ITINERARY

SECTION ( I ) 

DAY 1. SATURDAY – ISTANBUL – ANKARA 

Early depart for Ankara, the capital of modern Turkey. Upon arrival in Ankara, we have lunch at the historic Ankara district at “The castle”. And visit the world famous “Museum of Anatolian Civilizations” and the Mausoleum of Atatürk. (Father of Turks)  Overnight Ankara.  (L/D)

DAY 2. SUNDAY – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA

In the morning, we start a journey towards Cappadocia. En route, we stop at the 14th Century BC Hittite Capital “Hattusas”, continue to “Yazilikaya” the Hittite religious center. Drive across the central Anatolian plateau to Cappadocia, a landscape of unique rock formations and ‘Fairy Chimneys’. Overnight Cappadocia. (B/L/D)

DAY 3. MONDAY – CAPPADOCIA

A full day touring in the land of beautiful horses, Cappadocia. View some of the fascinating frescoed and rock carved churches of the Göreme open-air museum, Visit the historic village of Cavusin, continue to Avanos for lunch, and to visit the pottery artisans in the traditional rock carved village of Avanos. Stop at the majestic fairy-chimneys of Pasabag; take a gentle stroll among the naturally sculptured rock shapes of Devrent Valley. Continue to Urgup to sample some of the wine produced in the area. Enjoy a panoramic view over Göreme from the Red and Rose Valleys, before returning to your hotel. Overnight Cappadocia.  (B/L/D)

DAY 4. TUESDAY – CAPPADOCIA – MT. NEMRUT

Depart Cappadocia, stopping to view the Karatay caravanserai with its exquisite examples of high Seljuk art. Cross the scenic Taurus Mountains and continue the journey along the plains of Mesopotamia. Make a stop in Kahramanmaras to taste the authentic and delicious Maras beaten ice cream before continuing to Nemrut Dagi. Dinner and overnight at mountain hotel (B/L/D)

DAY 5. WEDNESDAY – MT. NEMRUT – SANLIURFA

Leave your hotel early in the morning for the spectacular sunrise over the stone heads and god statues of the pre-Roman king Antiochus. Return to your hotel for breakfast before visiting a 14^th century castle at Eski Kale and a magnificent 3^rd century Roman bridge at Cendere. Pass through the plains of Mesopotamia and the giant Atatürk Dam that tames the Euphrates River and enter the biblical town of Sanliurfa. Visiting Sanliurfa, the Sacred Carp Pools of Abraham, the fortress and Turkey’s most traditional covered bazaar. Continue to Harran to the visit the beehive houses. Transfer to your hotel for dinner & relax. Overnight Sanliurfa (B/L/D)

DAY 6. THURSDAY – SANLIURFA – DIYARBAKIR

This morning, we drive to Diyarbakir via the Atatürk Dam. In ancient times, Diyarbakir was known as Amida. One of the most outstanding features is the encircling black basalt triple wall, which has five gates, and is decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs, and represents a superb example of medieval military architecture. We shall visit the Ulu Mosque, and the nearby Mesudiye Medrese, the mihrab of which is made of the local black basalt. The 3rd century Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary. Overnight Diyarbakir (B/L/D)

DAY 7. FRIDAY – DIYARBAKIR to ISTANBUL

After Breakfast, transfer to airport for your departing flight TK 2603 to Istanbul at 10:05 AM direct for Istanbul, estimate arr. Istanbul at 12:10 AM.(B)

End of SECTION ( I )

SECTION ( II )

DAY 7. DIYARBAKIR – MARDIN

Today we drive southward to Mardin. This city with houses and public buildings featuring wonderful stone carvings and decorations make this city look like an architectural treasure-chest. We visit the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu Mosque and the 15th-century Kasım Pasha Medrese, which is remarkable for its fine stonework. At the lovely Isa Bey Medrese, from the 14th century, you can admire the magnificently carved portal and climb to its roof to enjoy a fantastic view of the Mesopotamian Plain. Overnight Mardin (B/L/D)

DAY 8. MARDIN – BATMAN

Drive east of Mardin to the Syriac Jacobite Monastery of Deyrul Zaferan, which was once a thriving religious community. At nearby Kiziltepe, the 13th-century Ulu Mosque, one of the best examples of Artukid architecture; has superb mihrab relief work and a beautiful portal. Continue to Midyat (Turabdin), famous for its silver jewellery known as ‘telkari‘, which also has many elegant and historic houses. We go a bit further east where there’s the active Syriac-Jacobite monastery of Deyrul Umur (San Gabriel), which dates from the beginning of the 5^th century. We continue to Hasankeyf, a spectacular Honey colored town, situated above the Tigris river. Inhabitants are still living in the rocks. We continue to Batman, a modern town where we will overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 9. BATMAN – VAN

In the morning, we continue our journey by visiting the ‘other’ Mt. Nemrut of Turkey, near Tatvan. This is an inactive volcano offering a challenging and very enjoyable climb. When we get there we shall see a deep, clear and cold Crater Lake, as well as a bubbling hot volcanic springs. Continue by driving up north the Van Lake to visit the ruins of Ahlat. We shall see several mausoleums, such as the Ulu Kümbet, the Bayindir Kümbet, the Hasan Pasha Kümbet and the Çifte Kümbet, as well as the Seljuk cemetery where there’s beautifully inscribed memorial tombstones from the 12th century. We shall also have a look at the Turkish Art Museum, housing a collection of ceramics, ancient coins and jewellery. Then we continue driving around the lake, to arrive in Adilcevaz, and to see the Ulu mosque after which we continue to the Kef Castle and the nearby Urartian temple of Haldi, from the 9th century BC. Continue via Ercis to Van, following the scenic road along the shore of Van lake. Overnight Van (B/L/D)

DAY 10. VAN

We begin the day by a tour of this city, which was the capital of the Urartians, by a visit to the imposing citadel, an Urartian fortress of the 9th century BC. Within the fortress we shall see several Urartian tombs. Then we shall visit the Ulu mosque, Hüsrev Pasha Mosque and the Ikiz Kümbet, before proceeding to Edremit, a holiday resort center 14 km to the southwest. Then we visit Gevas, where you can visit a Seljuk cemetery with numerous decorated headstones, and the lovely Halime Hatun Mausoleum. Afterwards, we cruise for about half an hour to Akdamar Island. On the island stands the 10th century Church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose stone walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. Continue touring by visiting Çavuştepe, some 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, which is an important Uranian citadel. Here you shall see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions. Then we continue on the pastoral, winding road past the Zernek Dam Lake that offers itself as a resting spot on the way to Hoşap, 60 km from Van, where we shall admire a 17th-century fairytale castle rising above a small hill and return to Van for overnight (B/L/D)

DAY 11. VAN – DOGUBEYAZIT – KARS

Journey through the nomad encampments to the frontier town of Dogubeyazit near Mount Ararat, the possible home of Noah’s Ark. Today’s highlight is the renowned 16th Century Palace of Ishak Pasha. Then continue to Kars and Overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 12. 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/L/D)

DAY 13. KARS to ISTANBUL

Morning free at your leisure, Transfer to Kars airport, for your  flight to Istanbul at 17:55PM – TK2715 direct for Istanbul, estimate arr. Istanbul at 20:15PM. (B)