Thy and the Eastern Express Eastern Turkey Erzurum Kars Van Tour (Round Trip by Plane)
Tour Program
Istanbul New Airport, Çifte Minareli Madrasa, Taş Han Oltu Stone, Erzurum Cağ Kebab, Grand Mosque, Pasinler, Çobandede Bridge, Eastern Express Train Journey
Istanbul New Airport, Double Minaret Madrasa, Taş Han Oltu Stone, Erzurum Cağ Kebab, Grand Mosque, Pasinler, Çobandede Bridge, Eastern Express Train Journey
On the 1st day of our THY Eastern Express Turkey’s East Erzurum Kars Van Tour, after meeting our guests at 07:00 in the morning at Istanbul New Airport, THY Counter, we complete our check-in procedures for the Erzurum flight, flight no. TK-2704, which will depart at 09:10 with our National ID Card or Driver’s License. After our approximately 2-hour flight, we meet our vehicle and guide waiting for us at Erzurum Airport, and after our (Extra) Breakfast Break, we arrive in Erzurum, the gateway to Anatolia, which was attached to the Ottoman Empire by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1517. Viewing the Çifte Minareli Madrasa, built by Hundi Hatun, the daughter of Alaattin Keykubat, or by Padishah Hatun from the Ilkhanid dynasty, from the outside, we visit the Grand Mosque, built in 1179 during the reign of Saltuklu Melik Nasirüddin Muhammed Bey, and after Oltu Stone shopping and a Lunch Break at Taş Han, built in 1561 by Rüstem Pasha, the grand vizier of Suleiman the Magnificent and also his son-in-law, we leave Erzurum and take the Eastern Express Train for the Erzurum - Kars train journey, and after an enjoyable journey that will take about five hours, we board our vehicle waiting for us at Kars train station and arrive at our hotel in Kars. Dinner and Accommodation at Our Hotel
Breakfast: Erzurum - Babunec Breakfast / Breakfast Plate
Lunch: Cağ Kebab Menu in Erzurum Will Be Taken Freely (Extra)
Dinner: Will Be Taken at the Hotel, Included in Our Price.
Accommodation: Kars - Sapran Deluxe Hotel
Accommodation: Kars - Sapran Deluxe Hotel
Accommodation: Sapran Deluxe Hotel
Ani Ruins, Menuçerh Mosque, Cathedral, Bloody Bastion, Lake Çıldır, Horse-Drawn Sleighs, Caucasian Night, Ashik Improvisation Contest
Ani Ruins, Menuçerh Mosque, Cathedral, Kanlı Tabya, Çıldır Lake, Horse-Drawn Sleighs, Caucasian Night, Ashik Competition
On the 2nd day of our THY with Eastern Express Turkey's East Erzurum Kars Van Tour, after the breakfast we will have at our hotel in the morning, we set off from Kars, which was left to the Ottomans with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1918 and had become the capital of the Armenian Dynasty, and arrive at Ani, which was conquered by Sultan Alparslan in 1064 after a 25-day siege, then after completing our visits to the Picture Church, built in 1215 by Tigran Honents, a merchant from Ani, the Great Cathedral, whose foundations were laid by Bagratid King Sembat II in 990 A.D. but completed in 1001 by his wife Queen Katranide after the king's death, and the Menuçerh Mosque, built in 1072 by Ebû'l Menuçehr Bey and known as the first Turkish mosque in Anatolia, we reach Kars and, after visiting the Caucasus Front War History Museum, built in 1803 during the reign of Sultan Selim III under the name "New Tabya," used to repel the Russian attack in 1828, to win the Kars Victory in 1855, and for defense during the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War, we travel along the Arpa River, a major tributary of the Aras River that forms the Turkey-Armenia border in the direction of Arpaçay, covering a total of 186 km, until we reach Çıldır Lake, where it originates, a natural dam lake formed by lava flow, located at an altitude of 1959 meters above sea level and having its deepest point at 42 m; with its magnificent nature, in Çıldır Lake, which is generally frozen over during winter months, our guests who wish may take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh on the lake or take plenty of photos. After finishing our visits to Çıldır Lake, we arrive at our hotel in Kars. Accommodation at our hotel. With our guests who wish, we participate in the indispensable Caucasian Night of Kars, where we can get to know the regional culture and taste local foods. Dinner on this evening at the accommodation is not included in the tour price. Guests who do not want to attend the Caucasian Night will be able to have dinner on their own.
