Day 1 – Arrival to Trabzon Dinner Included
Welcome to Turkey! Upon your arrival in Trabzon, our representative will warmly greet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the drive as you catch your first glimpses of this vibrant city. Once you arrive at the hotel, check in and settle into your room. Take some time to relax or explore the surroundings at your leisure as you prepare for an unforgettable journey through Turkey.
Day 2 – Sumela Monastery - Zigana - Karaca Cave – Erzurum Tour Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Discover the stunning historical and natural landmarks of the Black Sea and Pontic Alps:
- Sumela Monastery: Visit the 4th-century monastery clinging to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest.
- Altındere Valley National Park: Relax beside a fast-flowing stream.
- Zigana Mountains & Karaca Cave: Travel along the Silk Road through the Pontic Alps to Karaca Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in Turkey for its colors and formations. Drive to Erzurum via Bayburt. Dinner and overnight in Erzurum.
Day 3 – Transfer from Erzurum to Kars Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Journey through historical landscapes towards the Turkish-Armenian border:
- Sarikamis: Pass through the coldest spot in Turkey on your scenic drive to Kars.
- Ani Ancient City: Take a 45-minute drive to the medieval Armenian City of Ani on the Turkish-Armenian border. Explore impressive fortified walls encircling ruins of numerous churches, mosques, and caravansaries with stunning views across the border. Dinner and overnight in Kars.
Day 4 – Dogubeyazit (Mount Ararat) Tour Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Explore the majestic heights of Mount Ararat and historical palaces:
- Silk Road & Mount Ararat: Drive 3.5 hours along the Silk Road to Dogubeyazit near the Iranian border. View Mount Ararat from all sides and see the Crater Hole.
- Ishak Pasa Palace: Explore this magnificent complex combining a mosque, fortress, and palace, alongside the remains of Eski Bayazit (an ancient Urartian city from 1000 BC). Dinner and overnight in Doğubeyazıt.
Day 5 – Dogubeyazit - Lake Van Tour Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Discover the stunning shores and architectural wonders of Lake Van:
- Akdamar Island: Visit the architectural wonder of the Church of the Holy Cross on Lake Van.
- Hosap Castle & Citadels: Tour the wonderful Kurdish castle of Hosap near the Iranian border and the ancient Urartian citadel. Dinner and overnight in Van.
Day 6 – Van - Ahlat - Batis – Diyarbakir Tour Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Step back in time through medieval cemeteries and historic towns:
- Ahlat & Bitlis: Visit the eerie 12th-century Selcuk cemetery in Ahlat in the morning, followed by lunch and a walking tour of Bitlis (Batis), a unique medieval town known as Alexander's town. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir.
Day 7 – Departure from Diyarbakır Breakfast Included
One of Grandoria's adventures concludes after breakfast. We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Turkey. Wishing you all the best and a pleasant flight home, following your transfer from the hotel to the airport.