Lake Van & Mount Ararat to Istanbul - 6 Days

Upon arriving at Van Airport, you will meet your tour guide. Before heading to our hotel, we will explore the Citadel of Van, home to the remarkable 3,000-year-old Urartian fortress. Here, we'll witness an extraordinary sunset. We will stay overnight at a boutique hotel in Van.

After breakfast, we take a ferry to Akdamar Island to explore a stunning 10th-century church, built by an Armenian king. If time permits, you may enjoy a swim in the beautiful waters of Lake Van.

We then return to the city centre to visit the world's largest Urartu Museum. This museum showcases artefacts in chronological order from various periods, including the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Urartu, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Seljuk, Turkish-Islamic, and Ottoman eras, offering a unique historical perspective.

Our next stop is the Van Cat House, home to the distinctive Van cats. Known for their chalky white coats and varied eye colours—either with both blue or amber eyes, or one of each—these cats are famously known as "the swimming cats" and have been seen frolicking in Lake Van.

Overnight in Van at a boutique accommodation. Breakfast is included.

Van - Dogubayazit - Kars. Today, we depart for Dogubayazit, stopping en route at Muradiye and the Bendimaahi Falls. Once in Dogubayazit, we explore the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, an architectural marvel combining Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian, Armenian, and Persian influences, dating from 1685 to 1784.

We then travel northwards, passing along the western edge of Mount Ararat, a breathtaking natural landmark. The name "Ararat" originates from the Bible (Jeremiah 51:27) and is a transliteration of "Urartu," the term for this region and its ancient inhabitants.

We stay overnight in Kars at a boutique hotel. Breakfast is included.

Kars - Ani - Kars. This morning, we travel to Ani, the former capital of the Armenian kingdom. In the mid-10th century, Ani was unparalleled in Europe for its size and splendour. Among the ruins, we will explore several churches, the shell of Ani Cathedral, the citadel, and a mosque. The Church of St Gregory (Tigran Honentz) also houses intriguing fresco remains, survivng after centuries exposed to the weather.

In the afternoon, we will visit the 12 Apostles Church and Kars Castle.

Kars - Istanbul. Transfer to Kars Airport for your included flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, enjoy a convenient transfer to your hotel. You'll be staying overnight in a 4-star hotel, with breakfast included.

After breakfast, our tour comes to an end. We bid farewell to our newfound friends before transferring you to the airport for your onward flight.