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Itinerary: |
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DAY
1 ISTANBUL TO ANKARA
Welcome to
Ankara Esenboga Airport, the
capital of young & modern Turkey, Ankara's history and that of the
surrounding area dates back to the Bronze Age and the Hatti
civilization. Deren Koray Tourism staff will be waiting for you at
the airport and will transfer you to the hotel. Welcome cocktail is
for getting acquaintance with Ankara and brief information for this
special orient tour. Dinner will be held at hotel in the heart of
the city [D]
DAY
2 ANKARA –
SAMSUN
Today we’ll depart
for Samsun one of the major ports
and the center of the Turkish War of Independence on May 19, 1919,
when Atatürk landed here to organize the defense of Anatolia. En
route impressive Hittite city of Hattusas, known today as
Bogazkale. This city, the
Hittite religious center, was known as the City of Temples with its
over 70 temples. The largest ruins are those of the great temple of
the storm god Tesup, Yazilikaya, an open air rock pantheon dating
from the 13th century BC, contains fine relieves of all the Hittite
gods and goddesses and Alacahoyuk,
the center of the flourishing Hattian culture during the Bronze Age.
Late at night we’ll arrive Samsun. Check-in and take your time in
the hotel located in the city center. [B][L][D]
DAY
3 SAMSUN –
TRABZON
Get ready to be the
witness of the dance of the blue and the green. Along the scenic
Black Sea coast passing by
Ordu that is famous with its
hazelnut and we’ll reach Trabzon. Check in at the hotel. Time to
visit 13th-century Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque
and now is Hagia Sophia Museum having splendid frescoes, some of the
finest examples of Byzantine painting, cover every one of the
interior church walls. We’ll take you to Boztepe Park where you can
observe the breathtaking scenery of Trabzon’s coastline. Tonight
we’ll invite you to taste famous Akçaabat meatballs in
Trabzon. The traditional
regional folk dance “Horon” will be displayed in here. You’ll
certainly love this. [B][L][D]
DAY
4 TRABZON -
ERZURUM
In the morning
after breakfast we’ll depart for Erzurum. First we’ll stop over at
Altindere National Park boasting a magnificent setting for the 14th-century
Sumela Monastery, perched high on
a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. Surrounded by the ruins
of the monks' quarters, is a church covered inside and out with
brilliant frescoes. Along this journey, we’d like you to taste the
regional rosehip marmalade and syrup that is very special to this
region. Via Gumushane which is
one of the stops on the silk road we’ll reach Erzurum. Welcome to
one of the most important strategic spot along the trade routes to
Persia, India and Russia. The ruins will explain this importance of
the city. We’ll be the interpreters. Check-in at the hotel and just
relax. Dinner will be served at the hotel. [B][L][D]
DAY
5 ERZURUM –
KARS
Today we’ll examine
Erzurum with its beautiful
historical places. First we’ll climb Erzurum citadel, dated back to
400’s with its interior walls. Passing by Cumhuriyet Street we’ll
reach one of the biggest ancient colleges, Çifte Minareli Medrese
dating 13th century in Anatolia. Next we’ll visit another college.
The governor Cemalettin Yakut built Yakutiye Medrese where you’ll
admire the work of the man in 1310. Ahmediye (1324), Kursunlu
(1700), Pervizoglu (1716), Seyhler (1760) are other main colleges in
Erzurum. That’s why we choose the name of the tour “The Light Raises
From East”. Fancy to pop in the real bazaar where you can observe
the trace of the silk route? Follow us then, bright copper and
silver ornaments, regional kilims and carpets, famous jet-black
mineral stone called “Oltu” stone, and of course any kind of jewelry
await you in Rüstem Pasha Bazaar. After lunch we’ll terminate the
city tour at Erzurum Museum where you can observe the Egyptian coins,
Roman pottery, and famous Seljuk tiles. Besides, regional kilims,
carpets, weapons and home furnishings are all displayed in here.
