Touristic Eastern Express Kars Tour (Departing from Istanbul - Flight Departure - Train Return)

Day 1. (Istanbul – Erzurum – Kars)

Dear guests; we meet at Istanbul Airport and complete the check-in procedures for the 09:10 Istanbul New HL – Erzurum flight operated by Turkish Airlines. After our procedures, we fly to Erzurum, meet our tour guide and vehicle who welcome us, and head to Erzurum city center. After visiting the Three Tombs, one of the finest examples of mausoleum monuments in Anatolia, we see the Çifte Minareli Madrasa and the Ulu Mosque, symbols of Erzurum. Then we have our lunch with Erzurum’s famous Cağ kebab. After lunch, we give free time at Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai (Taşhan). Leaving Taşhan, we go to Yakutiye Madrasa, the largest of the enclosed-courtyard madrasas in Anatolia, built in 1310. We go to the Erzurum Houses, where several houses have been restored and connected to each other, and take a tea and coffee break. After our Erzurum tour, we depart for Kars. In the evening, we check in to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken freely in Erzurum city center. Not included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken extra at local restaurants and is not included in the tour price.

Dinner: Will be taken as an open buffet or set menu at the accommodation hotel.

Accommodation Hotel: Kars Hotels

Day 2. (Ani Ruins – Çıldır Lake)

Dear Guests; after the breakfast we will have at our hotel, we go to the Ani Ruins, established on the banks of the Arpaçay, which forms the border between Turkey and Armenia. We begin our visit to the Ani Ruins, which are among Turkey’s most important cultural assets and have hosted many civilizations, accompanied by our guide. We see Ani Cathedral (Church of the Virgin Mary), Surp Stephanos Church, Tigran Honentz Church, Abugamir Pahlavuni Church, Halaskar (Amenaprgiç) Church, and Ebu'l Menuçehr Mosque. Then we head to Çıldır Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Eastern Anatolia region and the second largest lake, located between the borders of Ardahan and Kars. During the free time we will have at Çıldır Lake, which freezes in winter due to the cold, you can walk around the frozen lake and ride horse-drawn sleds. After the photo and coffee break, we return to our hotel where we will stay overnight. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel where we will stay overnight.

Lunch: Will be taken extra at local restaurants and is not included in the tour price.

Dinner: Will be taken as an open buffet or set menu at the hotel where we will stay overnight. Included in the tour price.

Extra Caucasus Show: An event featuring local folk dance performances after dinner at the hotel

Accommodation Hotel: Kars Hotels

Day 3. (Sarıkamış Ski Center – Katherina Mansion – Kars Castle – Caucasus Front War Museum)

Dear Guests; after the open buffet breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Sarıkamış. First, we see the monument built for our martyrs who lost their lives in the Caucasus operation, and then we panoramically view Katherina Mansion, believed to have been built by II. Tsar Nicholas in 1896 for his wife, Tsarina Katherina. After the photo break we will take here, we go to Sarıkamış Ski Center. During the free time we will have at the Ski Center, our guests who wish can ride the chairlift. Then we leave Sarıkamış and arrive at Kars city center. Rebuilt during the 40 years after 1877 under Russian occupation, Kars bears traces of Baltic architecture. We start our tour of Kars city center with Kümbet Mosque, located at the foot of Kars Castle. After our guide’s general explanation about the city of Kars, we start walking in the streets of Kars to experience the historical fabric of the city. Passing over the Stone Bridge built during the Ottoman period, we panoramically see the house where Namık Kemal stayed with his grandfather in 1850. We take a short break from our tour and go to our restaurant for lunch. After the meal, we continue walking among historical structures in the streets of Kars. After an shopping break at the cheese shop where Kars gruyere and other cheese varieties are found, we arrive at the Caucasus Front War History Museum. After our Kars tour, we give free time in the city center until the departure time of the Touristic Eastern Express. According to the time announced by TCDD, we board the Touristic Eastern Express train departing at 21:05 and begin our pleasant journey. During the journey, you can purchase your hot and cold drinks as well as sweet and salty snacks from the cafeteria section inside the train. Accommodation is in the sleeping car of the Touristic Eastern Express.

