Eastern Turkey & Black Sea Wonders: 7-Day Air Adventure

✈️ Unveiling Hidden Turkey: Rize, Kars, Ani & Van by Air

DAILY DEPARTURES – Small Group Maximum 8 Guests | FLY IN, FLY OUT

Escape the crowds and embark on a 7-day journey to the stunning, lesser-seen regions of the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia. This exclusive itinerary utilizes domestic flights to bypass long road trips, allowing you to maximize your time exploring ancient kingdoms, medieval castles, and breathtaking alpine landscapes, from the tea plantations of Rize to the biblical slopes of Mount Ararat.

✨ Why Choose This Eastern Adventure?

• ✈️ Fast Transit: Strategic domestic flights from Istanbul to Rize and Van to Istanbul save days of driving.

• Small Groups (Max 8): Enjoy a personalized, immersive cultural experience.

• Skip-the-Line Access: Express entry tickets to all included attractions.

• Historic Immersion: Visit the ghost city of Ani, the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, and Akdamar Island.

• Fully Customizable: Tailor-made options available upon contact.

🗺️ 7-Day Eastern Turkey Itinerary: Castles, Kingdoms & Cathedrals

DAY 1: Arrival in Rize – Turkey’s Tea Paradise

• Activity: Meet in Istanbul and take a domestic flight to Rize (Flight fares included).

• Highlights: Visit lush Tea Plantations to learn about the region’s vital tea culture. Explore Çamlıhemşin, a picturesque town nestled among green mountains.

• Accommodation: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Rize

DAY 2: Ayder Plateau & Zilkale’s Cliffside Castle

• Activity: Full-day exploration of Rize’s alpine wonders.

• Highlights: Discover the Ayder Plateau, famous for its stunning alpine views and traditional wooden houses. Visit Zilkale, an ancient medieval castle dramatically perched on a cliff. Indulge in authentic Black Sea cuisine.

• Accommodation: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Rize

DAY 3: Ani, Kars & Erzurum’s Seljuk Splendor

• Activity: Journey to the ancient sites near the Armenian border before heading to Erzurum.

• Ani (The Ghost City): Explore the atmospheric, ruined capital of the medieval Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, situated on the border with Armenia. See the stunning ruins, including the split Church of Christ the Redeemer.

• Erzurum Highlights: Visit the symbol of the city, the striking twin towers of the Cifte Minarelli Medrese (Seljuk architectural monument). Explore the Rustem Pasa Bedesten, a historic trading center famous for the unique black amber Oltu Stone.

• Dinner Suggestion (Optional): Sample authentic local Cag Kebab (lamb roasted on a horizontal spit).

• Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Erzurum

DAY 4: Kars, Gravyer Cheese & Ardahan Castle

• Activity: A long but scenic drive (approx. 6.5 hours) through stunning high-plateau landscape.

• Highlights: Follow the twisting Kura River. Stop at Ardahan Castle, a historic fortress sitting on the riverbanks, renovated by Suleiman the Magnificent.

• Culinary Stop: Enjoy a delicious stop at Bogatepe Village, famous for its dairy produce. Taste the local Gravyer and Kasar cheeses at the dedicated cheese museum, followed by a traditional home-cooked dinner.

• Accommodation: Katerina Sarayi Hotel (Stately, stone-built hotel in Kars)

DAY 5: Dogubayazit, Mount Ararat & Ishak Pasha Palace

• Activity: Drive east towards the Iranian border (approx. 3 hours) and the base of Turkey’s highest mountain.

• Mount Ararat (Agri): Stop to capture photos of the magnificent scenery surrounding the 5,165-meter biblical peak, said to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark.

• Ishak Pasa Sarayi (Ishak Pasha Palace): Spend the afternoon exploring this magnificent, semi-ruined former palace and administrative center, offering a stunning view overlooking the plains and Mount Ararat.

• Overnight: Dogubayazit (Opportunity to meet and chat with locals).

• Hotel: Grand Aga Hotel (Comfortable 4-star with Ararat view)

DAY 6: Van, Lake Monster & Holy Cross Cathedral

• Activity: Travel to Van (approx. 2 hours), a city with a history dating back 5,000 BC.

• Akdamar Island Boat Trip: Take a scenic boat trip across the vast Lake Van to Akdamar Island. Visit the magnificent 10th-century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, famous for its impressive faded frescoes and exterior biblical stone carvings.

• Free Time: Explore Van’s history, spot the occasional unique Van Cat, or visit the bizarre Lake Monster statue.

• Accommodation: Elite World Van Hotel (Upmarket hotel)

DAY 7: Farewell Eastern Turkey & Flight to Istanbul

• Activity: Morning departure from Van.

• Flight: Take a domestic flight from Van back to Istanbul (approx. 2 hours) (Flight fares included), concluding your Eastern Anatolian and Black Sea adventure.

✅ Inclusions & Exclusions