3-Night Kars Tour with Tourist Train (Kars - Ankara Direction) Departing from Ankara

CHURCH OF THE 12 APOSTLES - NAMIK KEMAL HOUSE - KANLI TABYA WAR HISTORY MUSEUM

Our tour begins in the early hours of the day. We arrive at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 08.30 by our own means. At the airport, we complete our check-in procedures for our flight using our identity documents, such as a national ID card or driver's license. After check-in, we pass through security and board the Ajet Airlines flight scheduled for 10.30 from Ankara to Kars, starting our journey to the historic city of Kars. Upon landing in Kars, we meet our guide and vehicle to begin our excursion. We set out to fully immerse ourselves in the magic of this fantastic city, which has recently become a rising star in the East, and to see Kars' rich cultural and historical fabric up close. Our first stop will be the Fethiye Mosque, which was built by the Russians in the late 19th century as a church in the Baltic architectural style and converted into a mosque in 1985. This historical transition stands out as an example reflecting the cultural richness of Kars. Afterward, we move on to the Church of the Apostles (Kümbet Mosque), built at the foothills of Kars Castle. This church stands out as a prominent example of the Armenian-Georgian architectural style. The details of the structure offer important clues reflecting the history and culture of the region. Then, we take a walk through the streets of Kars. In this region, known as the land of 'Ashiks' (bards), we witness the rich gastronomy and cultural heritage of Anatolia. We step into the gourmet world of the region by tasting delicacies such as honey, kashar cheese, gruyere cheese, piti, hangel, kete, goose meat, and yellow fish. We visit the Stone Bridge, which has survived from the Roman period and is still in use. This bridge appears as a structure emphasizing the historical and geographical importance of the region. Similarly, the Historical Bath offers us a historical journey as a structure extending from the past to the present. While wandering through the city, we encounter structures where we see the reflection of all the subtleties of Russian architecture, and we feel as if we are taking a journey outside of Turkey. By seeing the house where one of our famous poets, Namık Kemal, lived for a period, we witness the literary and cultural importance of Kars. Afterward, we visit the Kanlı Tabya War History Museum, where ethnographic materials, weapons used in wars, and movable cultural assets documenting our recent history are exhibited. We are completely captivated by the magic of this fantastic city, which has recently become a rising star in the East. Afterward, we check into our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra at a point recommended by our guide.
Lunch: Will be taken as an extra in Kars (Piti, Goose meat, Hangel, etc.).
Dinner: Will be taken as an extra at a point recommended by our guide.
Accommodation: Kars Hotels, etc.
Route: Kars City Tours (20 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 20 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 16.00

ANI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - LAKE CILDIR - CAUCASIAN FOLK DANCE SHOW

Our tour departs from our hotel after breakfast in the morning and we visit the Ani Ancient City, which is 50 kilometers from Kars and included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Ani is a summary of a medieval city with its impressive walls that have largely survived, examples of religious and civil architecture, and city planning. The places we will see here are; the City Walls, Ani Cathedral, Tigran Honents Church, and the Manucehr Mosque, which was built after the Turks conquered the region and is therefore the first mosque in Anatolia. Afterward, we set off for Lake Cildir. We have our lunch first at Lake Cildir. Depending on seasonal conditions, you can eat the Yellow Fish, which is the lake's own fish. After lunch, we enjoy the Horse-Drawn Sleigh on the frozen Lake Cildir (Extra). (If the lake is not frozen enough or the ice has melted, horse-drawn sleighs will not be available.) After the pleasant time we will spend at the lake and around the restaurant, we go to the restaurant for the dinner (which includes a Caucasian Folk Show) that we will take as an extra with our guests who wish. After the night, we go to the Kars Train Station. After settling into our rooms on the train, we start our journey with the 21.05 Touristic Train. (Night tours are extra and are carried out depending on participation and the number of people.)

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken as an extra at Lake Cildir.
Dinner: Will be taken as an extra at the Caucasian Night.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Eastern Express Sleeper Car
Route: Kars - Lake Cildir (55 km) Lake Cildir - Ani (80 km) Ani - Kars (45 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 180 km

JOURNEY BY TOURISTIC TRAIN - EXTRA KEMALIYE DIVRIGI TOUR - SIVAS

Our tour continues as we get off our train, which reaches Ilic at 06.40 in the morning, and set off for Kemaliye with our vehicle waiting for us (EXTRA). After our free time, we board our vehicle to catch our 09.40 departing train. We get off our train, which reaches Divrigi at 10.45, and start touring Divrigi with our vehicle waiting for us (EXTRA). After our free time, we board our vehicle to reach our 13.15 departing train. We continue our journey with the Touristic Train. We reach Sivas Station at 17.15. We start touring Sivas City center with our guests who wish (EXTRA). Our Touristic train departs from Sivas Station at 20.15.

Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra.
Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.
Dinner: Will be taken as an extra at the TCDD Touristic Eastern Express Restaurant.
Accommodation: In our TCDD Touristic Eastern Express Sleeper Car.

RETURN

Our tour ends in the morning at 07.25 with our sleeper train journey. We get off the train and say goodbye to you. Goodbye. (The arrival-departure times above are estimates; the departure times given by the official on the train during the journey are essential)

Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra.
Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.
 

