Day
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1
We depart with a morning flight to Erzurum. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and private vehicle at the airport and start the day with a pleasant breakfast in the historic Kaleiçi area. After breakfast, we visit key landmarks of Erzurum, including the Congress Building, Üç Kümbetler, and the Double Minarets. Our magical winter journey then begins as we travel through Horasan, Pasinler, and Sarıkamış—routes that we will later pass by at night during our Kars–Ankara train journey, now seen in daylight. In Sarıkamış, we take a short walk to the historic Katerina Hunting Lodge, followed by a visit to the Sarıkamış Ski Center. Taking the cable car, we ascend through pine forests to the summit, where we will be enchanted by the rare crystal snow and breathtaking scenery. We continue with a traditional cirit (mounted javelin) performance in Selim District, reflecting one of our cultural heritages, and then arrive in Kars city center. After hotel check-in, dinner is served, followed by a Caucasian dance show. Overnight: Kars City Center – Işılpark Hotel
2
After waking up refreshed, we enjoy breakfast at our hotel before heading to Ani Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Armenian border. During our visit, we explore remarkable structures such as Gagik Church, Church of the Apostles, St. Gregory Chapel, St. Prkitch (Halashar) Church, the Grand Cathedral (Fethiye Mosque), Tigran Honents (Painted) Church, the Virgins’ (Nuns’) Monastery at the border, a Zoroastrian Fire Temple from the Persian era, and a Georgian church. As Ani was also inhabited during the Seljuk period, we will see remains such as the Seljuk Palace and Fortress, bathhouses, and Ebu’l Menucehr Mosque, the first mosque built by Turks in Anatolia. At midday, we depart Ani and travel to Lake Çıldır, located at an altitude of 2,000 meters and frozen from mid-December until the second week of March. Here, you may enjoy a horse-drawn sled ride on the frozen lake, watch traditional ice fishing techniques, and take photographs. Lunch will consist of freshly caught lake fish. After a short rest by the stove, we return to Kars city center. (If weather conditions permit, we will also visit Şeytan Castle.) We support sustainable tourism with shopping for authentic local products before returning to the hotel for dinner and evening surprises. Overnight: Kars City Center – Işılpark Hotel
3
After breakfast, we explore the streets of Kars, viewing today’s examples of Baltic-style architecture featured in Orhan Pamuk’s novel Snow. We visit Kars museums, including the Cheese Museum, Archaeology Museum, and Caucasus Front Museum. Following lunch, we travel to Boğatepe Village, tracing the journey of cheese production. At the village museum, we listen to the story of how milk transforms into cheese. Returning to Kars city center, we have free time for shopping before our long-awaited train journey. At 21:05, the Touristic Eastern Express departs from the historic Kars Train Station. Our guests are escorted to their private compartments. (One full wagon is reserved for our group, consisting of 10 compartments with 2 guests per compartment. Toilets at the front and rear of the wagon are exclusively for our group, and compartments are heated.) As the locomotive sounds its whistle, our unforgettable train journey begins. Overnight: On the train
4
During our train journey, we disembark at three different locations. Our first stop is İliç, where we meet our vehicle and travel to Kemaliye. Here we explore the Stone Road, Dark Canyon, Mani Road, and the streets of Kemaliye, enjoy morning soup, and return to the train. (Approx. 180 minutes) Our second stop is Divriği, where we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Divriği Grand Mosque and Darüşşifa. After lunch at the Divriği bazaar, we return to the train. (Approx. 150 minutes) Our third stop is Sivas. From the station, we visit the Sivas Congress Building, Double Minaret Madrasa, Buruciye Madrasa, and Gök Madrasa. (Approx. 180 minutes)
5
We spend the night on the train. The planned arrival time in Ankara is 07:30. After completing this enjoyable program, we bid farewell at the train station, carrying with us unforgettable memories and hoping to meet again on another journey.
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7 days from 1100€ pp
based on 2 people sharing
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| Date | Capacity | Nights | Price pp | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jan 2026 | 4 | from 500 € | Book now |
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