Upon your arrival in Trabzon, you are met with a friendly 'merhaba' (hello) and escorted to your hotel. You will have the day free to begin exploring Trabzon or to relax at your leisure. Learn more about the cultural adventure ahead of you at an orientation meeting at 7pm. During dinner get acquainted with the other members of your group.

Day 2 - Trabzon/Erzurum (BLD)

Miletian colonists founded Trabzon, the major city of the region, in the 7th century B. C. You will begin the day with a tour of the 14th century Sumela Monastery. In the afternoon, continue to Erzurum. Situated on a high plateau, Erzurum is currently the largest city in Anatolia. It has been ruled by Arabs, Byzantines, Armenians, Seljuks and Russians. The steadfast walls of this ancient fortress are well-preserved. You'll have a chance today to discover the castle, Cifte Minare Mosque and Grand Mosque. Visit the wonderful complex of Seldjoukide tombs of Uckumbetler.

Day 3 - Erzurum/Ani/Kars (BLD)

En route to Kars, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating town situated on the ancient Silk Road. An Armenian city from the 11th century on the Turkish Armenian border, Ani was called ""The City of 1001 Churches"" for its numerous churches and buildings of great splendor and magnificence. During the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani was a thriving community and acquired fame as being a Christian metropolis in Asia abounding with prestigious monuments. As the capital of Christian Armenia, Ani was a flourishing artistic and religious center ruled by Christian kings. Within the walls of these ruins still today are numerous churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral. Beautiful woodcarvings, and a wide collection of coins found in the area are exhibited. You may also find fine kilims, carpets and local costumes.

Day 4 - Kars/Dogubeyazit/ Mt Ararat/Van (BLD)

Drive to DoguBeyazit. On your way enjoy the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat, Turkey's most scenic natural monument. Mount Ararat, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to a height of 6, 854 feet. The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. While here be sure to try the local dessert, asure (Noah's Pudding), believed to have first been made by Noah's wife from the last bits of food in the ark. Then continue on to Van on the shores of Lake Van. Visit Van Castle 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.

Day 5 - Van (BLD)

Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. It is situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of rock-strewn mountains. An impressive citadel stands on one of these peaks and dates back to the 9th century BC. There are steps carved into rock leading to the fortress, and while descending you will be able to see some cuneiform inscriptions paying homage to Persian King, Xerxes of the 5th century BC. Enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose stone outer walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. In the afternoon make a visit to the 17th century Hosap Castle and Cavustepe dating back to the 9th century BC. Cavustepe, 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, is an important Urartian citadel. Excavated in 1970, today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions.

Day 6 - Van/Diyarbakir (BLD)

Next stop on your journey is Diyarbakir. Known in ancient times as Amida, Diyarbakir has been 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. The remains of the 1800 year old black basalt triple walls erected by Emperor Constantine, which encircle the old town, give the city a rather ominous appearance, but you'll visit beautiful Ulu Camii (the Grand Mosque), built in 1179 by Melik Nasreddin Mehmet and see many of the mosques dating from the Ottoman period still intact.

Day 7 - Hasankeyf, Mardin/Diyarbakir (BLD)

Today, you'll explore the city Hasankeyf by the Tigris River, before it is completely lost beneath the water after the installation of the dam. Complete your day with a visit to some of the oldest universities in the world located in Midyat and Mardin where you will discover highlights of Assyrian civilization. Midyat, famous for its silver objects known as 'telkari' has many elegant, historic houses. 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. Among the jewels are the ancient citadel and several mosques, in particular, Ulu Mosque. Also visit the world's oldest universities at Midyat and Mardin Darulzafeyran where you will discover highlights of Assriyan civilization.

Day 8 - Diyarbakir/Mt. Nemrut/Adiyaman (BLD)

In the morning drive to Kahta and ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut. On the summit of Mount Nemrut, the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia at 7, 053 feet, sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene. Antiochus believed himself to be the descendant of Apollo, so he built a statue of himself flanked by terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus. Time has inflicted heavy damage on the sculptures - their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet.

Day 9 - Adiyaman/Harran/Urfa (BLD)

Overlook the Ataturk Dam on the way to Urfa, which is presumed to be the location where Rebecca drew water for Jacob and where Abraham decided to move into the land of Canaan. In the afternoon, explore Harran, lying on the Mesopotamian plain, known for its mud-brick ""beehive"" like dwellings. The worship of the moon was practiced from 800BC to 830AD before the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius destroyed the city's temple to the moon god. Stroll among the archaeological finds including those of the largest ancient Islamic university, city walls dating from the eighth century, four gates and a citadel.

Day 10 - Urfa/Zeugma/Antioch (BLD)

Drive to Halfeti village and enjoy a boat tour to discover the Byzantine castle. Continue to Zeugma by the Euphrates, which has become a world heritage site because it will soon be submerged by water. Arrive to Birecik to explore some of 300 "bold ibiscus" birds left. After lunch drive to Yesemek where the most important Hittite sculpture school was founded in the 12th century BC. Here you can admire the fantastic statues still in good shape today. Then, continue on to Antioch - once the capital of the Seleucid kings and known for its great wealth and luxury. In Roman times, the city continued to thrive with commerce and culture and was the city where the followers of Christ were first referred to as “Christians. ”

Day 11 - Antioch/Tarsus (BLD)

In Antakya (Antioch), you'll visit the largest Mosaic Museum in Turkey. Then, visit the Cave of Saint Peter where he first celebrated the mass. Continue to Tarsus where St Paul was born and where Antony first met Cleopatra.

Day 12 - Adana/Istanbul (BLD)

Transfer to the Adana Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

Day 13 - Departure (B) or extend in Istanbul.

Transfer to airport for your flight home.

PACKAGE  INCLUDES:
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Accommodation in specified category
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Museums and sites entry fees
Transportation in non-smoking a/c coach with professional English (other languages are possible)  speaking guide and professional driver.
Sightseeings as mentioned in tour plan.

NOT INCLUDED:
International or domestic flights, portage at airports, drinks, tips to guide and driver and items of a personal nature. Domestic flights with associated transfer are optional and extra if needed; overnight coach transportation price is included in the tour price.