ITINERARY - 11 DAY MARVELS OF THE EAST TOUR
Day 1: Arrive in Kars (Day 9 of BBS)
We start this tour in Kars, the eastern city of Turkey with a checkered history. On arrival in Kars (Flight TK 2714# at 14:00), you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be joined in the late afternoon by participants of the Best of the Black Sea tour arriving from the eastern Black Sea region. (D)
(#) Flight details may change
Dinner and overnight at a comfortable 4* hotel in Kars
Day 2: In Kars (Day 10 of BBS)
After breakfast, we visit the major city sites, including the 10th century Armenian Church of 12 Apostles, the 12th century Selçuk Citadel and the nearby Ottoman bridge from the 16th Century.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we set off to visit the nearby ruins of the 10th century Armenian capital of Ani close to the border. Even though earthquakes and Mongol invasions destroyed much of the city, fortified walls and well-preserved ruins of churches are well worth seeing.
We will return to Kars in late afternoon and the rest of the day is free. You may stroll through the town where you will see many reminders of 40 years of Russian rule between 1878 and 1918. These include streets in a grid pattern and some old elegant buildings.
Alternatively, you may relax in the hotel which offers modern facilities including a swimming pool, a Turkish Bath and a gym. (B/L)
Overnight in Kars
Day 3: Kars - Van
This morning, we drive to the town of Dogubeyazit, stopping to take in views of magnificent Mt Ararat (Agri Dagi in Turkish) on the way. Mt Ararat which is Turkey's most famous natural landmark is an enormous volcano, rising 5,137 metres high, always capped with snow and often shrouded in dark clouds. It is believed that Noah's Ark came to rest here.
After lunch in Dogubeyazit, we explore the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, once used to control the Silk Road. Built between 1685 and 1784, the palace incorporates a blend of Ottoman, Persian and Selcuk architectural styles and is a “must see” site. It is reputed to have contained 366 rooms, one for each day of a leap year.
We then continue on to the lakeside city of Van (pronounced vun as in ‘run’), the ancient Urartian capital. (B/L/D)
Dinner and overnight at the lake side hotel Merit Sahmaran Hotel.
Day 4: In Van
A full day to explore the Van Region. Lake Van is Turkey's largest inland body of water, and at 1720 metres above sea level, it is also one of the world’s highest lakes. Our first visit in the region is to the 10th Century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island in Lake Van. Its outer stonewalls, richly decorated with Old Testament scenes and characters are nothing short of amazing (pictured at right).
We then drive to Van to have lunch and to visit the imposing ‘Rock of Van’ near the lake shore where Cuneiform Inscriptions are displayed documenting the life and work of Menua, an important Urartian king.
If the group wishes, we may visit a carpet centre for a demonstration of traditional carpet making and to learn about the centuries old art of hand-made carpets and kilims on the way to Van. (B/L)
Overnight at the Merit Sahmaran Hotel.
Day 5: In Van
Today we take an excursion to the imposing 9th century Hosap citadel some 50km away.
With a little luck, we may catch sight of the famous Van Cat during our stay in Van. These cats are pure white and have one blue and one yellow or green eye. The rest of the day will be free to spend as you please.
You may discover the city at your own pace, visiting Van Museum, going shopping or just relaxing in many of the cafes and restaurants.(B/L)
Overnight at the Merit Sahmaran Hotel.
Day 6: Van - Mardin
This morning we drive along the southern shores of Lake Van to Tatvan. Here we transfer to minibuses to visit the Mt Nemrut and its Crater Lake with volcanic hot springs. After lunch at Tatvan, we continue on to Hasankeyf which was an important staging post on the Silk Road in the medieval period. The historic structures include the Old Tigris Bridg built in 1116 by Artukid Fahrettin Karaaslan, the Citadel, two palaces and numerous mosques.
The final leg of our drive takes us to the charming town of Mardin for a well earned rest in the style of Old Silk Road traders. Dinner is at the hotel.(B/L/D)
Overnight at Artuklu Karavansaray Hotel.
Day 7: Mardin - Sanliurfa
Crowned with an ancient citadel and with its unique stone buildings, Mardin is an architectural 'treasure chest'. From a distance, the golden stone of the houses blend into the rock on which the city is built.
Here we shall walk along some of Mardin’s quaint narrow streets and bazaars, see the12th Century Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) and visit the still functioning nearby Syriac-Jacobite “saffron monastery”, so named for the yellowish rock from which it is built. From here, the views of the Mesopotamian Plain will entrance you.
