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Eastern Turkey Tour

Day 1: Kars Castle Arrival in Kars, meeting with your group and tour leader. After a brief pre-tour orientation meeting, we start the exploration of Kars by a visit to a local cheese factory and tasting of excellent Kasar cheese. Continue to explore Kars Castle and the city, free evening. (B) Day 2: Medieval Ani and Ishak Pasha Palace Drive to the ruins of Ani located 45 km north of Kars near Armenian border. Ani, the capital of Armenian kingdom and an important trading point at the great Silk Road, was

called the City of 1001 churches. Parts of the citadel and the Cathedral still remain and many ruined churches still retain remarkable decorations and wall paintings. Continue to Dogu Bayazit crossing Igdir plain and skirting the majestic Mount Ararat. Visit the incredible Ishak Pasha Palace with an eclectic mix of Armenian, Georgian, Ottoman, Persian and Selçuk architectural styles. Explore the bedrooms of the palace, the ornate dining room while enjoying stunning views over the plains below and to Mount Ararat. The afternoon is free to explore in Dogu Bayazit, an interesting frontier town. One might want to purchase one of the region's beautiful carpets or dine at a local restaurant just below the palace overlooking the lights of Dogu Bayazit and enjoying Kurdish music and dancing. (B) Day 3: Urartian Citadel and Views of Mount Ararat Continue the sightseeing and explore the bas-reliefs of what is believed to be an Urartian Citadel, dating from the 9th century BC. Drive through spectacular mountain landscape of Tendurek, an elongated volcano rising 1,800 m above the plains, south of Mount Ararat and stop to explore Kurdish villages en route. Scheduled photo stops

at Meteor Crater at the Iranian border and Noah’s Ark National Park help break the journey, arrival Van. (B) Day 4: Lake Van Start the exploration of Lake Van with a side trip to Nemrut Crater. Seven times the size of Lake Geneva, Van is the largest lake in Turkey and the largest saline lake in the world. After lunch travel by local ferry to Akdamar Island, the spectacular setting for the beautiful Armenian church of Holy Cross. Marvel at the intricate external reliefs showing biblical scenes and characters, before wandering the atmospheric graveyards. Many tombs are carved with khatchkars – Armenian cross stones, perhaps looking remarkably Celtic to some. Returning by ferry, make the way into the city of Van, once known as Tooshpa, the capital of Urartian Kingdom. On to Tatvan on the south-western edge of Lake Van either by the scenic shore line road or, timings permitting, by the equally scenic Van to Tatvan ferry. (B) Day 5: Cave Dwellings and Mardin

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Early start to visit the cave dwellings at Hasankeyf on the River Tigris while the temperatures are nice and cool. After a light lunch travel on through the Gurduc valley to Midyat with its silver bazaars and on to Mardin, an ancient hill-top town. There will be time to wander through old Mardin to explore streets of carved stone houses and atmospheric old bazaars where one can see many traditional craftsmen at work. Taste some local baklava - reputably some of the best in Turkey - and join the locals to enjoy it in one of the outdoor teashops with stunning views over the border and into the plains of Syria. Mardin is a great place to experience a local hammam, or Turkish communal bathhouse. (B) Day 6: Saffron Monastery Start the day with a visit to the Saffron Monastery, founded in 493AD on the site of an older temple whose remains are still visible. This beautiful and evocative site was once the seat of the Syrian Christian Patriarch. After Saffron Monastery carry on to Urfa, check into our hotel. Exotic Urfa gives a chance to experience some true Middle Eastern flavor. Explore the town’s fascinating covered bazaars, taking the chance to enjoy a glass of sweet tea. In the afternoon visit the pools of Abraham, enter the cave that is thought to be the birthplace of biblical Abraham, join the pilgrims feeding the sacred fish believed to have helped save Abraham from death later in his life. Back to Urfa. (B) Day 7: Giant Heads at Nemrut

After an early breakfast travel just outside Urfa to visit the ongoing archaeological dig at Gobekli Tepe, the site of the earliest religious structure yet discovered. Later continue to Kahta in Adiyaman via a ferry ride on River Euphrates. Kakhta is a small town, our base for exploring Nemrut Mountain and its surrounds. After some rest make the way up to Nemrut Mountain, stopping en route to explore Karakus Tumulus, believed to be the burial monument for royal women. Pass the Severan Bridge, the second largest arched bridge built by Romans. Also enroute are the ruins of Arsameia, once the capital of the ancient Commagene whose rulers built the giant temple and tomb at the top of Mount Nemrut, simply one of the must-see attractions in Turkey. Learn about the fascinating history behind the site, watch the sunset among the giant fallen heads of two thousand year-old statues. A simply unforgettable experience. After sunset, back to hotel for rest and overnight. (B)

Price per person: 1050 USD

Included: Accommodation for 7 nights

Services of English speaking guide

Meals as specified in the itinerary

All excursions and activities as per itinerary with entry fees

All transfers in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles