EASTERN TURKEY TOUR 2 WEEKS

Departure to Amasya. On the way, visit the open-air rock pantheon of Yazilikaya, featuring its fine reliefs of Hittite deities and rulers, and Bogazkale, the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusas. You will see the ancient city wall constructed nearly 3,400 years ago and the ruins of the Great Temple of the Storm God, the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, and the Great Fortress. Continue on to Amasya, the one-time capital of the Pontic Empire, a lovely little town nestled in a narrow mountain valley formed by the Green River. Some of the most striking features of Amasya are the tombs of the Kings of Pontus carved into the high cliffs surrounding the town. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Amasya.

Today you will travel from Amasya to Trabzon, following the Black Sea coastline road with magnificent vistas of pine forests, plantations of tea, and hazelnuts via Ordu (ancient Cotyora) and Giresun (ancient Cerasus). Trabzon is an ancient Black Sea port with a recorded history dating back to the 8th century B.C. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Trabzon.

Visit Trabzon, including the Hagia Sophia Museum (a 13th-century Byzantine Church with beautiful frescoes), Fatih Mosque (the ancient church of Panagia Chrysocephalos), and the Church of St. Anna. p.m: Excursion to the Monastery of Sumela, built at an altitude of circa 1,200m and carved into a cliff face on the Black Sea Mountains. Return to the hotel in Trabzon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Departure to Erzurum, crossing the Pontic Alps. This is a very beautiful drive, following various rivers and mountain passes throughout the route. Erzurum is one of the largest metropolises in eastern Turkey. Despite its size, the local people maintain quite a conservative outlook. While in Erzurum, you will visit outstanding Seljuk Turk monuments: the Cifte Minare Medrese and Yakutiye. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Erzurum.

An early morning departure to Dogubeyazit via Kars. On the way, take an excursion to the medieval Armenian city of Ani, which lies mostly in ruins. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the remnants of numerous churches, mosques, and caravanserais. Then proceed to Dogubeyazit, passing by the Biblical Mount Ararat. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Dogubeyazit.

You will visit the Ishak Pasa Palace, a complex formed by the combination of a mosque, a fortress, and an imperial palace. Then, departure to Van. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Van.

Excursion to the Cavustepe Fortress of the Urartian Civilization. Then, take a short ferry ride to Akdamar Island in Lake Van. Visit the 10th-century Armenian church called the Church of the Holy Cross. The outside walls of the church are decorated with relief art depicting various tales from the Bible. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Van.

Departure to Diyarbakir, located on the Tigris River and famous for its black basalt city walls. Visit the Great Mosque, the old town center, and its colorful markets. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Diyarbakir.

Departure for Mardin, a very unique city with lovely old Arabic-style stone houses, which played an important role in the early development of Christianity. You will also visit the Monastery of Deyr-az-Zaferan just outside of town, founded in 762 A.D. It served as the official seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for almost 800 years. This monastery is built on top of a 4,000-year-old temple once used by sun worshippers. You will also observe the monks in this extraordinary place. Departure to Urfa, the historic birthplace of the prophet Abraham. Visit of Urfa. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Urfa.

In the morning, enjoy an excursion to Harran Village. Then, departure to Nemrut Dag. You will take mini-buses to drive up the mountain. Enjoy the sunset over the toppled heads of colossal stone statues of Gods, erected 2,000 years ago for the gigantic sanctuary of King Antiochus I of Commagene. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel on Nemrut Dag.

Departure to Cappadocia. On the way, enjoy a brief visit of Kayseri. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Cappadocia.

Visit the rock-carved churches in the Goreme Valley, the fairy chimneys at Zelve Valley, the ancient underground city of Ozkonak, and the pottery-making village of Avanos. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Cappadocia.

Departure to Ankara via the Salt Lake road. Visit the Roman Baths, Ataturk's Mausoleum, and the world-famous Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Ankara.

After the breakfast at hotel, transfer to Ankara Airport.