Day 1 – To Istanbul: Fly from London
Heathrow to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Stay
at Alkoclar Keban Hotel for 1 night. (N)
Day 2 – To Van: Morning transfer to the airport
and fly to Van with Turkish Airlines. Afternoon
visits to Van Castle, Van Evi, the archaeology
and ethnography museum, and the ruined
Urartian fortress of Cavustepe. Stay 1 night at
the Merit Sahmaran. (B, D)
Day 3 – To Dogubeyazit: Morning visit to
Akdamar, located on an island in Lake Van.
Visit the 10th-century Armenian church,
which has ornate carvings depicting biblical stories on its exterior walls. Drive to
Dogubeyazit, stopping en route to view the
Muradiye waterfall. Stay overnight at the
Simer Hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 – To Kars: Morning visit to Ishak Pasha
Palace. Built on the side of a mountain with
views of Mount Ararat, it offers a glimpse into
the lifestyle of an Ottoman governor. Drive
from Dogubeyazit to Kars with a visit en route
to Ani. Once a rival of Constantinople and
Cairo, with a population of more than 100,000
inhabitants, Ani is now a ruined and desolate
city. See the cathedral, the Church of the Holy
Redeemer and the city walls. Stay at the Simer
Hotel for 1 night. (B, D)
Day 5 – To Erzurum: Morning tour of Kars
Castle, the Church of the Holy Apostles
and the archaeological museum. Drive to
Erzurum through the region’s tea plantations.
Afternoon tour of Erzurum to view the Twin
Minarets Madrasa, the Three Tombs burial site,
Yakutiye Madrasa and the Grand Mosque. Stay
overnight at the Dedeman Hotel. (B, D)
Day 6 – To Trabzon: Drive to Trabzon, stopping
at the Sumela monastery complex en route
to see its frescoes. The monastery is situated on a mountain plateau and offers panoramic
views of the nearby pine forests and valleys.
Afternoon visits to St Sophia Church and the
summerhouse of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the
founder of the Turkish Republic in Trabzon. Stay
at the Zorlu Grand Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 7 – To London: Early morning transfer to
the airport for a flight to London Heathrow,
via Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines. (B)
Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best
available accommodation and transport.
However, outside Istanbul the services should
be regarded as basic, but comfortable. The
tour involves some long drives and walking
over uneven terrain.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
