tickets
Lunch
Parking fees
Water during the day
Drop-off to your hotel
Drinks (at lunch)
Any Private Expenses
Tips to the drivers and guides
When you contact us about the trip, we'll provide you with an itinerary based on the current "real-time" availability. The tour's availability might change until your payment is received through our secure form. When we accept your reservation; all rates and program are guaranteed.
When you made your reservations with our travel agent, we'll need a 30% deposit to finalize everything. We provide a 256-bit SSL encrypted form on our website that you may use to securely submit your credit card information. After we receive your deposit, we will confirm your reservation and send you a travel voucher within 1 business day. You may pay the remaining balance before or after the trip in our agency's office. In our office, we accept all major currencies for cash payments, as well as Visa or MasterCard.
To confirm this itinerary, please provide us with the details of your hotel in Cappadocia so that we may arrange a pick-up/drop-off service. All hotels in Cappadocia qualify for complimentary pick-up/drop-off services.
Below is the general guideline for our cancellation policy if your agent does not mention otherwise:
Cancellation Policy for Daily & Private Tours:
If you cancel 48 hours before the tour, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 48 hours to 24 hours before the tour, we will charge 50% cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 24 hours of the tour , we will charge the full amount as cancellation fee.
We cannot give any refund on no-shows for the tour.
*for large groups, please ask to your agent for the cancellation policy and booking requirements.