Day 1 Arrive in Istanbul and check into Hotel 

 

GRAND HYATT ISTANBUL

Tel : +90 212 368 1234

Day 2 ISTANBUL to TRABZON

Fly to Trabzon at 11:00 and drive to Altindere National Park to see the amazing 4th century Sumela Monastery standing 1200 meters above sea level at the foot of a steep cliff and then head to visit the 700 year-old Greek Orthodox church Hagia Sophia.

 

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM TRABZON 

Tel : +90 462 335 3030

Day 3 TRABZON to SAVSAT, ARTVIN 

Today depart for Artvin. Following Coruh, one of the fastest flowing rivers in the world, we'll be driving by the spectacular Turkish and Georgian Valleys. 

 

LASET MOTEL SAVSAT, ARTVIN

Tel : +904665712136

Day 4 SAVSAT to KARS

Depart for Kars. Along the way we'll see the impressive Lake Cildir, second largest lake in Eastern Anatolia. Enjoy the panoramic ride along the Armenian Mountains. Upon arrival take a walk around the ancient castle and see the beautiful structure built as the church of 12 apostles in the 10th century and converted into a mosque when the city was conquered by the Turks.

 

KATERINA SARAYI

Tel : +90 474 223 06 36

Day 5 KARS to DOGUBEYAZIT, AGRI

Before we leave Kars for Dogubeyazit, Agri this morning, we'll see the ruined Armenian city of Ani on the Arpacay River. The city located right opposite Armenia is totally ruined but continues to amaze its visitors.

 

TEHRAN BOUTIQUE

Tel :+90 472 312 01 95

Day 6 DOGUBEYAZIT to VAN

This morning we'll be visiting the Ottoman Period Ishak Pasa Palace standing opposite the biblical Agri Mountain which is the highest in Turkey. Following lunch in town, we'll be heading for the historic city of Van, driving near the borders with both Armenia and Iran and check into our hotel located right across from the largest lake in Turkey.

 

HOTEL DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON VAN

Tel :+90432) 227 02 27

Day 7 VAN

Today we depart hotel to discover VAN. First, we'll visit the impressive castle dominating the view of the city. The castle stands next to a large flat land with numerous ruined structures which was the site of Tushpa, Urartian Kingdom city which flourished about 3000 years ago. Following lunch, we'll take our boat to the Akdamar Island to visit the iconic Armenian church, once beautifully decorated with reliefs on the outside and frescoes inside.

 

HOTEL DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON VAN

Tel :+90432) 227 02 27

Day 8 VAN to MIDYAT, MARDIN

This morning we are off to one of the most impressive towns located right along the Tigris River; Hasankeyf.  Here we'll see a 12th century bridge and a castle. After our visit, we'll be driving to Midyat, a lovely town with different architecture of local yellow stone. The towers of the churches and mosques dominate the skylines of the city. Following lunch, free time in the afternoon when you can take a walk in the narrow streets of Midyat.

 

KASR-I NEHROZ MIDYAT, MARDIN 

Tel : +904824642525

Day 9 MIDYAT, MARDIN TO DIYARBAKIR Today we are heading to the oldest functioning monastery in the world; 4th century Mor Gabriel. Following the visit, we'll drive to the city of Mardin, stroll through its streets and see an ancient theological school, Medrese. In the afternoon, we'll depart for Diyarbakir.

 

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM, DIYARBAKIR
Tel +90-412-5032100

Day 10 DIYARBAKIR to ADIYAMAN

This morning, we are leaving our hotel to walk around the city of DIYARBAKIR to see parts of the second longest city walls in the world and the ULU CAMII ( Grand Mosque ) from outside as it is currently under restoration. After lunch, we are heading to the peak of the 2134 m high Nemrut Mountain where a 1st century royal tomb flanked by some large statues of eagles and mythological Gods  is located.

 

ADIYAMAN PARK DEDEMAN

Tel : +90 416 219 10 00

 

Day 11 URFA

Today, we are heading to Urfa where we'll visit Harran, world famous for its beehive houses and then drive to the city to visit the cave in which Prophet Abraham was born.  If time permits, we'll also visit the recently found 12000 years old Gobeklitepe, believed to be the first temple in the world.

 

URFA HILTON DOUBLE TREE

Tel : +90 414 290 66 66

 

Day 12 Fly back to Istanbul. Following lunch in Istanbul, free time in the afternoon till Dinner.

 

GRAND HYATT ISTANBUL

Tel : +90 212 368 1234

Day 13 Departure