ARRIVAL /KAYSERI

Transfer from your hotel in Istanbul to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Arrive in Kayseri, the city where the ancient trade roads from the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea meet. Transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in Kayseri.
No meals
 

After breakfast, drive through the Taurus Mountain chain, giving you the opportunity to observe the countryside and the daily life of rural Turkey which is completely different to that of the coastal cities. After having a short break in Kahramanmaras, famous for it’s ice cream, we arrive in Gaziantep where we will see the Archaeological Museum which has one of the richest collections of mosaics discovered during the last excavations in Zeugma. After our visits drive to Kahta and stay overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

We deaprt our hotel early this morning for Mt Nemrut. See the Colossal God statues on three different terraces overlooking the whole plateau and Ataturk Dam. Visit Arsemia, which was once the capital of the Kommagene Kingdom, the old Roman Cendere Bridge over the Cendere Stream. We will also see the Karakus Tumulus where the royal family members were buried. We then drive to Sanliurfa, known in ancient times as Edessa, visiting the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham with its mosques, birth-cave of Abraham and the beautiful gardens. We then make a stop at another archaeological site, Harran, a mystical and ancient 'bee-hive' house village built of mud-brick, which is mentioned in Genesis as being a place where Abraham lived. In the same area we will visit the first Islamic university of the world. Ending the day with a coffe break in a cafe nearby the Sacred Pool. Stay overnight in Sanliurfa.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

After breakfast, depart for Mardin, the town which overlooks the Mesopotamian Plains and owes its incredible attractiveness to a cultural procession starting in 8,000 BC. You will witness how all these colours harmoniously melt into one yet appear individual in all their grandeur. You will be impressed by the mystery of the city while taking a visit to several of the town's architectural gems, including the Kasimiye Medresesi and Latifiye Mosque.The Kasimiye Medresesi building dates from the 14th Century and was formerly a university of astronomy. Lastly, a visit to the museum and covered bazaar. Stay overnight in Mardin.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

We begin the day visiting Hasankeyf, an untouched beauty founded on the side of the Tigris, which comes to end as the town disappears below the flood waters of the Ilisu dam. Visit the citadel, Ulu Mosque which is unique for its well designed slender minaret, the rare 15th Century mausoleum of Zeynel Bey decorated with intricate colored tiles and Arthukid Bridge standing forlornly beside the new one. Drive to Diyarbakir, famous with the city walls built by the Romans. Also, Ulu Camii, the first of Anatolia's great Seljuk Mosques. Stay overnight in Diyarbakir.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

After breakfast drive to Van via Bitlis. After lunch we will arrive and check-in to our hotel. In the afternoon we take a visit to Van Castle, which is 100m high and 300m wide at the base. It was just the sort of place that the Urartians favoured for their strongholds. It was the site of an Urartian temple of which only a few of the arched niches remain. Cuneiform inscriptions on a statue based in one of the niches document the life and works of Menua, an important Urartian King. After visiting Van castle we return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

After breakfast, we take a visit to Cavustepe, the site of an Urartian Royal Palace, built between 764 and 735 BC by King Sardur II. Then drive to Lake Van, the largest in Turkey. After lunch we take a small boat ride to Akdamar Island on Lake Van. The church there has one of the most complete scene collections of the Old Testament carved on the facade of the church. Stay overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

MT ARARAT,DOGUBEYAZIT & KARS

Today we journey to Dogubeyazit. On the way taking in the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat. The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. Visit the magnificent palace of Ishak Pasha. Stay overnight in Kars.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

We being the day with visits to the Ruins of Ani - the City of 1001 Churches and an Armenian City founded in the 11th Century. After visiting Ani, we head to Erzurum, the largest city in Eastern Turkey. Visit Cifte Minareli Medrese and Grand Mosque. Stay overnight in Erzurum.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

After breakfast, a lovely drive will take us to Artvin, one of the most beautiful cities near the Georgian border. Visit some of the churches around the city. Stay overnight in Artvin.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

After breakfast we visit the Ayder Plateau, which still preserves the life style of the 18th Centuries. Then to Camlihemsin, a typical Kackar mountain village with untouched natural beauty. After our visits we will drive to Rize where we will visit a tea making factory. Stay overnight in Rize.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

UZUNGOL, SUMELA MONASTERY & TRABZON

Breakfast is served at the hotel. Today we drive to Uzungol, a secret paradise. You will be amazed by the wonderful view of the town reflecting off the lake. We then head inland to visit the mystical Sumela Monastery, dating back to early Christianity, built high into the side of the steep cliff face. Finally, the Hagia Sophia Museum with its spectacular frescoes. Stay overnight in Trabzon.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

TRABZON & ISTANBUL.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Time at leisure. In the evening we visit an exclusive nightclub for dinner. Enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine, including a delicious array of appetizers known as meze. The Turks are justly proud of their food. They are equally proud of their traditional music and after dinner folk musicians from different regions of Anatolia will perform for us. Of course, no night out in Istanbul would be complete without Turkish belly dancers. Stay overnight in Istanbul
Breakfast & Dinner
 

FLY HOME

According to your departure time, you will be transferred to the airport to take your departure flight. End of our services.
Breakfast

• 13 nights in tourist class hotel accommodation.
• All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary including admission fees to the visited sites.
• Qualified English speaking guide.
• All meals stated in the itinerary.
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Kayseri & Trabzon to Istanbul.
• Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
• Private transportation by comfortable, air-conditioned, non smoking vehicle.
• Opportunity to see the pottery and carpet production centers in Asia Minor.
• All taxes and service fees.

• International airfares.
• Airport taxes.
• Any VISA needed for Turkey.
• Tips to guide, driver, hotel staff etc.
• Optional tours.
• Items of a personal nature.
• Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.