Caucasian Night: At Kale Cafe, Caucasian Show, Ashik Competition, Live Music; Fruit Plate, Shelled Peanuts, Baked Gartol; Piti (Bozbash), Local Soup, Yogurt, Beet Pickle, Salad, Çeçil Cheese, Local Halva (Extra)
Breakfast: Will be served as an open buffet at the hotel.
Lunch: Local meal will be served in Kars city center (Extra)
Dinner: Kars - Kale Restaurant / Piti Menu Included in Caucasian Night (Extra)
Accommodation: Kars - Sapran Deluxe Hotel etc...
Accommodation: Kars -
Accommodation: Sapran Deluxe Hotel
Kars Castle, Kümbet Mosque, Digor, İshak Pasha Palace, Tuzluca Cave, Tendürek Pass, Muradiye Waterfall
Kars Castle, Kümbet Mosque, Digor, Ishak Pasha Palace, Tuzluca Cave, Tendürek Pass, Muradiye Waterfall
On the 3rd day of our THY and Eastern Express Turkey’s East Erzurum Kars Van tour, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we head to our shop where we can do local shopping such as the famous Kars cheese, gravyer, which is a must in Kars. We start our city tour in Kars, which remained under Russian control for about 40 years after the war known as the 93 War, which took place between 1877 and 1878. We will see the Hasan Harakani Tomb, who lived between 963 and 1033 and was martyred in Kars after being wounded in a battle with the Byzantine army at the foot of Yahni Mountain; Kümbet Mosque, built by Bagratid King Abbas between 932 and 937 AD and used as a mosque since 1993; and the Stone Bridge, built in 1579 by Lala Mustafa Pasha on the order of Ottoman Sultan Murad III. After a panoramic view of Kars Castle, built in 1152 by Vizier Firuz Akay on the order of Sultan Melik Izzettin, we visit Tuzluca Cave, which has recently been frequently mentioned, via Dağpınar, Digor, established at the foot of the volcanic Yağlıca Mountain at an altitude of 2961 m, and Tuzluca, whose name changed from Kulp due to the salt mine covering an area of 35 acres (Extra). Passing by Mount Ararat, the highest mountain in Turkey at 5137 m, we continue toward Doğubayazıt, which has developed continuously as a Customs Center on the Trabzon road route, taking its name from İğdir Bey, the eldest son of Deniz Khan, one of the six sons of Oghuz Khan. Upon reaching Doğubayazıt, after lunch and a shopping break, we visit Ishak Pasha Palace, whose construction was started in 1685 by Çolak Abdi Pasha of the Çıldır Atabegs and completed in 1784, 99 years later, during the time of Küçük İshak Pasha from the same lineage. This 366-room building is the first structure in the world to use a central heating system from the walls. We will see the Milk Fountain, said to have milk flowing from one tap and water from the other, the Courtroom, the Dungeons, and the Harem and Selamlik sections, then we will take a photo break at Muradiye Waterfall, named after Sultan Murad IV, who set out on the Baghdad campaign, and located on the Bend-i Mahi stream, with a drop of about 50 m, on the Çaldıran route, which has a name similarity with Çaldıran near the city of Maku within Iran’s borders. After our break, we arrive at our hotel in Van. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be served as an open buffet at the hotel.
Lunch: Doğubayazıt - Ararat Restaurant / Abdigor Menu
Dinner: Will be served as a set menu at the hotel
Accommodation: Renaissance Life Hotel etc...
