The Eastern Turkey area is one that offers you an exciting mixture of spectacular scenery, magnificent historical sites and a chance to experience the ways of the people of this changing landscape. Over thousands of years, ancient civilizations, cultures and religions as diverse as the mysterious Urartrians, the legions of Rome, the knights of the Crusades and the armies of the Turks from Central Asia have met in this remote area of mountains and plains. Visit the lunar landscape and rock-hewn churches of Cappadocia, experience sunrise at the Nemrut Dagi Mountain with the famous god statues of King Antiochus, and the ancient religious city of Sanliurfa. Continue further east to enjoy the Armenian Church at Van and the ghost city of Ani. Pass through the shadow of Mount Ararat before entering the lush green beauty of the Black Sea. Explore this fascinating region of Eastern Turkey seldom seen by other visitors.

ITINERARY

DAY 1.  (Sunday) ISTANBUL

Arrive in Istanbul Atatürk airport where your guide will meet you and help you with your transfer to the hotel. After checking in and freshening up, we highly recommend that you take a good rest, both because of the jet lag and also because you will be starting on your wonderful trip of Turkey early the following morning. You will meet your traveling companions over dinner at a traditional restaurant in the Kumkapi district, accompanied by gipsy music. Overnight Istanbul. (D)

DAY 2.  (Monday) CAPPADOCIA

Today a morning flight from Istanbul will bring us to Kayseri. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your Hotel in Cappadocia. After check-in we will visit the Göreme open Air Museum and the troglodyte village of Cavusin as well as the Pasabagi Fairy Chimneys, and visit the village of Avanos, famous for its pottery artisans. Visit Ortahisar, a typical Cappadocian village and enjoy a panoramic view over the Cappadocian lunar landscape from the Rose Valley. Overnight Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

DAY 3. (Tuesday) CAPPADOCIA

A full day traveling through the Pancarlik Valley to visit the cultural sites of Cappadocia Visit the village of Mustafa pasha (Sinasos), renowned for its excellent Ottoman and Greek architecture. We continue to Taskinpasa Caravanserai, and Sahnefendi before arriving at the remote village of Guzeloz with its many Byzantine period rock tombs enjoy a leisurely hike through exploring the Armenian style churches and monastery ruins. We continue to the Soganli Valley also known as the ‘Valley of Dolls’. Also pay a visit to the fascinating multilevel underground city of Derinkuyu, an absolute highlight of the region. Overnight Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

DAY 4.  (Wednesday) CAPPADOCIA – ADANA

We drive south and stop at the eski Gümüsler Monastery near Nigde. Then we continue our journey and crossing the scenic Taurus Mountains we arrive in Tarsus, the birthplace of St.Paul. Among the few monuments of interest are St.Paul’s Well and the Cleopatra Gate, through which Mark Anthony and Cleopatra passed when they had their famous meeting in Tarsus. Then we continue the journey to Adana, Turkey’s fourth largest city, set in the heart of the Cukurova (Cilician) gate. Adana is at the center of the rich agricultural region and a thriving textile industry. The Taskopru (Stone Bridge) built by Hadrian and repaired by Justinian spans the River Seyhan, which bisects the town; only 14 of the bridge’s original 21 arches still stand. Overnight Adana. (B/D)

DAY 5.  (Thursday) ANTAKYA (HATAY )

We leave in the morning for a drive to Antakya, the biblical city of Antioch, lying on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile plain surrounded by great mountains. It was a prominent location of early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St. Paul and St. Peter all visited the city. Antakya is believed to be the place where the word ” Christian ” was first pronounced by St. Peter in the famous cave church. Overnight Antakya. (B/D)

DAY 6.  (Friday) NEMRUT NATIONAL PARK

Cross the scenic Taurus Mountains and continue the journey along the plains of Mesopotamia for the destination of the day at Nemrut Dagi National Park. Overnight Nemrut mountain hotel.  (B/D)

DAY 7.  (Saturday) SANLIURFA

Early morning departure for the spectacular sunrise over the stone heads and god statues of the pre Roman king Antiochus. Continue to a 14th Century castle at Eski Kale and a magnificent 3rd Century Roman bridge. Pass through the plains of Mesopotamia and the giant Ataturk Dam that tames the Euphrates River and enter the biblical town of Sanliurfa. Overnight Sanliurfa. (B/D)

