Morning: Flight from Istanbul to Kars – Stepping into Eastern Turkey’s Serenity
Your journey begins with a scenic domestic flight from Istanbul to Kars, transporting you from the bustling metropolis to the untouched beauty of Eastern Turkey.
Upon arrival, breathe in the crisp mountain air and prepare to immerse yourself in the region’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality.

Afternoon: A Peaceful Retreat to Lake Cildir
Your first adventure takes you to Lake Cildir, one of Eastern Turkey’s most pristine and awe-inspiring destinations.
This vast alpine lake, located at an altitude of 1,959 meters (6,427 feet), offers a stunning setting in every season, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Lunch by the Lake: Savoring Fresh Flavors in a Tranquil Setting

🍽 Savor a lakeside meal featuring “Sazan” (Yellow Carp)—a local delicacy freshly caught from the crystal-clear waters of Cildir.

🛶 In warmer months, watch as fishermen skillfully cast their nets, continuing age-old traditions passed down through generations.

🔥 In winter, witness an age-old ice-fishing ritual, where locals cut through thick layers of ice to retrieve the prized fish, using methods that have stood the test of time.
As you dine with a view, the serene beauty of the lake, framed by rolling mountains and open skies, transforms your meal into a truly immersive experience.

Exploring the Natural Wonders of Lake Cildir
After lunch, stretch your legs with a peaceful walk along the lakeside, where the breathtaking scenery changes dramatically with the seasons:

❄ Winter Wonderland (December – March)
Walk across the frozen lake, feeling the crisp crunch of snow beneath your boots.
Witness locals traversing the icy expanse in traditional horse-drawn sleighs—a magical and nostalgic sight.
If adventurous, take a sleigh ride across the frozen lake, a unique experience found only in a few places in the world.

🌿 Spring & Summer Serenity (April – October)
Stroll along the shimmering blue waters, where the lake reflects the surrounding peaks like a mirror.
Spot migratory birds soaring above, adding to the untouched, tranquil atmosphere.
Enjoy the fresh mountain air and golden sunlight while soaking in the peaceful silence of nature.
No matter the season, Lake Cildir offers a timeless escape into nature’s beauty.

Evening: Arrival in Kars – Where Cultures Converge

🛎️ Check-in at your hotel and take a moment to unwind after your day of travel and exploration.
As you settle into Kars city, notice how its architecture, atmosphere, and traditions blend Ottoman, Russian, and Armenian influences, making it one of Turkey’s most unique destinations.

🌙 Optional Evening Stroll
Walk through the illuminated streets of Kars, where 19th-century Russian stone buildings add a distinct charm to the city’s character.
Stop at a cozy local café and sip on steaming Turkish tea or boza (a traditional fermented winter drink) as you watch the snow (or city lights) create a mesmerizing scene.
Rest well and prepare for an exciting day ahead as you continue uncovering the history, culture, and landscapes of Kars.

Why This Day is Unforgettable
✅ Experience two sides of Lake Cildir—a snow-covered winter wonderland or a tranquil, reflective summer retreat.
✅ Savor fresh-caught Yellow Carp, a regional delicacy served at the lake itself.
✅ Take in the breathtaking beauty of Eastern Turkey, far from tourist crowds, immersing yourself in pure nature.
✅ Step into Kars’ unique atmosphere, where history, architecture, and culture merge seamlessly.

Sights Visited

Morning: Journey to the Ancient City of Ani – A Lost Capital of Empires
Your day begins with a journey back in time to the legendary ruins of Ani, once a thriving metropolis and the capital of the Bagratid Armenian Kingdom in the 10th century.
Perched on the Turkish-Armenian border, Ani was a prosperous Silk Road hub, famed for its 1,001 churches, grand palaces, and fortified walls. Today, it stands as a hauntingly beautiful archaeological site, where remnants of its glorious past whisper stories of civilizations lost to time.

Highlights of Ani: Walking Through the Ghost City

🏛️ Explore the Ruins of a Once-Thriving Capital
As you walk through Ani, imagine the bustling markets, caravans of traders, and artisans shaping the city’s golden age.
Discover remnants of grand churches, mosques, homes, and defensive walls that still stand resilient against time.

✨ Marvel at Architectural Wonders That Reflect a Multicultural Past
The Great Cathedral (Ani Cathedral): A masterpiece by architect Trdat, its towering arches and intricate carvings are a testament to medieval Armenian engineering.

Halaskar Church (Church of the Redeemer): This partially standing structure is a dramatic sight, with half of its original dome collapsed, leaving an open-air view of the sky.

