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Eastern Turkey (21 nights)
Tour Itinerary
This itinerary covers the Black Sea coast, the Eastern region, and the Southeast. It's a fast and full 21 days, if you want fast short tour, make it 14 days.
Day 1 : Arrival Day: Welcome to Ankara
Private transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 : Ankara
City-tour around the capital of Turkey.
Day 3 : Amasya
Stop to see the Hittite capital of Bogazkale on your way to Amasya, an Ottoman provincial capital ranged along a swift-flowing river in a dramatic gorge. C/in hotel in Amasya.
Day 4 : Amasya, Samsun & Trabzon
Descend from mountainous Amasya to the Black Sea coast to Trabzon.
Day 5 : Trabzon
Enjoy Trabzon for the remainder of the day.
Day 6 : Artvin
The longer, more scenic route is via Rize, Hopa, over Cankurtaran Pass (690 meters, 2264 feet), then via Borçka, Artvin.
Day 7 : Artvin
Tour around Artvin.
Day 8 : Kars
Driving and stay overnight in Kars. C/in the hotel
Day 9 : Kars & Ani
Allow time for the official paperwork necessary for a visit to Ani, close to the Turkish Armenian border.
Day 10 : Dogubeyazit & Ararat
We continue to Dogubayazit located at the foothill of Mount Ararat, the highest mount in Anatolia and where Noah’s Ark is thought to have landed. Overnight Dogubayazit.
Day 11 : Van
Tour the Ishak Pasa Palace before driving along the Iranian border through barren landscapes of volcanic stones stopping at Muradiye Waterfalls for lunch. We continue to Van, located on Lake Van, Turkey’s largest (salted) lake. Overnight Van.
Day 12 : Van
Enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, which is recently restored and converted to a museum. The outer stone walls of the church are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures.
In the afternoon we will make a visit to the 17th century Hosap Castle and Cavustepe dating back to the 9th century BC, an important Urartian citadel. Overnight in Van.
Day 13 : Diyarbakir
Late afternoon arrival in Diyarbakir, located near the bank of the Tigris River. Overnight Diyarbakir.
Day 14 : Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir, city tour. The black basalt triple walls, which encircle the old town, give the city a rather ominous appearance. We will also visit Ulu Camii (the Great Mosque). This piece of history, which was built in 1179 by Melik Nasreddin Mehmet, is an Ottoman piece from the second half of 14th century. Overnight in Diyarbakir
Day 15 : Mardin
Morning drive to Hasankeyf, to visit the cliff top Roman ruins of ancient Cephe, and the old town of Midyat, an architectural treasure. After lunch, we tour Anitli before continuing to Mardin which overlooks the vast plains of Mesopotamia. Overnight Mardin
Day 16 : Urfa
In the morning we will drive to Urfa. In the afternoon, we will explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick "beehive" like dwellings. Included among the archeological finds are those of the largest ancient Islamic university, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel. We will also visit the Kapali Carsi and Balikli Gol. Overnight in Urfa.
Day 17 : Kahta, Mount Nemrut
Today will be an experience to remember as we visit to Mount Nemrut and the mountain top sanctuary of Antiochus I, at sunrise or sunset (depending on season). A brief stop at Ataturk Dam built on the Euphrates River, before exploring Eski Kahta. Overnight Kahta.
Day 18 : Cappadocia
We will drive to “land of beautiful horses”, Cappadocia, today. This area has a unique geography, lunar-like landscapes, ancient churches and dwellings carved into caves throughout the region, and picture postcard villages steeped in tradition. Once the home of the Hittite Empire (2000BC), this “other worldly” region of Cappodocia will provide the backdrop to explore traditional village life, Turkish cuisine, and famous Turkish hospitality.
Day 19 : Cappadocia, Kaymakli Underground City
The final days of our trip in Cappadocia will be more relaxing offering more free time for our guests. We will visit Kaymakli Underground City after breakfast and will have 2 hours horse-back riding trip afternoon. Whirling dervishes ceremony can be arranged in the evening. Overnight in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 20 : Cappadocia
You can start your day with an optional hot air balloon ride with sunrise. After breakfast, we will have an adventurous hike in Rose Valley for 2 hours with a horse-back riding trip at the end of the hike. You can visit a local kilim (Turkish flat-woven rug) workshop and get detailed information from rug experts. Overnight in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 21 : Ankara. Tour Finishes
Driving to ankara. Overnight in Ankara.
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