East Express Tour from Ankara to Kars (Train Outbound, Flight Return): 3 Nights 4 Days
Tour Detail
In this 3-night, 4-day tour that starts from Ankara Train Station, we travel to Kars aboard the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express. On the return journey, we fly from Erzurum to Ankara. With train travel for the outbound trip and flight for the return, this itinerary allows you to spend one night on the train, two nights in a hotel in Kars. The most notable feature of this tour is how the train stops turn into visits to Erzincan and Erzurum, with the Ruins of Ani, Çıldır Lake, Kars city center, and Sarıkamış all being included on the same route.
As the snowy Anatolian landscape is viewed through the compartment window during winter months, the journey itself becomes part of the experience. Upon arriving in Kars, we explore the structures of the medieval city of Ani, the frozen Çıldır Lake, and the city’s stone architecture from the Russian period, all guided by a local expert.
Key Highlights
- Sleeper car journey on the Touristic East Express with your own reserved compartment
- City tour in Erzincan and visit to Erzurum during train stops
- Visits to the Ruins of Ani and Çıldır Lake
- City tour in Kars and visit to the Sarıkamış Martyrs Monument
- Shorter return route via a flight from Erzurum to Ankara
- 2 nights in a hotel and 1 night in a sleeper car, plus 2 breakfasts
Places to Visit
- Erzincan: Girlevik Waterfall, Bakırcılar Bazaar, city center
- Erzurum: Historical Congress Building, Üç Kümbetler, Çifte Minareli Medrese, Ulu Mosque, panoramic views of Erzurum Castle and Yakutiye Medrese, Rüstem Paşa Han
- Ruins of Ani: Ebu'l Menuçehr Mosque, Kurtarıcılar (Keçeli) Church, Tigran Honents Church, Abughamrents Gregor Church, Güvercinli (Genç Kızlar) Church
- Çıldır Lake: walks along the lake shore, optional horse-drawn sleigh (extra)
- Kars: Military History Museum, Fevzi Paşa Primary School, Train Station, Provincial House, PTT Building, Iron Bridge, İsmet Paşa Primary School, Hekim Evi (Opera House), Castle, Church of the Twelve Apostles, Stone Bridge, Namık Kemal’s House, Treasury Office, Health Department and city government buildings, Fethiye Mosque (Alexander Nevski Church)
- Sarıkamış: Sarıkamış Martyrs Monument
Accommodation
- 1st Night: Sleeper car on the Touristic East Express (on the train)
- 2nd Night: Kars – Kars Park Hotel, Kale Hotel, etc.
- 3rd Night: Kars – Kars Park Hotel, Kale Hotel, etc.
Meals
The 2 breakfasts included at the hotel are part of the tour price. Lunch, dinner, as well as breakfast and meals on the train, are extra services; you can use the restaurant car on the train for dining.
Departure Points
- 13:00 Ankara Train Station (meeting point)
- 13:55 Departure from Ankara on the Touristic East Express
Tour Program
Ankara – Journey to Kars by the Tourist Eastern Express
We meet at Ankara Train Station at 1:00 PM. We settle into our compartments in the sleeper car of the TCDD Touristic East Express, which departs at 1:55 PM, and begin our long train journey. Along the way, we have the chance to view the winter landscapes of Anatolia through the windows. We spend the night on the train, in our sleeper rooms.
Dinner: Available in the train’s dining car; it is an extra charge.
Accommodation: Sleeper car of the Touristic East Express
Erzincan – Erzurum – Kars
We wake up on the train, greeted by the views of snow-covered mountains and streams. We arrive at Erzincan Train Station around 07:15 in the morning. During the train’s 2 hour and 30 minute stop here, we transfer to our vehicle waiting for us and begin our tour of Erzincan; we visit Girlevik Waterfall, the Bakırcılar Bazaar, and the city center. The train departs Erzincan at 09:45.
We reach Erzurum at 13:44 for the final stop of the journey. The train stays here for 4 hours; we meet with our guide, first visiting the Historic Congress Building, followed by a lunch break. During our city tour, we explore the Three Tombs, the Madrasa with Two Minarets, and the Ulu Mosque, and take in panoramic views of Erzurum Castle and the Yakutiye Madrasa. We conclude our visit to Erzurum with free time to shop for Oltu stone at Rüstem Paşa Han.
The train leaves Erzurum at 17:44; we recommend being on board at least 15 minutes earlier. It arrives at Kars Train Station at 21:44, where we meet our guide and head to our hotel by vehicle. After checking into our rooms, we stay at our accommodation hotel.
Breakfast: The train’s restaurant area is available, but it is an extra charge.
Lunch: You can try cağ kebab in Erzurum, which is also an extra charge.
Dinner: The train’s restaurant area is available, but it is an extra charge.
Accommodation: Kars Park Otel, Kale Otel, etc.