Breakfast: Will be taken as an open buffet at the hotel where we will stay overnight.

Lunch: Will be taken extra at local restaurants. Not included in the tour price.

Today's Shopping Stop: Filigree Workshop and Kars Cheese Shop

Dinner: Will be taken freely at local restaurants. Not included in the tour price.

Accommodation Hotel: Will be on the Touristic Eastern Express sleeping car.

Day 4. (Erzincan – Sivas – Kayseri)

Dear Guests, as soon as you wake up in the morning, a mesmerizing view outside will be waiting for you. We will continue our journey through Anatolia’s captivating geography. Since we will be on the train all day, you can have your breakfast, lunch, and dinner freely at the train’s cafeteria, or you can also have them in city centers during the breaks we will give on extra tours. Accommodation is in the sleeping car of the Touristic Eastern Express.

1st Alternative Kemaliye Tour Per Person:

Dear guests; during the 3-hour stop our train will make at İliç Station, we carry out our extra Kemaliye tour with guests who wish to join. After a journey of approximately 45 minutes, we arrive in Kemaliye, see and photograph the famous stone road opened by the people of Kemaliye with their own means. Then, with a short walk on the patterned road, we reach Lökhane and taste the famous Lök dessert and have the opportunity to shop. Afterwards, we give free time. After our free time, we return to our train.

2nd Alternative Divriği Tour Per Person:

Dear guests; during the 3-hour stop our train will make at Divriği Station, guests who wish can join the Divriği Tour. We start our Divriği tour with the Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifa. Completing our visit to the Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifa accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we give free time on Huma Hatun Street. After our free time, we return to our Touristic Eastern Express Train and continue our journey.

3rd Alternative Sivas Tour Per Person:

Dear guests; during the 3-hour stop our train will make at Sivas Station, guests who wish can join the Sivas Tour. In Sivas, one of the cultural centers of the Seljuks, after visiting the Çifte Minareli Madrasa, Buruciye Madrasa, Şifaiye Madrasa, and the Sivas Congress Building, we give free time. After our free time, we return to our Touristic Eastern Express Train and continue our journey.

Breakfast: Will be taken on the Touristic Eastern Express. Not included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken on the Touristic Eastern Express. Not included in the tour price.

Dinner: Will be taken on the Touristic Eastern Express. Not included in the tour price.

Accommodation Hotel: Will be on the Touristic Eastern Express sleeping car.

Day 5. ( Ankara – Istanbul )

Dear Guests, we arrive at Ankara Train Station in the early morning. (Although planning is done, there may sometimes be changes in the times due to technical issues or road conditions.) With the high-speed train we will board from Ankara Station, we arrive at Istanbul Söğütlü Çeşme Train Station, and we bid you farewell, hoping to see you in another Tatil Avcısı organization.

Breakfast: Will be taken on the Touristic Eastern Express. Not included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken on the Touristic Eastern Express. Not included in the tour price.

Services Included in the Tour Price

Touristic Eastern Express – Kars - Ankara Sleeping Car Train Ticket,

Ankara Train Station – Söğütlüçeşme High Speed Train Ticket,

Istanbul New HL – Erzurum Flight Ticket,

Transportation with Tour Vehicles According to the Number of People,

2 Nights Half Board Accommodation,

2 Nights Accommodation on the Touristic Eastern Express,

2 Open Buffet Breakfasts,

2 Open Buffet Dinners,

All Sightseeing Tours Specified in the Program,

Mandatory Travel Insurance as Required by Law No. 1618,

Professional Guiding Services,

Services Not Included in the Tour Price

All Lunches,

Drinks Taken with All Meals,

Personal Expenses Made During the Tour,

Organizations Specified as Extra (Extra Tours, Caucasian Night)

Museum and Ruins Entrance Fees,

Sarıkamış Chairlift Fee,

Kemaliye Tour,

Divriği Tour,

Sivas Tour,

Highlights: