East-Turkey, Land of Legends

DAY 1: TRABZON
Flight to Trabzon. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon

DAY 2: TRABZON
Visit of the Sumela monastery in the Pontic Mountains. The monastic sanctuary is sticking to a rock, like an eagle's nest, impregnable. A short walk takes us up to the ruins of the monastery, which is decorated with frescoes. Back in Trabzon we will visit the city walls of ancient Trebizond, the Byzantine church of St. Sophia and enjoy the view from Ataturk's art nouveau mansion. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.

DAY 3: TRABZON – ARTVIN
The hillsides of the Black See area are full of tea plantations. When we get to Rize, we will try the delicious tea and get information about tea plantations. Continue through the rugged Firtina Valley to the village Camlihemsin. We have an optional 1 hour hike through hilly woodlands with Alp Houses and streams to the ruins of Zilkalecastle. There we have regional specialties like corn bread and fish for lunch. Next, the route takes us along the coast and vast tea plantations. Near the border to Georgia, we will cross the Pontic Mountains to Artvin. Dinner and overnight in Artvin.

DAY 4: ARTVIN – KARS
Early this morning we will drive to Yusufeli. With mini-buses we continue up to the Dörtlükilise church. Then we will drive to Kars. Dinner and overnight in Kars.

DAY 5: KARS – DOGUBEYAZIT
In Kars, we dedicate ourselves to the Russian architecture from the occupation period. Ani, now on the border with Armenia, was once the capital of the Armenian kingdom. We see churches from the 9th - 12 Centuries, with well-preserved frescoes. Continuation to Dogubeyazit. Dinner and overnight in Dogubeyazit.

DAY 6: DOGUBEYAZIT – VAN
Flat roofed houses made of clay are typical in the settlements of the border region. From the magnificent Ishak Pasa Palace, which took its present form in the 18. Century, we look over the highlands. With luck we will see the snow-covered peak of Mount Ararat (5165 meters), where apparently the Ark of Noah's came to a rest. Next, the trip goes to the shores of Lake Van. It ows its deep turquoise color to the high level of sodium carbonate. To come closer to the culture of Urartians, we have to get up to the castle hill of Tusba in the city of Van. Dinner and overnight in Van.

DAY 7: VAN - TATVAN
The morning is devoted to the Urartian fortress Cavustepe. After a short boat ride we reach the monastery church Achtamar on the island of Lake Van. The reliefs of the most important Armenian religious architecture relate episodes from the biblical story. Dinner and overnight in Tatvan.

DAY 8: TATVAN – MARDIN
We pass by some old caravanserai along the former Silk Road. In the medieval town of Hasankeyf some rock-dwellings, a beautiful mosque and a castle at the Tigris River, attract our special interest. The dam-construction, which will flood Hasankeyf, is still a subject of discussion. We will drive over Midyat in the Tur-Abgin Mountains, the “Moutain of the Servant’s of God” to Mardin. In Midyat we will visit the Jacobean Monastery Mor Gabriel. Another aspect of interest are the bright, flat, stone roofed houses of Mardin, which line up along the steep hillslope. Dinner and overnight in Mardin

DAY 9: MARDIN – SANLIURFA
This morning, you’ll have some time to stroll through the picturesque streets of Mardin, before we continue our drive to Urfa. Around noon we reach the city of Sanliurfa, city of Prophets. Drive to Harran, a border town to Syria. Here Abraham lived for some years. Traditional mud brick "beehive"adobe houses, which are pleasent and cool inside, are a typical Picture. Back in Sanliurfa, we will visit the Halil-ul-Rahman Mosque, with the Grotto of the Nativity and the corp pond of Ayn Zaliha. Dinner and overnight in Urfa.

DAY 10: SANLIURFA - NEMRUT
Today brings us to the Euphrates Dam, the largest construction project in Turkey, which is as high as the Cheops pyramid. With mini-buses we drive to the Nemrud Dag and walk (uphill approx 30 min) to the Western- and Eastern-terraces of the tomb of Antiochus I. Today continues to Arsameia, where we will see colossal relief panels and a mysterious rock tunnel of the Kingdom of Commagene, on to the Karakus tumulus with the Eagle column. The journey continues over the Cenderebridge from Roman times to Kahta. Dinner and overnight in Kahta.

DAY 11: ADIYAMAN - ANTAKYA
Drive to Antakya, the ancient Antioch on the Orontes. Famous is the Mosaic Museum and the astonishing vitality of the presentations. With a visit to the Grotto Church, the Acts of the Apostles become vitality too. Peter is said to have spoken here. Then visit and talk in a Christian community (Roman - Catholic. Or Arab-Orthodox) in the old city of Antakya. Dinner and overnight in Antakya.

DAY 12: ANTAKYA – CAPPADOCIA
Continuing on via Adana to Tarsus, the birthplace of Paul. Here we visit the Pauline fountain with Cleopatra Gate. Then we will cross through the Cilician Gates to Cappadocia. These Gates form the main pass through the Taurus Mountains, in antiquity a highly important connection to Syria and Mesopotamia.Three nights in Cappadocia.

DAY 13: CAPPADOCIA
Full day sightseeing in Cappadocia. Visit of Goreme Open Air Museum with the cave churches (UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site). Exploration-trip in the area with photo breaks in charming valleys, ride to the Red Valley. Here awaits us next Dovecotes and cave churches a fascinating landscape. Approx. 1 ½ hour hike.

DAY 14: CAPPADOCIA
Visit Derinkuyu, the largest underground city in the region. Photo breaks in charming landscape are gracing this day. Visit a traditional carpet weaving facility. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 15: DEPARTURE
Drive to Kayseri. Kayseri flight back home with Turkish Airlines.

The price includes
* International flights
* Taxes and service charges for the flights
* Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
* All Transportation by airconditioned vehicle
* Professional english speaking guide
* Welcomecocktail
* All entrance fees
* 14 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner