Turkey - Georgia - Armenia - Azerbaija
Section 2
Turkey and the Caucasus
April 27 - May 22, 2012 (26 days)
Price: 
€7936 / USD $11366
Single Supplement: € 2080 / USD $ 2980
Day 21 Friday, April 27 Istanbul
This will be the end of the first section and the beginning of the second section of the journey.
Those who drive from Venice to Istanbul will be transferred to the airport to board your onward flight.
Those who start the trip in Istanbul will arrive today and be greeted at the airport then transferred to your hotel.
Welcome dinner for the new arrivals.
B/D Seven Hills Hotel
Day 22, Saturday, April 28 Istanbul
Tour Istanbul for the day.
In the morning visit the Blue Mosque, built in 1616 unequalled for its mosaics, and the Haghia Sophia dedicated in 536 AD during the reign of Justinian, we will also visit Topkapi Palace, which was built by Mehmed the Conqueror.
This evening we shall have a memorable dinner on a boat cruising along the Bosphorous.
B/L/D Seven Hills Hotel
Day 23, Sunday, April 29 Istanbul – Ankara (driving distance: 580 km)
This morning there will be an orientation session with our Land Rover Discovery before we start to drive to Ankara, the capital. Arrive in late afternoon. We will spend two nights at a boutique hotel near the old city of Ankara.
B/L/ D Divan Çukurhan Hotel
Day 24, Monday, April 30 Ankara
Today, we visit the historical remains in the city, the old citadel "Hisar", where according to legend, an anchor was found while it was being constructed, from which the city took its name "Ancyra". Inside its walls it contains examples of old Turkish houses alongside the ancient ruins. There is also a covered bazaar, called "bedesten", close to the gate "Hisar Kapisi".
After lunch, visit the very fine Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which details the ebb and flow of cultures that have passed through the area, from the Hittites, the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians to the Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans.
B/L/ D Divan Çukurhan Hotel
Day 25, Tuesday, May 01 Ankara – Cappadocia (driving distance: 530 km)
Drive to Cappadocia, have lunch en route and arrive in our cave hotel in a small village of Cappadocia.
B/L/D Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Day 26, Wednesday, May 02 Cappadocia
Full day tour in Cappadocia. Visit to the enchanting "fairy chimneys" (conical and unusual rock formations) in Devrent Valley. We continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, where we will see the finest examples of religious frescoes in rock-cut churches from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Enjoy Pasabag Valley, and then continue to Avanos, centre of terra cotta work. Afternoon visit Derin kuyu underground city.
B/L/D Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Day 27, Thursday, May 03 Cappadocia – Mt. Nemrut (driving distance: 520 km)
Optional hot-air balloon tour is available for the ones can get up very early in the morning (weather permits). After breakfast, head to Mt. Nemrut via a scenic route stopping to visitMalatya, the apricot capital of Turkey.
We shall arrive at the mountain at sunset. B/L/D Euphrat Hotel
Day 28, Friday, May 04 Mt. Nemrut
Drive up to the summit of Mt. Nemrut early in the morning to visit the magnificent ruins and stone statues. Visit some Kurdish villages in the surrounding area. Enjoy some light hiking.
B/L/D Euphrat Hotel
Day 29, Saturday, May 05 Mt. Nemrut – Sanliurfa (driving distance: 110 km)
Morning take the ferry and drive to Sanliurfa. Visit to Mevlid Halil Mosque and the Cave of Prophet Abraham, then the sacred fish pool. Drive to Harran - city of the prophet Abraham. See the fortress, Islamic school and peculiar beehive-shaped adobe houses.
B/L/D Hotel Harran
Day 30, Saturday, May 06 Sanliurfa – Mardin (driving distance: 270 km)
Drive to the city of Mardin, with its golden stone houses that blend into the hills. The houses are often decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading centre with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia and visit the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of Deyrulzaferan.