Ani Ruins – Çıldır Lake
After breakfast, we set off toward Ani, the medieval city located on the historic Silk Road. We begin our tour at the Ebu’l Menuçehr Mosque, the first mosque built by the Seljuks in Anatolia. Next, we visit the Church of the Redeemers (Keçeli), the Tigran Honents Church known for its dome decorations, and the Abughamrents Gregor Church built by King Gagik II. We conclude our visit to the Ani ruins with the Church of the Doves (Young Girls).
From there, we head to Çıldır Lake. For lunch, you can try the yellow fish harvested from the frozen lake, and then enjoy a walk around the lake to take in the scenery. Guests who wish can ride a horse-drawn sled on the lake (extra). Horse-drawn sledding is only possible when the lake is sufficiently frozen; it is not available during periods when the ice is insufficient or has melted.
We return to the center of Kars and head to our hotel. In the evening, those who wish can attend a Caucasian Night program (extra), which features Caucasian dance performances, live traditional music, and love songs performances, after which we return to our hotel.
Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Local delicacies can be enjoyed at Çıldır Lake; this is an extra service.
Dinner: An extra service; it is served during the Caucasian Night. Guests who do not attend the event can choose restaurants outside.
Extra Activities: Caucasian Night and Love Song Contest
Accommodation: Kars Park Otel, Kale Otel, etc.
Kars City Tour – Sarıkamış – Erzurum – Ankara
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our city tour of Kars with a visit to the Military History Museum. Here we get a close look at the period spanning from the Ottoman-Russian wars to the years of the National Struggle, as well as the city’s military significance. Next, we visit Fevzi Pasha Primary School, the Train Station, the Provincial Government Building, the PTT Building, the Iron Bridge, Ismet Pasha Primary School, the Hekim Evi (Opera House), the Castle, the Church of the Twelve Apostles, the Stone Bridge, Namık Kemal’s House, the Defterdarlık building among the Russian-era stone structures, the Health Department building and city hall buildings, as well as the Fethiye Mosque (Alexander Nevski Church).
After shopping for local products, we head to Sarıkamış, stopping along the way to visit the Sarıkamış Martyrs Monument. From there, we continue to Erzurum. After a dinner break, we transfer to the airport. After checking in for tickets and baggage, we board flight AJet VF4161 from Erzurum to Ankara, which departs at 21:35, arriving at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 23:05. Our tour ends here.
Breakfast: Buffet style, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Local delicacies can be enjoyed at restaurants recommended by our guide; this is an extra service.
Dinner: This is also an extra service.
Departure Points
- 13:00 Ankara Train Station (meeting point)
- 13:55 Ankara Train Station (Departure of Tourist East Express)
What's Included
- Train ticket for a sleeper car with a private compartment reserved for you on the Touristic East Express
- Return flight ticket
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation
- 1 night of accommodation in the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express
- 2 breakfasts
- Guidance services
- Tour of Erzincan city
- Travel insurance
- Excursions in the area
Not Included
- Museum and historic site admissions
- Kars Singers' Contest and Caucasian Night
- Sleigh ride on Çıldır Lake
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Drinks served with meals
General Information
- Transport: The trip goes by the sleeper car of the Tourist Eastern Express, and the return is by plane. Meeting point is at Ankara Train Station at 13:00, with the train departing at 13:55.
- Train schedules: Arrival in Erzincan around 07:15, departure from Erzincan at 09:45; arrival in Erzurum at 13:44, departure from Erzurum at 17:44; arrival in Kars at 21:44. It is recommended to be on the train at least 15 minutes before the end of the stop.
- Train route: The train passes through the provinces of Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan, and Erzurum.
- Return flight: AJet VF4161, 21:35 Erzurum - Ankara; arrival at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 23:05.
- Sleeper car: The car has 10 guest rooms, each accommodating 2 people. Rooms are equipped with a hand washbasin, mirror, mini fridge, work desk, coat hanger, shelf, ladder, and 2 220-volt outlets. The beds are arranged as a bunk bed, one below the other. Windows can be covered with curtains, room doors can be locked, and there is heating and cooling.
- On the train: Each car has 2 toilets at both ends of the corridor, one traditional style and one Western style. The dining car serves breakfast and meals; food and drinks on the train are an extra service. There is one train attendant per car.
- Sled ride: Sled rides on Çıldır Lake are only available when the lake is frozen enough; they do not take place if the ice is thin or melting.
- Caucasian Night: This is an optional extra service.
- Hotels: If the hotel name is not specified in the program or if multiple options are given for the same destination, hotel details will be provided 2 days before departure.
- Minimum participation: The tour requires at least 25 participants. If the required number is not met, the final cancellation notice is given 20 days before the tour starts.
What to bring with you?
- Warm clothing
- Photography equipment
- Food and drinks for the journey
- Charging equipment such as a power bank
- Book Now & Pay Later. · Make your reservation now, pay anytime before the tour starts.