Day 1

Arrival in Trabzon.
Arrive Trabzon, upon your arrival in Trabzon, you will meet with your guide and be escorted to your hotel. You will have the day free to explore Trabzon or just to relax at your leisure. Learn more about the cultural adventure ahead of you at an orientation meeting just before dinner. During dinner get acquainted with the other members of the group. Stay overnight in Trabzon.
Dinner

Day 2

Trabzon-Erzurum.
Start the day with a visit to the St. Sophia museum (a restored 13th Century Byzantine church with its splendid frescoes).Then continue with a visit to the magnificent Sumela Monastery located high on the cliffs in the Altindere National Park. After lunch drive to the Zigana Pass, enjoying the wild scenery of Kop mountain to arrive in Erzurum where we will stay overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day3

Erzurum-Kars.
After visits of the city's Seljouki monuments such as the Yakutiye Madrasah, the Great Mosque, drive across the vast plains along the Araxes river to Kars. First visit to the forgotten city of Ani, settled on the banks of the River, which forms the border with Armenia and once the capital city of Armenian kingdom. Back to town for a stroll along the streets where Orhan Pamuk's "Snow" was set.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day4

Kars-Van.
Drive through the countryside to visit the Ishak Pasha Palace (closed on Mondays). On route to Van, the 17 000 foot Mount Ararat, fabled to have housed the Ark of Noah can be viewed for most of the way. Locals of Van weave animal figures on Sumak Kilims as a depiction of the ark's passengers. Dinner and stay overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day5

Van.
Our first visit will be to the Van Castle for a glance at the Urartian capital Tuspa and the Urartian royal tomb where inscriptions are still present. We then take a lake side lunch followed by a cruise to the Akthamar Island, for a visit to a unique Armenian church, adorned with a stone carved story of the people and their faith. Enjoy a short visit to a local carpet and handicraft center before heading to Cavustepe, a Urartian citadel complex dating back to 8th Century. Stay overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

TRABZON: 4 STAR NOVOTEL HOTEL

ERZURUM: KALE KAPLICA HOTEL

KARS: 3 STAR SIM-ER HOTEL

VAN: 4 STAR BUYUK URARTU HOTEL

4 nights in 3-4 star hotel accommodations including breakfast

Admission fees to the mentioned sites.

All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary.

All Taxes and service fees.

Meals as stated in the itinerary.

Private transportation by comfortable,A/C, non smoking vehicle.

Professional English speaking tour guide throughout the package.

NOT INCLUDED

Any tips to guide and driver

Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast)