Lost kingdoms of eastern Anatolia
Tour Code CUL 09
Highlights
– Sumela monastery and capital of Armenian kingdom Ani
– Dogubeyazit & Ishak pasha palace
– Akdamar Island & the holy cross church
– Hasankeyf & Mor Gabriel monastery
– Deyrulzafaran (deir az-zafaran) & sculptures of Nemrut
– Gobeklitepe, ancient Harran & Zeugma mosaic museum
-
Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
-
14 days / 13 nights
-
A (easy)
-
13 nights at the hotel
Itinerary
-
DAY 1
Arrival TrabzonMeet at the Trabzon airport with Demavend travels representative and drive to the hotel, located in the city centre.Transfer time: 10 - 15 min.; transfer distance: 10 km (Trabzon airport - the hotel in the city centre)ON: in Trabzon at the hotelMeals: - / - / D -
DAY 2
Trabzon to Erzurum via Sumela monasteryFamous Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, is a melting pot of religions, languages and cultures. Being open towards other cultures and religions plays a significant role in the lifestyle of the Trabzonites; Muslims and Christians have lived together in the past as well as today, making the city a proud heir to a rich cultural heritage. Here we take time to visit the monastery of Sumela, a Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I., legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain. After visiting Sumela we drive via Bayburt to Erzurum, where we spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 5 h; transfer distance: 340 km (Trabzon to Erzurum via Sumela & Bayburt)ON: in Erzurum at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 3
Cifteminareli Medrese & Erzurum castle (citadel) - drive to KarsIn ancient times, Erzurum existed under the Armenian name of Karin and the Erzurum congress of 1919 was one of the starting points of the Turkish war of independence. Today we take time to explore the city centre of this historical town with its most famous sights, visit Cifteminareli Medrese and Erzurum castle. We will have a short walk through the city centre, where we visit historical Rustem pasha caravanserai, also known as Tashan, serves today as Oltu (kind of Jet/lignite) stone bazaar. We visit Erzurum castle (citadel); originally constructed by the emperor Theodosius, stands guard on a hill in the centre of the old town and offers a beautiful view of the entire city. Close to the castle we also take time to visit Twin Minaret Madrasa (school), a famous architectural monument of the late Seljuk period with a colourful history and known as the largest madrasa in Anatolia.Afterwards we drive to Kars, appears in roman historiography (Strabo) as part of ancient Armenia. Little is known of the early history of Kars beyond the fact that it had its own dynasty of Armenian rulers and was the capital of a region known as Vanand. Depending on arrival time it is possible to visit Kars castle, also known as the citadel, sits at the top of a rocky hill overlooking the city. It is said in ottoman sources that the castle was rebuilt with the help of one hundred thousand soldiers and workers. Also below the castle it is possible to visit an Armenian church of the holy apostles and to see some neo-classical (Baltic) architecture style buildings known as Russian houses, which cannot be seen anywhere else in Turkey. In the decades after Kars was ceded to the Russian empire an entirely new district of European-style buildings was built, these buildings are mostly one or two stories high and built of basalt stone.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 220 km; (Erzurum - Kars)ON: in Kars at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 4
Kars; capital of Armenian kingdom Ani – Dogubeyazit & Kurdish village Topcatan at the skirts of Mt. AraratIn the morning we visit ancient Ani, the capital of Armenian province in the 9th century and an important stop on the Silk Road. A thousand years ago the Armenian kingdom covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey and Ani, built on a spectacular site on the eastern border, on a plateau encircled by deep ravines, was its capital. Ani's many churches, palaces and fortifications were amongst the most technically and artistically advanced structures in the world at that period. Once with a population of at least 100,000, its wealth and renown was such that it was known as "the city of 1001 churches". Afterwards we drive towards Dogubeyazit, a settlement with a long history southwest of Mount Ararat, the highest summit of Turkey and resting place of Noah’s Ark. The area has had a rich history since it was settled during the times of the first Armenian kingdom of Urartu; later was subsequently conquered by Persians, Romans, Arabs and Byzantines all of whom would have used the plain to rest and recoup during their passages across the mountains. In Dogubeyazit we visit the village of Topcatan at the skirts of Mt. Ararat and explore the area at altitudes around 1.800/2.000m. The villagers in this area are generally semi-nomads who ascend to high pastures with their flocks during summer to graze their animals and make cheese and butter. Semi nomadic life is the oldest life style of Turks and they still tend to carry on their ancient traditions. We will spend the day visiting a Kurdish family, it will be interesting to watch their daily routines. We spend the night in Dogubeyazit at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 - 4 h; transfer distance: 230 km; (Kars – Dogubeyazit via Ani)ON: in Dogubeyazit at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 5