Time to move to Kars. Arrive at Kars. Check-in at the hotel and take
your time. Dinner will be served at hotel. [B][L][D]
DAY
6 KARS – MT
ARARAT – DOGUBEYAZIT
After breakfast
we’ll explore Kars. Like Erzurum
we’ll start with Kars Citadel that was built by Saltuks in 1152. Now
we’ll visit Kars Museum just before Ani. In this museum we’ll check
the creation dating back to Old Bronze age, Roman and Greek periods,
Seljuks and Ottoman period. In upstairs you’ll admire the
ethnographic exhibition having regional kilims and embroidered
kilims, costumes, saddlebags, jewelry and ornamental materials.
After lunch we’ll depart for ruined
Ani. The great walls are the
first ruins that will take your attention. This medieval ghost town
is located nearby the Arpaçay rivulet drawing the Turkish boundary.
(In order to enter this site permission must be taken from the
government in Kars). We’ll enter this city from Alparslan Gate.
Alparslan is a commander who conquered Ani in 1064. Just imagine the
city once 100000 people were living here and think about the crowd
of the streets. Explore the great churches like Church of Holy
Apostles, St. Gregory’s, the Redeemer (1034) having breathtaking
frescoes inside. The caravansary, Seljuk’s mosques and the citadel
are other major places for our visit in Ani. Time to depart for
Dogubeyazit for overnight en route holy Mt Ararat, the home of ark-seekers.
The Bible relates that when the floodwaters receded, Noah and his
family descended from Mountain Agri
(Ararat) toward the fertile Igdir
plain. From here, their progeny settled to the south and west along
the Firat (Euphrates) and Dicle (Tigris) rivers, establishing the
second generation of mankind. At dusk we’ll arrive at Dogubeyazit.
Dinner will be served at the hotel. Just take your time and rest.
[B][L][D]
DAY
7 DOGUBEYAZIT
– VAN
Good morning! Today
we’ll take you fabulous Ishak Pasha Palace built in 1784. The
construction of this palace took 99 years. The palace is still
stunning and it’s considered as one of the masterpieces of Turkey.
Explore the unique architecture, the medley of Baroque and Rococo
style decorated with Seljuk’s carving in here. The masjid, baths,
kitchen, the larder, harem, fireplaces and other galleries are
simply gorgeous. Here we’d like you to try the local dessert (Actually
it is very widely popular all around Turkey) Asure (Noah's Pudding),
believed to have first been made by Noah's wife from the last bits
of food in the ark. Just nearby the palace we’ll explore bas-relief
of an Urartian king, and a rock tomb from the ninth century BC Time
to depart for Van famous for it’s
the greatest lake of Turkey. Along the scenic lakeshore road we’ll
reach this Urartian capital. Check in at the hotel and take your
time till dinner. Tonight a traditional Turkish night will be
waiting for us. See the regional folk dance with the local
instruments. [B][L][D]
DAY
8 VAN AND
ENVIRONS
Today we’ll start
our tour in the city center. Van Museum is the place where you can
admire the Urartian exhibits boasting jewelry, cylindrical seals and
pots from Old Bronze Age (5000 BC), the breastplates, from the 9th
to 7th centuries, bronze belts, and ethnographic exhibitions
including local Kurdish and Turkmen kilims in a traditional style.
The Genocide section will tell a story to you in here. Time to move
Rock of Van, in other words Van Castle. Saduri Tower dated back to
830 BC, passing by walkway we’ll reach funeral chambers including
that of King Argisthi dated back to 764 BC, Time to visit Tuspa once
was an Urartian city 3000 years ago.
