Tour Code : EN-104

Stars of the East Ani, Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut - 10 Days/9 Nights

Your guide will meet you on arrival at Kars Airport, and transferred you to your hotel. After a short rest at the hotel, we have lunch at a local restaurant.  We are going to visit the Ani Ruins, 50 km away.
Ani had its heyday between 953 and 1020 when it served as the capital of the Armenian Kingdom. The city of Ani was captured by the Byzantines in 1045 ending the Kingdom of Armenia. Then in 1064, Seljuk Emperor Alpaslan conquered Eastern Anatolia and took it from the Byzantines. Today, Ani is on the Unesco World Heritage List. Ani ruins spread over a wide area with the Gate of Lions, Church of the Redeemer (St. Prkitch), Stone Bridge, Seljuk Palace, Church of Saint Gregory of Tigran Hornets, and the Inner Fortress. Next, we’ll see historical artifacts such as Menüçehr Mosque, Ani Cathedral, Monastery of the Hripsimian Virgins, and Cathedral of Kars, also known as the Holy Apostles Church.
After our visits, we’ll head to Kars city center. Here, we recommend you to try Kars specialties such as goose meat, honey, Kars cheese, Kars gruyere cheese, yellowfish, Hengel, and kit, which you can also buy as souvenirs. In Kars, you’ll also realize buildings featuring Russian architecture and that the city’s climate and geography are similar to that of Russian cities.
Dinner and accommodation at Kars .  ( Breakfast – Lunch - Dinner )

Today, we will continue our tour with a trip to the South. On the way, we will enjoy the beautiful geography of Eastern Anatolia and see the ruins left by ancient civilizations, which offer a glimpse into their way of life. We will arrive in Doğubayazıt via Iğdır city. We’ll give a lunch break and visit the famous Ishak Pasha Palace. It is said that the construction of the 116-room palace took 99 years. After we tour this magnificent palace overlooking Mount Ararat, we will depart for Van bypassing the Tendürek Mountain accompanied by beautiful views. After seeing the second-largest meteor pit in the world,  we continue to the van.

At the end of a 7- hour bus journey, we’ll arrive at Van, one of the largest cities in Eastern Turkey located on the shores of Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake (3,713 square km).
Dinner and accommodation in Van.    ( Breakfast – Dinner

We start today's tour in Van Castle, known as Tuspa Castle in the olden days. The castle, which overlooks Lake Van, was built by the Urartu King Sarduri 2800 years ago. It became the capital of the Urartu Kingdom with the name Tuspa. Inside the castle, there are also rock tombs belonging to the Urartu Kings. Next, we’ll visit the Akdamar Church located on the Akdamar Island in Lake Van, which was built with magnificent stonework and later restored by the Turkish government. We’ll reach the island on boats from the pier in the Edremit district and enjoy the wonderful lake and mountain scenery. We’ll continue on our way to Ahlat. Lunch break on the way. Afterward, we will go to Ahlat, 45 km away. The largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world, founded in 1200 by the Seljuks, has 8,169 tombstones. Some tombstones are 3.5 meters long. What makes the tombstones special is the inscriptions and decorations on them. After seeing the Grand Vault, Emir Bayindir Mosque, and the tombstones. Arrival to Tatvan is located near the Van lake, it is very beautiful tow.   
Dinner and accommodation in Tatvan. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we will have an enjoyable journey by watching the exquisite view of the changing geography. We will take a short coffee break in Bitlis, one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia.

We are taking a short tea break in Batman, a modern city. Passing Hasankeyf, one of the ancient settlements of the ancient world and now under the waters of the dam, we arrive in Midyat. Midyat is famous for its unique architectural structures, stone houses, and handcrafted gold and silver jewelry called filigree. After shopping, we will see the beautiful view from the terrace of Midyat Guest House.  Midyat resembles a fairy tale city. Lunch break in a local restaurant.