Dogubeyazit to Van via Ishak pasha palace & Muradiye waterfallsAfter breakfast we visit Ishak pasha palace, built on a hill at the side of a mountain. It was the last large monumental structure in the Ottoman Empire from the "Lale Devri" period. It is one of the most distinguished and magnificent examples of the 18th century Ottoman architecture and is very valuable in terms of art history. The palace was also an administrative complex from which Ishak pasha dominated the trade along the Silk Road, it was a major stop for caravans crossing the legendary roadway to bring goods all the way from China to Turkey and back again. Afterwards we drive to Van, on route we take time to visit Muradiye waterfalls, a paradise of natural beauty. A quite large waterfall, around 10m tall in a small forest area, where a bridge suspends over the river and it gives you a great view.Van is known as "the pearl of the east" because of the beauty of its surrounding landscapes. Archaeological excavations and surveys carried out in Van province and environs prove that the history of the city itself goes back as far as 5000 B.C. under the ancient name of Tushpa van was the capital of the Urartian kingdom in the 9th century B.C. Our last visit takes us to Van castle, constructed by Urartian king Sardur. One of the most remarkable structures around is the rock tomb of Argisti the first, outside which is a long inscription relating the events of his reign. It is a massive stone fortification built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu during the 9th to 7th centuries BC and is the largest example of its kind. It overlooks the ruins of Tushpa, the ancient Urartian capital during the 9th C, which was centred upon the steep sided bluff where the fortress now sits. We spend the night in Van at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 180 km (Dogubeyazit to Van)ON: in Van at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 6
Van to Tatvan via Hosap castle, ruins of Cavustepe & Akdamar Island & churchToday we take time to visit some important sights around Van, we start the day with Hosap castle, stands on a steep, rocky terrain, north of the Hosap stream. The history of the castle goes back to time of Urartian, most of the surviving structures were built by a local Kurdish lord named Mahmudi Suleyman in 1643. Fell into decay as a result of natural events, the castle has been renovated and is protected by three separate lines of wall. The castle also has two mosques, three baths, fountains and underground dungeons. Via Hosap we continue to Cavustepe. Armenian folklore tells that the fortress was founded in the 3rd millennium BC. It was later used by the Urartian kings as a castle during the 8th century BC and to some extent by the medieval Armenian kingdom of Cilicia. Our last visit takes us to Gevas town where we take a ferryboat to visit Akdamar island, a small island in lake Van which is home to a 10th century Armenian church, known as the cathedral church of the holy cross and were the seat of an Armenian Catholics from 1116 to 1895. The unique importance of the cathedral church of the holy cross comes from the extensive array of bas-relief carving of mostly biblical scenes that adorn its external walls. After visiting Akdamar Island we continue to Tatvan where we spend the night.Transfer time: 3 - 4 h; transfer distance: 230 km (Van – Tatvan via Hosap castle, Cavustepe & Akdamar Island)Ferryboat transfer: 20 - 25 min. to Akdamar Island / one wayON: in Tatvan at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 7
Tatvan to Nemrut crater Lake & tombs of AhlatAfter breakfast we drive to Nemrut Crater Lake, a volcano named after king nimrod who is said to have ruled this area in about 2100 BC. The mountain rises from the south-western shore of Lake Van and enters the district of Ahlat to the north. It is 3,050 m high and its elliptic caldera has a diameter of about 7 by 8 km. Mt. Nemrut is the most southern and youngest of the chain of volcanoes in eastern Anatolia. Afterwards we continue to Ahlat; where we take time to visit the cifte kumbet, emir bayindir kumbet and ulu kumbet, famous mausoleums from the Seljuk period, notable for their ornamentation and architecture. The historic Seljuk cemetery has been seriously damaged over the years but is still standing, in spite of all it has been put through. With more than 8,000 gravestones, the cemetery sits on a large piece of land. Efforts are presently being made by local authorities with a view to including the tombstones on UNESCO world heritage list. With its domes, mosques, castle and cemeteries, Ahlat is like an open-air museum. In the late afternoon we return to Tatvan where we spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 km; (Tatvan to Nemrut & Ahlat)ON: in Tatvan at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 8
