Kars Tour 3 Nights with Tourist Train (Kars - Ankara Direction)

CHURCH OF THE 12 APOSTLES - NAMIK KEMAL HOUSE 

Our tour will transfer you to Sabiha Gökçen Airport via our shuttle service from 05.00 Beylikdüzü Migros, 05.30 Yenibosna Airport AVM, 06.00 Şişli Prontotour Head Office, and 06.30 Kadıköy Marriage Office Parking Lot. We will complete our check-in procedures at the airport with our ID cards or driver's licenses. Meeting our guests who arrive at the airport on their own at 07.00 in front of the Ajet Airlines Counter, we will pass through security and fly to our border city Kars with the 08.50 Sabiha Gökçen - Kars flight via Ajet Hy. Upon landing in Kars, we will meet our guide and vehicle to begin our tour. We set out to be completely captivated by the magic of this fantastic city, the rising star of the East, and to closely observe the rich cultural and historical fabric of Kars. Our first stop will be the Fethiye Mosque, built as a church in the Baltic Architectural style by the Russians in the late 19th century and converted into a mosque in 1985. This historical transition stands out as an example reflecting the cultural richness of Kars. Afterwards, we proceed to the Church of the Apostles (Kümbet Mosque) built at the foothills of Kars Castle. This church draws attention as a prominent example of Armenian-Georgian architectural style. The details of the structure provide 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', we witness the rich gastronomic 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 reached from the Roman period to the present 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 touring the city, we encounter buildings reflecting all the subtleties of Russian architecture, making us feel as if we are traveling outside of Turkey. We witness the literary and cultural importance of Kars by visiting the house where the famous poet Namık Kemal lived for a period. Afterwards, 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, the rising star of the East. Then, we check into our hotel.

Breakfast: To be taken as an extra at a point recommended by our guide.
Lunch: To be taken as an extra in Kars (Piti, Goose meat, Hangel, etc.).
Dinner: To 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 RUINS - LAKE ÇILDIR - CAUCASIAN FOLK DANCE SHOW

Our tour departs from the hotel after breakfast and visits the Ancient City of Ani, included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list, located 50 kilometers from Kars. Ani is a summary of a medieval city with its impressive walls, which have remained largely intact, 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 of Anatolia. Afterwards, we move to Lake Çıldır. First, we have our lunch at Lake Çıldır. Depending on seasonal conditions, you can eat the Yellow Fish, which is native to the lake. After the meal, we enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride on the frozen Lake Çıldır (Extra). (Horse-drawn sleighs will not be available if the lake is not sufficiently frozen or if the ice melts.) After spending pleasant time on the lake and around the restaurant, we go to the restaurant for dinner (including the Caucasian Folk Show) with guests who wish to do so as an extra. After the night, we go to the Kars Train Station. After settling into our rooms on the train, we begin our journey with the 21.05 Tourist Train. (Night tours are extra and are carried out depending on participation and the number of people.)

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

JOURNEY WITH TOURIST TRAIN - EXTRA KEMALİYE DIVRIĞI TOUR - SIVAS

Our tour arrives at İliç by train at 06.40 in the morning, and we move to Kemaliye with our vehicle waiting for us (EXTRA). After our free time, we get into our vehicle to board our train departing at 09.40. After arriving in Divriği at 10.45, we start touring Divriği with our vehicle waiting for us (EXTRA). After our free time, we get into our vehicle to reach our train departing at 13.15. We continue our journey with the Tourist Train. At 17.15, we reach Sivas Station. With guests who wish to do so, we start touring Sivas City Center (EXTRA). At 20.15, our Tourist train departs from Sivas Station.

Breakfast: To be taken as an extra. 
Lunch: To be taken as an extra. 
Dinner: To be taken as an extra at the TCDD Tourist East Express Restaurant. 
Accommodation: In our TCDD Tourist East Express Sleeper Wagon. 

FROM ANKARA TO ISTANBUL BY HIGH SPEED TRAIN

Our tour ends our sleeper train journey at 06.55 in the morning. We return to Istanbul with the high speed train departing at 10.55. We bid farewell to you after getting off the train at Söğütlüçeşme, our final stop. Goodbye. (The arrival-departure times above are estimates; the departure times provided by the official on the train during the journey are essential) Tickets for the 10:55 Istanbul high speed train are purchased based on the possibility of the East Express train being delayed.

