mystellar.com

Tour Notes
2 Departure days in 2010: July 25th, 2010 and September 12th, 2010

Day 1 ISTANBUL - ADANA
Arrive to Istanbul. Take flight to Adana. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 ADANA - ANTAKYA (Antioch)
After breakfast drive to Antakya, and visit Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai, Antakya Mosaic Museum, Grotto of St. Peter. Overnight in Antakya. (B,L,D)

Day 3 ANTAKYA – GAZIANTEP
Drive to Gaziantep to visit the site Zeugma, located next to Euphrates river and famous for his marvelous mosaics. Dinner and overnight in Gaziantep. (B,L,D)

Day 4 GAZIANTEP - NEMRUT MOUNTAIN – ADIYAMAN

Drive to Nemrut Mountain. See the huge heads of gods (Apollo, Zeus, Hercules) and goddess (Tyke=Fortuna) built by Antiochus I, King of the Commagene Kingdom in the 1st century, and the man made hill, on top of the 2000 meters high mountain. Overnight Adiyaman. (B,L,D)

Day 5 ADIYAMAN – URFA

Departure to Harran, one of the oldest cities of the Mesapotamia. See the soil houses. Then continue to Urfa, the city of the prophets. Visit of Golbasi & the castle. Diner and overnight in Urfa. (B,L,D)

Day 6 URFA - MARDIN – DIYARBAKIR
After breakfast leave Urfa and drive to Mardin. Visit of the Deyrulzafaran monastery, an aramean orthodox monastery still inn use. Lunch en route and arrive to Diyarbakır. See the city walls, the market and Ulu Cami. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakir. (B,L,D)

Day 7 DIYARBAKIR – VAN
Drive to Van, situated on the shores of Lake Van, at 5,500 feet, one of the highest lakes in the world. Visit the St. Croix church, a beautiful example of Armenian architecture. This church is located on the Akdamar Island. Dinner and overnight in Van. (B,L,D)

Day 8 VAN
Morning departure for Hosap Castle. After the visit continue to Cavustepe, the Ourartéens site. Lunch and stop at a local handicraft, KILIMS. Then visit the Castle of Van at the sunset, to have a beautiful view over the biggest lake of Turkey, the lake of Van. Dinner and overnight in Van. (B,L,D)

Day 9 VAN - DOGUBEYAZIT – KARS
Drive to Dogubeyazit, the closest town to Mt. Ararat. Visit the famous 17th century Ishak Pasha Palace, built on a high valley overlooking the caravan route. In the afternoon continue to Kars, small city which is a beautiful example of Russian urbanism of the 19th century. Dinner and overnight in Kars. (B,L,D)

Day 10 / KARS - ANI – ERZURUM
Morning visit Ani, the capital city of an Ourartéens State, and later of the Armenian Bagratid Kingdom from 953 to 1045 AD. Among the ruins of this ancient city there are eight churches, a convent and a citadel along with the main cathedral which has alternately been a church or a mosque. After lunch, drive to Erzurum the largest city in the eastern Anatolia. At arrival visit the Islamic monuments from Seljuk, Mongol and Ottoman eras, Ulu Mosque and Cifte Minare. Dinner and overnight in Erzurum. (B,L,D)

Day 11 ERZURUM - TRABZON
Transfer to the airport for departure. End of our services. (B)

Day 12 TRABZON - ISTANBUL
Fly to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Istanbul (B,D)

Day 13 ISTANBUL
Transfer to Istanbul airport. End of our services. (B)

Including

• 12 nights hotel accommodation in 4 star hotels (or best available)
• Transportation by A/C minivan or motor coach depending on the size of the group
• Entry fees to sites and museums mentioned in the program
• 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners
• English speaking professional tour guide throughout
• Arrival and departure transfers
• 2 domestic flights (Istanbul – Adana et Trabzon – Istanbul)
• Tip to hotels and restaurants
• Local Taxes
• Service Charges

Excluding

• Tip to the guide and driver
• International return flight to Turkey
• All personal expenses
• All items not specifically mentioned in including part

(B:Breakfast Included L: Lunch Included D: Dinner Included)