CITIES OF EAST REGION (DOGU'NUN SEHIRLERI)

 1^st Day – Friday
Departure from Istanbul
We meet with the participants of the tour at 20:00 at Dolmabahçe Küçükçiftlik and at 20:45 in front of Kadıköy Evlendirme Dairesi. After meeting with the tour guides and drivers, we begin our tour following the route of Bolu, Amasya, and Erzincan that will last 18, 5 hours and will cover at about 1230 kilometers.

 
2^nd Day – Saturday
Erzurum, Ulu Mosque, Yakutiye Madrasah , Three Kümbet, Congress Building
Arrival in Erzurum (also known by the name of Atabey) that has the highest altitude in Turkey at midday. We visit Ulu Mosque, which is the oldest mosque in the city, Yakutiye Madrasah that is famous with its brick minaret and its tile motifs, Seljuk turbes which are known as Three Kümbet, Çifte Minareli Madrasah that is the biggest madrasah in Turkey, the Clock Tower that is built initially with the purpose of surveillance, but later on made into a clock tower with additional building of a clock and Erzurum Castle. Overnight in Erzurum

3^rd Day – Sunday
Ani Remains, the Big Cathedral, Kars Castle, Havariyyun Church, Ağrı Mountain, İshakpaşa Palace
we go to Ani Remains that is built on the deep valley of Arpaçay, which draws the border to Armenia and visit the Big cathedral, Resimli Church, Seljuk Palace, Menuçehr Mosque. After visiting the buildings made of rock at the time of Russians, Kars Castle and Havariyyun Church, which is used as a mosque today in Kars, we move on to Doğubeyazıt with the marvelous view of the Mount Ağrı. We end the day by visiting İshakpaşa Palace finished in 99 years, consisting of 366 rooms, and which is noteworthy with its fine adornments and the central heating unit that may be considered as the first example of the ones used today. Overnight in Doğubeyazıt

4^th Day - Monday
Muradiye Waterfall, Akdamar Isle, the Sacred Cross Church, Van Lake, Van Castle
After a break at Muradiye Waterfalls on the way to Van, we go to the ferryboat to visit Akdamar Isle that is placed in the Lake Van and is one of the important religious places for Christianity. After visiting the Sacred Cross Church, we enjoy our trip on the Lake Van, 1600 meters above the sea level. Then we watch the sunset from Van Castle that has a history of 3000 years. Overnight in Van.

5^th Day - Tuesday
Hoşap Castle, Hakkari, Meydan Madrasah
we begin the day by visiting Hoşap Castle. The name of the castle is drawn from the Hoşap River that is at the south of it and it is built on a steep summit which is also known as Kartal Yuvası Kayalıkları (The eagle Nest Rocks). We move to Hakkari by following Zap, the river which has inspired many folk songs and stories with its diverse nature that can be both innocent and wild. We finish the day by visiting Hakkari, where the sun rises late but sets early due to the mountains surrounded it. Overnight in Hakkari.

6^th Day - Wednesday
Tatvan, Nemrut Crater Lake, Ahlat, Kümbetler and Seljuk Tombs
we go to the shuttles that wait for us in Tatvan in order to visit the biggest crater lake in Turkey that is in the Mount Nemrut.  We enjoy the amazing views of the Big, the Hot and the Mild Lakes at the crater and then we go to Ahlat from the other side of the mountain. We visit the Seljuk Tombs, which covers a vast area with its various tombs covered by ornaments and old writings and with kumbets built according to different styles of architecture. Then we go back to Tatvan. Overnight in Tatvan.

7^th Day - Thursday
Bitlis Castle, Yüzen (Floating) Isle, Bingöl
we go to Bitlis Castle that is placed on a steep rock at the junction of two streams. On our way to Tunceli, we stop at Bingöl which has bred many legends with its lakes, numerous water reserves and Yüzen Isle. Overnight in Tunceli.  

8^th Day - Friday
Munzur Mountain National Park, Gözeler, Elazığ, Harput, Arap Baba Turbe, Ulu Mosque
we begin the day at the source of Munzur Stream that is combined with Fırat River. We have lunch at Mercan Valley, which makes you enjoy the beauties of nature with its Kaynayan gözeleri and little waterfalls. Then we reach Elazığ by crossing Keban Dam on ferryboats. Though Harput, which means a stone castle, lost its prominence with the establishment of Elazığ, it still attracts attention with its remnants from the civilizations, especially from Artukoğulları, inhabited there. Our trip that begins with the visiting of Harput Castle built by Urartular, goes on with Arap Baba Turbe that has an interesting story and with Ulu Mosque that is distinct with its bent minaret covered with tile and glazed bricks. Overnight in Malatya  

9^th Day - Saturday
Malatya, the Old Malatya, Ulu Mosque, Silahtar Mustafapaşa Caravanserai
we go to the Old Malatya first, which is inhabited at winter times and lost its importance with the establishment of the city today. We visit the Ulu Mosque that is built up by Arabs and considered as the first mosque in Turkey and Mustafa Paşa Caravanserai. After having lunch and shopping we depart for İstanbul.

10^th Day - Sunday
Arrival in Istanbul
we arrive in İstanbul at about midday and leave you at the points where we have picked you up with the wish of seeing you again at another tour.