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Day 1: Join tour in Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul and check out our hotel.
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Day 2: Istanbul and fly to Trabzon
This morning we explore some of Istanbul's many attractions on a guided walking tour. Istanbul was known until the First World War as Constantinople, the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and nearly all of the city's main sites of historic interest are in Old Stamboul. Return visitors to Istanbul will find much to interest them beyond the better known sights of the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and Topkapi Palace; Istanbul is a city you simply can't visit too often This afternoon we take a flight to Trabzon. (B)
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Day 3: In Trabzon, drive to Erzurum
Trabzon serves as Turkey's largest Black Sea port and has been a major trading route since a settlement was first founded here in 746 BC. Should time allow we will visit the Aya Sofya Muzesi and Ataturks former residence. Later we drive to Erzurum, stopping en-route to visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery at Sumela, which is precariously situated, on a sheer rock face in the Altindere national Park. Founded in 1386 by two Athenian monks. Over the years bequests enriched the monastery and it became a place of pilgrimage. It took on its current appearance in the 19th Century; the last monks left in 1916. After our visit we continue to Erzurum. (B)
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Day 4: In Erzurum, drive to Kars
Erzurum is a conservative town and one of the largest settlements in eastern Turkey, yet the centre is compact enough to allow us to explore the major monuments on foot. We visit the elaborately decorated Twin Minaret Madrese (formerly a Koran School), the Three Tombs and enjoy panoramic views from the Citadel, where the town gives way to the windswept plains beyond. In the afternoon we board our charter bus for the drive further east to Kars. (B)
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Day 5: Visit Ani, drive to Dogubeyazit
Today we visit the ruined Armenian town of Ani, 35 miles from Kars. Located on a dramatic ravine, right on the Armenian/Turkish boarder, the once wealthy city is now an abandoned ghost town since its destruction by the Mongol hordes in 1239, though parts of the citadel and the convent still remain. However, its many ruined churches still retain some of their remarkable decoration and wall paintings. The basic design of Ani's Armenian churches became the architectural blueprint for churches all over Western Europe during the following centuries. On a clear day it is possible to see Mount Arart, the legendary resting place of Noah's Ark, as we drive to Dogubeyazit. (B)
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Day 6: Drive to Van
One of the great highlights of our journey is the Isak Pasha Palace; a fusion of architectural styles and one of the strangest and most exotic buildings in Turkey. Built in the 18th century, this vast and dramatic fortress guarded the ancient trade routes and its occupants grew rich on the spils. However, no comfort was spared the caravans who passed thrugh and though now in ruins, the opulence of the decoration and the facilities are still resplendent to this day. In the afternoon we cross the mountains stopping to see the dramatic Kurdish fortress at hosap and Cuvustepe, built in the 8th century BC and once the home of the kings of Urartu, before reaching the lakesid town of Van. (B)
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Day 7: In Van; visit Akdamar Island
This morning we take a boat trip across Lake Van. Fringed by mountains reaching over 4000m in height, this the largest lake in Turkey and the largest saline lake in the world. Although its alkaline waters are denser than seawater, it still supports several species of fish. We visit Akdamar Island, with its 10th century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, before returning to Van town. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. (B)
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Day 8: Drive via Hasankeyf to Mardin
Our drive today skirts the southern shores of Lake Van as we head westwards via Tatvan and Batman to Hasenkeyf, the ancient town threatened by the construction of the Ilisu Dam. Mane sites of archeological interst will be drowned ny the rising waters of the Tigris, as well as numerous villages. Continuing southwards we reach mardin and check into our hotel. (B)
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Day 9: In Mardin. Visit Saffron Monastery
We enjoy a morning in Mardin, exploring the authentic bazaars and handsome stone architecture of the old town. From the citadel there's a fine view over the rooftops and minarets of Mardin to the plains of Mesopotamia stretching off to the south. Later we drive a short distance to Dar-ez-Zaferan (the Saffron Monastery), as important Syrian Orthodox monastery dating back to the 5th century. Most of Mardin's Christian population has dispersed over recent years, but despite this the monastery fields and orchards are still carefully tended and the chapel continues to hold a daily service in Aramaic, the language of Christ. (B)
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Day 10: Drive to Sanliurfa (Urfa) via Gobekll Tepe
Today we drive westwards to Urfa, the birthplace of Abraham. En route we will stop at Gobekli Tepe, one of the oldest place of worship ever discovered dating back to the 10th millennium BC. Some people believe that it is the site of the original garden of Eden and the origin of religion. Gobekli tepe is so old that it predates settled human life. It is pre-pottery, pre-writing, pre-everything. Gobekli hails from a part of human history that is unimaginably distant, right back in our hunter-gatherer past. After a visit to this amazing and important site we arrive at Urfa and visit the old town to enjoy the heady atmosphere of its covered bazaar, one of the best in Turkey. Urfa was an important staging post on the ancient trade routes between Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Mediterranean coast beyond. The city remains an important centre for Christian and Muslim pilgrims alike. 2 nights hotel H+ (included meals: B).
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Day 11: Visit Harran
This morning we visit the curious beehive village of Harran, one of the oldest settlements in the world and reputed to have been the home of Abraham. The unique design of the beehive houses allows them to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Looking at the dusty settlement today it is difficult to believe that Harran was a major economic, religious and cultural centre even as far back as 2000 yrs BCE. Our visit allows us to get a feel for life in this remote corner of the Middle East. The remainder of the day is free for personal exploration. (B)
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Day 12: Drive via Karakus to Nemrut Dagi
We drive via Karakus to Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut). Nemrut Dagi is one of the "must sees" of eastern Turkey. We plan to visit the summit at sunset, when the rockscape below is cast into shadow and the cast stone heads littering the summit are bathed in golden light. These remains are part of the great temple mausoleum Antiochus I crafted in the 1st century BC. Though he wanted time to be worshipped as a god in his own lifetime, Antioshus' ambitions were to be twarted by the arrival of the Romans into Anatolia, who smashed the temple to the ruins we see today. We return at dusk to our hotel, located close to the sumit. (B)
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Day 13: Walks in Nemrut Dagi area
Today we take time to explore this striking region on foot and we include a visit to the ancient Commagene capital of Arsamei. The site have many ineteresting stone reliefs including one featuring the god Hercules shaking hands with the founder of Cammagene. (B)
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Day 14: Drive to Diyarbakir
A short drive brings us to Diyarbakir, located on the Tigris River. This is predominantly a Kurdish city and has a unique cultural mix. Diyarbakir's impressive city walls date back to Roman times and completely encircle the old city. Upon arrival we take a walking tour to admire the ramparts and explore the maze of narrow streets, bustling bazaars and the weatlh of historic buildings which comprise the old town. (B)
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Day 15: Fly to Istanbul.
A short flight back to Istanbul concludes the tour. (B)