B/L/D Erdoba Hotel
Day 31, Monday, May 07 Mardin – Van (driving distance: 537 km)
Morning drive to visit the famed Hasankeyf ancient site. After a quick stop at Batman, drive to Lake Van through beautiful mountain region. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey and lies at an altitude of 1720m.
B/L/D Merit Hotel
Day 32, Tuesday, May 08 Van – Dogubayazit (driving distance: 180 km)
If weather permits, we will take the boat to cross the lake and visit the Akdamar church, which is built on an island in the lake.
Then drive to the border town of Dogubayazit dominated by the towering peak of Mount Ararat. En route visit Muradiye Waterfalls. The old town of Dogubayazit was once an important staging post on the Silk Road. Visit the Ishak Pasa Palace. If the sky is clear, we may have a chance to enjoy the nice view of Ararat.ay 48,
B/L/D Golden Hill Hotel
Day 33, Wednesday, May 09 Dogubayazit – Kars (driving distance: 48 km)
A beautiful drive northbound will bring us to Kars. About 45 km outside of the city, we will visit the medieval Armenian capital of Ani, impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravanserais.
Today is our last day in Turkey.
B/L/D Kar’s Hotel
Day 34, Thursday, May 10 Kars – Akhalkalaki, Georgia (driving distance: 180 km)
Today we will cross the border entering Georgia. Drive along the mountain road to overnight at the city of Akhalkalaki. This city is the centre of a historical region called Samtskhe-Dzhavakhetia located in the utmost southwest of Georgia . It is a high-mountainous area of subalpine and Alpine meadows with many crystal water springs and brine wells. The city of Akhalkalaki , according to historians, was founded in the 11th century. In the 15th century it was almost completely destroyed and in the 17th -18th centuries rebuilt by Turks and transformed into a powerful fortress. We shall visit an old fortress en route.
B/L/D local hotel
Day 35, Friday, May 11 Akhalkalaki – Yerevan, Armenia (driving distance: 80 km)
Drive to Georgia/Armenia border in the morning and process the border-crossing formalities. Then drive to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Enjoy some leisure time in the city.
B/L/D Golden Tulip Hotel
Day 36, Saturday, May 12 Yerevan (driving distance: 65 km)
Today visit two major sites near Yerevan.
The Church of St. John (St. Hovanes), also known as Mastara Church, in Mastara, Armenia dates from the 5th century. It features a variation of the cruciform plan and central cupola'd church. In accordance with its square plan, the four projecting apses, inward-facing circular and outward facing polygonal, offer the requisite supports to hold up the imposing polygonal cupola.
In the afternoon, drive through the picturesque Avan Canyon, skirting formidable cliffs and passing exotic-looking gorges until a green plateau by the Azat River comes into view. Here, in the harmony of the relief and the virgin nature you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel the spirit of ancient ages. Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave monastery of Geghard.
Return to Yerevan in early evening.
B/L/D Golden Tulip Hotel
Day 37, Saturday, May 13 Yerevan - Sevan Lake (driving distance: 275 km)
Today we will trace the ancient Silk Road through Southern Armenia driving towards the town of Ararat. We will have a wonder view of the Caucasus Mountain range and visit one of the old Caravanserais.
Also visit the Hayravank Monastery and Noraduz Village close to the town of Gavar where lies the famous Noeaduz Cemetery.
After some bumpy road driving, we will reach Lake Sevan and spend two nights. B/L/D Best Western Bohemia Hotel.
B/L/D Golden Tulip Hotel
Day 38, Monday, May 14 Sevan Lake – Dilizhan – Sevan Lake (driving distance: 80 km)
Drive to Dilizhan. This area of Armenia is affectionately known as the "Little Switzerland". Hidden in forest inside of Dilizhan National Park, there lies a handsome monastery from the century XII (Haghartsin means "dance of the eagles"). Enjoy the drive and tour, then some hiking by the Lake Sevan.
