Look at this  hand painted ceramic plates! They both made in Kutahya… In different period of time and different ethnic ceramic masters. Armenian and Turkish. They are made by same soil and water, but totally different than each other, but yet nice and charming. Therefore the “Combination Programs” which we offer, will give you a chance to see the discrepancies and similarities on the same land of Anatolia. The land where communities lived together, sometimes they enjoyed the life together, sometimes they killed each other, one win the other one lost, winners became losers and losers became winners in time. Taste both cultures but  from different plates. Try it and discover the difference and the harmony. In the end, either you will open a new point of view with new questions, or, you will find an answer for an unknown, un described questions in your mind. But this visit will help you to be more clear.  

Day-1Istanbul – Kars
Guests must arrive to Istanbul, at least 1 night before!

After breakfast at Htl.in Istanbul, transfer to Domestic airport and fly to Kars. Meet and greet by local representatives and drive in order to explore for Dörtkilise and then Ishan… Lunch en route. Lodging and dinner at Kars.

Day-2Ani Ruines – Kars
After breakfast we will leave from our hotel for an exciting tour. Our first stop is ruins of Ani. Ani, 45 kilometers east of Kars, was completely deserted in 1239 after a Mongol invasion, but before that it had been an important city and a capital of both Urartion and Armenian Kingdoms. Surrounded by walls, the ruins lie in fields overlooking the Arapcayi river, which forms the border with Armenia. The ghost city is extremely dramatic and there are several notable churches, including a cathedral built between the years 989 and 1010. Lodging in Kars.

Day-3Mt. Ararat – Dogubayezit – Ishak Pasa Castle
Drive to Mt. Ararat. Forty days and forty nights finally ended, Mt. Ararat is where Noah boat is said to have landed. Climbing is only allowed with permission from authorities. The search for the remains of Noah’s Ark has been a growing business even since the French nobleman Pitton de Tournefort first scaled the mountain in 1707. We will continue for Dogubeyazit. On our way we will stop for Ishak Pasha Palace that rises up over the valley below.

This noteworthy architectural complex was built at the turn of the 17th century by Ishak Pasha, a Kurdish emir on whom the sultan of Istanbul had conferred the title of governor. Architecturally speaking, the building is eclectic since it is a fusion of characteristic elements of well defined styles. Overnignt at Dogubeyazit..

Day-4Van / Tushba and Van Castle
We will leave from our hotel for Van. After picturesque drive we will explore for Van Castle. Overnight and dinner at Van.

Day-5Van Lake – Ahtamar Church – Museum
We will do a full day city tour in Van. Our visiting program is Ahtamar Church in the Island Ahtamar in Van lake. This ancient church and formerly patriarcate centre cathedral renovated by Turkish Goverment and turned to a museum site. Then return to Van and visit the Archeological Museum. Overnight in Van.

Day-6Van – Hasankefy – Mardin
After breakfast we will leave from Van to Mardin. On the way we will stop for Hasankeyf. We will visit grottos, castle and Hasankeyf ‘s bridge. Then We will visit another great monastery which is called the Monastery of Mor Gabriel. We will continue for Mother Mary Monastery which was built in the 1st century. Overnight in Mardin.

Day-7Mardin-Deyrul-Zeferan- Diyarbakir
After breakfast we will explore for Mardin. This town had a large Christian community and there are still some Syrian Christian families and churches . On the out skirts is the monastery of Deyrulzaferan in which Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still used as the liturgical tongue. We will visit also Kirklar Church ( Forty-Martyrs Church ). We will leave from Mardin to Diyarbakir. It will take 100-kilometre countryside view trip. The Tigiris (Dicle) flows by the mighty black walls of Diyarbakir. We will visit the famous city’s wall which is the second longest in the world after China’s Wall. It is 5 kilometers long and 8-12 meters high. Our visiting will continue for St.Giragos Armenian Church which is under renovation and Ulu Mosque which was converted from church to mosque in 639. Overnight and dinner at Diyarbakir.

Day-8Diyarbakir – Istanbul
Morning flight from Diyarbakir. International connections are available from Istanbul Airport.

Or you may have extra days accommodation anywhere in Turkey or continue to your jurney in YEREVAN.

Day-1Istanbul – Kars
Guests must arrive to Istanbul, at least 1 night before!! After breakfast at Htl.in Istanbul, transfer to Domestic airport and fly to Kars. Meet and greet by local representatives and drive in order to explore for Dörtkilise and then Ishan… Lunch en route. Lodging and dinner at Kars.

Day-2Ani Ruines – Kars
After breakfast we will leave from our hotel for an exciting tour. Our first stop is ruins of Ani. Ani, 45 kilometers east of Kars, was completely deserted in 1239 after a Mongol invasion, but before that it had been an important city and a capital of both Urartion and Armenian Kingdoms. Surrounded by walls, the ruins lie in fields overlooking the Arapcayi river, which forms the border with Armenia. The ghost city is extremely dramatic and there are several notable churches, including a cathedral built between the years 989 and 1010. Lodging in Kars.

