DAY 1) ISTANBUL
ARRIVAL
Arrival at Istanbul airport Meet and transfer to your
hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 02)
ISTANBUL CAPPADOCIA
In the morning visit the Blue Mosque.St Sophia
dedicated in 536 AD. During the reign of Justinian,
then Topkapi Palace which was built by Mehmed the
Conqueror. In the afternoon visit the Grand Covered
Bazaar Transfer to airport for evening flight to
Kayseri. Upon arrival in Kayseri transfer to a special
volcanic stone/cave hotel in Cappadocia Overnight
B.L.D
Day 03)
CAPPADOCIA FULLDAY
Will begin our visit to the enchanting "fairy
chimneys" (conical and unusual rock formations)
in Devrent Valley. We continue to the Goreme Open Air
Museum,See the finest examples of religious frescoes
in rock-cut churches from the 10th to the 13th
centuries. Enjoy Pasabag Valley, We will take a short
walk in the Rose Valley, and then continue to Avanos,
center of terra cotta work since
DAY 04)
CAPPADOCIA - GAZIANTEP
Today we will drive to Gaziantep making a photo stop
of Incesu Caravanserai. We will have a chance to taste
the famous Kahramanmaras ice cream,We continue to
Gaziantep, which is located on a wide and fertile
plain cultivated with extensive pistachio
groves.Overnight in 4* hotel B.L.D
DAY 05)
GAZIANTEP - SANLIURFA - HARRAN - MT. NEMRUT (KAHTA)
Our drive today takes us to Sanli Urfa. We may stop
briefly at Zeugma, which is mostly underwater. We pass
the Euphrates River and stop at Birecik, which is
famous for the nearly extinct Bald Ibis. We will have
lunch in Sanliurfa. visit to Mevlid Halil Mosque and
the Cave of Prophet Abraham, then the sacred fish
pool.Drive to Harran - city of the prophet Abraham.
See the fortress, Islamic school and curious
beehive-shaped adobe houses. It is possible to see the
huge Ataturk Dam. Dinner and overnight in Kahta (near
Mt. Nemrut) in 4* hotel B.L.D
DAY 06) MT.
NEMRUT - DIYARBAKIR
Rise very early for the drive and the walk up to the
summit of Mount Nemrut (2150 m) in Northern
Mesopotamia. View a fantastic sunrise from the East
Terrace Breakfast and pack up at hotel.We will take a
ferry across the reservoir and continue to Diyarbakir
We visit the caravanserai (Deliller Han), the Ulu
(Great) Mosque from the Seljuk period and possibly the
third century Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary.
Overnight in Diyarbakir 4* hotel or special class
caravanserai B.L.D
DAY 07)
DIYARBAKIR - MARDIN - DIYARBAKIR
Today's highlight is the city of Mardin, with its
golden stone houses that blend into the hills. The
houses are often decorated with intricate carvings.
This is a very lively trading center with people
coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We
will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia
and visit the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of
Deyrulzaferan. Return to Diyarbakir for the night.
Overnight in B.L.D
DAY 08)
DIYARBAKIR - VAN
The tour begins after breakfast with the drive to Lake
Van,It is the largest lake in Turkey and lies at an
altitude of 1720 m. The first site en route is the
Akdamar church, which is built on an island in the
lake. We will take a small boat across the lake to see
the church.We will have lunch in Akdamar then continue
to Van. Overnight in 4* hotel B.L.D
DAY 09) VAN
The day begins with the tour of Van. Van was the
Urartians capital. An imposing 9th c B.C. citadel
overlooks the town. Visit the ancient Urartians site
of Austere, Hosap Castle, and the famous Citadel of
Van. Time permitting visit to the museum Overnight in
4* hotel B.L.D
DAY 10) VAN -
DOGUBAYAZIT
Today we will drive to Dogubayazit and have lunch at
the beautiful Muradiye waterfalls. We will Visit Isaac
Pasa Palace, which was built between the 17th and 18th
centuries by a local lord. It is a mixture of Ottoman,
Persian and Armenian architectural styles. Overnight
in Dogubayazit 3* Hotel B.L.D
DAY 11)
DOGUBAYAZIT - KARS
Weather permitting; we may have a nice view of Mt.
Ararat this morning. We will pass small squat villages
at the base of the mountain. We will arrive in Kars
and visit the ancient city of Ani and its churches.
Overnight will be in Kars 4* hotel. B.L.D
DAY 12) KARS
- ERZURUM
Today we will drive to Erzurum. Erzurum is known for
copper crafting and its Lout stone, which is a unique
black stone used to make jewelry and beads. We will
visit fine Seljuk monuments such as the Ulu (Great)
Mosque, the Cifte Minareli Medrese and Uc Kumbetler
(three tombs) and see the richly decorated portal and
tiled minaret of the 13th century Yakutiye Medrese.
Overnight in Erzurum 4* Hotel
DAY 13)
ERZURUM - TRABZON
Our journey will continue on to Trabzon with a visit
to the magnificent Sumela Monastery The church is
covered inside and out with brilliant frescos.I f the
time permitting; visit the St. Sophia museum (restored
13th c Byzantine church with its splendid frescoes).
Overnight in Trabzon B.L.D
DAY 14)
TRABZON RIZE ISTANBUL
Our journey will continue Ayder plateau lunch in Ayder
in the afternoon trip to Uzungol and return to Trabzon
for evening flight to Istanbul. (B.L)
DAY 15)
ISTANBUL
Transfer to airport or Istanbul Extension.