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Eastern Turkey

Day 1 - Arrival in Trabzon. Arrive in this Black Sea coastal city via an internal flight from either Istanbul or Ankara, and transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 - Trabzon / Erzurum. Trabzon, the major city of the region, was founded in the 7th century B.C. Visit the jewel of Trabzon's monuments: the restored 13th-century Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque and now as the Ayasofya Museum. Wooden houses fill the old quarter nestled in the ancient fortifications, which still retain the spirit of a medieval town. After visiting the sites in Trabzon, head inland through spectacular mountain landscape and on to Erzurum for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 - Erzurum / Kars. Erzurum, the largest city in eastern Anatolia, sprawls on a high plateau at an altitude of 1,950 meters (approximately 6,337 feet). As you enter the city, the large Aziziye monument commemorating the Turkish-Russian war will catch your eye. The city has an immensely rich past and a unique architectural style. The city walls and fortress are reminiscent of the period of Byzantine rule. Of particular importance are the remaining Seljuk buildings. While wandering around the city, notice the local black stone (Erzurum Oltu Tasi) which is used in jewellery. The shops on the upper floor of the Tashan (R¸stem Pasa Caravanserai) offer the best selection. After seeing some of the sites, travel to Kars for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - Kars / Dogubeyazit. Kars stands at an altitude of 1,750 meters (approximately 5,687 feet) and has played an important role in Turkish history. It was at the center of the Turko-Russian War. The Russian legacy can still be seen in much of the town's architecture. The lower city unfolds at the foot of an impressive Seljuk fortress from the 12th century. The Archaeological Museum houses beautiful wood carvings, an excellent collection of coins found in the surrounding region, as well as many ethnographic items relating to eastern Turkey. Kars is particularly known for its distinctive kilims and carpets, and it retains a strong heritage of folk dancing. Travel to Dogubeyazit for dinner and overnight.

Day 5- Dogubeyazit / Van. One of the most spectacular sites to visit is the Ishak Pasa Palace, only 6 km from Dogubayazit. Ishak Pa sa, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century with a mixture of architectural styles. Near Dogubayazit, Turkey's most scenic natural monument, Mt. Agri rises to a height of 5,137 meters (approximately 16,695 feet). Travel on to Van for dinner and overnight.

Day 6- Van - sightseeing. Van is a remote but important city set in a verdant oasis at the foot of a rocky peak, and on the shores of Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. An imposing 9th-century B.C. citadel overlooks the new and the old parts of town. Still very much part of a traditional lifestyle, the women of Van produce beautiful kilims woven in blue, red and white patterns. At Van Iskelesi (Van Harbor), friendly tea gardens and restaurants invite you for a break. Dinner and overnight in Van.

Day 7 - Van / Diyarbakir. Travel to Diyarbakir, located on the shores of the Tigris River. The basalt walls of Diyarbakir, which are more than 5 kilometers in length, have the distinction of being the longest city walls in the country. Some sites to visit include the Harput Castle. The castle, which is on the south-east of historical Harput City, was conquered by the Roman Empire, Byzantium and Arabs, and has been restored three times since 1115. Another fascinating sight in the city center is the Ulu Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Turkey. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir.

Day 8 - Diyarbakir / Urfa. From Diyarbakir you will travel to Urfa. Urfa lies in fertile plains ringed by limestone hills on three sides. Traditions of its earliest foundation refer to the legendary Assyrian King Nimrod. Muslims associate the place with the prophet Abraham, whose birthplace is shown there in a cave under the citadel. A pool of sacred fish, flanked by a 17th century Islamic theological school, is believed to be the lake created by God to protect Abraham when he was thrown on a funeral pyre by the angry Nimrod. A walk in the old Covered Bazaar, with its still unchanged architecture and atmosphere, will take us back centuries in time. Dinner and overnight in Urfa.

Day 9 - Urfa / Adiyaman. After exploring the ancient sites of Urfa, or Sanliurfa as it is also known, travel to Adiyaman. Dinner and overnight in Adiyaman.

Day 10 - Adiyaman / Antakya. Near Adiyaman is Mt. Nemrut (Nemrut Dag), with the mausoleum of the Commagene King Antiochos at its 2,150 meter peak. Statues of ancient gods lay toppled over the site with their heads sitting upright, creating a very unusual monument. Travel on to Antakya (Antiocheia) for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - Antakya / Mersin. Explore ancient Antiocheia. Located near the mouth of the Orontes River, it was once the center of the Seleucid Kingdom and one of the wealthiest cities of the Hellenistic and Roman world. The city was one of the earliest centers of Christianity, serving as the headquarters of St. Paul in about 47-55 AD. The Mosaic Museum contains a unique collection of mosaics from Daphne, the residential quarters of ancient Antiocheia. The Grotto of St. Peter is a cave church where St. Peter is believed to have preached and taught to the first Christian community of Antiocheia. Dinner and overnight in Antakya. Travel to Mersin for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 - Mersin / Cappadocia. Mersin is also on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and a port city with ferry service to Cyprus. It is a modern resort town however it shares the area with ancient settlements dating back to the Neolithic period. Shop in the market or enjoy time strolling the palm-lined avenues. Travel to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight.

Day 13 - Cappadocia - sightseeing. Explore the valleys of Cappadocia, a land of eerie beauty, formed by the eruption of two volcanoes, Mt. Argeus and Mt. Hasan, some 60 million years ago. A fantasy land of fairy chimneys and churches cut out of soft rock formations rising up in cone-like protuberances, the region was a Roman province and a refuge for persecuted Christians during the early days of the Empire. Cappadocia is well known for its rock churches that date to the period of the persecution and for its underground cities, amazingly intricate systems of tunnels cut into mountains of rock. Uchisar, a fortress-type of settlement hewn into a high outcrop of rock offers a unique view of the Cappadocian landscape. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 14 - Cappadocia sightseeing. Continue exploring this unique region, and doing some last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 15 - Departure from Cappadocia airport.

Included:

• Air Conditioned Motor Coach
• Licensed English speaking guide
• Entrance Fees per the itinerary
• Hotel Accommodations in 4, and 5 star hotels
• Rates are based on half board (breakfast and dinner)
• Local Taxes and Service Charges.

Not Included:

• Personal expenses such as: phone calls, laundry, etc.
• Lunches en route, hot and cold drinks during evening meals.
• Visa expenses.
• International & Internal flights.
• Tips for guide and driver(we usually recommend $2 or $3 for the driver and $5 for the guide-all per peson per day)
• Trip insurance.

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