Tatvan to Mardin via Hasankeyf & Mor Gabriel monasteryWe leave Tatvan and drive to Mardin, on our way visit the town of Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement along the Tigris River. The city has been identified with the Ilansura of the Mari tablets (c. 1800 BC). The romans had built the fortress and the city became a bishopric under the Byzantine Empire. It was conquered by the Arabs who renamed it to hisn-kayf. The city is rich in history, throughout the ages and aside from the sites below, thousands of caves exist in the cliffs that surround the city. Many of the caves are multi-storied and water-supplied. Churches and mosques were also carved into the cliffs and numerous ancient cemeteries exist throughout the area as well. In the afternoon we arrive at Mor Gabriel monastery, the oldest surviving Syriac orthodox monastery in the world. The monastery's primary purpose is to keep Syriac orthodox Christianity alive in the land of its birth by providing schooling, ordination of native-born monks. On occasions it has provided physical protection to the Christian population. In the early evening we arrive in Mardin, located in a strategic position on a rocky spur overlooking the crossroads between east-west and north-south routes. The city is dominated by the fortress which has stood on this site since roman times. The buildings of the town are terraced into the hillside and all have magnificent views over the Mesopotamian plain. From a distance, the golden stone of Mardin houses blend into the rock of the hills on which the city is built. On closer inspection, the stone carving and decoration of the houses and public buildings reveals the city as an architectural treasure-chest.Transfer time: 5 h; transfer distance: 355 km; (Tatvan – Mardin via Hasankeyf & Mor Gabriel)ON: in Mardin at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 9
Mardin - Deyrulzafaran (Deir Az-Zafaran) monastery - Diyarbakir exploring the city centre with copper bazaarIn the morning we first visit Deyrulzafaran monastery, an important Syriac orthodox monastery located in the area known as Tur-abdin, the motherland of the Assyrian/Syriacs. The monastery has 365 rooms, one for each day of the year and was formerly the seat of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Afterwards we drive to Diyarbakir, known in ancient times as Amida, a cradle of 26 civilizations during its 5000 year history. The city is spread across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Tigris River. After arrival we take time to explore the city centre, surrounded by an almost intact, dramatic set of high walls of black basalt forming a 5.5 km (3.4 mi) circle around the old city. There are four gates into the old city and 82 watch-towers on the walls, which were built in antiquity, restored and extended by the roman emperor Constantius II. In the city centre it is possible to visit Ulu Camii (the great mosque), a piece of history built in 1179, virgin Mary church, constructed as a pagan temple, restored many times and is still in use as a place of worship today, Keldani church, a 17th century Chaldean catholic church and Bakircilar Carsisi, a famous copper bazaar. The trade of coppersmiths in eastern Anatolia stretches back more than 500 years and is passed from father to son. Perhaps sensing that modern technology has destroyed this trade in other areas, but here in Diyarbakir they are making an effort to keep it alive. The copper bazaar allows visitors to view Turkish coppersmiths at work and purchase traditional Turkish copper souvenirs.Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 120 km; (Mardin – Diyarbakir via Deyrulzafaran)ON: in Diyarbakir at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 10
Diyarbakır to Kahta (Karadut village) & sculptures of NemrutToday we drive to the village of Karadut, close to Nemrut Mountain. Via Siverek we drive to the village of Mezra where we cross the Euphrates River via new Nissibi Bridge. Via Karadut village we drive to Nemrut national park to visit the sculptures of Nemrut, one of the most astounding sites in Turkey. A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2.150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. The sculptures are one of the most ambitious constructions of the Hellenistic period and the area was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Here we will visit terraces of the summit to see Armenia, Karakus Tumuli and Cendere Bridge from romans. After visiting Nemrut national park we drive back to Karadut village or to Kahta, where we spend the night.Transfer time: 2 - 3 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Diyarbakir to Karadut village/Kahta)Transfer time: 30 - 40 min.; transfer distance: 30 km; (Karadut village - Nemrut sculptures / two ways)ON: in Karadut village or Kahta at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 11
