Uçaklı Van - Kars - Erzurum Tour

We depart from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport on a morning flight to Van.

After arriving at Van Airport, we meet our guide and board our tour vehicle. We start the day with a breakfast stop where we can experience Van's famous local breakfast.

After breakfast, we head to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey.

Guests who wish to join the extra boat trip organized for them reach Akdamar Island. After the journey accompanied by the magnificent views of Lake Van, we explore Akdamar Church, the most important historical structure on the island.

We listen to our guide tell the history of Akdamar Church, built in the 10th century by King Gagik I of Vaspurakan and notable for its impressive stonework. After photography and free time on the island, we return to the shore by boat.

After our lunch break, we head to Van Castle, one of the important centers of the Urartian Kingdom.

At this historical site, also known as Tuşpa Castle, we explore the walls, castle gates, rock tombs from the Urartian period and historical remains accompanied by our guide's commentary.

After our visit to Van Castle, we go to the Van Cat House, where we can see the Van cats, one of the symbols of the city, up close.

After our visit here, we take a break at a store where we can learn about Van's traditional handwoven carpets and do some shopping.

After completing our tours, we head to our hotel. We have dinner at the hotel and then rest.

Daily Meal and Accommodation Information

• Breakfast: Van Breakfast Street (Extra)
• Lunch: Around Lake Van (Extra)
• Dinner: At the hotel (Included)
• Accommodation: Van Hotels – Eden's Hotel

After breakfast at our hotel in Van, we leave the city and begin exploring the impressive natural beauty of Eastern Anatolia.

Our first stop is Muradiye Waterfall, located on the Bend-i Mahi Stream, which is fed by waters flowing from Mount Tendürek.

Accompanied by the unique scenery of the waterfall, we take a photo break and then continue our journey towards Doğubeyazıt district of Ağrı.

After arriving in Doğubeyazıt, we visit İshakpaşa Palace, one of the most magnificent historical structures in the region.

This impressive palace, bearing traces of Ottoman, Seljuk and Iranian architecture, captivates its visitors with its monumental gates, stone carvings and its commanding position overlooking the plain.

Accompanied by our guide's commentary, we learn about the history of the palace, and then we have free time to enjoy the view of Old Beyazıt.

After our lunch and shopping break, we set off on the route towards Iğdır.

During our journey, we have the opportunity to see the impressive view of Mount Ararat, the highest mountain in Turkey.

Guests who wish to do so can join the Tuzluca Salt Caves excursion, which is organized as an optional extra.

After exploring the caves, known for their impressive rock and salt formations underground, we continue along the Armenian border and reach Kars via Digor.

After settling into our hotel, we have dinner at the hotel and then rest.

Daily Meal and Accommodation Information

• Breakfast: At the hotel (Included)
• Lunch: In Doğubeyazıt (Extra)
• Dinner: At the hotel (Included)
• Accommodation: Kars Hotels – The Karspark Hotel etc.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off to explore the historical and natural beauty of Kars.

Our first stop is the Ani Ruins, located on the border between Turkey and Armenia and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Having been home to different civilizations throughout history, Ani takes us on a journey to the past with its magnificent walls, churches, mosques and historical remains.

Accompanied by our guide, we get to know the important historical structures in the Ani Ancient City.

• Ani Walls and historical city gates
• Surp Pirgiç Church
• Surp Kirkor Church
• Ani Cathedral (Church of the Virgin Mary)
• Ebul Muhammeran Mosque
• Menuçehr Mosque
• Sultan's Palace
• Small Bath (Küçük Hamam)
• Historic Silk Road Bridge

After exploring this impressive historical site, we head to Çıldır Lake while enjoying the view of the Arpaçay River, which forms the natural border between Turkey and Armenia.

Upon reaching Çıldır Lake, one of the important natural beauties of Eastern Anatolia, we offer our guests free time.

On Çıldır Lake, whose surface can freeze in winter, our guests who wish may take part in horse-drawn sledge rides for an extra fee, provided the weather and ice conditions are suitable.

You can take photographs accompanied by unique views around the lake and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

After our free time, we stop for lunch, where we can taste the local flavors specific to Kars. We have the opportunity to try Kars' famous regional dishes such as goose meat, hangel, piti, haşıl and mantı.

After our lunch break, we begin exploring the Kars city center.

On our walk through the streets of Kars, which feature impressive examples of Caucasian and Baltic architecture, we get to know the historical and cultural fabric of the city closely.

We see Kars Castle, the Kümbet Mosque also known as the Church of the 12 Apostles, the historic Taşköprü, and the house where Namık Kemal once lived.

Then we visit the Fethiye Mosque, which bears traces of Russian Baltic architecture.

Later in our tour, we take a shopping break at stores where you can buy Kars' famous regional products such as Gravyer cheese, kashar and honey.

Our last stop is the Kanlı Tabya Museum, which keeps the memories of the Sarıkamış Operation alive.

We visit the museum, which stands out with its historical atmosphere and exhibition areas, accompanied by our guide's commentary.

After completing our tours, we head back to our hotel.

In the evening, guests who wish may join the Caucasian Night program, arranged as an extra, to watch the region's traditional dances and cultural performances.

Daily Meal and Accommodation Information



• Breakfast: At the hotel (Included)
• Lunch: At Çıldır Lake/Kars region (Extra)
• Dinner: Within the Caucasian Night program or according to personal preference (Extra)
• Accommodation: Kars Hotels – The Karspark Hotel or similar

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for Kars Railway Station for one of the most special experiences of our tour.

We begin a nostalgic journey from Kars to Erzurum aboard the Eastern Express, one of Türkiye's most beloved train trips.

During the approximately 4-hour train journey in pullman seats, we enjoy the impressive natural landscapes of Eastern Anatolia.

We reach Erzurum while taking in the captivating atmosphere of the Allahuekber Mountains and panoramic views of the Sarıkamış region.

After our arrival in Erzurum, we begin exploring the city's historical and cultural treasures.

First, we stop for lunch, where we can taste Erzurum's famous cağ kebab.

Then we visit the historic Congress Building, where the Erzurum Congress, one of the important turning points in our War of Independence history, took place.

After hearing our guide explain the significance of the Erzurum Congress in our history, we discover the city's important Seljuk and Saltuk period monuments.

On our tour, we first see the Twin-Minaret Madrasa, one of the most impressive structures of Anatolian Seljuk architecture.

Next, we visit the Üç Kümbetler, which are among the important examples of Saltuk period tomb monuments.

After our tour of the Ulu Mosque, one of Erzurum's important religious structures, we head to the Old Erzurum Houses, which reflect traditional city life.

After the tea break we will have here, we visit the Yakutiye Madrasa, one of the symbols of Erzurum, and the Taşhan, famous for its Oltu stone craftsmanship.

For guests who wish, we offer an opportunity to shop for local products.

After completing our visits, we head to Erzurum Airport.

Following our Erzurum – Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen flight, we complete our Van – Kars – Erzurum tour with UçurTur.

Daily Meal and Accommodation Information

• Breakfast: At the hotel (Included)
• Lunch: Cağ kebab in Erzurum (Extra)
• Dinner: According to personal preference (Extra)
• Accommodation: Not included.