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

KEMALİYE TOUR: The distance between İliç Station and Kemaliye is 35 km. The round trip to Kemaliye takes approximately 1 hour. We start our Kemaliye tour with a free breakfast break. Then, we go to Apçağa Village, which has been declared a protected site by the village committee and is close to the Kemaliye city center. Here, we will see historical houses, the Ahmet Kutsi Tecer Culture House, and the Village Bakery. Then, we go to the Kayabaşı tea house, where we can see Kemaliye and the Euphrates River from above. After the free time we spend 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

DIVRIĞI TOUR: First, we go to see the Divriği Great Mosque, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list and is described as the highest level reached in Seljuk stone art. Due to restoration works, we will see the Divriği Great Mosque panoramically from the outside, and then we take a food and shopping break on Hüma Hatun Street, where women-run businesses are located. Then, we move to the newly restored Divriği mansions. After the photo break in front of the mansions, we return to our train. EXTRA

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

Important Notes regarding TCDD Tourist East Express

The sleeper wagon in the East Express consists of 10 guest rooms, 1 technical staff room, 2 toilet sections, and the corridor from which these rooms open. Each room in the wagon is for 2 people. Inside the rooms, there is a hand washbasin, mirror, mini-fridge, desk, clothes hanger, shelf, and ladder. There are two 220-volt electrical outlets in the room. Windows can be closed with curtains, the room door can be locked, or both can be kept open, completely depending on the guest's wish. Each room has a heating and cooling system. At the beginning of the trip, the wagon attendant provides information about the temperature setting system and other matters. During the daytime parts of the journey, guests generally keep their beds closed and use them in a seating arrangement. When the night hours begin, they switch to a bed arrangement by opening their seats at a desired hour. One person sleeps on the lower bunk, and the second person sleeps on the upper bunk. There is one ladder in the room for easy access to the upper bunk. Each bed opens ready for use. The beds include a white sheet, pillowcase and pillow, 1 white blanket protector sheet, and 1 blanket, all clean and ready for sleeping. There are corridors and passage doors to move between wagons. In this way, guests can reach the Restaurant Wagon, where they can sit at tables and drink tea or coffee. Additionally, they can have appetizer snacks with the breakfast products and food varieties available in the Restaurant. Restaurant wagon fees are quite economical. For toilet needs on the train, there is one toilet at each end of the corridor. One of these toilets is squat-style and the other is Western-style. One wagon attendant in each wagon is assigned to ensure the safe travel of guests staying in the rooms, to perform water replenishment for the wagon, and to handle the 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. Final times will be notified two days before the tour.

In case of no availability on the YHT, the transfer between Ankara - Istanbul will be made with shuttle vehicles.

Important Note: The departure point of our tours is Istanbul, and the connecting flights or connection tickets purchased individually by guests who will participate in the tour from different cities are entirely their own responsibility. In case of cancellation of the tour due to insufficient participation or changes in flight times caused by the airline company, our agency is absolutely not responsible for the cancellation, refund, or change costs of tickets purchased by guests from other provinces.

NOTE: All extra activities such as ATV safari, boat tour, diving, jeep safari, parachute, hot air balloon, and similar activities offered or suggested to guests during the tour, which are not part of the package tour program, are outside the scope of the Package Tour Agreement and are a separate service. These extra services are not organized by our agency, but are provided by independent third-party suppliers. Guests purchase and participate in these services entirely according to their own wishes 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 case; our agency has no responsibility for any kind of accident, injury, death, material and moral damages that may occur during extra tours, or negatives caused by third parties. The guest accepts that they know that these types of activities involving risk, by their nature, contain danger, and that their health status is suitable for participation, and that all necessary responsibility belongs to them. Furthermore, all dangerous activities are not covered by insurance.

Climate: Continental climate prevails in our Van and Kars provinces. Winters are harsh and long. In very high regions, Lake Van ensures that winter is less harsh. Nearly 150 days in winter are below 0°C. In summer, 20 days are above +30°C. The ground remains covered with snow for 80 days. Annual precipitation varies between 370 mm and 570 mm depending on the districts. Summers are dry and very hot. Temperatures range 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 Lamps, 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 Lamps, 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 Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

MINIBUSES

MERCEDES SPRİNTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lamps, 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 Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

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