Day-3Mt. Ararat – Dogubayezit – Ishak Pasa Castle
Drive to Mt. Ararat. Forty days and forty nights finally ended, Mt. Ararat is where Noah boat is said to have landed. Climbing is only allowed with permission from authorities. The search for the remains of Noah’s Ark has been a growing business even since the French nobleman Pitton de Tournefort first scaled the mountain in 1707. We will continue for Dogubeyazit. On our way we will stop for Ishak Pasha Palace that rises up over the valley below.

This noteworthy architectural complex was built at the turn of the 17th century by Ishak Pasha, a Kurdish emir on whom the sultan of Istanbul had conferred the title of governor. Architecturally speaking, the building is eclectic since it is a fusion of characteristic elements of well defined styles. Overnight at Dogubeyazit.

Day-4Van – Mush – Erzurum
Today we will drive to Erzurum. Erzurum is known for copper crafting and its Oltu stone, which is a unique black stone used to make jewelry and beads. We will visit fine Seljuk monuments such as the Ulu (Great) Mosque, the Cifte Minareli Medrese and Uc Kumbetler (three tombs) and see the other sites of the city, which might be interesting to European or Armenian guests. Overnight in Erzurum.

Day-5Erzurum -Ani Ruines – Kars
After breakfast departure from Erzurum and en route to Kars, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating town situated on the ancient Silk Road. An Armenian city from the 11th century on the Turkish Armenian border, Ani was called “”The City of 1001 Churches”” for its numerous churches and buildings of great splendor and magnificence. During the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani was a thriving community and acquired fame as being a Christian metropolis in Asia abounding with prestigious monuments. As the capital of Christian Armenia, Ani was a flourishing artistic and religious center ruled by Christian kings. Within the walls of these ruins still today are numerous churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral. Beautiful woodcarvings, and a wide collection of coins found in the area are exhibited. You may also find fine kilims, carpets and local costumes.

Day-6Kars-Istanbul
After breakfast departure from hotel and drive to airport for domestic flight back to Istanbul.

Day-7Istanbul
Istanbul. International connections are available from Istanbul Airport.

Or you may have extra days accommodation anywhere in Turkey or continue to your jurney in YEREVAN.

Day-1Istanbul – Adana
Morning flight Istanbul to Adana – Antioch tours: We have flight to Adana at 08.20am (subject to change) and after arrival to Adana, transfer to our vehicle and drive to Antakya (Old Antioch). On the way we have time to visit an Hittitian city Karatepe. Afternoon we arive to Antakya. Follows a walking tour in old city, wooden houses, narrow streets and will be seen; Bazaar – Habib Neccar Mosque – Roman Bridge – Turkish/Catholic Church – Castle of Antioch. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day-2Touring in Antioch around
After breakfast city tours in Antakya. There Will be visit and seen; Mosaic Museum of Antakya – St. Pierre Church – Armenian Ortodoks Church – Protestan Church. Lunch en route. Afternoon we have places to visit Tunnels of Titus and Vespasian – a visit to Harbiye. Return to Hotel.

Day-3Antakya – Gaziantep – Kahta Mt. Nemrut
After breakfast we leave from Antakya for Gaziantep. Around 2 hours drive and arrive to Gaziantep. Touring in the city center follows; Antep Archaological Museum – Etnografya Museum – Antep Castle. After lunch in the city we depart for Kahta. Arrive to our hotel near Mt. Nemrut where C/ in to rooms . Dinner at hotel.

Day-4Mt. Nemrut – Gap Dam – Urfa
Early in the morning we depart for Mt Nemrut where meet amazing to see best of rising sun in your life. Visit to tumulus of the king of Commagene I. Antiochus and other huge statues on the hill. Then return to hotel for our breakfasts. Leave from hotel and visit to Tumulus of Karakus – Cendere (Roma times) Bridge – Arsemeia Summer city (ruines). Drive to Urfa where on our way visit to Gap Dam, a short briefing about construction. After arrival to Urfa we will have lunch and have visits to places; Abraham’s sacred fish pool – Halil-Ur Rahman Mosque – Rizvaniye Mosque and Urfa old bazaar. C/ in to our hotel and dinner.

Day-5Harran – Mardin- Deyr-Uz Zafaran Monastery
After breakfast we have visits around Harran. Firstly drive to Castle of Harran – City Walls – Grand Mosque and visit to traditional Conic Houses. Depart to Mardin for our lunch. Follows we have visits to Deyr-uz Zafaran Monastery – The Medrese of Soultan Isa – Kasimiye Medrese – Ulu Mosque and bazaar visits. C/ in to our hotel and dinner. (B,L,D).

Day-6Midyat-Hasankeyf – Diyarbakir and flight to Istanbul
After breakfast we depart for Midyat to visit Purple Barsovmo Church, traditional Midyat houses and old streets before we depart to Hasankeyf. Upon arrival to Hasankeyf we have visit to Castle of Hasankeyf – Little and Grand Serails – Grand Mosque and depart to Diyarbakir. Lunch en route. After arrival the city we have visits to City Wallls (It comes 2th after The Great Walls in China) – Grand Mosque – Hasanpasa Caravanserail – Deliller Caravanserail. We have dinner in the Caravanserail. Free time and we have depart to airport for our istanbul flight. Upon arrival to transfer to the hotel and check in.

Day-7Istanbul
Istanbul. International connections are available from Istanbul Airport.

Or you may have extra days accommodation anywhere in Turkey or continue to your jurney in YEREVAN.