B/L/D Best Western Bohemia Hotel
Day 39, Tuesday, May 15 Sevan Lake – Tbilisi, Georgia (driving distance: 170 km)
Today we will drive north-bound towards Georgia border. En route we will visit a very interesting village of the Russian Molokan people. Russian Tsar Nikolai I in 1830 signed a decree prohibiting “Molokans” to live in the central areas of Russia. This made them resettle in Transcaucasus. The villages of the Molokans are still existing in Northern Armenia. Molokans live in complete harmony with nature. They preserve not only the fields, but also the forests. They collect wild berries, pears and grow cabbages. Their home-made jams, cheese and pickles are fantastic.
There will be some border-crossing formality from the Armenia side and then enter Georgia.
Arrive Tbilisi in the afternoon.
B/L/D Marriot Courtyard Hotel
Day 40, Wednesday, May 16 Tbilisi
Full day of sightseeing in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
The city was found in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali. We will take a walk around the old town, Kala, which developed within the walls of a citadel and reached the bank of the river Mtkvari; visit centuries old churches, treasuries of museums and other important cultural and religious sites.
B/L/D Marriot Courtyard Hotel
Day 41, Thursday, May 17 Tbilisi – Telavi (driving distance: 175 km)
Drive to the city of Telavi.
Explore picturesque and the most fertile part of Georgia - Kakheti, which borders the Great Caucasus range from the north Alazani Valley, summits of which are over 3,000 m.
This region is known as a birthplace of viticulture and wine-making. The rich land, burning sun and hard work have developed about 500 varieties of wine in Georgia. The history, culture and lifestyle of Georgians are embodied in Georgian wine. It is a symbol of Georgian hospitality, friendship, tolerance and a key to the mystery of Georgian longevity. Enjoy breathtaking views of Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Signagi Royal Town. Take a walk in narrow streets of the town in shadow of wooden balconies richly decorated with the lace of carved ornaments.
B/L/D Rcheuli Marani Telavi
Day 42, Friday, May 18 Telavi – Sheki, Azerbaijan (driving distance: 280 km)
Today we cross the border to enter Azerbaijan. We will cross the border at the Lagodekhi border post, and continue on to Sheki, about 160 km from the border.
B/L/D Sheki Sarai Hotel
Day 43, Saturday, May 19 Sheki
One of the most ancient settlements and cultural centres of Azerbaijan, Sheki was founded more than 2700 years ago at the southern slopes of the Major Caucasus Mountains Chain (370 kilometres to the north-west from Baku). During its millennial historical the town used to be devastated many times, so the most part of the historic and architectural monuments currently preserved are dated to the 16th-19th centuries.
Magnificent Royal Palace of Sheki Khans (Kings) constructed in 1762 without a single nail is one of the most marvellous monuments of its epoch, which the Shekians are particularly proud…
In the afternoon, we will drive to a village 40 km outside of Sheki to trek up to an ancient fortress in the mountain.
B/L/D Sheki Sarai Hotel
Day 44, Sunday, May 20 Shaki – Baku (driving distance: 300 km)
Today we will depart Sheki for Baku.
Drive through the Muganly Mountain Pass. Photo stops on the most beautiful viewpoints on the mountains.
Arrival to Shamakha visit historical mosque Juma (Friday), mausoleum of Yeddi Gumbez – (Seven Domes) – grave yard of Shirvan Shahs. We will also visit to Diri Baba mausoleum in Maraza village.
Arrive Baku in late afternoon.
Those who join the trip from Baku, should arrive today and be transferred from airport to hotel.
B/L/D Park Inn Hotel
Day 45, Monday, May 21 Baku
Baku sightseeing for the day. Visit to Memory Alley – “Shehidler Khiyabany”, panoramic view of Baku city from the park. Visit to the State Carpets museum. Visit to medieval fortress of Old Baku – “Icheri Sheher” and “Maiden Tower”, the complex of Shirvan Shahs Palace, medieval Caravansaray and so on.
B/L/D Park Inn Hotel
Day 46, Tuesday, May 22 Baku – Caspian Ferry
Today we will be at leisure until the time for boarding the Caspian ferry.
Those who leave the group from Baku, will be transferred to airport for your homebound flight.
B/L/D Caspian Ferry
