NEMRUT GAZIANTEP S.URFA MARDIN VAN KARS RIZE TRABZON TOUR 10 NIGHTS 11 DAYS

Days 1 : Tour guide pick you up from Malatya Airport at 08.30 am Our would take way into Kahta we will visit Perre Antic city Also definitely take time to visit the old castle, Arsemeia, cross over the still functioning Cendere Bridge (Septimius Severus bridge ) dating all the way back to the 3rd century and Tumulus Tomb of Karakus. Hike to the summit of the mount Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunrise, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology. This extraordinary landmark rests at an elevation of 8000 ft. The mountain top complex is composed of two flattened areas strewn with statues and separated by a false peak of crushed rock. Antiochus built the entire complex approximately 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry. Watching Sunset go back to Hotel Dinner and overnight.

Days 2  Today  Continue on to visit the world famous Gaziantep Mosaic Museum. This museum becomes after the discoveries from Zeugma. We will also visit the old city castle, copper bazaar and the famous baklava shop (Baklava is originally from Gaziantep). Overnight in Gaziantep.

Days 3 After breakfast on our way to Birecik which is famous with its Bald Ibis(Kelaynak) birds. We will visit the breeding farm, continue  in Urfa we will have lunch and then enjoy some sightseeing. Urfa called the city of prophets for its biblical connections. After a stop off at the castle with Roman columns we will visit the “Pool of Sacred Carp” and then on to the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham. In the late afternoon we will visit Harran, a town of the region of Urfa. Harran is a famous city from ancient Mesopotamian times: a mystical and ancient place of “bee hive” houses built of mud brick. Genesis speaks of this town as the place where Abraham and his family lived. It is also the site of the first Islamic University of the world. Overnight Sanlı Urfa

Days 4 Today drive to Mardin is very unique with lovely old-Arabic style houses. The houses are often decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading center with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia. It is a city that played an important role in the early development of Christianity. We will also visit the Monastery of Deyr-az-Zaferan just outside of town, founded in 762 A.D. It was the seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for almost 800 years, We will take the time to visit, walk in its busy streets and bazaars, and admire the stonework all around the town. Overnight stay in Mardin.

Days 5 Depart Midyat  stop at the beautiful little town of Midyat to see the Monastery and ancient houses on the way. Hasankeyf, with its history that spans nine civilizations, the archaeological and religious. The history of Hasankeyf goes back 10,000 years. This is three times longer than the Giza pyramids, 10 times longer than Stonehenge, and makes the glorious civilizations of the Maya and Inca seem as if they were flourishing just yesterday. Some of the city’s historical treasures will be inundated if construction of the Ilisu Dam is completed. These include ornate mosques, Islamic tombs and cave churches. After lunch by the Tigris River we depart to Tatvan, a small village on the edge of Lake Van and watch the sun set over the lake. Overnight stay in Tatvan.

Days 6 Today Depart from Tatvan and a beautiful drive around the lake to reach Van city, established 13th century BC. From here, we will take a ferry across the lake to visit the finest Armenian architectural wonder of the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island. Step over to the huge Van Castle from the days of Urartu and see the hieroglyphs as you sense the spirit of the once Urartu capital Tushpa, feel the salty waters of the great Lake Van called as ‘the Sea’ by the locals. Overnight stay in Van.

Days 07 Today  Drive on the “Silk Road” to Dogubeyazit. At the Iranian border we will see a site known as the Crater Hole. This is a beautiful, yet rugged area. We will have the opportunity to see Mt. Ararat from all sides. It is believed by some to be the resting-place of Noah’s Ark; but to date no one has found anything that has been verified as the Ark – yet the search is still on. We will stop and see the Ishak Pasa Palace. This complex is a combination of a mosque, a fortress, and a palace which originally had a room for every day of the year! Below you can also see the remains of Eski Beyazit, and Urartian City which flourished in 1000 BC. Overnight stay in Kars.

Days 8 Today drive to the medieval Armenian City of Ani, which lies mostly in ruins. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravansaries. Enjoy a walk around the ruins and see the beautiful view to the Armenian border imagining it as a city with one million people rivaling Bagdad in its time! This city has experienced the cultures of Urartians, Armenians, Georgians, Mongols, Russians and finally the Turks. Also visit the impressive Kars Castle and historical sites surrounding the city. Overnight stay in Kars.

Days 9  After breakfast and drive to Rize visit botany garden and have a panoramic view of Rize, drive to Camlihemsin through the beautifull Firtina Valley , enjoy the panorama with many of waterfalls, stone bridges on firtina valley and lush green forests on the foothills of the magnificient Kackar Mountains, lunch and sightseeing in Ayder overnight and dinner.

Days 10 Today drive to Uzungol; Uzungol was formed by landslide making the stream bed to become a natural dam in the valley of Haldizen Stream. The area is most famous for its natural beauty. Located in a valley between high rising mountains, the lake and village at first appear inaccessible. The surrounding greenery of the mountain forests and fog, occasionally enveloping the lake at night, also add to the scenery. We will spend the night in Uzungol overnight an dinner

Days 11 Depart for Sumela Monastery, visit the 4 th century Sumela Monastery, clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, lunch drive to Trabzon St. Sophia (Ayasofya), a 13’th  century church and study extraordinary collection of byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, Castle and Atatürk’s Mansion, a picturesque hilside retreat, Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Boztepe. The drive to Trabzon airport.

INCLUDING SERVICE

Hotels  3*  (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)

Museum Fee + Guiding + Transfer ( A/C )

NOTINCLUDIN SERVICE

Beverages during the meals