The **Ayvaz Dede Festival Special Tour**, which combines a rich tradition, a mystical atmosphere, and the enchanting nature of Cappadocia, offers both a cultural and spiritual journey. This special program is designed to coincide exclusively with the festival period; thus, you will immerse yourself in the local community and witness the ceremonies and rituals that honor the memory of Ayvaz Dede.
Göreme Valley
Love Valley
Red Valley
Uçhisar Castle
Your tour begins early in the morning, in the coolness of Cappadocia. Your guide will detail the legend of Ayvaz Dede, how the local people keep this legend alive, and the historical and mystical background of the places you will visit. During your panoramic explorations of Göreme and its surroundings, you will walk among fairy chimneys and view rock-cut churches and monasteries from the outside, allowing you to feel the region's spiritual essence. During photo breaks, you can immortalize the color spectacle created by the morning light over the valleys.
Ayvaz Dede Tomb
Ayvaz Dede Spring
Ayvaz Dede Pilgrimage Site
Upon arrival at the festival area, you will see the local people in traditional costumes, the established booths, and the offerings prepared. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit the tomb and pilgrimage points respectfully, where guests may offer prayers and intentions. The atmosphere, filled with prayers, hymns, and occasional displays of sema or zikr, transforms into a spiritual celebration that has lasted for centuries. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to blend into the crowd to observe and experience the culture firsthand.
Traditional Soup Offering Point
Local Home Cuisine Experience
Regional Products Market
At noon, you will taste the soup and local dishes prepared specifically for the festival. Your guide will narrate the story behind each flavor served on the table, how it is related to certain rituals, and its connection with the region's belief practices. Afterwards, during your free time, you can shop among handmade products, local spices, and souvenirs of your choice.
Panoramic Viewing Point
Cappadocia Sunset Spot
At the end of the day, you will watch the sunset at one of Cappadocia's most impressive viewing points on your way back. The spiritual intensity you experienced throughout the tour culminates in an unforgettable finale, combined with the orange and red hues enveloping the fairy chimneys. The Ayvaz Dede Festival Special Tour is not just a trip; it is an experience that blends faith, tradition, and nature, leaving an indelible mark in your memory.
Göreme Valley
Love Valley
Red Valley
Uçhisar Castle
Your tour begins early in the morning, in the coolness of Cappadocia. Your guide will detail the legend of Ayvaz Dede, how the local people keep this legend alive, and the historical and mystical background of the places you will visit. During your panoramic explorations of Göreme and its surroundings, you will walk among fairy chimneys and view rock-cut churches and monasteries from the outside, allowing you to feel the region's spiritual essence. During photo breaks, you can immortalize the color spectacle created by the morning light over the valleys.
Ayvaz Dede Tomb
Ayvaz Dede Spring
Ayvaz Dede Pilgrimage Site
Upon arrival at the festival area, you will see the local people in traditional costumes, the established booths, and the offerings prepared. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit the tomb and pilgrimage points respectfully, where guests may offer prayers and intentions. The atmosphere, filled with prayers, hymns, and occasional displays of sema or zikr, transforms into a spiritual celebration that has lasted for centuries. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to blend into the crowd to observe and experience the culture firsthand.
Traditional Soup Offering Point
Local Home Cuisine Experience
Regional Products Market
At noon, you will taste the soup and local dishes prepared specifically for the festival. Your guide will narrate the story behind each flavor served on the table, how it is related to certain rituals, and its connection with the region's belief practices. Afterwards, during your free time, you can shop among handmade products, local spices, and souvenirs of your choice.
Panoramic Viewing Point
Cappadocia Sunset Spot
At the end of the day, you will watch the sunset at one of Cappadocia's most impressive viewing points on your way back. The spiritual intensity you experienced throughout the tour culminates in an unforgettable finale, combined with the orange and red hues enveloping the fairy chimneys. The Ayvaz Dede Festival Special Tour is not just a trip; it is an experience that blends faith, tradition, and nature, leaving an indelible mark in your memory.
Comfortable tour bus with round-trip transportation
Entrance to the Ayvaz Dede Festival event area and guided services
Cultural and historical explanations with a professional Turkish guide
Traditional shows and local music performances organized in the festival area
Breakfast or breakfast package at a designated restaurant
Free time during the festival and the opportunity to buy local products
Travel insurance and mandatory passenger seat insurance
Refreshments and basic necessity breaks throughout the tour
Entrance to the Ayvaz Dede Festival event area and guided services
Cultural and historical explanations with a professional Turkish guide
Traditional shows and local music performances organized in the festival area
Breakfast or breakfast package at a designated restaurant
Free time during the festival and the opportunity to buy local products
Travel insurance and mandatory passenger seat insurance
Refreshments and basic necessity breaks throughout the tour
Personal expenses (shopping, extra food and drinks, etc.)
