Eastern Turkey Adventure
8 days, Istanbul to Kars
Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul
Arrive at any time, and meet your CEO and group in the evening at a welcome meeting. Afterwards, head out for a short orientation walk around the hotel area on the way to an optional group dinner.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul (or similar)
Day 2Istanbul/Adıyaman
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman. Settle in for lunch by the lake of the Ataturk Dam before continuing on to the Mt. Nemrut area. Visit the funerary monument, Karakus, the Cendere bridge, then ascend to the summit of Mt. Nemrut for sunset. Continue on to Adiyaman where you can settle in for the night and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Karakus Tumulus Visit
See the Karakus Tumulous, a 35m high artificial mound built atop a hill, for Queen Isias and Princess Antiochis. Built between 30-20 BC, this site boasts limestone columns and acts as a funerary monument for royal women from the Kommagene family.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mt Nemrut Sunset Experience
Revel in the stunning vistas and colourful sunset at Mt. Nemrut's summit.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
White Star Hotel Adıyaman (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Adıyaman/Sanliurfa
After an early breakfast, transfer to Ataturk Dam to enjoy the viewpoint, then continue to Karahantepe. You'll be welcomed into a local home for lunch before continuing on to the ancient and impressive archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe. Afterwards, transfer to the nearby town of Urfa for the night and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family
Be welcomed into a traditional home in Karahan Tepe for a lunch with a local family. Enjoy a cultural immersive experience with typical regional food.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Göbekli Tepe Archaeological Site Visit
Explore the world’s oldest temple on a visit to Gobekli Tepe. Built approximately 11,600 years ago, the site is composed of large limestone pillars erected in a series of rings. Stroll around the site, check out the animal bas-reliefs that adorn the pillars, and contemplate the feat of constructing these impressive structures millennia ago.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Şanlıurfa Uludağ Otel (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Sanliurfa/Mardin
Travel to Mardin after breakfast this morning. Mardin's old town is protected by UNESCO and is considered to be an open-air museum. Explore the historic limestone architecture and learn about the interesting landmarks throughout. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or time to relax before joining the CEO for an optional dinner in the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mardin UNESCO City Tour
The city of Mardin was strategically built at the top of a steep hill around the 11th century BC, overlooking the Tigris River. Mardin was the site of many religions and cultures over the previous centuries and was annexed by the Ottoman turks in the 16th century. Full of historically significant landmarks, UNESCO has protected the site, which now acts as an open-air museum. Explore Kasimiya Madrassa and the Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
Walking Tour Mardin
Explore on foot pausing to enjoy the Great Mosque, the Virgin Mary Church, and the local architecture outside the old town.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Latifiye Mosque
Wander through the Mosque, built in 1371 Abdüllatif bin Abdullah, the minaret built by the Governor of Egypt, Muhammed Ziya Tayyar Pasha, and the most recent minaret built by the Governor of Mosul, Gürcü Mehmet Pasha in 1845. Witness the impressive dome, colourful stones, and geometric motifs. A true architectural masterpiece.
Tellallar Bazaar
Take in some shopping in the Tellallar Bazaar, a shopping street, home to handicraft shops in a traditional bazaar style.
Accommodation
Kaya Ninova Hotel Mardin (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Mardin/Van
Settle in for a drive to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. Upon arrival to the lakeside town of Gevas, board a boat to Akdamar Island for a CEO-led walk, then head back to your hotel in Van. Enjoy a free evening to end the day.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walking Tour Akdamar Island
Explore Akdamar on foot with the help of your CEO. Witness the 10th century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, then wander around with free time.
Boat
Travel by boat and on foot to your hotel in Van.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
Akdamar Island Boat Trip
Come aboard for a memorable boat trip to Akdamar Island on beautiful Lake Van. Tour the island's historic sites, and see the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, built between AD 915-921.
Accommodation
Van Life Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Van/Kars
Visit the Van Citadel this morning, built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu. From there transfer to the previous capital of the Republic of Ararat, Dogubeyazit. Explore Ishak Pasha Palace then take in views of Mt. Ararat and across the mountains where the possible resting place of Noah's Ark is said to be located. Continue on to Kars for a brief orientation walk, then settle in for the evening with free time.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk Kars
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main landmarks, and ATMs.
Van Castle
Explore the Citidel, a massive stone fortification, housing a "royal stable" carved from rock, where oxen and sheep were held prior to acting as sacrifice to the Gods.
Ishak Pasha Palace
This stunning 18th century palace located on the silk road is situated an imposing platform, boasting a mix of Anatolian, Iranian, and North Mesopotamian architectural styles. Explore this historical Turkish palace and take in breathtaking views of Mt. Ararat.
Accommodation
Buyuk Kale Hotel - Kars (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Kars
Drive to Ani this morning, known as the city of 1001 churches,. Explore the Ani complex with your CEO, seeing the many religious buildings, palaces and forts before heading back to Kars for a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ani Visit
Be transported to centuries past visiting historical Ani. Once the capital of the Armenian Empire, Ani was located at the crossroads of many important trade routes. When the medieval city was flourishing, the buildings were some of the most complex and beautiful around. Walk among hundreds of churches that rest in ruin today – the abandoned city creates a dramatic setting against the surrounding landscape.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is the time to explore.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Kars Museum
Explore the 18 showcases housed in the museum's archaeology halls, offering a glimpse at fossils, spearheads, jewellery, and etc. Artifacts range from the Paleolithic and Periods all the way to the Principalities Period. In the ethnography hall, you'll find another 16 showcases displaying woven carpets, silver belts, kitchen utensils, etc. dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Round out your experience in the garden where ram and sheep tombstones from the 13th and 14th centuries are exhibited.
Accommodation
Buyuk Kale Hotel - Kars (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Kars
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.