After lunch in an old Karavansaray, we set off for the Old Testament town of Sanliurfa, which was known as Ur in ancient times. Reputedly the birthplace of Prophet Abraham, Sanliurfa is also known as the city of prophets. The name Sanliurfa means “Glorious Urfa” commemorating the town’s heroic resistance to the French invasion and occupation of 1918-20. We shall spend three well deserved nights in Sanliurfa. (B/L/D)
Overnight at the Harran Hotel.
Day 8: Sanliurfa – Mount Nemrut - Sanliurfa
This morning, we depart for Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dagi in Turkish), to see the spectacular stone heads and god statues built in honour of King Antiochus, a Commegene ruler. Erected in the first century BC, the engineering involved continues to baffle and amaze archeologists and visitors alike.
On the way to Mt Nemrut, we visit the mighty Ataturk Dam, which harnesses the waters of Euphrates River providing hydroelectric power and irrigation, as well as holiday and recreation facilities for the region.(B/L)
Overnight at the Harran Hotel
Day 9: In Sanliurfa
In the morning, we visit the beehive-style mud houses of Harran. This is one of the most ancient continuously inhabited sites on Earth and is where Abraham and his wife Sarah reputedly spent some years.
After lunch in Urfa, we explore the fascinating sites of this Old Testament town, including the Sacred Carp Pools of Abraham, his birth cave and an ancient citadel, as well as the exquisite mosque complex and the traditional covered bazaar. Rest of the day is free. (B/L/D)
Overnight at the Harran Hotel
Day 10: Sanliurfa - Gaziantep - Antakya
After breakfast, we set off for Gaziantep and with a brief visit to Birecik on the Euphrates River, time permitting. This is ancient Bronze Age country where 400 limestone tombs with jewellery, vases and other objects have been found. After lunch in Gaziantep we visit the local museum, which holds the exquisite mosaics from the ancient Roman City of Zeugma, as well as artifacts from the area belonging to every period. Our journey continues on to Antakya, on the way, time permitting; we visit the Karatepe Arslantas National Park to see its fine neo-Hittite stone carvings near Kadirli. (B/L/D)
Dinner and overnight at the Savon Hotel.
Day 11: Antakya - Istanbul
Antakya, the ancient biblical city of Antioch, was a significant place of early Christianity. St Barnabas, St Paul and St Peter all visited the city. In the morning, we visit the renowned Antakya Mosaic Museum, the Grotto of St. Peter and stroll along the maze of narrow streets in old Antakya. In the afternoon, we transfer to Hatay airport for our afternoon flight to Istanbul. Our tour officially ends at Istanbul airport where you may connect with late flights to Australia or to other ongoing destinations. (B/L)
TOUR DETAILS
11 day Marvels of the East tour 2011
(This tour starts in Kars and finishes at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey)
Tour Dates: |
Sunday, 5 June to Wednesday, 15 June. 2011 Sunday, 4 September to Wednesday, 14 September. 2011 (This tour may be combined with Best of Black Sea tours starting on 28 May and 27 August in Istanbul). |
Tour duration: |
11 days / 10 nights |
Tour price: |
$ 3,150 per person twin share. Single Supp: $ 390 |
Group Size |
Minimum: 8, Maximum: 20 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The tour price includes:
- Accommodation in special category, boutique style or four-star hotels or the best available.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Modern air-conditioned coach or minibus with spare seats.
- Domestic flight from Adana to Istanbul on Day 11.
- Arrival transfers on Day 1 (in Erzurum) and departure transfers on Day 11 (in Adana).
- All entrance fees, all tips (including to hotels, restaurants, guide and driver) and other charges
- Services of bilingual Turkish-born Australian tour leader who is with the group 24/7.
- Services of professional English speaking tour guide.
- Drinking water on the coach.
The tour price does NOT include:
- International flights and domestic airfares other than Adana to Istanbul on Day 11.
- Departure taxes, levies and other charges
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, minibar, phone calls, etc.
- Beverages at meal times.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Tour prices are subject to change without notice until paid in full.
- Flight times for Istanbul/Erzurum and Adana/Istanbul flights change constantly. Suitable flight times will be advised closer to the tour start dates.
- Shorter “Add-on” tours and other travel packages are available within Turkey, to Central Asia, to Russia and Ukraine and to other countries in the region.
- The Marvels of the East tour starting in Erzurum on is immediately preceded by our 10-Day Best of the Black Sea tour. Hence these two tours may be an ideal combination. See other tours on our website, or the latest issue of our Newsletter “OzTours News” or contact us for details
- Where two or more tours are combined, there will be a discount of 5% on the lower priced tour (or tours). When combined, the Best of the Black Sea and the Marvels of the East tours are regarded as a single tour.
- We can make all your travel arrangements through our travel agent partners, including flights with all airlines at competitive rates, travel insurance, and third party packages.
- This itinerary, which is current as at 20 August 2010, is subject to change without notice.