Explore Eastern Turkey

The nature in Turkey is a humanized landscape inseparable from its culture. Istanbul is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe. Considered as a leading metropolis in the world, for culture, arts, history, trade and business. The Southeastern Anatolian region, with its very rich history and cultural heritage as shown in its magnificent historical sites, is well worth visiting. Its history begins around 7,000 BC. in the new stone age between 2,000 B.C. and 1,500 B.C.. by the Hurris who were to be followed by Hittites sometime around 1,200 B.C. Nemrut Dagi (Mt.Nemrut) is the first impressive peak rising from a flat plain in Northern Mesopotamia and stretches to a height of 2150m. It is unrivalled in its historical treasures. The original peak' was removed and in its place was constructed the Tumulus of Antiochos I, one of the kings of Comma-gene in the first century B.C.

Itinerary : 10 days

Day 1 : Istanbul
Meet the group at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 2 : Erzurum – Kars (220km) In the morning , transfer to the airport and fly to Erzurum the largest city in eastern Anatolia, sprawls on a high plateau at an altitude of 1,950 meters was built as Theodosiopolis by the Byzantine. We visit Yakudiye Medrese built by Ilhan Olcayto and a Mongalian governor in the 14th century, significant for its outer decoration and stonework. We continue our tour in the city to visit Grand Mosque (Ulu mosque) which was built by Alaaddin Keyhusrev with seven naves and two domes. We also see Cifte minareli Medrese which was started during Alaadin Keykubat period and finished after his dead. After visiting we drive to Kars at an altitude of 1755m. Kars was under Russian rule between 1878 and 1917 and some urban planning was done in the city at that time. Therefore resembles typical Russian city. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 : Kars – Ani – Dogubeyazit (200 km) In the morning we will visit the museum of Kars exhibit some antiquity example of Bronze times, some ceramic example of Seljuk times etc. we explore the town dominated by a medieval fortress built in 1152. It was the scene of bitter fighting during and after WW1 and is still an active military base. We journey south-east this morning towards the border with Armenia, en route we will visit the aptly named Satan’s Castle and Ardanuc Citadel both remained of the time when this land belonged to Georgia. Our main objective in coming is to visit the fascinating old site of Ani. Once a wealthy rival of Kars but now a ’’Ghost town’’ , Ani lies close to a great ravine which demarcates the border. Destroyed by the Mongol orders in 1239, within the city walls are the remnant of churches, a convent and citadel. Ruined 1000 years-old churches contain remarkable wall paintings and sculptured decorations representing some of the finest ecclesiastical architecture of the 9th and 10th centuries. Late afternoon drive to Dogubeyazıt (about 2h ) that is close to the Iranian border and famous with Ishakpasa Palace. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Dogubeyazit – Van (180 km)
In the Morning we will visit Ishakpasa Palace 6 km. from Dogubeyazıt. Ishak Pasa , Ottoman governor Ishakpasa constructed the palace in 17th century with a mixture of architectural styles. The palace was made by using red clay stones and it resembles the Topkapi and Edirne Palace. We start our journey to Van (about 1.5h) En route we stop to see Muradiye Selalesi (Waterfalls), Then arrive to Van is one the most important cities of the old Vaspurakan region. It is located on the east coast of Van lake and its ancient name is Tooshpa; the Urartian capital of Tuspa. Van Lake is the largest lake in Turkey . Overnight at hotel

Day 5 : Van – Akdamar – Bitlis (170 km)
In the morning we visit archeological museum that exhibit some example of Ottoman and Byzantine times. After the visit transfer by boat in to the lake of Van , with its deep blue water . The largest lake in Turkey and at an altitude of 1,720 m, is ringed by beautiful mountains . You can circle the lake , one kilometers south-west of Van , Akdamar Island (a half-hour sail from shore) is the most important of these. On the island stands the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross, Architect monk Manuel built the church between the years 915 and 921.Reliefs, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, daily life such as hunting, run along the exterior of the church. We take our bus and transfer to Bitlis has a rich, varied past in eastern Anatolia. Bitlis was under the domination of the Assyrians until the 7th century BC and under the Meds until the 6th century BC. Later, after the formation of the Persian Kingdom, Darius II conquered the province. Until the seventh century, it was governed by autonomous princes under Byzantine rule. It was eventually conquered by the Turks. Overnight hotel.

Day 6 : Bitlis – Diyarbakir (210 km) In the morning visit the Mosque Built by Ebu'I Muzaffer Muhammed in 1130, this mosque is one of the oldest examples of Turkish architecture in Anatolia. The symmetrical plan that is first seen in this mosque, the dome in front of the mihrap (prayer niche) and sturdy masonry are the signs of the progress to be made in the future Turkish art forms. We drive to Diyarbakir known in ancient times as Amida, spreads across a basalt plateau close to the banks Dicle river. The black basalt triple walls which encircle the old town give the city a rather ominous appearance These ramparts, 5,5 km IM length, with 16 keeps and five gates. We will visit the Ulu Mosque , built by the Seljuk sultan Melik Shah, is notable for its original plan and for its utilization of Byzantine and more ancient architectural materials . The mihrap of the nearby Mesudiye Medrese is made of the local black basalt. The third century Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary which is still in use today. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Siverek – Kahta In the morning we drive direction of Siverek where we will embark on our ferry to pass through Ataturk barrage. We arrive to Kahta Afternoon we visit some monuments of the region. First we visit Karakus Tepesi is actually a 21 meter high monumental tumulus, located 49 km east of Adıyaman on a hill on the western side of the Kanto River. The name Karakus (Black Bird) comes from an eagle statue that stands on a 2.54-meter high column. Then we continue the visit Cendere bridge. This ancient bridge is located 55 km from Adıyaman and Northeast of Karakus Hill at the narrowest point of the Kahta River, one of the major tributaries of the Euphrates. This structure, constructed during the period of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus is built of 92 large stones and has a large and small arch. Overnight at hotel

Day 8 : Kahta – Mt. Nemrut – Gaziantep ( 150 km)
In the morning we drive to Nemrut dagi via visit some ruins of Kahta. Then we check into a simple near the summit of this remarkable Nemrut mountain is the most outstanding landmark of the region. Mt. Nemrut is the highest mountain of northern Mesopotamia, reaching a height of 2150 meters. On its summit there exist the tumulus of Antiochus I, constructed in the 1st century, is one of the king of Commagene kingdom and the fact that he had his own statue built, along status of Apollo, Fortuna, Hercules and Zeus, shows that he saw himself as a divinity. Also, gigantic toppled heads of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus from Greco-Persian style stone statues stand on the ground all of these date from same period. After visiting drive to Gaziantep, a bustling industrial centre, is the most populous city in southeast Turkey and one of the oldest inhabited places in Anatolia, dating back to around 4000 BC. The city, capital of the province with the same name, played an important role in the region, standing on the historic Silk Road that connected The Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, where the first civilisations were born. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 : Gaziantep – Istanbul
In the morning transfer to the airport and fly to Istanbul , is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe. Considered as a leading metropolis in the world, for culture, arts, history, trade and business. We start to visit Topkapi Palace is administrative palace of the Ottoman Dynasty, that rule on three continents for centuries. Amaze of buildings at the centre of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. We continue the visit St. Sophie now called Ayasofya Museum. It is really one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in 6th century. Its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. We pass to Sultanahmet mosque (Blue Mosque) is more familiarly known as Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent panelling of blue. It has 6 minarets and very nice cupolas. it was built by architect Mehmet between 1609 and 1616. We also visit Yerebatan Sarayı is the sixth century Byzantine cistern. Three hundred and thirty-five massive Corinthian columns support the immense chamber’s fine brick vaulting. Overnight at hotel

Day 10 : fly home
In the morning after breakfast transfer to the airport and fly home.

Season : May to October

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