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PACKAGE
TOURS TURKEY-009 ORIENTAL
MYTHS OF EASTERN TURKEY
(13 NIGHTS, 14 DAYS) |
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| Day 1 |
ARRIVAL /KAYSERI
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Transfer from your hotel in Istanbul to the
airport for your flight to Kayseri. Arrive in Kayseri, the city
where the ancient trade roads from the Aegean, Mediterranean and
Black Sea meet. Transfer to your hotel and stay overnight in
Kayseri.
No meals
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| Day 2 |
KAHRAMANMARAS,
GAZIANTEP & KAHTA |
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After breakfast, drive through the Taurus
Mountain chain, giving you the opportunity to observe the
countryside and the daily life of rural Turkey which is
completely different to that of the coastal cities. After having
a short break in Kahramanmaras, famous for its ice cream, we
arrive in Gaziantep where we will see the Archaeological Museum
which has one of the richest collections of mosaics discovered
during the last excavations in Zeugma. After our visits drive to
Kahta and stay overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 3 |
MT NEMRUT,HARRAN &
URFA (EDESSA) |
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We deaprt our hotel early this morning for Mt
Nemrut. See the Colossal God statues on three different terraces
overlooking the whole plateau and Ataturk Dam. Visit Arsemia,
which was once the capital of the Kommagene Kingdom, the old
Roman Cendere Bridge over the Cendere Stream. We will also see
the Karakus Tumulus where the royal family members were buried.
We then drive to Sanliurfa, known in ancient times as Edessa,
visiting the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham with its mosques,
birth-cave of Abraham and the beautiful gardens. We then make a
stop at another archaeological site, Harran, a mystical and
ancient 'bee-hive' house village built of mud-brick, which is
mentioned in Genesis as being a place where Abraham lived. In
the same area we will visit the first Islamic university of the
world. Ending the day with a coffe break in a cafe nearby the
Sacred Pool. Stay overnight in Sanliurfa.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 4 |
MARDIN
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After breakfast, depart for Mardin, the town
which overlooks the Mesopotamian Plains and owes its incredible
attractiveness to a cultural procession starting in 8,000 BC.
You will witness how all these colours harmoniously melt into
one yet appear individual in all their grandeur. You will be
impressed by the mystery of the city while taking a visit to
several of the town's architectural gems, including the Kasimiye
Medresesi and Latifiye Mosque.The Kasimiye Medresesi building
dates from the 14th Century and was formerly a university of
astronomy. Lastly, a visit to the museum and covered bazaar.
Stay overnight in Mardin.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 5 |
HASANKEYF &
DIYARBAKIR
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We begin the day visiting Hasankeyf, an
untouched beauty founded on the side of the Tigris, which comes
to end as the town disappears below the flood waters of the
Ilisu dam. Visit the citadel, Ulu Mosque which is unique for its
well designed slender minaret, the rare 15th Century mausoleum
of Zeynel Bey decorated with intricate colored tiles and
Arthukid Bridge standing forlornly beside the new one. Drive to
Diyarbakir, famous with the city walls built by the Romans. Also,
Ulu Camii, the first of Anatolia's great Seljuk Mosques. Stay
overnight in Diyarbakir.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 6 |
BITLIS & VAN
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After breakfast drive to Van via Bitlis. After
lunch we will arrive and check-in to our hotel. In the afternoon
we take a visit to Van Castle, which is 100m high and 300m wide
at the base. It was just the sort of place that the Urartians
favoured for their strongholds. It was the site of an Urartian
temple of which only a few of the arched niches remain.
Cuneiform inscriptions on a statue based in one of the niches
document the life and works of Menua, an important Urartian King.
After visiting Van castle we return to our hotel for dinner.
Overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 7 |
CAVUSTEPE, LAKE VAN
& AKDAMAR ISLAND |
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After breakfast, we take a visit to Cavustepe,
the site of an Urartian Royal Palace, built between 764 and 735
BC by King Sardur II. Then drive to Lake Van, the largest in
Turkey. After lunch we take a small boat ride to Akdamar Island
on Lake Van. The church there has one of the most complete scene
collections of the Old Testament carved on the facade of the
church. Stay overnight in Van.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 8 |
MT ARARAT,DOGUBEYAZIT
& KARS |
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Today we journey to Dogubeyazit. On the way
taking in the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat. The Old
Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark
came to rest after the great flood. Visit the magnificent palace
of Ishak Pasha. Stay overnight in Kars.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 9 |
KARS, ANI & ERZURUM
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We being the day with visits to the Ruins of
Ani - the City of 1001 Churches and an Armenian City founded in
the 11th Century. After visiting Ani, we head to Erzurum, the
largest city in Eastern Turkey. Visit Cifte Minareli Medrese and
Grand Mosque. Stay overnight in Erzurum.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 10 |
ARTVIN
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After breakfast, a lovely drive will take us
to Artvin, one of the most beautiful cities near the Georgian
border. Visit some of the churches around the city. Stay
overnight in Artvin.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 11 |
AYDER PLATEAU,
CAMLIHEMSIN & RIZE |
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After breakfast we visit the Ayder Plateau,
which still preserves the life style of the 18th Centuries. Then
to Camlihemsin, a typical Kackar mountain village with untouched
natural beauty. After our visits we will drive to Rize where we
will visit a tea making factory. Stay overnight in Rize.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 12 |
UZUNGOL, SUMELA
MONASTERY & TRABZON |
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Breakfast is served at the hotel. Today we
drive to Uzungol, a secret paradise. You will be amazed by the
wonderful view of the town reflecting off the lake. We then head
inland to visit the mystical Sumela Monastery, dating back to
early Christianity, built high into the side of the steep cliff
face. Finally, the Hagia Sophia Museum with its spectacular
frescoes. Stay overnight in Trabzon.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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| Day 13 |
TRABZON & ISTANBUL.
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After breakfast you will be transferred to the
airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul and
transfer to your hotel. Time at leisure. In the evening we visit
an exclusive nightclub for dinner. Enjoy authentic Turkish
cuisine, including a delicious array of appetizers known as
meze. The Turks are justly proud of their food. They are equally
proud of their traditional music and after dinner folk musicians
from different regions of Anatolia will perform for us. Of
course, no night out in Istanbul would be complete without
Turkish belly dancers. Stay overnight in Istanbul
Breakfast & Dinner
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| Day 14 |
FLY HOME
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According to your departure time, you will be
transferred to the airport to take your departure flight. End of
our services.
Breakfast |
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This itinerary is subject to change without
prior notice according to weather/daily events or other
unforeseen circumstances outside the control of IHRS TRAVEL |
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DEPARTURE DATES AND
PRICES - 2008 |
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| Departure Dates |
P.P. In
Double |
P.P. In
Triple |
Single
Room |
| May 17th |
3650$ |
3600$ |
4150$ |
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June 28th |
| July 26th |
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August 16th |
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Prices are per person in USD and subject to
availability.
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HOTELS OF THE
PACKAGE |
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KAYSERI |
HILTON HOTEL
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KAHTA |
ZEUS HOTEL
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URFA |
EL RUHA HOTEL
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DIYARBAKIR |
DEDEMAN HOTEL
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MARDIN |
ERDOBA HOTEL
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VAN |
MERIT SAHMARAN HOTEL |
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ERZURUM |
PALAN HOTEL
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ARTVIN |
KARAHAN HOTEL |
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RIZE |
DEDEMAN HOTEL |
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TRABZON |
USTA HOTEL
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ISTANBUL |
GRAND STAR HOTEL |
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INCLUDED SERVICES |
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13 nights in tourist class hotel accommodation.
All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary
including admission fees to the visited sites.
Qualified English speaking guide.
All meals stated in the itinerary.
Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Kayseri & Trabzon
to Istanbul.
Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
Private transportation by comfortable, air-conditioned,
non smoking vehicle.
Opportunity to see the pottery and carpet production
centers in Asia Minor.
All taxes and service fees.
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DOES NOT INCLUDED |
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International airfares.
Airport taxes.
Any VISA needed for Turkey.
Tips to guide, driver, hotel staff etc.
Optional tours.
Items of a personal nature.
Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with
breakfast) and medical services.
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