Eastern Turkey 15 days

Excursion in Ankara, Trabzon, Erzurum, Urfa, Adıyaman, Cappadocia

Tour Price : $175 Duration : 12 hours Languages: Turkish, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, German

Day 1  
We will meet at the Ankara airport and drive to the down town which is 28 km. from the airport. In Ankara according to your arrival time and interests we can visit the castle, the old horse market then of course the Anatolian Civilisations Museum. This museum is very important to understand the characters of the old civilisations who passed through Asia Minor. Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic ages in Anatolia, Hattis, Hittites and Phrygians will be our main topics to talk about in this museum. Our next stop will be the Mausoleum of Ataturk who was the founder of the New Turkish Republic. In this magnificent Mausoleum we will also see Ataturk's personal costumes, pictures, cars and representation of the wars Ataturk conducted etc. and understand the recent history of Turkey. Lunch will be at your leisure in Bahcelievler area in the 7th Boulevard, about 15 minutes vwalking distance from the Mausoleum. There are many Cafes, Bars, Fast Food, Salad Bars etc.
In Ankara we may also visit the Julian column, the Augustus Temple, the Roman Baths etc. The residential areas, Karum Shopping Mall, the Atakule Tower remain at the New Part of Ankara. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. In Ankara there are hotels like Hilton, Sheraton, Dedeman etc. We can stay in a nice charming hotel in Tandogan Area again close to the Mausoleum if we don't want to spend so much money for the hotels.
Day 2.
Today we will drive to Hattusas. The capital of the old Hittite Empire. There is so much to say in this magnificent ancient city. We will talk about Hittites who were one of the famous megalithic civilisations in the world. You will be able to see the stone workman ship which is so extraordinary. I will explain you all this. In Hattusa we will see the main temple and the city walls. While driving along the city walls we will make three stops First one at the Lion's gate, Next one at the Ground Gate also called Tunnel Gate ( a magnificent tunnel of 70 meters long ) we will see the King's gate and finally I will take you to the area to show you the dubels by means of which a suspended bridge was carried in the old days about 3500 years ago. Just imagine! We will talk about the daily life and the beliefs of Hittites. Then I will take you to Yazilikaya Open Air Temple about 3 km. from Hattusa. In that impressive holy place you will be able to admire the beautiful God and King reliefs. Our next stop will be Alacahoyuk a place which was inhabited by Hattis and lately by Hittites. The prince tombs in here will be our main topic to talk about. Lunch Free. If you like I can take you to a nearby restaurant. In the Afternoon we will proceed to Amasya. A beautiful town situated along the sides of Yesilirmak (Green river). In this town we will visit along with the beautiful Ottoman monuments, the rock dug tombs of Pontus Kings. Dinner and overnight in Amasya.
Day 3.
Today we will proceed towards the Black Sea Cost. Our first visit will be Samsun. After Samsun we will drive to Ordu. Then visit Jason's Place. Jason was the leader of Argonauts of the ancient Greek Mythology, all they wanted was to get to the dark Kolkhis land to get the golden skin of the flying goat. We will have lunch there then visit a church nearby so called Jason's, before we proceed to Piraziz which is 2 hours driving distance from Trabzon. We will stay in Piraziz in a nice charming hotel by the sea.
Day 4.
We will start early today to visit Giresun. The ancient Kerason. After the visit of the Castle we will drive to Trabzon. Lunch in downtown Trabzon. Visit the Church of Ayasofya decorated with beautiful frescoes. Ataturk's House on the hills. The Mosque Gulbahar Hatun Camii. I think you will probably ask me to take you back to the restaurant where you had your lunch today. Because their food was so delicious. After dinner we will take a stroll in town before we go to sleep. There are several nice hotels.

We will choose one according to your wishes. London Palas is a nice small hotel not too far from the down town for instance.
Day 5.
Today we will visit the Famous Sumela Monastry. Sumela is a monastery loacated in the Rocky Black Sea Mountains covered with forests. Lunch can be provided at Sumela Monastry or we can picnic today. Our next destination is Uzun gol a magnificent village near Rize by a beautiful like lake which reflects the image of the village like a mirror. Dinner and overnight in Rize.
Day 6.
Today we will visit Rize, Drink the famous Rize tea on the top of a high hill where the Turkish State grows different herbs to make tea. Our next visit is Ayder High Plateau where it will be possible to go in the hotsprings. Dinner and overnight in Ayder.
Day 7.
Proceed to Artvin. A city located near the border of Georgia. Our next visit will be the castle of Dewil by the Georgian border. Kars and the ruins of Ani will be next. Ani is an old Armenian village located by the Georgian border. We need to take a permission from the local authorities in Kars, before we visit this abandoned town. In Ani we will visit the ancient Churches from the Medioval times. Some are very impressive. Dinner and overnight in Kars.
Day 8.
Today we will drive toErzurum. Yakutiye Complex, Twin Minaret School, built in the 1253 by the Seljukian Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad II. proceed to Ulu Cami located nearby. Lunch in Erzurum in a local traditional restaurant. Proceed to Dogubeyazit driving by the famous Ararat Mountain. We will visit the meteorite hole very near the Iranian border and the place called Noah's Arch on the slopes of the Ararat Mountain. Dinner and overnight at Simer Hotel or any other.
Day 9.
Today we will visit the Ishakpasa Palace built on the slopes of Ararat Mountain in 17th century by the Ottoman governor Ishak Pasha. In the afternoon we will proceed to Muradiye waterfalls. Orientation tour in Van and visit of the castle. Dinner in a local restaruant and overnight in Akdamar Hotel or another one.
Day 10.
Departure for theAkdamar Island situated in Van Lake. We will drive about one hour then reach the pier from which we will embark the boat. We will navigate about 30 minutes in Van lake to get to the Island where we will have a chance to swim and visit the well preserved church of Akdamar decorated with beautiful reliefs. After we get back to our minivan we will drive to Tatvan. Have lunch on the road. Before we get to Diyarbakir we will see and Ottoman bridge on our way. (Malabadi Bridge.) and proceed to Urfa. Dinner and overnight in Urfa Pasa Konagi.
Day 11.
Orientation tour in Urfa. Visit of Holy Carp Pool, Cave of Abraham (where the prophet Abraham was born), Tunnel and the castle. Lunch in Urfa visit the old traditional bazaar of Urfa. Afternoon visit to Prophet Eyup's place in the suburbs of Urfa where he suffered longtime. Next visit will be the famous preshistoric site of Gobeklitepe. Dinner and overnight in Urfa Pasa Konagi.
Day 12.
Today we will continue to Adiyaman via Ataturk Dam. Located on the Euphrates river. Then we will visit Arsamea. The cendere bridge and karakus. then start climbing the mountain. Dinner and overnight can be done in Kervansaray Hotel 30 minutes drive from the top of the Nemrud Mountain.
Day 13.
Visit Nemrud, the tumulus of the king Anthiochus of the Kommagene kingdom. Lunch on the road. Visit Karatepe near Aslantas Dam in Osmaniye. dinner on the sight. Overnight near the dam at a government guesthouse.
Day 14.
Today we will start driving back to Istanbul on our way we will overnight in a Cappadocian village in the house of a family in Uchisar. If you are not too tired I will take you to a hike between the valleys of Uchisar and Goreme and even show you my old house which I am restoring to make a cave hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 15.
Drive back to Istanbul. 700 km. Lunch and Dinners will be taken on the road side restaurants.

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