Kars Georgia Christmas Markets Tour with Flight from Ankara and Eastern Express 5 Nights

GEORGIA MANDATORY TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE INCLUDED

AYDER PLATEAU - ZILKALE - STORM VALLEY - BATUMI NIGHT TOUR AND CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Our tour begins as we meet at the airport at 05.30 for the Ajet Airlines flight from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Rize, departing at 07.50. We complete our check-in procedures at the airport with our national ID cards or driver's licenses. We fly to Rize with the Ajet Airlines flight departing at 07.50. After meeting our vehicle and guide waiting for us in Rize, we head to our restaurant to shake off the morning drowsiness and have our extra breakfast. After breakfast, we set off for Ayder Plateau, a paradise on earth. While following the Storm Creek, we see the richest examples of Eastern Black Sea vegetation such as chestnut, alder, and oriental spruce, and take a photo break at the historical Ottoman Stone bridges, Mikron or Kale Bridge, next to the Hala Creek. We enter the Cat Valley, one of the important valleys forming the Storm Valley. First, we pass through Ortan Village and see Şenyuva Village, formerly known as Çinçiva, where the TV series SEVDALUK and many other productions were filmed. Here, we take a photo break at one of the wide and long stone bridges, of which there are dozens in the valley. After a short break in the wild nature of the Cat Valley, among the Storm Mansions, which are the oldest mansions in our country located in this region, we set off towards Zilkale rising in the wild nature of the Cat Valley (EXTRA). You will admire the appearance of Zilkale, which resembles an Eagle's Nest. During our time at Zilkale, which is 750 meters above sea level and 100 meters above the Cat Creek, you can capture some of the most beautiful photo frames of your life. After the beautiful moments, we get on our minibuses and return to Çamlıhemşin. We take a break for lunch next to the Storm Creek, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Black Sea. Afterwards, we go up to Ayder Plateau, one of the most beautiful points of the Kaçkar Mountains, and take a pleasant walk. We see the Gelin Düveni Waterfall and other waterfalls. After the Galerdüzü and Kalegon trips, we take a pleasant walk during our free time on the plateau. You will feel like you are in a completely different world on Ayder Plateau. Afterwards, we depart for Batumi. After completing our entry procedures at the Sarp Border Gate, we cross into the Georgia / Adjara region. We see (panoramically) the Gonio (Apsaros) Fortress, which remains from the Roman period and was last used during the Ottoman period, where the tomb of St. Matthias, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, is also located. As we continue towards Batumi city center, we see the Çoruh River, which forms sharp lines from its source in Bayburt to the Batumi borders, and the old Gonio Bridge over it. With our guests who wish, we go on a Batumi night city tour, which creates a beautiful appearance with the lighting of the streets. Our first stop on the city tour is the Old Port, and we move to the statue of Ali and Nino. Afterwards, we move to the point in the city center where we can watch the dance of music and light in perfect harmony at the Small Water Games. At the end of our break here, we visit the Christmas Market set up in Europe Square.

According to the agreement between the states of Turkey and Georgia, T.R. citizens can cross into Georgia with new type photo ID cards containing the T.R. identity number. Crossing cannot be made with documents other than this (driver's license, institutional IDs, etc.). Crossing to Georgia cannot be provided with old national ID cards. It is legally mandatory for IDs to have a photo, including for babies and children. Our guests under the age of 18 who will not be traveling with their families (mother and father at the same time) must obtain a notarized letter of consent for their crossing.

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra.

Accommodation: Batumi Hotels

Route: Rize - Ayder (105 km) Ayder - Batumi (130 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 235 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 19.00

BATUMI TOUR - STALIN MUSEUM - GORI - TBILISI

Our tour begins after the breakfast we will have at the hotel, and we start exploring Batumi. We start touring the Batumi city center. We go for a short walk in the Batumi city center. In this pleasant walk that we will carry out accompanied by our guide; the Orta Mosque remaining from the Ottoman Empire, the Clock Tower, Piazza Square, Government Building, Poseidon Statue, Theater Building, Astronomical Clock, Saint Nicholas Church, and Hotel France, where Nazım Hikmet once stayed, will be among the places we will see. While walking, we also taste street delicacies (Kvass, Pear Juice, Luca Polare Italian-style ice cream). After our trips here, we depart for Gori, known as the city where the Georgian-born Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was born. We visit the Stalin Museum in Gori. In the museum, we will also be able to see the small wooden hut where Stalin was born in 1878 and spent his first four years, and the green Pullman carriage that Stalin used on many trips. After our museum visit, we depart for Tbilisi.

