- Ahlat
- Akdamar Island
- Ararat
- Cavustepe
- Hosap Castle
- Ishak Pasha
- Lake Van
- Mount Ararat
- Nemrut Crater
The region of Lake Van really is a tour of romance. Starting with the romantic palace of Ishak Pasha in its splendid location and ending with the breathtaking and uplifting panorama of Nemrut Crater with so much to inspire along the way…
| Regions Visited | Eastern Anatolia |
|---|---|
| Fitness Level | Low - Able to walk up to 500 metres over level ground. |
| What is included? |
All road transport (tolls etc) English speaking guide All state and local taxes All museum and site entries |
| What is not included |
Lunch Personal expenses Beverages Insurance (unless otherwise stated) Airport Transfers |
| Terms & Conditions | Please note that there is a 20% surcharge for single room occupancy. Please note that it is essential that you have purchased travel insurance for all parts of Turkey. It is your responsibility to organise the correct cover but we are happy to advise. |
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1Day 1 - Dogubeyazit
The Pleasure Palace of Ishak Pasha overlooking the Plains of Ararat- not simply a palace but the administrative centre of the region which in its heyday rivalled the Topkapi in Istanbul. It is an amalgamation of different styles absorbed from the complex region it is in: Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian and Armenian styles are all present. This region was briefly ruled by Russia who looted the palace-the gold plated doors that once hung at the main gate are now in the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg. There are stunning views of Biblical Mount Ararat from all parts of Doğubayazıt.
Overnight Van.
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2Day 2 - Van
City tour of Van including a trip to Akdamar Island and the Church of the Holy Cross in the afternoon, visit to Van Citadel builtin the 9th Century BC by the Urartians.
Overnight Van.
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3Day 3 - Cavustepe, Hosap Castle & Lake Van
Day 3 will bring us to the mountain-top ruins of Çavustepe (a Urartian fortress) then onto Hoşap castle, built on a rocky outcrop on the north bank of the Hoşap River. The structure that we see today dates mostly from 1643 (1052 A.H.), when a Mahmudi tribal lord, and Hoşap’s governor Sari Süleyman Bey, rebuilt the castle on what was probably an earlier fortification from the Urartian Period (9th c.- 6th c. BC).
On our way back to Van we will have the optional opportunity to see local artisans creating traditional rugs and learn about Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, and Azeri rugs and kilims.
Overnight Van.
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4Day 4 - Tatvan
After stopping for refreshments in Tatvan, we will drive to Mount Nemrut, one of the largest complete calderas in the world. After a picnic lunch we will visit the tombs of Seljuk Kings in Ahlat and return to Tatvan for dinner.
Overnight Tatvan.
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5Day 5 -
Return to Van and depart.