Kahta/Karadut village – Sanliurfa (Urfa) – visit Gobeklitepe one of the oldest known human made structuresWe leave Kahta and Karadut village and drive towards Sanliurfa, or better known as Urfa, a city with a mixed Arab, Kurdish and Turkish population. Modern Urfa presents contrasts between its old and new quarters and the old town is one of the most evocative and romantic in Turkey. A couple of minutes outside the city we take time to visit Gobeklitepe, one of the most exciting discoveries in archaeology and one of the oldest known human made structures. What makes Gobeklitepe unique in its class is the date it was built, which is roughly twelve thousand years ago. The site houses a series of mainly circular and oval shaped structures set on the top of a hill. There is archaeological proof that these installations were used for ritual or religious purposes. Subsequently it became apparent that Gobeklitepe consists of not only one, but many of such Stone Age temples. Furthermore, excavations and geo magnetic results revealed that there are at least 20 installations, which in archaeological terms can be called a temple. We spend the night in Urfa at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 180 km; (Kahta/Karadut - Sanliurfa)ON: in Sanliurfa at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 12
Sanliurfa (Urfa) - visit the old city centre of Urfa - ancient city Harran – GaziantepAfter breakfast we take time to explore the old city centre, with its old traditional courtyard houses, narrow streets and markets. Advisable highlight in the city centre is the legendary pool of sacred fish (Balıklıgolu), where Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod. In the early afternoon we drive to the south to visit Harran, an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, nowadays famous for its “beehive houses”. The legends surrounding the city go back to the beginning of mankind, it is said that Adam and Eve set foot here when they were expelled from Garden of Eden. Via Harran we continue to Gaziantep where we spend the next two nights at the hotel.Transfer time: 4 h; transfer distance: 245 km; (Sanliurfa - Gaziantep via Harran)ON: in Gaziantep at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 13
Gaziantep; the historical city centre & Zeugma mosaic museumGaziantep’s history goes back to the Hittites and among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Being the centre of pistachio cultivation in Turkey and with its extensive olive groves and vineyards, Gaziantep is one of the important agricultural and industrial centres of country. We take time to discover the historical city centre with its citadel, displays the historic past and architectural style of the city and to visit Zeugma mosaic museum, the biggest mosaic museum in the world, covering an area of 30,000 square meters, a building complex consisting of 3 units. The museum houses mosaics known as the bath (Hamam), mosaics found in the villas located on the banks of the Euphrates, mosaics from the Poseidon and Euphrates villas and those from the Dionysus villas. There is also a section housing eastern roman (byzantine) period church mosaics discovered in the neighbourhood of Gaziantep and in a separate section, the world-renowned gypsy girl mosaic is displayed. Also mosaics originating from the roman and late antique periods, 140 square meters of frescoes, 4 roman fountains, 20 columns, 4 limestone sculptures, the bronze statue of mars, grave steles, sarcophagi and architectural pieces belonging to the collection of the zeugma mosaic museum have been restored and put on display.ON: in Gaziantep at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 14
Trip concludes at Gaziantep airportAfter breakfast; transfer to Gaziantep airport where the trip concludes.Transfer time: 30 min.; transfer distance: 30 km (Hotel in the city centre – Gaziantep airport)Meals: B / - / -
Inclusions
- All transfers and transportations with private vehicles to the places stated in the itinerary
Day 1: one/one way arrival transfer from/to Trabzon airport/hotel in the city centre
Day 14: one/one way departure transfer from/to hotel in the city centre/ Gaziantep airport - Demavend Travel English speaking tour leader
- Hotel accommodations, in standard rooms on double/twin share base
Service: bed & breakfast (BB) and half board (HB) / Important: HB dinner service available until 20:30/21:00 h - 13 x breakfast / 12 x lunch / 13 x dinner
- All international and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- All kind of extra transports & transfers other than stated in the itinerary / extra arrival/departure transfers
- All kind of entrance fees for historical and natural sites
- Day 6: Ferryboat transfer to Akdamar Island & church
- All kind of optional activities
- Meals other than stated the itinerary
- All kind of soft and alcoholic drinks, bottled water, tea & coffee
- All kind of personal expenses
- Extra nights & single supplements / accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips