Day 1 – To Trabzon: Fly from London
Heathrow to Trabzon, via Istanbul, with
Turkish Airlines. Transfer to the Zorlu Grand
Hotel for 2 nights. (D)
Day 2 – Trabzon: Morning visit to the
impressive Byzantine Church of St Sophia,
where the internal frescoes are some of the
finest in Turkey. Continue to the eighthcentury
St Anne’s Basilica and the Trabzon
citadel monuments. Afternoon visit to the
summerhouse of Musfa Kemal Ataturk,
founder of the Turkish Republic. (B)
Day 3 – To Erzurum: Drive to Erzurum, with
a stop to explore the sixth-century cliff -side
Sumela monastery complex and its unique
frescoes. The monastery is situated on the
plateau of a mountain and has panoramic
views of the nearby pine forests and valleys.
The rock church here contains remarkable
fresoes depicting biblical scenes. Afternoon
drive up Pontic Mountain towards Zigana
Pass, though which Xenophon’s 10,000
marched. Stay overnight at the Dedeman
Hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 – To Kars: Morning tour of Erzurum
to view the twin minarets madrassa, the Three
Tombs burial site, Yakutiye madrassa and the
Grand Mosque. Drive to Kars through the
region’s tea plantations. Visit Kars castle and
the Church of the Holy Apostles, then make
a special visit to the archaeological museum,
with its impressive display of rugs and carpets.
Here, you will meet with the curator. Stay 1
night at the Simer Hotel. (B, D)
Day 5 – To Dogubeyazit: Morning visit to
Ani, ancient Armenian capital of ‘a thousand
churches’. Once a rival of Constantinople
and Cairo, with a population of more than
100,000 inhabitants, it is now a ruined and
desolate city. See the cathedral, the Church of
the Holy Redeemer and the city walls. Drive
to Dogubeyazit with a stop at the Ishak Pasha Palace and mosque. Built on the side of a
mountain with views of Mount Ararat, it offers
a glimpse into the lifestyle of an Ottoman
governor. Stay 1 night at the Simer Hotel. (B, D)
Day 6 – To Van: Drive to Van with a stop to
view the Muradiye waterfall. Afternoon visits
to Van Castle and Van Evi, then meet the
curator of the Archaeology and Ethnography
Museum. The museum contains many
impressive artifacts, including fine gold and
jewellery. Continue to the ruined Urartian
fortress of Cavustepe for a special lecture on
Urartian civilisation from Mehmet Mustepe,
the only person in the world who reads
Urartian letters. Stay 1 night at the Elite
World Hotel. (B, D)
Day 7 – To London: Morning visit to
Akdamar, located on an island on Lake Van.
Visit the 10th-century Armenian church
with ornate bas-relief carvings and friezes
depicting biblical scenes on its exterior walls. The frescoes that adorn the interior walls and
cupola are remarkable. Afternoon transfer to
the airport for a flight to London, via Istanbul,
with Turkish Airlines. (B)
Accommodation: This tour features the best
available accommodation and transport, which
should be regarded as basic and comfortable.
Accessibility: The tour involves some long
drives and walking over uneven terrain.
Extensions: If you wish to extend your stay in
Istanbul to visit some of its wonderful sites,
including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace
and Hagia Sofia, please contact us for details.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