KEMALIYE TOUR: The distance between Ilic Station and Kemaliye is 35 km. The round trip to Kemaliye covers approximately 1 hour of time. We start our Kemaliye tour with a free breakfast break. Afterward, we go to Apçağa Village, which is close to the Kemaliye city center and declared a protected area by the village council. Here, historical houses, the Ahmet Kutsi Tecer Culture House, and the Village Bakery will be the places we will see. Afterward, we go to the Kayabaşı tea house, where we can see Kemaliye and the Euphrates River from above. After the free time we will give here, we return to the Kemaliye city center. After our shopping break in the Kemaliye city center, we take a short break on the Stone Road where we can see the Dark Canyon. After our photo break, we return to our train. EXTRA

DIVRIGI TOUR: First, we go to see the Divrigi Great Mosque, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is defined as the highest level reached in Seljuk stone art. After the Divrigi Great Mosque, which we will see panoramically from the outside due to restoration work, we take a meal and shopping break on Hüma Hatun Street, where women-run businesses are located. Afterward, we move to the newly restored Divrigi mansions. After the photo break we will give in front of the mansions, we return to our train. EXTRA

SIVAS TOUR: We reach the train station and board our vehicle waiting for us to move to Sivas Center. In Sivas, we first see the Sivas Congress Building, Atatürk and Ethnography Museum, where some of the most important decisions of the National Struggle were taken, from the outside. Then, in a city where we can find many works hosting the most beautiful examples of Seljuk architecture together, we visit the Buruciye Madrasa, Şifaiye Madrasa, and the Double Minaret Madrasa, one of the Ilkhanid Period works whose only front facade has survived, respectively.

Important Notes regarding the TCDD Touristic Eastern Express

The sleeper car on the Eastern Express consists of 10 guest rooms, 1 technical staff room, 2 toilet sections, and a corridor to which these rooms open. Each room in the wagon is for 2 people. Inside the rooms, there is a hand basin, mirror, mini-fridge, desk, clothes hanger, shelf, and ladder. There are 2 220-volt electrical outlets in the room. Windows can be covered with curtains, and the room door can be locked or both can be kept open, it is entirely up to the guest's desire. There is a heating and cooling system in every room. At the beginning of the journey, information about the heat setting system and other matters is provided by the Wagon attendant. During the daytime parts of the journey, guests usually keep their beds closed and use them in a seating arrangement. When the night hours begin, they open their seats at an hour they desire and switch to the bed arrangement. One person sleeps on the bottom floor, and the second person sleeps on the bunk bed level that opens at the top. There is 1 ladder in the room to climb to the bunk level comfortably. When each bed is opened, it is opened in a ready state. In the beds; white sheets, pillowcases and pillows, 1 white blanket protective sheet, and 1 blanket are found clean and ready to sleep. There are corridors and transition doors in the wagon to pass between each other. In this way, guests can reach the Restaurant Wagon and sit at the tables there to drink tea and coffee. They can also have snacks with breakfast products and meal varieties found in the Restaurant. Restaurant wagon prices are quite economical. There is one toilet at each end of the corridor for toilet needs on the train. One of these toilets is Turkish style and the other is Western style. The 1 Wagon attendant in each wagon is assigned to ensure the safe travel of the guests staying in the rooms, to supply water to the wagon, and to perform periodic maintenance and cleaning of the toilets.

NOTE: Our tour will be carried out with a total of 18 people.

Note: There may be changes in YHT times. Exact times will be notified two days before the tour.

In case there is no space on the YHT, the transfer between Ankara and Istanbul will be made by vehicles.

Important Note: The departure point of our tours is Istanbul, and the individual flight or connection tickets that our guests who will join the tour from different cities will purchase are entirely their own responsibility. In case the tour is canceled due to insufficient participation or flight times are changed due to the airline company, our agency is absolutely not responsible for the cancellation, refund, or change costs of the tickets that guests have purchased from other provinces.

NOTE: All extra activities such as ATV safari, boat tour, diving, jeep safari, parachute, hot air balloon, and similar activities that are not included in the package tour program and are offered or suggested to guests during the tour are outside the scope of the Package Tour Contract and are a separate service. Such extra services are not organized by our agency, and the relevant services are provided by independent third-party suppliers. Guests purchase and participate in these services entirely at their own request and initiative. The guest accepts and declares that they establish a direct contractual relationship with the relevant local service provider before participating in extra activities, and that information regarding the scope, safety, and conditions of the service will be provided by the relevant provider. In this context; our agency has no responsibility for any accidents, injuries, deaths, material and moral damages that may occur during extra tours, or negativities caused by third parties. The guest accepts that they know that such activities involving risk contain danger by their nature, that their health status is suitable for participation, and that all necessary responsibility belongs to them. In addition, all dangerous activities are not covered by insurance.

Climate: A continental climate prevails in our Van and Kars provinces. Winters are harsh and long. In very high regions, Lake Van ensures that winter passes less harshly. Nearly 150 days of winter pass below 0°C. In summer, 20 days are above +30°C. The soil remains covered with snow for 80 days. The annual rainfall varies between 370 mm and 570 mm depending on the districts. Summers are less rainy and very hot. The temperature ranges between -26.9°C and +36°C.

MIDIBUSES

ISUZU TURKUAZ: 31+1 or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lights, Sound System for Guide Announcements, CD and DVD Player.

NOVO LUX: 31+1 or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lights, Sound System for Guide Announcements, CD and DVD Player.

TEMSA PRESTIGE: 31+1 or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lights, Sound System for Guide Announcements, CD and DVD Player.

MINIBUSES

MERCEDES SPRINTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lights, Sound System for Guide Announcements, CD and DVD Player.

VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lights, Sound System for Guide Announcements, CD and DVD Player.

OUR TOUR PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSUMER LAW NO. 6502.