Eastern Images Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader days 1-13, services of local representatives days 14-15, services of local guides
Transport: Private air-conditioned coach, boat trip on Lake Van, plane
Flight: Kayseri to Istanbul
Activities: Opportunities for walking in Cappadocia, Barhal Valley and Mt Nemrut
Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights local mountain house (multi-share)
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of itinerary

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit beautiful Sumela Monastery
• Hike in the exquisite Barhal Valley
• Remote and spectacular Ishak Pasa palace

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, ANKARA: Arrival day. No meals

Day 2, ANKARA - HATTUSAS - AMASYA: A guided tour of Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilisations before heading east to the ancient Hittite Capital of Hattusas. Overnight in Amasya, historic capital of Pontic Empire. (BD)

Day 3, AMASYA - TRABZON: Time to explore Amasya before heading for the Black Sea Coast where you may have the opportunity to swim. (BD)

Day 4, TRABZON - SUMELA - BARHAL: Morning visit to the striking Sumela Monastery. Later, travel via the tea producing region of Rize to Coruh river valley in the picturesque Kackar Mountains. We spend two nights in a traditional mountain house as guests of a Turkish family. (BD)

Day 5, BARHAL: A truly outstanding area of natural beauty. You are free to either take a day hike or just relax in the magical surroundings. (BD)

Day 6, KARS - ANI: An early start as we drive to the grasslands of Kars and visit the fabulous ruins of the 10th century Armenian capital of Ani on the border with the modern Armenian Republic. Return to Kars for the night. (BD)

Day 7, MT ARARAT - ISHAK PASA - VAN: Visit Mt Ararat and the stunning Ishak Pasa Palace. Afternoon drive to Van. (BD)

Day 8, TATVAN: An excursion by boat to Akdamar Island on Lake Van to visit the Church of the Holy Cross. Continue to Tatvan, a small town on the shores of Lake Van. (BD)

Day 9, MARDIN: Drive to Mardin via Hasankeyf, where you can see the remains of old Artukids and a picturesque citadel. (B)

Day 10, MT. NEMRUT: Free morning in the old quarter of Mardin with time to visit the castle. Afternoon drive to Kahta, near Mt.Nemrut. (BD)

Day 11, MT. NEMRUT - CAPPADOCIA: A wonderful sunrise excursion to Mt Nemrut. A short walk takes us to the summit where we see the massive Commagene stone heads. After breakfast we leave for Cappadocia. (B)

Day 12, CAPPADOCIA: Visit Uchisar 'castle' for a panoramic view of Cappadocia's bizarre rock formations, then hike through some of the most spectacular valleys. (B)

Day 13, CAPPADOCIA - ISTANBUL: Morning flight to Istanbul. (B)

Day 14, ISTANBUL: Full free day. (B)

Day 15, ISTANBUL: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]