Although it was destroyed in World War 1, the sight is still
impressive. Ulu Cami is only mosque stands with its broken minaret
here. After lunch we’ll hop on a boat for Akdamar Island. Here 10th
century the Church of Holy Cross will meet you. See the impeccable
carvings and very best preserved walls of church reflecting the
masterwork of Armenian art. For those who has some energy, time to
depart for Hosap Castle built in 1643. You’ll buff the entrance of
the castle having a guard. Ready to get lost amongst the hundreds of
rooms in here? No we guess then time to move back to hotel. Take
your time since it was tiring day for you. Enjoy your dinner at
hotel [B][L][D]
DAY
9 BITLIS – DIYARBAKIR
Today we’ll depart
for Diyarbakir. En route
we’ll stop over at Ahlat Ruins. Here we’ll see the Seljuk’s and
Turkish tombs and graveyards. The volcanic tuff tombstones reflect
the stonemasons’ work in here. Passing by Bitlis where you will also
see the trace of many civilizations we’ll reach Diyarbakir, famous
with many ways. Enormously big watermelons are always on top here.
Besides, the watermelons carved by a sword are worth seeing in here.
Check in at the hotel and just relax till dinner. Say wow! You’ll
never have the chance to taste this oriental cuisine anywhere in
Turkey, even in the world. Find an original and unique in here. Get
ready to have fun in another traditional Diyarbakir night. Rest of
the night is yours [B][L][D]
DAY
10 DIYARBAKIR
- MARDIN - SANLIURFA
In the morning
we'll explore Diyarbakir. The 6km long walls having 4 gates surround
this old Roman City. The caravanserai, we'll pass thru Tower of Yedi
Kardes and Maliksah. Diyarbakir is rich for its mosques but we'll
visit the most attractive one, the Grand Mosque built in 1091. The
mosque is restored in 1155 actually Unlike others the architecture
is Arabic. Next we'll pass Hasan Pasha Caravanserai where you can
observe the galleries dating back to 16th Century for the visitors
coming from the trade routes. After lunch we'll visit Virgin Mary's
Church with its old style. Time to depart Mardin, that is considered
one of places of the early Christianity development. The Arabic
style houses will take your attention in here. Next we'll visit
Sultan Isa College dated back to 1385 with magnificent Seljuk
doorway. Here will also pop in
Mardin Museum where you' be able to explore Christian carvings
and Sumerian Gods figure. Next we'll pass the citadel originally
built by Romans and Christians. Time to depart
Sanliurfa, the city of
prophets, check-in at hotel and just take your time. For those who
would like to see this holy city we have a special arrangement to
the Urfa citadel and the holy fishy pond. According to the legend,
once upon a time there was a great fire where this pond is now.
Prophet Abraham fell into this fire. Suddenly the fire became a huge
amount of water and the woods became fish. Since then the fish in
this pond is considered holy and healthy. As the fish is healthy,
many people come here to be cured, they go into the holy water and
the spots and injuries on their bodies are kissed in other words
they are cured. This gives a kind of treatment for their body. Why
not to go in to the pond? Tonight we'll organize traditional "Urfa
night". You'll sit cross-legged on the ground, drink turnip juice,
taste row-meat which extremely hot'n spicy (not compulsory of course),
drink mirra and wear regional turban. Enjoy the regional folk dance
with the instruments. You'll certainly love this. [B][L][D]
DAY
11 HARRAN -
SUNSET AT NEMRUT MOUNTAIN - ADIYAMAN
Today first we'll
visit Harran famous for its
beehive-style village houses also known as Altinbasak. You may take
the picture from this interesting place. Just examine the
architecture and living style of village people. Next we'll walk up
to Grand Mosque with its dazzling square tower built by Arab caliph
in 18th century. Stroll around the central pool and the remnant of
an Arab University. Well, time to move Kahta that is the base for
Nemrut Mountain. We'll have
lunch one of the well-known restaurants here. After lunch we'll see
man made, main work of GAP project,
great Atatürk Dam. You'll love the scenery from here. Next we'll
have the chance to stroll at the ancient site Arsameia, the capital
of ancient Commagene kingdom. The relief stele of god Mithras, the
cistern, the damaged stele of Mithridates I Callinicus the founder
of the kingdom, handshaking relief of Hercules and Callinicus, the
tunnels are the masterpieces and the places of Arsameia. Here we go!
