4 Night 5 Day Tour from Ankara to Van Doğubayazıt and Kars (Flight Out Tourist Eastern Express Back)
Tour Detail
This 4-night, 5-day tour begins with a flight from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Van. We then explore the areas around Lake Van, Doğubayazıt, and Kars by road, returning to Ankara via the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express departing from Kars. We spend two nights in hotels (in Van and Kars) and two nights on the train. What sets this tour apart is that it combines the southern and northern parts of Eastern Anatolia along a single route, with the return journey turning into a separate excursion featuring stops in İliç, Divriği, and Sivas.
The itinerary spans from Akdamar Island to the İshak Pasha Palace, from the Tuzluca Salt Cave to the ruins of Ani and Lake Çıldır, concluding with a visit to Kemaliye during the train journey.
Key Highlights
- Rapid start with a flight from Ankara to Van
- Boat trip to Akdamar Island and visit to the Akdamar Church
- Muradiye Waterfall, İshak Pasha Palace, and Tuzluca Salt Cave
- Ruins of Ani, Lake Çıldır, and city tour of Kars
- Return to Ankara via the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express from Kars
- Kemaliye tour included at no extra cost during the train stop; tours in Divriği and Sivas are optional (extra)
Places to Visit
- Van: Çavuştepe Castle, Halime Hatun Mausoleum and Seljuk Cemetery in Gevaş, Akdamar Island and Akdamar Church, Old Van city and Tuşba Ancient City, Cat House, savat workshops, Muradiye Waterfall
- Doğubayazıt: İshak Pasha Palace
- Tuzluca: Tuzluca Salt Cave
- Kars: Ruins of Ani, Kars Castle, Stone Bridge, Kümbet Mosque, historic streets of Kars
- Lake Çıldır: lake views and free time
- Train stops: tour to Kemaliye (Eğin) from İliç; Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifası in Divriği (extra tour); Congress Building, Gök Medrese, Ulu Mosque, Buruciye Medrese, Çifte Minareli Medrese in Sivas (extra tour)
Accommodation
- 1st Night: Van - The Nava Hotel, Karaca Hotel, etc.
- 2nd Night: Kars - Kars Kale Otel, Kars Park Otel, etc.
- 3rd Night: Sleeper car of the Touristic East Express (on the train)
- 4th Night: Sleeper car of the Touristic East Express (on the train)
Meals
Two breakfasts at hotels and one dinner at the hotel in Van are included in the tour price. The breakfast in Van on the first day, lunches, the other dinners, and meals on the train are extra.
Departure Points
- 06:15 Ankara Esenboğa Airport (meeting point)
- 07:40 AJet VF4302 flight from Ankara to Van
Tour Program
Ankara – Van – Çavuştepe – Gevaş – Akdamar Island
We meet at Esenboğa Airport at 06:15 in the morning. We depart on flight AJet VF4302 from Ankara to Van, which takes off at 07:40, and arrive at Van Airport around 09:20. We get into our waiting vehicle and head to a restaurant for the famous Van breakfast (extra).
After breakfast, we visit Çavuştepe, one of the important fortresses from the Urartu period, and see the Halime Hatun Mausoleum and Seljuk Cemetery in the Gevaş district. We have lunch at a restaurant by the lake; guests who wish can try the pearl perch unique to Lake Van. After lunch, we take a boat to Akdamar Island. We explore the Akdamar Church, famous for its reliefs depicting the Bible and Torah on its exterior, take a short walk on the island, and return to Gevaş by boat.
Later in the day, we visit the old city of Van and the Tuşba Ancient City there, and watch the sunset. Afterwards, we see the Cat House and workshops where savat craftsmanship, originating from the Urartu people, is produced, and take time for shopping. Finally, we head back to our hotel.
Breakfast: Served at a restaurant; it is an extra cost.
Lunch: Served at a restaurant; it is an extra cost.
Dinner: Served at the hotel; it is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Van - The Nava Hotel, Karaca Hotel, etc.
Van – Muradiye Waterfall – Doğubayazıt – İshak Pasha Palace – Tuzluca – Kars
After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Van and arrive at Muradiye Waterfall, our first stop of the day. Following a photo break here, we head towards Doğubayazıt. We explore İshak Paşa Palace, one of the region’s symbols known for its architecture and location, with guidance from our tour guide.
After visiting the palace, we travel via Iğdır to Tuzluca and visit Tuzluca Salt Cave, famous for its underground galleries. From there, we continue on to Kars. We arrive in Kars in the evening and check into our hotel. Guests who wish can attend a dinner-based program called the Caucasus Night (extra).
Breakfast: Served at the hotel; included in the tour price.
Lunch: Local delicacies can be tried during free time in Doğubayazıt; this is an extra service.
Dinner: An extra service; local dishes are available at the Caucasus Night.
