Rail Turkey with Black Sea
Day 1 Welcome to Istanbul
Upon your arrival to Istanbul, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in old city. A welcome package with tour vouchers, an Istanbul map, and any other touristic information will be waiting for you upon arrival at your hotel. Free time is given for the rest of the day.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 Istanbul Old City
Pick up from the hotel you will have a full-day guided tour of the Hagia Sophia Mosque (see from the exterior), the pride of Byzantine architecture, Byzantine Hippodrome, where chariot races were held, Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles, Topkapi Palace, former residence of Ottoman Sultans and Grand Bazaar, Turkey's largest covered market with 4000 shops. Overnight in Istanbul
( Breakfast Included )
Day 3 Istanbul to Trabzon by Domestic Flight
After breakfast, transfer to airport and flight to Trabzon. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to city center. We will visit, After breakfast in the hotel, we will then take you on a full-day guided tour of Trabzon's tourist highlights.
Your city tour will take place in the beautiful city of Trabzon, nestled in green forested mountains the whole area feels like a jewel on the Black Sea. While exploring the city you will visit the Aya Sofya Museum. The sister museum to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it offers a fantastic tour viewing artefacts from the history of the Black Sea region. While travelling to the city you will visit some of the best heritage sites, such as Ataturk’s Villa. This home was the favoured place to stop when the founder of modern Turkey visited the region. Following your time in the city, you will head to Boztepe Hill. Standing above the city is a park on the top of the hill, here you will take a guided tour of the hilltop. As walk you will view the bright colours of the city with a backdrop of the Black Sea, many choose this time to take photos of the breathtaking view. Following this wonderful park, you will head to Sera Lake, here you will enjoy the unusual body of water that was created artificially through the rocks naturally finding their way to the edge to eventually create this amazing nature park. Overnight in Trabzon .
( Breakfast Included )
Day 4 Sumela Monastery, Cosandere Valley, Karaca Caves, Erzurum
Today our first stop is Sumela Monastery. Here you can see the fantastic length of the monastery that has been carved into the cliff face. The point also offers a stunning panoramic view of the even green forest that sits below. Following the time for photos at the monastery, you will visit two more natural wonders, the first being Cosandere Valley where you will have free time to explore. You will arrive at the Ancient Tortul Castle where you can test your bravery with a walk out onto the 240-metre-high glass observation platform. For those who make it out there, you will be reward with unparalleled panoramic views that make spectacular photographs.
Following here you will be able to enter a beautiful natural wonder. Karaca Caves, these caves. Now, this natural wonder is open to the public with easy to navigate walkways and comfortable lighting, it is a true pleasure to see what nature can do underground. And drive to Erzurum and Overnight in Erzurum .
( Breakfast Included )
Day 5 Double Minaret Madrasah, Kars Castle and Ani Monuments
We will visit The Double Minaret Madrasah, also known as the Hatuniye Madrasa, is an iconic Seljuk structure that has become synonymous with the city of Erzurum. Although its exact builder is unknown, it is believed to have been constructed in the late 13th century, possibly by Hundi Hatun, Aladdin Keykubat's daughter from his first marriage, or by Sultana Hatun of the Ilkhanid dynasty. Later, we will drive to Ani. The ancient city of Ani welcomes you. The ruins here are in different states of standing following the different armies attacking the city before it was abandoned. While walking you will have time to photograph the buildings which will include; Halaskar Church, Pictorial Church, Great Cathedral, and Ebul Menucehr Mosque.
Returning to Kars you will explore this impressive city. An unusual blend of Russian and Ottoman-style building are found all around following the contention and control of the city by the Ottomans and the Soviets until special accords were written. While delving into the historic buildings you will head to Alexander Nevsky Church (known as Fethiye Mosque), Cheltikov Hotel (a former physician’s house and hospital), Russian consulate, Revenue Office, and Governor’s mansion. You will also visit Armenian and Ottoman buildings of the old Armenian Church, Evilya Mosque and Kars Castle. Overnight in Kars .
( Breakfast Included )
Day 6 Kars to Kayseri by Dogu Express ( Overnight Sleeper Train )
After breakfast, transfer to Kars Train station and we will board to our train for Ankara. It will take 18 hours journey. We will have a 4 beeded sleeper cabins. There is a Restaurant where you will be able to have your meals and enjoy your drinks with an amazing sceneries of Eastern Turkey and river of Euphrates.
Day 7 Cappadocia
Early in the morning around 02:30 am Upon arrival to Kayseri Station, you will be welcomed at the station and transfer to your hotel. Today we will have a tour of Cappadocia with a late morning departure at 11:00 a.m.
Tour Start from Devrent Valley ( Imagination Valley), spectacular fairy chimneys and beautifull and scapes. After Devrentvalley, we will visit Pasabag( known as monkvalley) where double and triple headed rock formation. Lunch at Avanos, famous for pottery and Redriver ( Kızılırmak). After lunch, you will visit open air museum which heart of Cappadocia. Open air museum famous for wall painting, dates back to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christand monks. The last stop will be Uchisar castle, naturalan done of the biggest mass fairy chimney of the region. Overnight in Cappadocia.
( Breakfast Included )
Day 8 Cappadocia to Istanbul by Domestic Flight
You can book an early morning optional hot air balloon tour to enjoy the magnificent view of the valleys and the region.
After breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
( Breakfast Included )
Day 9 Istanbul
After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for your outbound flight.
Inclusions
Private Airport Transfers with new model vehichles
Meals as per itinerary
Entrance fees to museums
English Speaking Local tour Guides
Daily Excursions as per itinerary on Small Group basis
Daily Bottle Water
Tips at Restaurants & Hotels
All Parking Fees and Highway tolls
Accommodation
Domestic Flight Tickets (15 kg allowance)
Exclusions
Personel Expenses such as minibar at the hotels
Drinks at meals
Tips to the local guide and driver