We'll wind up to the top of the mountain. Get ready to be the
witness of the most spectacular natural event. Watch the gorgeous
view of the nature during sunset from Nemrut Mountain. Just before
the scenery you'll be surprised when you see the temple of and tomb
of Antiochus that is considered one of the most photographed areas
in Turkey. We'll enter the site with 50m high tumulus of small rocks
thought to cover the tomb of Antiochus. Amongst the terraces we'll
pass eastern temple having the steles of Apollon, Mithra, Helios,
Hermes, Tyche-Fortuna the fertile goddess of Commagene, the head god
Zeus, Oromasdes, the king Antiochus, Herakles and Ares. Here you'll
also find out lion and eagle heads. The Macedonian ancestors were
displayed on the southern side and the Persian ancestors were
displayed on the northern side of the wall located at the lower part
of the steles. The epigraph gives an information about the ceremony.
When we come to the western side passing by the northern terrace,
we'll see the steles in the same order. We'll see many relieves near
the terrace which describes the King shaking hands with gods. On the
lion on this relief there are 19 stars and 1 moon on its neck
showing the date of coming to the throne of Antiochus. At dusk we'll
depart for Adiyaman for
overnight. Dinner will be served at hotel. Rest of the night is
yours. [B][L][D]
DAY
12 ANTAKYA (ANTIOCH)
In the morning
we’ll depart for the holy city
Antioch, which lies on the Asi River (Orontes) on a fertile
plain, surrounded by the grand mountains. Once the capital of the
Seleucid kings, it was notorious for its wealth and luxury In Roman
times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture. It
featured prominently in early Christianity and St. Barnabas, St.Paul
and St. Peter all visited & preached here. Apostles’s The New
Testament Book of Acts that declaring Jesus’s followers were called
Christians caved church where St. Peter first celebrated mass.
You’ll enter Antioch thru actual gate called Iron Gate situated at
southbound of the church. In 1983 the Vatican declared the church a
holy site. Just feel the spirit of the Saints walked thru these
streets at that time. A little has changed here. Time to visit Roman
mosaics Museum that is considered one of the best in world. After a
break for lunch we’ll drive to the resort town with a pristine beach.
Seleucia Peria (Cevlik),
north of town, was founded around 300 B.C. and by the time St. Paul
and St. Barnabas made their first missionary journey (45-46 A.D.)
that was a busy port. The most interesting monument to see is the
Tunnel of Titus, built to divert-rain water. Even by today's
standards it is a tremendous engineering achievement. We'll proceed
Kapisuyu village for the spectacular panorama from the Zeus Temple
of the ancient harbor, as well as the sandy beach and fertile plain.
Dinner will be served at hotel in Antioch. [B][L][D]
DAY
13 TARSUS - ADANA
Today we'll depart
for Adana Turkey's fourth largest city. After 2,5hr journey we'll
reach the birthplace of St.
Paul. Tarsus is a city
where Cleopatra met Mark Anthony. We'll enter this ancient city from
the Cleopatra's gate then we'll reach St. Paul's Well. You may
entirely welcome to drink the holy water from here. We'll proceed
for old mosque, the Roman baths and mundane museum where you may
examine the jewelry exhibition. OK! Time to move to
Adana check-in at the hotel
and we'll set you free for your last shopping in the city center.
Party time! As this is the last night of our tour in Asia, we'll
have a farewell dinner at hotel. Rest of the night is yours.
[B][L][D]
DAY 14 DOMESTIC
FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
Transfer service to
the airport and domestic flight to Istanbul for your international
connection. Actually our special Light Raises From the East Tour
lasts in Istanbul, however you may extend your visit by choosing one
of our Istanbul package tours. End of
our service. Time to have your present in order to make this trip
memorial. It’ll be a great pleasure to host you in Turkey again
since there are so many things to see. Thanks for choosing the right
agency. [B]
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