Our Armenian Heritage Tour is unique and has never been offered by a Turkish tour
operator before as a cultural discovery tour before. We are very proud and pleased
to present this exhilarating tour to all Armenian friends living in Turkey or abroad
or to those who are interested in following the Armenian heritage and culture in
Turkey. With this 10 Day - 11 Night Armenian Heritage Tour, you will be visiting
many Armenian churches, monuments, sites and neighborhoods in Turkey. You will rediscover
the Armenian Heritage in this exciting trip in the light of recent groundbreaking
artistic and intellectual contributions in Turkey itself.
Overnights:
Istanbul (4) Van (2) Kars (1) Erzurum (1) Trabzon (1)
Toll Free:
1-888-596-6886
Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to
your hotel. Free afternoon and an optional boat tour along the Bosporus. Overnight
in Istanbul Hotel.
Full day HISTORICAL ISTANBUL TOUR; visit the St. SOPHIA MUSEUM (built in 6th century,
once was the largest Christian Church in the world), the TOPKAPI PALACE (Imperial
Residence of Ottoman Sultans, with displays of priceless World-class collections
of artifacts, jewelry and rare porcelain), the BLUE MOSQUE (unique with its 6 minarets,
and famous for its blue Iznik tiles), the HIPPODROME SQUARE where ancient chariot
races were held, and then visit the world famous GRAND COVERED BAZAAR. Overnight
in Istanbul. (B)
After breakfast your Armenian Heritage tour begins. After the Armenian Patriarchate
foundation in 1461 approximately 55 Armenian Churches were built. About 30 of them
are active and are still open to religious ceremonies today. Visit the old Armenian
Patriarchate Surp Kevork in Samatya and Asdvadzadzin in Kumkapi. Visit the Surp
Harutyun Church and more.. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)
Pick-up from your hotel after breakfast. Drive to Balikli area to visit the Armenian
Cemetery. Visit also the Surp Sarkis Chapel in Balikli. Drive to Karakoy to see
the Surp Krikor Lusarovic Church in classical Armenian Church structure. Overnight
in Istanbul. (B)
Fly from Istanbul to Van, the city 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,D)
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,D)
Day 7
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,D)
Day 8
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,D)
Drive to Trabzon on the Black Sea coast. Visit Hagia Sophia and Sumela Monastery
which was well known and respected as a monastic centre from the 4th century until
1923. Dinner and overnight at Trabzon. (B,D)
Fly from Trabzon to Istanbul. End of our services. (B)
Toll Free:
1-888-596-6886
There are different hotel options available for Armenian Heritage Tour in Turkey. Depending
on the hotel you select, the price will vary. We can customize any of our tour package
and offer you an upgraded hotel option of your choosing - in any hotel in Turkey.
For the hotel names included in this tour rate please see the "Inclusions" tab..
Toll Free:
1-888-596-6886
PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR RATES