DAY 8.  (Sunday) SANLIURFA

Travel in the morning to the beehive houses of Harran; reputed to be the oldest continually inhabited community in the world. Return to Sanliurfa and explore the fascinating sites of this Old Testament town, the Sacred Carp Pools of Abraham, his birth cave and then the exquisite mosque complex, the fortress and the most traditional covered bazaar. Afternoon is free to explore Sanliurfa at leisure.  Overnight Sanliurfa.   (B/D)

DAY 9.  (Monday) TATVAN

Travel to Tatvan on the western shore of magnificent Lake Van, the inland sea of Turkey. Pass the city of Diyarbakir located on the famous Tigris River and the small Ottoman mountain town of Bitlis. Overnight a lakeside hotel in Tatvan.  (B/D)

DAY 10.  (Tuesday) VAN

Today explore the hot and cold lakes inside the crater of the soaring volcano and the “Real” Mount Nemrut of Turkey. Continuing journey to the east visiting many fascinating Selcuk sites before arriving at the lakeside city of Van. Overnight Van.  (B/D)

DAY 11.   (Wednesday)  VAN

Van is the capital of the Kingdom of Urartu, who dominated this region from the 13th to 7th BC. A Full day tour of the region including the spectacular 10th Century Armenian Church on the island of Akdamar, Hosap Castle and the rock of Van for sunset.  Overnight Van.  (B/D)

DAY 12.   (Thursday)  DOGUBEYAZIT

Journey through nomad encampments to the frontier town of Dogubeyazıt near Mount Ararat the possible home of Noah’s Ark. The highlight will be the renowned 16th Century Palace, Ishak Pasha Sarayí.  Overnight Dogubeyazıt. (B/D)

DAY 13.  (Friday)  KARS

Visit the magnificent ancient city of Ani, a center of the Armenian Kingdom until the 11th century Byzantine conquest. Natural disasters and invasions by the Mongols and then Tamerlane destroyed much of Ani, resulting in an appearance of a haunting medieval town surrounded by the remains of its imposing walls.  Overnight Kars. (B/D)

DAY 14.  (Saturday)  ARTVIN

Traveling through this alpine like region we pass many Georgian castles and churches and view the traditional life of the mountain people in what was once part of the Kingdom of Georgia.  Overnight the alpine town of Artvin.  (B/D)

DAY 15.  (Sunday)  ARTVIN

Today is a day for rest and relaxation in the mountains.  Enjoy the cool air, visit the renowned people of the Black Sea and enjoy their unique folklore dancing and music.  Overnight Artvin.  (B/D)

DAY 16.   (Monday)  CAMLIHEMSIN

Today we pass over the mountains and descend to the Black Sea. Continue to a small traditional village where you can enjoy walks treks or bathe in the hot springs. Travel west from the mountains, following a historic Greek trading route, passing through the tea growing capital of Turkey in Rize, to arrive finally in the town of Trabzon.Overnight in Trabzon  (B/D)

DAY 17.  (Tuesday)  TRABZON

Visit the magnificent Sumela Monastery built during the Byzantine era by Greek Orthodox Christians.  Free afternoon. Overnight Trabzon. (B/D)

DAY 18.    (Wednesday)  ISTANBUL

Transfer to Trabzon airport for our morning flight to Istanbul.  Upon arrival in Istanbul, we get aboard a private boat for a cruise up the strait of Bosphorus, passing half a dozen Ottoman imperial palaces, traditional Yalis (waterside villas) and shore villages. Disembark at Sariyer for lunch at a seaside restaurant. Then we drive south, and stop to visit the Castle of Rumeli Hisar, and then, we stop at the renowned Yildiz Park, harbouring four Ottoman Palaces and enjoy a sip of Turkish coffee or tea. Then we pay a visit to the sumptuous imperial Dolmabahce Palace. Rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight Istanbul.  (B/L)

DAY 19. (Thursday)  ISTANBUL 

Start the day by visiting the magnificent Haghia Sophia, and then continue to the marvelous Topkapi palace, that served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16^th and 19^th centuries. Optional visits: to the Treasury, where the extensive exhibits include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain, textiles and costumes of the Sultans, as well as to the Harem quarters, which is an absolute highlight. Have lunch in one of the special traditional restaurants in Topkapi. Then we continue to visit the famous Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome and the incredible Underground Cistern. Rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy a traditional farewell dinner and Overnight Istanbul. (B/D)

DAY 20.   (Friday)  ISTANBUL

Free morning for last minute shopping; time permitting, before transfer to Istanbul airport for departure to ongoing destinations. (B)