Travel health insurance
Lunch and dinner not specified in the program
Museum and historical site entrance fees
Extra tours and activities along the way
Driver and guide tips
Travel health insurance
Lunch and dinner not specified in the program
Museum and historical site entrance fees
Extra tours and activities along the way
Driver and guide tips
Transport to the Ayvaz Dede Festivals is provided to the event areas as part of the tour program, and departure and return times will be communicated along with your tour registration confirmation: Participants included in the tour program will be transported collectively to the festival areas using specially arranged buses or minibuses. The departure and return times will be finalized and sent to you in writing along with your tour registration confirmation once the tour capacity is confirmed.
The tour price generally includes transportation, guidance, meals specified in the program, and some museum/archaeological site entrance fees; personal expenses and extra activities are not included in the price: The package price typically includes round-trip transportation, professional guidance services, the meals explicitly stated in the program, and some museum/archaeological site entrance tickets. Payments for personal expenses, optional tours, snacks, drinks, and unspecified extra activities are the responsibility of the participant.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking in the festival area, dress appropriately for the season, and bring a raincoat or umbrella if necessary: Since there may be slopes, uneven terrain, or long walking paths in the festival area, it is important to prefer sports or walking shoes for comfort and safety. Due to the variability of weather conditions throughout the day, it is recommended to dress in suitable layers for the season and have a raincoat or a small umbrella on hand against possible rain.
It is necessary to show respect for the religious and cultural rituals held during the Ayvaz Dede Festivals and to pay attention to local warnings and rules while taking photos and videos: The religious ceremonies, prayers, and traditional practices performed during the festivals carry special and sensitive meanings for the local people; therefore, attention should be paid to silence, attire, and behavior. When taking photographs or videos, particularly during worship and ritual moments, it is important to heed the guide's warnings and obtain permission from the local people for a respectful visit.
Deadline for tour cancellations or date changes and cancellation conditions are specified in the tour contract, and participants are advised to review these conditions carefully before making a reservation: The deduction rates and refund conditions applicable in cases of early cancellation, late cancellation, or date changes are detailed in the tour contract prepared in accordance with legal obligations. To prevent possible grievances, it is important to carefully read and understand these items before making a reservation, and to request written clarification from the agency if necessary.
During the tour, it is mandatory for participants to carry their identification, comply with the guide's instructions, and adhere to the designated meeting times: An identification document is necessary for possible official checks, accommodation records, or emergencies and may be a legal requirement. Following the guide's instructions and arriving on time for departure/meeting times are essential for the safety of the group and the smooth continuation of the tour program.
The tour price generally includes transportation, guidance, meals specified in the program, and some museum/archaeological site entrance fees; personal expenses and extra activities are not included in the price: The package price typically includes round-trip transportation, professional guidance services, the meals explicitly stated in the program, and some museum/archaeological site entrance tickets. Payments for personal expenses, optional tours, snacks, drinks, and unspecified extra activities are the responsibility of the participant.
Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking in the festival area, dress appropriately for the season, and bring a raincoat or umbrella if necessary: Since there may be slopes, uneven terrain, or long walking paths in the festival area, it is important to prefer sports or walking shoes for comfort and safety. Due to the variability of weather conditions throughout the day, it is recommended to dress in suitable layers for the season and have a raincoat or a small umbrella on hand against possible rain.
It is necessary to show respect for the religious and cultural rituals held during the Ayvaz Dede Festivals and to pay attention to local warnings and rules while taking photos and videos: The religious ceremonies, prayers, and traditional practices performed during the festivals carry special and sensitive meanings for the local people; therefore, attention should be paid to silence, attire, and behavior. When taking photographs or videos, particularly during worship and ritual moments, it is important to heed the guide's warnings and obtain permission from the local people for a respectful visit.
Deadline for tour cancellations or date changes and cancellation conditions are specified in the tour contract, and participants are advised to review these conditions carefully before making a reservation: The deduction rates and refund conditions applicable in cases of early cancellation, late cancellation, or date changes are detailed in the tour contract prepared in accordance with legal obligations. To prevent possible grievances, it is important to carefully read and understand these items before making a reservation, and to request written clarification from the agency if necessary.
During the tour, it is mandatory for participants to carry their identification, comply with the guide's instructions, and adhere to the designated meeting times: An identification document is necessary for possible official checks, accommodation records, or emergencies and may be a legal requirement. Following the guide's instructions and arriving on time for departure/meeting times are essential for the safety of the group and the smooth continuation of the tour program.