Extra Activity: Caucasus Night and Poets’ Contest
Accommodation: Kars Kale Otel, Kars Park Otel, etc.
Ani Ruins – Çıldır Lake – Kars City Tour – Tourist Eastern Express
After breakfast, we head to the ruins of Ani, which has been home to various civilizations. Located on the Turkey-Armenia border, we explore Ani’s structures, churches, and walls with our guide, enjoying the views of the Arpaçay Valley.
After Ani, we proceed to Çıldır Lake to take in the lake views that the season offers. After some free time, we return to Kars. During our city tour, we see examples of Baltic architecture and visit Kars Castle, the Stone Bridge, Kümbet Mosque, and the historic streets of Kars. After some free time in the city center, we say goodbye to our guide.
We settle into our compartments on the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express, which departs at 22:20, and begin our train journey toward Ankara.
Breakfast: Buffet at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Local delicacies recommended by our guide can be enjoyed at Çıldır Lake; this is an extra service.
Dinner: Also an extra service; local restaurants can be chosen.
Accommodation: Sleeper car on the Touristic East Express
Train Journey – İliç – Kemaliye – Divriği – Sivas
During its journey through snowy landscapes, the train makes its first stop at 08:43 in İliç. During this approximately 3-hour wait, we participate in a tour of Kemaliye (Eğin). The train departs İliç at 11:43 and arrives in Divriği for its second stop around 12:46.
During the roughly 2.5-hour stop in Divriği, guests who wish to can join an additional tour to see the Divriği Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifası, which are listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Since the building is under restoration, only certain exterior areas can be viewed. Lunch can be enjoyed in the center of Divriği. The train leaves Divriği at 15:46; we recommend being on board at least 15 minutes early.
The train arrives at the Sivas station at 18:23. Guests who want to can take part in an optional tour of Sivas, where places such as the Congress Building, Gök Medrese, Ulu Mosque, Buruciye Medrese, and Çifte Minareli Medrese are available for viewing. The train sets off from Sivas toward Ankara at 22:13; again, we advise arriving on board at least 15 minutes in advance. We spend the night on the train.
Breakfast: Served on the Touristic Eastern Express; it is an extra service.
Lunch: Local delicacies can be tasted in Divriği; it is an extra service.
Dinner: Served on the Touristic Eastern Express; it is an extra service.
Accommodation: Sleeper car on the Touristic Eastern Express
Arrival in Ankara
We arrive at Ankara Train Station around 09:00 in the morning. Our tour ends here.
Departure Points
- 06:15 Ankara Esenboğa Airport (meeting point)
- 07:40 Ankara Esenboğa Airport (AJet VF4302 Ankara - Van flight)
What's Included
- Ankara - Van Flight Ticket
- Kars - Ankara Tourist Eastern Express Train Ticket (Sleeping Car)
- Local Transportation Service
- 2 Nights of Hotel Accommodation
- 2 Breakfasts
- 1 Dinner
- Akdamar Island Boat Fee
- Tour to Kemaliye (at the train stop)
- Professional Guiding Service
- Trip Insurance
Not Included
- All meals included during train travel
- Extra tours organized during the train journey (except in Kemaliye)
- All lunches
- Dinners except on the first day
- Drinks served with meals
- Entrance fees for museums and historical sites
General Information
- Transport: The trip goes by plane, and the return is by the sleeper car of the Touristic East Express.
- Departure flight: The meeting point is at Esenboğa Airport at 06:15. The AJet VF4302 flight from Ankara to Van departs at 07:40, with arrival in Van around 09:20. Flight times may change due to airline factors.
- Return train: The Touristic East Express departs from Kars at 22:20; it arrives at Ankara Train Station around 09:00 on the 5th day morning.
- Train stops: İliç from 08:43 to 11:43, Divriği from 12:46 to 15:46, Sivas from 18:23 to 22:13. It is recommended to be on the train at least 15 minutes before each stop ends.
- Waiting times: Stop durations are set by TCDD, and itineraries are planned accordingly. In case of delays or breakdowns, the timing of additional tours and the arrival time in Ankara may change.
- Tour stops during the train ride: The Kemaliye tour is included in the price; the Divriği and Sivas tours are extra. These tours require at least 12 participants; they will not take place if fewer people join.
- Divriği: Since the Divriği Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifası are under restoration, only the exterior and certain parts can be viewed.
- Caucasian Night: This is an optional, meal-based extra tour.
- Hotels: When the hotel name is not specified in the itinerary or when options are provided for the same destination, hotel details will be notified 2 days before departure.
- Minimum participants: The tour requires at least 25 participants to operate. If the required number is not met, the final cancellation notice is given 20 days before the tour starts.
- Book Now & Pay Later. · Make your reservation now, pay anytime before the tour starts.