From Mesopotamia to the Caucasus: A Unique 6-Day, 5-Night Tour of the East

* Accommodation: 4 Nights at Local Hotels + 1 Night on a Sleeper Train

* Transportation: Train Departure from Ankara – Return by Plane

* Route: Diyarbakır – Tatvan – Bitlis – Van – Ağrı – Doğubayazıt – Kars – Sarıkamış – Erzurum

Day-by-Day Tour Itinerary

We meet at Ankara Station and settle into our sleeper train. As we travel to the rhythm of the train tracks, accompanied by the unique scenery of snow-capped mountains, we sip our tea in our compartment and discover true peace.

Overnight on the sleeper train.

In the morning, we disembark from the train and meet our waiting vehicle. We begin the day by visiting the historic Diyarbakır Walls, Hevsel Gardens, and the Ten-Eyed Bridge. We then head toward Tatvan, on the shores of Lake Van, via Bitlis.

After soaking in the historic atmosphere of Bitlis, we head to Van. We take boats from Gevaş to Akdamar Island and visit the famous Akdamar Church. Following visits to Van Castle (Tuşpa) and the famous Van Cat House, we return to our hotel for the night.

We head north toward the majestic Mount Ararat. In Doğubayazıt, we explore the architectural marvel that is Ishak Pasha Palace. We then cross the Tendürek Mountains to reach Kars, a city bearing traces of Russian architecture.

We begin the day with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ani Ruins. We then experience the thrill of horse-drawn sleigh rides (seasonal) on Lake Çıldır and visit the Sarıkamış Martyrs’ Memorial, where we feel both sorrow and pride. In the evening, we enjoy our meal in Kars accompanied by the famous Caucasian Dance Show.

We depart from Kars and head to Erzurum. After visiting the Double Minaret Madrasa, the Three Tombs, and the Yakutiye Madrasa, we cap off our tour with the famous Cağ Kebab. We are transferred to the airport and fly back to Ankara.