Day
1
Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive to Istanbul. Meet at the Istanbul Airport and transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day
2
Istanbul: City Tour
Depart from the hotel to visit historical highlights of Istanbul including the Hippodrome where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period. And the Blue Mosque which is a 17th-century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles, next visit is the Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman Sultans housing the richness of 700 years with its treasury section that includes the crown jewels and a unique collection of Chinese porcelains. Afternoon visit starting at St. Sophia, the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century. The last stop will be the Grand Bazaar where there will be an opportunity to shop prior to returning to Hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day
3
Istanbul: City Tour
Depart from the hotel and driving into the Old City you will be touring Spice Market dating back to 17th century and explore colorful display of spices brought from around the World. Continue your cruising on the waters of Bosphorus running between Asia and Europe! As well as seeing historical mansions and palaces, you will be overwhelmed by the skyline of Istanbul adorned with domes and minarets of numerous edifices. Docking at the northern shores of the Bosphorus.
In the afternoon, will visit the church of St.Saviour in Chora and will be thrilled by the beauty of its gold gilded mosaics of 13th century. Conclude your day visiting one of the most impressive buildings of Ottoman Architecture, Suleyman the Magnificent Mosque: Built in 16th century by the most important Turkish architect, Sinan the Great, the mosque expresses tranquil serenity in the hearts of her visitors. Return to Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day
4
Istanbul / Kars
Depart from the hotel and you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Kars. Upon arrival, drive to Ani ancient city. An Armenian city from the 11th century on the Turkish Armenian border, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating town situated on the ancient Silk Road. Dinner and overnight in Kars.
Day
5
Kars / Dogubeyazit / Van
After breakfast, on your way enjoy the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat. Visit the Meteor hole formed by a meteorite struck, the Noah’s Ark, the site where the Ark is supposed to have landed. Drive to Dogubeyazit and the magnificent palace of Ishak Pasha. Ishak Pasha, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century in a mixture of architectural styles. Dinner and overnight in Van.
Day
6
Van
Enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, now a museum; in the afternoon make a visit to the 17th century Hosap Castle and Cavustepe dating back to the 9th century BC. And we will visit the Armenian village and Monastery of Varak. Dinner and overnight in Van.
Day
7
Van
After breakfast, Visit the citadel of Van and Castle. Dinner and overnight.
Day
8
Van / Diyarbakir
After breakfast, drive to Diyarbakir. It is known in ancient times as Amida. Visit of Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque), built in 1179. Today, we will also visit the Surp Giragos Armenian church. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir.
Day
9
Diyarbakir/ Kahta
After breakfast, drive to Kahta and ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut, sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene. Dinner and overnight in Kahta / Adiyaman.
Day
10
Kahta / Sanliurfa
After breakfast, drive to Sanliurfa. On the way, overlook the Ataturk Dam on the way to Urfa. In the afternoon, explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick “”beehive”” like dwellings. Dinner and overnight in Urfa.
Day
11
Sanliurfa / Antakya
Drive to the city of Antakya visit the Mosaic Museum with some of the richest examples of the Roman mosaics in the world, the Church of St. Peter where he preached for the first time, and the ancient harbor of Antioch . Dinner and overnight in Antakya.
Day
12
Antakya / Cappadocia
Depart from the hotel and drive to Armenian village which is the only Armenian village populated in Turkey. Then continue driving to Cappadocia for dinner and overnight
Day
13
Cappadocia
After breakfast, Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, a volcanic valley with wall paintings inside monastic Cave Churches. Proceed to visit Devrent Valley. Then visit the natural citadel, which is the Uchisar Rock Castle. Break. Visit to the Fairy Chimneys in Pasabag, Avanos tour and the Ozkonak Underground City. Dinner and overnight.
Day
14
Cappadocia
After breakfast, proceed to Ihlara Valley, visit mosaics at Sobessos, Keslik Monastery and Mustafapasa old Greek town. The Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steeps of Anatolia up to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristema: “Valley of the Sky,” along the Melendiz River. After lunch, visit the Rock-Cut Churches, spread across a wild plantation, with surprising painted representations from the Bible. Proceed to Selime, a village with cave houses at the end of the Canyon and admire the “Star Wars” like landscape. Dinner and overnight.
Day
15
Cappadocia / Kayseri Airport / Home via Istanbul
After breakfast, proceed to Kayseri Airport for your flight to home.
