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| DAYS |
9 days / 8 nights |
| DEPARTURE |
Cappadocia to Erzurum |
| HOLIDAY TYPE |
Moderate First Class Coach Tour |
| 2012 DEPARTURE DATES |
Wednesday - May 23; Jun 20; Jul 18; Aug 22; Sep 19; Oct 17
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| ITINERARY |
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| Day 1 |
Cappadocia - Kahta
Departure for Kahta, with an enroute visit to the 13th Century Seljukian caravanserai Karatayhan. After lunch drive to Kahramanmaras. Arrive in Kahta and check into the hotel, with the afternoon free to relax. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. (B,D)
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| Day 2 |
Kahta - Mt. Nemrut - Urfa
A 3 am (!) morning departure to climb up the mountain to watch the sunrise with the colossal statues of the kings and gods on Mount Nemrut. Drive back to Kahta through Arsemia, the Roman bridge of Cendere. After breakfast at Kahta continue on to Urfa to visit Harran and the pools with holy carp and trout at Balikli Gol. (B,D) |
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| Day 3 |
Urfa - Diyarbakir - Mardin
Drive to Diyarbakir (formerly called Amid). This city is renowned for its oriental atmosphere and is surrounded by the second largest and best preserved walls in the world - after the Great Wall of China. In the afternoon drive to Mardin. (B,D) |
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| Day 4 |
Mardin
Drive to Suryani Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery in the morning. Later return to Mardin for a walking tour which includes the Kadim Kirklar Monastery and the famous anthological and Ethnographical city museum. Dinner and overnight in Mardin. (B,D) |
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| Day 5 |
Mardin - Hasankeyf - Van
Visit Hasankeyf, a living testament to the multifaceted cultural foundations laid by the Arab, Seljuk, Mongolian and Ottoman races. Sadly, most of it will be lost under water when the dams in the region are completed. Dinner and overnight in Van. (B,D) |
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| Day 6 |
Van
Take a small boat ride to Akdamar Island on Lake Van to visit the Akdamar Church. This church has one of the most complete scene collections of the Old Testament carved on the facade of the church. In the afternoon take a tour of Van, including a climb up the the Urartian Fortress. Dinner and overnight in Van. (B,D) |
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| Day 7 |
Van - Mt Ararat - Dogubeyazit
Depart for Dogubeyazit, enroute admire the beauty of Mt Ararat where Noah's Ark was said to have landed after the flood. Continue to the Ishak Pasa Palace - one of the oldest and most complete palace complexes in the world - which dates back to 1100 AD. Dinner and overnight in Dogubeyazit. (B,D) |
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| Day 8 |
Dogubeyazit - Ani - Kars - Erzurum
Today proceed further East to the Armenian Border to see the famous ancient Armenian city of Ani. The city was established as an Armenian capital and continued as a prosperous trading city under the Byzantine and Seljuks. In the afternoon drive to Erzurum. (B,D) |
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| Day 9 |
Erzurum departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir or Istanbul (Flight not included). (B)
NOTE: possibility to link with a Western Turkey tour or do the Black Sea Extension below at the end of this tour. |
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| HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS |
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Daily breakfast and 8 dinners
- Air conditioned transport
- Professional guides
- Sightseeing and entrance fees.
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| BLACK SEA EXTENSION |
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| Thursday |
Erzurum - Trabzon
Morning visit of the Seljukian Caravansary in Erzurum. Then a scenic drive to Trabzon on the shore of the Black Sea. Overnight in Trabzon. (B,D) |
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| Friday |
Trabzon
Discover the rich heritage of Trabzon. Visit the 4th century Sumela Monastery, the extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes of Ayasofya Church, visit Ataturk's Mansionon Soguksu Hill and finish with a visit to Trabzon Castle. (B,D) |
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| Saturday |
Trabzon departure
After breakfast transfer to Trabzon airport. (B) |
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