Accommodation: Van Hotels
Accommodation: Van Hotels
Tushpa Castle, Lake Van, Savat Workshop and Cat House, Akdamar Island Boat Tour, Gagik Church
Tuşpa Castle, Lake Van, Tinning Workshop and Cat House, Akdamar Island Boat Tour, Gagik Church
On the 4th day of our Eastern Express Turkey’s East Erzurum Kars Van Tour with THY, after the breakfast we will have at our hotel in the morning, if you wish, our valued guests who have come to Van will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Van breakfast by going to Sütçü Kenan, one of the most valuable places in Van Province and its breakfast culture (Extra). After receiving information about the Art of Tinning, made with black tin mud, an alloy obtained from copper, lead, and sulfur applied on silver, and derived from the word “Esvad,” which means “black” in Arabic, and after seeing the Van Cats, a rare cat breed, we will view from above the Sardur Bastion, the Blood Channels at the Mother-Daughter Open Air Temple, and the rock tombs of Menua, the founders, and Sarduri II, from the Van Castle, which was built by Urartian King Sarduri I between 840-825 B.C., overlooking the Urartian capital Tuşpa, with a length of 1800 m, a width of 120 m, and a height of 80 m. Afterwards, leaving Van, established on the slopes of Mount Erek at an altitude of 3250 m, we will board our boat in Gevaş, founded on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mount Artos at an altitude of 3550 m, and accompanied by our guide, after an approximately 30-minute journey on Lake Van, whose water is salty and carbonated, at an altitude of 1646 m, and 120 km wide and 80 km wide, we arrive at Tamara’s Island, Akdamar Island (Extra). After our visit to Gagik Church, built by King Gagik I of Vaspurakan in the name of the Holy Cross between 915-921 for Monk Manuel, we return by boat to Gevaş, then have our lunch and go to Akdamar Peynircilik for our local shopping, complete our shopping where you will find hundreds of products, especially honey, butter, and herb cheese, and start our journey to Van Airport. We complete our check-in procedures for our TK 2755 flight operated by THY Airlines at 20:25 and begin our flight to Istanbul. After a 2-hour journey, we arrive at Sabiha Gökçen Airport and complete our tour. We bid farewell to see you again in another Turlasana.com organization with our valued guests.
Breakfast: Will be Taken as an Open Buffet at the Hotel or Sütçü Kenan Van Breakfast (Extra)
Lunch: Will be Taken Freely in Van (Extra)
Dinner: Van - Free Time
Accommodation: Will Not Be Provided
Accommodation: Will Not Be Provided
What's Included
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation in Hotels
- Mandatory Travel Insurance No. 1618
- All Sightseeing Tours Included in the Program
- Ferry, Parking, Highway, and Bridge Fees
- Professional Guiding and Escort Services
- Transportation by Luxury Vehicles and Water Service on Board
- 3 Breakfasts to Be Served at the Hotels
- 2 Dinners to Be Served at the Hotels
- Pulman (Seated) Train Ticket Between Erzurum and Kars
- Istanbul / Erzurum - Economy Class Outbound Ticket with THY Hy
- Van / Istanbul - Economy Class Return Ticket with THY Hy
Not Included
- All Lunches
- All Personal Expenses
- 1 Dinner in Kars
- Beverages Taken with All Meals
- All Museum and Archaeological Site Entrance Fees
- All Extra Specified Activities
- Breakfast on the First Day and Dinner on the Last Day
General Information
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The balloon sightseeing tour is not operated in conditions where the weather is not suitable, as balloons do not take off. This activity is reached by tour vehicle or a vehicle rented other than the tour vehicle; if there is not a sufficient number of participants or if a different vehicle is not available, this extra tour may not take place.
