Eastern Turkey
8 Days and 7 Nights

Description From Trabzon we will visit the Sumela Monestery following the Silk road towards Erzerum. Kars, Mt Arrarat, Edgir and Van. A spectacular glimps of eastern Turkey along the silk road through the Biblical and cultural areas of eastern Turkey.

TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1.   TRABZON
Arriving at Trabzon International Airport, transfers to hotel, dinner and brief information about the trip, and overnight stay in Trabzon.

Day 2. TRABZON,  
Depart for St. Sophia ( Ayasofya ), a 13th century church and study its extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, Castle and Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside retreat), visit Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town). Lunch at a seaside restaurant in Akçaabat. Afternoon we explore the cobbled stone streets of Trabzon. Drive to Boztepe; enjoy our tea from samovar with the panoramic view of the city. Dinner & overnight stay in Trabzon.

Day 3.  SUMELA MONASTERY, ZIGANA, KARACA CAVE, ERZURUM    
Depart for Sumela Monastery, visit the 4th century Sumela Monastery which clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, lunch, traveling along the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) will take us to Karaca Cave, considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its colors and formations. Drive to Erzurum via Bayburt. Dinner & overnight stay in Erzurum.

Day 4.  TORTUM, OSK-VANK, YUSUFELI, ISHAN, ERZURUM
Drive to Artvin, visit Georgian Church Osk-Vank and Tortum falls. RiverCoruh Valley will take us to Yusufeli and other Georgian Church Ishan. End of the day we'll be in Erzurum. Dinner and O/N in Erzurum.

Day 5. ERZURUM, KARS
Morning visit to Seljuk monuments; Ulu Mosque, Cifte Minareli Medrese, Yakutiye. Drive to Kars, visit Havariler Churchand Kars Castle, dinner and O/N in Kars.

Day 6. ANI, DOGUBEYAZIT
Morning tour to medieval Armenian capital of Ani, impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravanserais. Lunch en route drive to Dogubeyazit, passing by the eternally snow-covered Biblical Mt.Ararat. After arrive at Dogubeyazit we visit 2nd largest meteor falls of World and Noah's Ark at Mt. Ararat. Dinner and O/N in Dogubeyazit. 

Day 7. VAN
Morning visit to Ishak Pasha Palace .Departure for Van via Muradiye Fall, visiting the citadel of Van; the site of Tushba, capital of Urartians. Enjoying the scenery on Lake Van, excursion to the island of Ahtamarto visit the Holly Cross Church, famous for Old Testament reliefs on the outer wall. Dinner and overnight in Van.  

Day 8. CAVUSTEPE, VAN
Departure for Cavustepe and HosapCastle. Drive to Van, after visit city fortress and Van Museum arrive at Van Airport for a homebound flight, and say farewell...  

Tour Price Includes :
7 nights accommodations at 3 - 4 stars hotels,
Modern, spacious, air-conditioned, vehicle for land transportation.
Professional English speaking tour guide,
14 meals : 7 Breakfasts, and 7 dinners.
Parking, portage, tipping (except guide, driver), tolls
Admission fees to sights and museums

Tour Price Exludes :
Airfare of Int'l and domestic flights within our program itinerary,
Air and departure taxes,
Bottled beverages or alcohol,
Travel insurance ,
Visas, laundry, and personal items,

Accommodation:
Accomodations at 3 - 4 star hotels

PRICE
Per person in double room : Euro: 799.00 Per Person
Single Supplement : Euro: 180.00

Departure Date:
21 - 28 June 2012