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

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra at a point to be directed by our guide.

Accommodation: Tbilisi Hotels.

Route: Tbilisi - Batumi (350 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 350 km

TBILISI SEA - MTSKHETA - SAMEBA CATHEDRAL - DAVID STATUE - NUN NINO STATUE - JARDAN STREET - OTTOMAN BATH - CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Our tour, after the breakfast we will have at our hotel in the morning, we go to the monument located at the Tbilisi Sea (Extra). In the Chronicle of Georgia Monument, there are columns that tell both the history of the country and the 2000-year history of Christianity. After leaving here, we go to Mtskheta, which is located between the Kura and Aragvi rivers and is on the UNESCO Protection List, having served as the capital of Georgia (Kingdom of Iberia) about 2000 years ago, which is 20 minutes away. Our first stop here will be Jvari Monastery. Built in the 6th century, Jvari Monastery is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, a unique view of the meeting point of the Kura and Aragvi rivers will greet you. After our monastery visit, we continue our Tbilisi tour. We see the Sameba Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Caucasus and the 3rd largest in the Middle East. After seeing the Vakhtang Gorgasali Statue, which gives Tbilisi its name, the Founder David Statue, and the Nun Nino Statue, we move to Jardan Street, where Turks, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, and Georgians live together. After seeing the historical colorful Tbilisi houses, the Ottoman Period Mosque, and the Bath (old sulfur bath) around the Kura River, we give free time. During this walk, we also take short breaks in the city, which has turned into a winter wonderland decorated with bright lights and lively markets. We explore the lively Christmas markets, passing by beautifully decorated cafes, restaurants, bars, and market stalls, each telling a unique Christmas story. Afterwards, a Georgian night awaits you with a special menu consisting of Georgian dishes (Extra).

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

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra.

Accommodation: Tbilisi Hotels etc.

Route: Tbilisi City Tours (70 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 70 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 18.00

BORJOMI - AKHALTSIKHE - RABATI CASTLE - LAKE CILDIR
Our tour, after the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we depart for Borjomi, famous for its soda waters. The places we will see in Borjomi are; Central Park (you can taste the mineral water here), Cultural Heritage Monument Firuza Building, and Poseidon Monument. Afterwards, we depart for the historical city of Akhaltsikhe through the Azguri gorge. After seeing the Akhaltsikhe Castle (Rabati), which was the administrative center of the Çıldır province during the Ottoman period with its unique architectural structure that does not resemble any of the castle complexes in the world, panoramically, we depart for Lake Çıldır. After a journey of approximately 4 hours via the Aktaş Border Gate, we reach Lake Çıldır. In this lake, which has a unique view, those who wish have the chance to ride a horse-drawn sleigh on the lake, which is generally covered with ice in winter months (if the ice thickness is suitable according to seasonal conditions). Afterwards, we depart for our hotel.

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

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra.

Accommodation: Kars Hotels etc.

Route: Inside Tbilisi (35 km) Tbilisi - Borjomi (240 km) Borjomi - Posof (90 km) Posof - Kars (140 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 505 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 20.00