The specified extra tour, activities, and programs may or may not take place depending on the density of the regions and the timing of the tour program; the guide has the right not to carry out extra programs and activities when deemed appropriate. If an insufficient number is not reached, the specified extra tour and activities may not be carried out. In such cases, the fee collected for the extra activity or program will be refunded in full or with a certain discount (for reasons such as cancellation due to adverse weather conditions or similar force majeure, but having gone to the activity area and having been required to make a reservation).
During the tour, a promise or guarantee of seat number can absolutely not be given. Please do not insist.
Our vehicles depart from the specified departure points at the stated times for each tour; please be ready at the departure point at least 5 minutes before the departure time. Our vehicles depart at the departure time. Guests who are late and cannot join the tour cannot make any claims.
Before the date of participation in the tour, the contact number of the tour staff will be sent as a text message to the phone number you provided during reservation. Please make sure that the contact number you provide is correct. Otherwise, responsibility lies with you.
When children under the age of 18 who are not considered adults do not join the tour with one or both of their parents, the consent documents required for participation in the tour must be kept with them during the trip.
If the Guide deems it necessary in cases such as adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic, the density of places to visit in the region, etc., he/she has the right to make changes to the timing, flow of the program, and the area to be visited, provided that the tour program is carried out. Hotels specified in the program may be changed, provided that they are similar in terms of standards and location.
Our tour is a package consisting of guidance, transportation, accommodation, and excursions and cannot be considered separately. Unused transportation, accommodation, excursions, etc. rights are not refunded. If sufficient majority cannot be reached, with prior notification to guests who purchased the package, the tour may be postponed to a different date, guests may be transferred to a different tour program, or the tour may be canceled and the fees of guests who made the purchase will be refunded. In such a case, our Agency is obliged to notify our guests personally 1 (one) day in advance. The Minimum Number of Participants is 25 people.
Turlasana.com is absolutely not responsible for places that cannot be visited in the tour program due to force majeure (weather, road, congestion at visiting places, places/regions closed due to special days or renovation works, etc.) and/or due to our guests not complying with the timing given by our guide.
When the agency cannot reach a sufficient number, in order not to cancel the tour, it may send its guests to a different agency with the same or a similar tour program; thus, our guests can carry out the tour program they purchased without their holiday plans being disrupted.
The return times of tours may vary depending on traffic density; no definite or exact return time is given.
In accommodation tours, the 0–6 age child discount is applicable for one child accompanied by two adults.
Foreign guests who are not citizens of the Republic of Turkey do not pay any additional difference on this tour. Since the museum card application is special to citizens of the Republic of Turkey, no museum card is provided. The latest published circular supersedes the previous circular.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Additional Information
RECOMMENDATIONS
During the trip, comfortable walking shoes or athletic shoes should be preferred.
Do not forget to bring a cardigan or similar clothing for the night, lip balm and a hat since all our trips will be during the day, a small bag for your purchases, and most importantly a camera, spare memory card, charging kit, and spare battery.
RESERVATION DETAILS
As a result of the reservation you made online, your Tour Registration approval will be sent to the email address you specified.
You can join our tour after the Tour Registration approval reaches you. Guests who do not receive the tour approval email cannot participate in our tour.
During reservation, please provide us with your Turkish Republic ID number and your date of birth as day, month, and year.
It is mandatory to provide the necessary contact information for the person being reserved for. Turlasana.com is not responsible for any possible problems that may arise if incomplete information is provided to us.
VEHICLES TO BE USED
Our vehicles to be used in the tours are determined according to the number of people and road conditions, regional conditions; the type of vehicle to be used in the tours cannot be guaranteed.
All vehicles used in our tours are tourism vehicles.
For 38 people and above: Otokar Doruk Mercedes Travego – Tourismo, Man Fortuna, Mitsubishi Safir, Neoplan Tourliner-Cityliner; up to 31 people: luxury Otokar Sultan Maxi; up to 27 people: luxury Isuzu Novo – Isuzu Turkuaz - Otokar Sultan; up to 15 people: luxury Mercedes Sprinter–Volkswagen Crafter vehicles are used.