Arrival in Mardin, dinner, and accommodation in Mardin ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Mardin tour is exciting, you feel in an incredibly enjoyable world.
The narrow passages that connect the parallel streets of Mardin and are called 'Abbara' also inspired an Art Biennale. It doesn't matter if you enter a restaurant or a jeweler in Mardin; It is as if you are holding in your hands the history and culture that determines people's daily lives.

we’ll start our tour of Old Mardin from the Kasımiye Madrasah (Mosque Kebir), which has a rich cultural mosaic with its architectural structure that gives a mystical Muslim, Syriac, Turkish, Arabian atmosphere to the city, bringing together different religions and languages, the Ulu Mosque and the Minaret, Şehidiye Madrasa and Old Post Office Building. After our visits, we will have free time in Mardin and have lunch with traditional dishes in a local restaurant. Shopping, local products, natural soaps (Sabuncu Mehmet), nuts, and Mardin-specialities like almond candies, dried fruits, sweets, rosary, and similar handmade accessories and souvenirs. While drinking your coffee in a cafeteria, watch the vast Mesopotamian landscape through the buildings decorated with stonework.
We will visit Dara, one of the most important ancient cities of Mesopotamia with its 3500 years of history. The water cistern built during the Romans is an impressive and magnificent work in Dara.
Dinner and accommodation in Mardin.   ( Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast early departure for Diyarbakır ( 90 Km )  we will visit the Diyarbakır Castle and Fortress, city walls, three-legged Minaret Hasan Pasha Inn, and the Ulu Mosque. lunch in a traditional restaurant.  Mount Nemrut where the tumulus of the Commagene King Antiochus Antiochus I and huge head statues are located. This place will be one of the highlights of the entire trip.

With the narration of our guide, we will admire the history of the region. We will see the Karakuş Tumulus and Cendere Bridge in the Arsaemia ancient city. After some climbing, we will see the Zeus, Apollon, Heracles, Antiochhos, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion sculptures on the eastern terrace of the Nemrut summit. The tumulus of the Commagene King Antiochus Antiochus I is at the top. You will see the altars and sculptures on the western terrace as well. It is impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent view and the beauty of the colossal statues at the top of Mount Nemrut. After this visit,  we will head for Adiyaman (90 km)
Arrival and overnight in Adiyaman  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll start our tour of Urfa, also known as the City of the Prophets. Here, we’ll see the Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, Rızvaniye Mosque, Balıklıgöl ( Fish lake ),  Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, and the pit where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire. The city of Prophets has very fertile lands with great plains, and it is one of Turkey's most important agricultural centers. After our visits, we will have free time for shopping at Bedesten and Gümrük Inn.
Next, we will admire the Urfa Archlologial Museum, where many historical artifacts from Anatolian civilizations are exhibited, and the Mosaic Museum.

Lunch at a local restaurant, sampling Urfa's famous kebab and local dishes.
Visit Göbeklitepe, the oldest temple in the world with a history of 12.000 years. In the mysterious atmosphere of the temple, you will feel the mysticism in your bones. Göbeklitepe is the oldest open-air temple in the world, dating back to the Stone Age, which started a new era in the history of world archeology, and even changed the world's human history. Then we return to Urfa.
Dinner and overnight in Sanliurfa. ( Breakfast – Dinner )
*** Dinner is in the Sıra Gecesi musical program with traditional music, highly recommended.

Gaziantep Tour starts early drive to Halfeti dam after breakfast in Adiyaman hotel. 
Halfeti district is also known as the hidden paradise of the Southeast with its historical stone houses, black roses, and natural beauties. Next, we will visit the Savaşan Village, a large part of which is underwater, therefore called "the sunken city", on a boat.  During the Halfeti boat tour, we will see Rumkale, which is said to have reproduced the Gospel of St. Paul, the apostle of Jesus, from the boat, accompanied by a magnificent view. Architectural ruins in Rumkale have Late Roman and Medieval characteristics, and the Greek castle, which has the ruins of structures such as old water cisterns, St. Nerses Church, Barşavma Monastery, which has a magnificent visual view. 

We will see the Sunken Mosque, and have plenty of time to take photos of the scenery and have coffee by the dam lake. Afterward, we will drive to  Gaziantep.
We take lunch with delicious local dishes of Gaziantep and the famous pistachio baklava.

Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the second-largest mosaic museum in the world. Afterward, we will go for a shopping trip to Bakırcılar Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten.

End of the tour. Dinner and overnight in Gaziantep. (Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast you transferred to Gaziantep Airport Flight to Istanbul. Transfer hotel Free time for shopping.
Overnight in Istanbul.  ( Breakfast )

Free time until your flight time. Private transfer to Istanbul Airport where you can connect to your onward flight to your next destination.  ( Breakfast )

Price includes

Private Transfer Airport – Hotel – Airport. (Kars – Gaziantep)

9 Nights Hotel Accommodation with Breakfast Daily

8 Dinners, 8 Lunch

Gaziantep – Istanbul Plane ticket (Economy class Luggage 15 Kg + 8 Kg hand luggage)

All tours as per itinerary

Entrance fees as per itinerary

Van Lake Boat trip visit Akdamar Church

Sira Gecesi in Urfa (Dinner with local life music)

Professional licensed tour guide with English speaking and knowledge of the area well

Private Transfers air-conditioned minibus or Midibus, non-smoking, with an experienced driver

Highway - parking fee

Hotel VAT and city taxes

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Personal Expenses

Meals other than specified

Beverages During the Lunch and Dinners

Tip for Guide and Driver


Cancellation Policy  
- For cancellations made 30 days before the tour, 100% refund. ( Except for the % 15 Service Charge, Flight ticket, mandatory expenses, and Bank Commission,)
- For cancellations made 29 - 15 days before the tour, 50% refund. (Except for the Bank Commission, and mandatory expenses )
- For cancellations made 14 – 11 days before the tour, 30% refund.
- No refunds will be made on reservations made 10 days before the tour. %100 Penalty is applied.

Remarks
- Travel health insurance is mandatory.
- Sample hotels are confirmed on the date of booking in case of availability. Otherwise,
  similar hotels are booked.  
- In the event of bad weather, time scarcity, traffic jams, and similar situations, the Guide may make changes to the tour program. 
- The locations given in the itinerary can be changed with other places if they are closed.  
- During the tours, you will be walking approximately 2 km every day on uneven and
   cobblestone surfaces, inclines, and steps. 
- You must wear comfortable clothing, flat walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. in summer months and raincoats, warm clothes, winter walking shoes, umbrella, etc. in winter.  
- The order of the sites visited may change to avoid crowds.  
- You will need your passport at check-in for all domestic flights.
- Domestic flights are economy class. Luggage limit 15 Kg.

Standart Package Hotels

Kars (1)            : Grand Ani Hotel 4*
Van (1)             : Ramada Hotel by Wyndham 4*
Tatvan (1)         : Taşar Royal Hotel 4*
Mardin (2)       : Mesopotamia Garden Hotel 4*
Adıyaman (1)   : White Star Hotel 4*
Şanlıurfa (1)     : VE Boutique Hotel
Gaziantep (1)   : Safir Hotel 4*
Istanbul (1)      : Grand Yavuz Hotel 4*

Note: Sample hotels are confirmed on the booking date in case of availability. Otherwise, reservations are made in similar hotels.


Kars
Ani Ruins
Doğubeyazit
Ishakpasha Palace
Van
Tushpa Castel
Van Lake
Akdamar Church
Ahlat
Tatvan
Bitlis
Hasankeyf
Midyat
Dara Ruins
Mardin
Diyarbakir
Arsamiea
Cendere Bridge
Karakus Tumulus
Mount Nemrut
Adiyaman
Halfeti
Sanliurfa
Göbeklitepe
Prophet Abraham Lake
Gaziantep
Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Istanbul

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Tour Code
EN-104
Tour Name
Stars of the East Ani, Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut - 10 Days/9 Nights
Departure Point
Kars
Start Date
End Date
Number of Rooms
Information
  • Tour Code : EN-104
  • Duration : 10 Days
  • Start : Kars
  • End : İstanbul, Türkiye
  • Tour Season : 15 April - 31 October
  • Transfer : Vehicle
  • Distance : 1600 Km
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