Day 1 - Ankara

Arrival Ankara, visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern Turkey. Briefing and get to know each other in the evening.

Day 2 - Ankara - Cappadocia (B) (D)

After breakfast, we will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations one of the nicest museums in the world where we can see thousands of art pieces created by Anatolian civilizations over the centuries.

Day 3 - Cappadocia (B) (D)

After breakfast, sightseeing of Cappadocia and unique landscapes. Visit Göreme Valley, an otherworldly complex of rock chapels and churches covered with lovely frescoes. See Dervent valley incredible lunar landscapes. Continue to the open-air museum at Zelve Valley and Avanos. Visit the underground city of Kaymakli. Built by early Christians fleeing persecution, this formidable refuge had seven subterranean levels, and could accommodate several thousands of people. In the evening enjoy an optional folk dance and belly-dancing performance while we wine and dine in an underground cabaret.

Day 4 - Cappadocia - Tarsus - Adana (B) (D)

After breakfast, drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, visit St. Paul's well, tomb of Sardanapulus and Cleopatra's Gate.

Day 5 - Adana- Antioch - Gaziantep (B) (D)

After breakfast, drive to Antakya, the ancient Antioch-on-the Orontes. The word "Christians" was first heard here. St. Paul, St Peter and Barnabas spent time here building a strong Church. Later, it would become the center from which Paul spread the Christian faith. Visit the St Peter Grotto, which, is a cave church known as the meeting place of the early Christians. Pope Paul VI held a service here and declared that a plenary indulgence might be gained at any time by pilgrimage to the church. Visit the largest Mosaic Museum in Turkey.

Day 6 - Gaziantep - Urfa - Harran - Adiyaman (B) (D) 

After breakfast drive to Zeugma by the Euphrates, which has become a world heritage because it will soon remain underwater. Drive to Urfa, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. We will visit the cave where the prophet Abraham was born and visit Abraham's Pool. On the afternoon, explore Harran, referred in Genesis (XI, 31,32; XII, 4,5) as Charan, known for its mud-brick "beehive" like houses. Harran was the place where Abraham departed from for Canaan Country.

Day 7 - Adiyaman - Mt. Nemrut - Diyarbakir (B) (D)

We leave very early in the morning for NEMRUT. There we will hire small mini-buses to drive up the mountain at an elevation of 8000 ft. This is where King Antiochus I of Commagene built a colossal funerary sanctuary, a temple dedicated to himself, to the Greco-Persian gods and to his Persian ancestors approximately 2000 years ago. The East and West terraces have a central courtyard surrounded with colossal statues of lions, eagles, etc. Colossal statues of seated figures are Apollo, Hermes, Zeus and Hercules. Sunrise from the top of Mount Nemrut will be incomparable to anything you have seen before. Please Note: The hike to Mt. Nemrud consists of 20 to 40 minutes of a 30% uphill hike, mostly with stairs. Continue to Diyarbakir. Diyarbakir, known in ancient times as Amida, has been a cradle of 26 civilizations during its 5000-year history. Visit the four old city gates, walls and the Church of St. Mary (17th Century).

Day 8 - Diyarbakir - Van (B) (D)

We leave early in the morning for our drive to Van. We will pass by an ancient city called Ahlat where the ruins of a citadel from 16th century await our visit.

Day 9 - Van - Akdamar - Van (B) (D)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning cruise on Lake Van towards the island of Akdamar with its 10th century church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose stone outer walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. In the afternoon make a visit to the ancient Urartian settlement of Cavustepe built by King Sardur in 750 B.C. excavated in 1970; today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions. Continue to south to see the 17th century Hosap Castle.

Day 10 - Van - Mt. Ararat - Kars (B) (D)

After breakfast drive to Dogu Beyazit. On your way enjoy the unforgettable scenery of Mount Ararat, Turkey's most scenic natural monument. Mount Ararat, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to a height of 15137 meters (6,854 feet). The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. The search for Noah's Arc still continues. We will visit the Ishak Pasa Palace. This complex is a combination of a mosque, a fortress, and a palace, built in 17th cent.

Day 11 - Kars - Ani - Artvin (B) (D)

In the morning, visit the medieval city of Ani, a fascinating medieval town situated on the ancient Silk Road Ani was called "The City of 1001 Churches". During the 9th to the 12th centuries, Ani was famous as being a Christian metropolis in Asia. The castle and the ruins of 8 churches date from the 10th century.

Day 12 - Artvin - Trabzon - Sumela Monastery (B) (D)

After breakfast we drive through a scenic morning drive along the luxuriant Black Sea coastline to Trabzon. Afternoon we will visit the 14th century Sumela Monastery. Built on the face of a steep cliff in the mountains, the monastery is filled with outstanding 14th century frescoes.

Day 13 - Trabzon - Istanbul (B) (D)

After breakfast, fly to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul around noontime. After check in to your Hotel we will have a Cruise on the Bosphorus with private boat. You will enjoy the waterfront wooden houses built in Ottoman style and breath taking view

Day 14 - Istanbul (B) (D)

After breakfast, visit Topkapi Palace, legendary residence of the Ottoman Sultans. See the Treasury, the Kitchens and the Harem Quarter. After lunch visit St. Sophia, one of the most important religious buildings of the Christian world. Basilica built by Constantine in the 4th century. Continue the Hippodrome where chariot races were held in the Roman city of Constantinople. Special farewell dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 15 - Istanbul (B) 

After breakfast drive to Airport for return flight.