KARS - ANI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - CAUCASIAN NIGHT
Our tour, after the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we start exploring the city. Our first stop will be the Fethiye Mosque, which was built as a church from cut stones during the Russian occupation and converted into a mosque with the recapture of Kars. Afterwards, we move to the Church of the Apostles. After this structure, where we can examine the Armenian-Georgian architectural style, we take a walk in the streets of Kars. During the exploration made in the land of "Ashiks", tastes such as honey, cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, piti, hangel, kete, goose meat, yellow fish... will also encourage us to become gourmets. We see the Stone Bridge, which has reached the present day from the Roman period and is still in use, and the Historical Bath, and we find the opportunity to photograph the city panoramically from the Kars Castle, which is called the central castle or inner castle today. While walking among the structures where we can see the reflection of all the subtleties of Russian architecture, we forget that we are in Turkey. We see the house where our famous poet Namık Kemal lived for a period and find the opportunity to get to know the Ashik tradition, which is an important cultural heritage of Kars. Afterwards, we go to the Ani Archaeological Site, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. In the archaeological site located in the village of Ocaklı, right next to the Arpaçay, which forms the border of present-day Armenia, the Tigran Honents Church, Ani Cathedral, Convent of the Virgins, Manuchihr Mosque, and the Church of the Apostles will be waiting for us as monumental structures to be seen. After our trips, we return to our hotel in the evening. We go to the Caucasian Folk Dances show (Extra) with our guests who wish. (Night tours are extra and are carried out depending on participation and the number of people.)
 

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

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra.

Accommodation: Kars Hotels

Route: Kars - Ani (45 km) Ani - Kars (45 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 90 km

Hotel Check-in Time: 16.00

JOURNEY TO ERZURUM BY EASTERN EXPRESS - YAKUTIYE MADRASAH - TASHAN

Our tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Erzurum at 08.00 by the Eastern Express Pullman (seated) carriage. (If the train is not available, the journey between Kars and Erzurum will be made by vehicle.) If traveling by vehicle, the Sarıkamış Martyrs' Memorial will be visited on the way. After a pleasant journey of approximately four hours, we arrive in Erzurum, the land of the Dadas. We visit the Yakutiye Madrasah, Double Minaret Madrasah, Grand Mosque, Three Tombs, and the Erzurum Congress and National Struggle Museum (if open)... We then head to Tashan (Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai) for Oltu stone, a must-see in Erzurum, and to our restaurant for Cağ Kebab and Kadayıf Dolması. After some free time, we head to the airport. We return to Ankara with the 21.05 Ajet Airlines flight. We say goodbye with sadness, looking forward to meeting again on another Prontotour trip. Goodbye...

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

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

Lunch: To be taken as an extra in Erzurum.

Dinner: To be taken as an extra.

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

Route: Erzurum Sightseeing (40 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 40 km

Total Tour Distance: 950 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

INFORMATION
* Due to periodic congestion at the Batumi border crossing, delays may occur during transition procedures. Your guide will provide the necessary warnings regarding this matter.

* There is a mandatory 3-day stay requirement to bring goods (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.) when entering Turkey from abroad.

* According to the law introduced by Georgia, the Georgian Police do not accept any medication at country entries. They immediately initiate legal proceedings against individuals possessing medication. For daily entries, you may carry only one dose of medication for daily use, wrapped in paper.

* PRONTOTOUR is not responsible for any problems that may arise due to deformation of identity cards during the Georgian border crossing. Georgia requires photographs on identity cards, including for babies and children. (A photograph is mandatory)

* Foreign guests who have entered Turkey from abroad with a passport must have obtained a multiple-entry visa for Turkey in order to travel to Georgia and return to Turkey. Furthermore, visa-free/visa-required passage will be provided according to the visa protocol of the Georgian Government with the countries to which the passports or identity cards belong. TRNC citizens who enter Turkey using their TRNC identity cards will also be able to enter Georgia with their TRNC identity cards. TRNC citizens who enter Turkey with an European Union passport must also have obtained a multiple-entry visa to return to Turkey.
* During the tour, due to the intensity of the program, it is not always possible to find ATMs, currency exchange offices, etc., so it is beneficial for our guests to be prepared for this situation.

* Citizens traveling to Georgia are important to declare their money to Georgian customs officers in advance, either verbally or in writing, if they are carrying Turkish Lira/foreign currency equivalent to 30,000 Lari or more. Undeclared cash is confiscated in accordance with Georgian legislation.

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.

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

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