Erzurum and Kars Tour with Flight from Ankara & Eastern Express 2 Nights

KARS - FETHIYE MOSQUE - NAMIK KEMAL HOUSE

In the early hours of the day, at the latest by 08.30, we start our journey by arriving at Ankara Esenboğa Airport on our own. After completing our check-in procedures at the airport with our ID card or driver's license, we pass through security control. We take our seats in the sky with the 10.30 Ankara - Kars flight of AJet Airlines and set off on a pleasant journey towards the historic city of Kars, the frontier city of the East. With our tour vehicle meeting us at Kars Airport, we start our discovery tour without wasting any time to fully immerse ourselves in the fascinating atmosphere of this fantastic city, which has been shining recently. The first stop of our trip, where we will closely feel the rich cultural and historical texture of Kars, will be the majestic Fethiye Mosque, which was built by the Russians in the late 19th century in the Baltic architectural style as a church and converted into a mosque in 1985. After this special structure reflecting the city's multicultural past, we move on to the Church of the Apostles (Kümbet Mosque), located at the foot of the magnificent Kars Castle and one of the rarest examples of Armenian-Georgian architectural style. The admirable details in the stonework offer us important clues about the deep-rooted history of the region. After the historical structures, we take a walk in the planned and wide streets of Kars, the "land of lovers", remaining from the Russian occupation period. While walking among the stone buildings bearing all the subtleties of Russian architecture, you will feel as if you are in a European city outside the borders of Turkey. During this walk, we step into one of the richest culinary stops of Anatolia; we have the opportunity to experience local gourmet tastes such as organic Kars honey, aged kashar cheese, world-famous gruyere, piti, hangel, kete, the famous Kars goose meat, and yellow fish. We continue our trip with the Historical Stone Bridge, which has survived from the Roman period to the present day and is still actively used, and the Historical Bath, which offers a journey into the past. We also see the house where our famous poet Namık Kemal, one of the cornerstones of our literary world, lived for a period, witnessing the literary heritage of Kars, and after our full first day, we settle into our hotel for dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast: Will be taken extra at a point recommended by our guide.

Lunch: Will be taken extra in Kars (Piti, Goose meat, Hangel, etc.).

Dinner: Will be taken extra at a point recommended by our guide.

Accommodation: Kars Hotels

Route: Kars City Tours (40 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 40 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 16.00

LAKE CILDIR - ANI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - CAUCASIAN NIGHT - SUSUZ WATERFALL

After a pleasant breakfast at our hotel, we set off towards Lake Cildir, the largest freshwater lake in the Eastern Anatolia Region, following the Arpaçay route accompanied by fascinating views. In this lake, which has a unique natural beauty, our guests have the opportunity to walk in a fairy-tale land when the surface is completely covered with ice in winter. In periods when weather conditions and ice thickness are suitable, our guests who wish can go on a safari with horse-drawn sleighs on the frozen lake or watch the Eskimo-style ice fishing, which has become the symbol of the lake, live. After the free time we will give by the lake and taking postcard-perfect photos, we have our lunch by the lake accompanied by the fresh flavors of the region. After lunch, we move to the Susuz Waterfall, which dazzles with its majestic water fall from a height of 75 meters (Extra). The valley right next to this natural wonder, which is the highest waterfall in the region, is home to 24 different bird species and a rich wildlife. After this refreshing nature break, we go to the fascinating Ani Archaeological Site (Ani Ruins), one of the most important centers of human history and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this legendary city of a thousand and one churches, established on the borders of Ocaklı Village, right next to the Arpaçay that draws the Turkey-Armenia border today; we explore monumental structures that defy time such as the Tigran Honents Church, the magnificent Ani Cathedral, the Convent of the Virgins, the Menuçehr Mosque, which is the first Turkish mosque in Anatolia, and the Abughamrents (Poladoğlu) Church accompanied by our guide's narrations. After this unforgettable day full of history and nature, we return to our hotel where we will stay in the evening. For our guests who want to make the evening even more colorful, we move to our dinner program to watch the fascinating Caucasian Folk Dance show, where elegance, nobility, and heroism meet with rhythm (Extra).

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken extra at Lake Cildir.

Dinner: Will be taken extra at the Caucasian Night.

Accommodation: Kars Hotels

Route: Kars - Lake Cildir (55 km) Lake Cildir - Ani (80 km) Ani - Kars (45 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 180 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 16.00

JOURNEY TO ERZURUM BY EASTERN EXPRESS - YAKUTIYE MADRASAH - TASHAN - ICE MUSEUM

After a nice breakfast at our hotel, we take our seats in the Pullman wagon of the historic Eastern Express, one of the most enjoyable moments of this trip, at 08.00 and set off towards Erzurum, the land of the "Dadaşlar". After a nostalgic journey of approximately four hours accompanied by the fascinating views of the railways, we reach Erzurum. (In case of any possible disruption in train services, our journey will be carried out by our comfortable tour vehicle via the Kars-Erzurum highway, and we will have the chance to visit the Sarıkamış Martyrs' Cemetery, where heroic epics were written on this route.) With our arrival in Erzurum, we step into the streets that resemble an open-air museum to discover the deep-rooted history and architectural masterpieces of the city. Among the historical places we will see within the scope of our culture tour are; the Yakutiye Madrasah with its magnificent architecture that has survived from the Ilkhanid period to the present day, the Çifte Minareli Madrasah, a Seljuk masterpiece that is the most important symbol of the city, the Ulu Mosque, which is the oldest and largest place of worship in the city, the Three Tombs, which are among the most beautiful examples of monumental tombs in Anatolia, and the Erzurum Congress and National Struggle Museum (if open), where the foundations of our Republic were laid. The Atatürk University Ata Ice Works Museum, which is the first and only ice museum in our country, offers an unforgettable experience by presenting both an artistic and cultural experience with its unique works where art is reflected in ice. After our cultural discoveries, we go to the historical Tashan (Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai) for shopping for Oltu stone, the world-famous black amber of Erzurum. After the wonderful souvenirs you can buy for your loved ones, we move to our restaurant to experience the most special flavors of the gourmet world. We have a feast that will leave unforgettable marks on our palate with the delicious Cağ Kebab cooked over a wood fire, which comes to mind first when Erzurum is mentioned, and the crispy Kadayıf Dolması. After the pleasant free time we will give after the meal, we move to Erzurum Airport. We complete this fairy-tale Eastern adventure with the 21.00 Ankara flight of AJet Airlines and return to Ankara. At the airport, we say goodbye to you, our valued guests, with the hope of meeting again on another discovery-filled tour.

Note: If there is no space on the train, the journey between Kars and Erzurum will be made by bus.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken extra in Erzurum.

Dinner: Will be taken extra.

Accommodation: It is the return day, there is no accommodation.

Route: Erzurum City Tours (40 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 40 km

Total Tour Distance: 260 Km

Ahıska Palas Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: G_16969

Sim – er Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 7721

Sivas Divriği Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 2022-58-0015

Van Ramada by Wyndham Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13963

Van Elite World Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 12470

Van Edens Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 21495

Tatvan The Krater Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 14907

Tatvan Kardelen Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 5180

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.

WOLKSWAGEN 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.

NOTE: Depending on the number of people in our tours, any of the vehicle types mentioned above is used.

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