🛂 Valid Passport (minimum 6 months validity)
💶 Cash for Euro or Bosnian Mark
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
🧥 A light jacket/sweater for morning and evening chill
🕶️ Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen
📱 Phone charger & power bank
💊 Personal medications
📷 Camera
☔ Small umbrella or raincoat
👜 Small daily backpack
💧 Water bottle
🕌 Comfortable and modest clothes for the Ayvaz Dede event
📍Mostar
📍Blagaj
📍Počitel
📍Konjić
📍Ayvaz Dede Festivities
📍Prusac
📍Vrelo Bosne
📍Umut Tunnel
June 26 - June 29, 2026
Departure: 26.06.2026 - Istanbul (SAW) → Sarajevo (SJJ) Pegasus PC295 12:00 – 12:55
Return: 29.06.2026 - Sarajevo (SJJ) → Istanbul (SAW) Pegasus PC294 17:40 – 20:00
Day 1: ISTANBUL ➡️ SARAJEVO June 26, 2026
Meeting at Sabiha Gokcen Airport international departure terminal in front of Pegasus Airlines check-in counter at 09:00. After our ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we will fly to Sarajevo with Pegasus Airlines flight PC 295, departing at 12:00. We will land in Sarajevo at 12:55 local time. After our passport and baggage procedures, we will head to the city center with our vehicle. Upon arrival, we will start the Sarajevo City Tour. During our city tour, we will see the Central Library, the Inat Kuca which has a surprising story, the Latin Bridge built during the Ottoman period, and the site where the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, which caused the outbreak of World War I, took place, before continuing to the heart of the city, Baščaršija. Our tour continues with Sebil Square, which is a tradition of the Ottoman Empire, exploring the historic streets of Baščaršija, where we will see the Kuršumlija Medresa, Morica Han, Gazi Hüsrev Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. The tour will continue along Ferhadija, the most popular street of the city, where we will see buildings reflecting the architecture of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including the Catholic Cathedral, Markale Market, and the indoor market, and will end at the Eternal Flame Monument erected in memory of the victims of World War II. After the tour, we will have dinner at a local restaurant, after which you can spend your free time shopping or enjoying Turkish tea and Bosnian coffee in the historic atmosphere of Morića Han. Then we will transfer to our hotel. Upon arrival, we will check in and settle into our rooms. We will spend the night at our hotel in Sarajevo.
Day 2: SARAJEVO ➡️ MOSTAR ➡️ BLAGAJ ➡️ SARAJEVO June 27, 2026
After breakfast at our hotel, we start our journey to Mostar. Our first stop on the way is the historic town of Konjic famous for its bridge. After a photo break here, we continue our journey. Our next stop is the historical settlement known as the Turkish Village, Počitelj, where we will see the settlement established by the Ottomans in the 16th century. After some free time here, we move to Blagaj. Here, we will see the Blagaj Dervish Monastery, the first tekke in Bosnia, located at the source of the Buna River. Our guests who wish can have lunch at this historic place. Our next stop is Mostar. Upon our short journey, we will walk for our Mostar City Tour, first visiting Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. During our walk through the historic bazaar, we will see the Mostar Bridge in all its splendor. The bridge, built in 1566 by architect Hayreddin, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the war between 1992-1995, and it was reopened in 2004 after being restored with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. After free time in the bazaar, we start our return to Sarajevo. We will have dinner at the famous Kuzu çevirmesi in Jablanica mountain facilities. After arriving at our hotel, we will have free time and spend the night at our hotel in Sarajevo.
Day 3: SARAJEVO ➡️ PRUSAC (Ayvaz Dede)➡️ SARAJEVO ➡️ TRAVNIK June 28, 2026
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Prusac (Akhisar) at 04:00 local time with our bus. After approximately two and a half hours of travel, we will arrive in Prusac early in the morning to participate in the Ayvaz Dede festival, one of the oldest religious and cultural events in the Balkans that started in 1460 and has been held for over 500 years, taking place only on the last Sunday of June. The program will start at 07:30 at Handan Ağa Mosque square with the prayer of the Cavalry and Flag Parade. During the approximately 1 km walk to Ajvatovica, brief prayer breaks will be made at Han and Stijena. After the procession, the ceremonies, and prayers at Ajvatovica Square, the program will end with the noon prayer. After the prayer, we will head to Travnik, known as the city of viziers. Upon arrival, we will stroll through the historical streets of Travnik and enjoy the view of the city from the Historic Ottoman Castle. We will visit the 300-year-old İbrahim Pasha Madrasah and the Plava Voda, where Sultan Mehmed II drank water. On our way back to Sarajevo, we will visit the Ahmići Mosque and Village, where 116 people were martyred. Afterwards, we will head to our hotel. Upon arrival, we will have free time for dinner and spend the night at our hotel in Sarajevo.
Day 4: SARAJEVO➡️ VRELO BOSNE➡️ TUNNEL OF HOPE ➡️ ISTANBUL June 29, 2026
After breakfast at our hotel, we will proceed with check-out and head to Vrelo Bosne National Park, located at the foothills of Igman Mountain, where the 1984 Winter Olympics were held, and the source of the Bosna River. In this natural park, where swans and wild ducks live freely, we have the opportunity to see springs and every shade of green and season. After the free time spent in nature, we will visit the 800-meter-long Tunnel of Life (Tunnel of Hope), which provided for the needs of the besieged city of Sarajevo for 1425 days and helped people remain connected to life. Following this, we will depart for the airport. After checking in for our flight, baggage, and passport procedures, we will fly to Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines flight PC 294 at 17:40. We will land at Sabiha Gokcen Airport at 20:00 and conclude our tour. We say goodbye until we meet again on our next enjoyable trip.