Ebul Menucehr Mosque: The first mosque built in Anatolia, it symbolizes the fusion of Armenian, Seljuk, and later Ottoman influences in the city.

The City Walls & Silk Road Gate: Walk through the mighty fortifications that once protected merchants, royalty, and scholars from invaders.

📸 Capture the Breathtaking Landscape
Overlook the Arpacay Valley, where deep gorges and lush riverbanks form the natural border between Turkey and Armenia.
The contrast of ancient stone ruins against rolling plains and dramatic cliffs makes Ani a photographer’s paradise.

💡 Did You Know?
Ani was one of the largest cities in the world in its prime (with a population over 100,000!).
It was called the “City of 1,001 Churches”, though only a handful remain standing today.
Its fall came from Mongol invasions, devastating earthquakes, and trade route shifts, leading to its eventual abandonment.

Afternoon: Return to Kars – Tracing Layers of History
After an awe-inspiring morning at Ani, return to Kars, a city that has changed hands between Armenians, Ottomans, Russians, and Turks, resulting in a unique blend of cultures, architecture, and history.

🏰 Kars Citadel (Kars Castle)
Climb to this hilltop fortress, originally built in 1153 and later rebuilt by the Ottomans in 1579 after Mongol destruction.
Enjoy panoramic views of Kars, where stone-built Russian-era houses meet Ottoman mosques and Armenian churches.
The fortress provides an unmatched perspective of Kars’ diverse past.

⛪ Armenian Church of the Apostles (Kumbet Mosque)
Originally built in the 10th century as an Armenian church, later converted into a mosque, a Russian Orthodox church, and back into a mosque.
Admire the intricate carvings of the Twelve Apostles around the drum of the dome.
This building is a living symbol of the many civilizations that have ruled over Kars.

🏛️ Other Notable Sights in Kars (Time-Permitting)
Alexander Nevsky Church (now Fethiye Mosque) – A Russian Orthodox-style church, converted into a mosque.
Cheltikov Hotel – Once a Russian governor’s mansion, now a boutique hotel reflecting Tsarist Russian architecture.
Old Armenian & Ottoman Houses – Wander through cobblestone streets lined with 19th-century stone buildings, where Armenian, Russian, and Ottoman influences are still evident.

Evening: Rest & Reflect
After an extraordinary day of exploration, return to your hotel in Kars for a well-earned rest.

🛏️ Relax & Unwind
Reflect on the lost grandeur of Ani, the stone-walled history of Kars, and the stories etched into every ancient building.
If you have energy left, take an evening stroll through Kars’ atmospheric streets, perhaps stopping by a local café for a warm cup of tea or boza (a traditional fermented winter drink).

🍽 Optional Dinner Recommendation
End your day with a delicious Kars-style feast, featuring:Kaz eti (smoked goose) – A local delicacy, served with bulgur pilaf.
Kars gravyer (Gruyère cheese) – Aged for months, with a rich, nutty flavor.
Ayran asi soup – A warming, yogurt-based dish, perfect for chilly evenings.

🌙 Prepare for Another Day of Adventure
Rest up for another exciting day in this enchanting, history-filled region.

Why This Day is Unforgettable
✅ Walk among the ancient ruins of Ani, a lost Silk Road city frozen in time.
✅ Visit landmarks that showcase Kars’ multicultural past, from Armenian cathedrals to Ottoman fortresses and Russian mansions.
✅ Take in breathtaking landscapes, from the Arpaçay Valley to Kars Castle’s panoramic views.
✅ Indulge in local flavors, from smoked goose to legendary cheeses.

Sights Visited

Ishak Pasha Palace, Mount Ararat & Noah’s Ark – A Journey Through Legend and History
Morning: Explore the Majestic Ishak Pasha Palace – A Jewel of the East
Your day begins with a journey to the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, a 17th-century architectural marvel standing majestically atop a hill in Doğubayazıt. This Ottoman-era palace is unlike any other in Turkey, blending influences from Ottoman, Persian, and Armenian styles, a reflection of the region’s diverse cultural history.

🏰 Key Features of the Palace:
Wander through the grand entrance courtyard, where intricate stone carvings and elegant archways welcome visitors into this lavish stronghold.
Step inside the private mosque, adorned with Islamic calligraphy and Seljuk-style designs.
Visit the mausoleum, where historical figures from the palace’s past rest in an ornately decorated tomb.

Explore the impressively designed harem and reception rooms, each featuring detailed carvings and elaborate interiors that once housed Ottoman rulers and their families.
Marvel at the palace’s advanced heating system, a unique feature for its time—an ingenious system of underground pipes distributed warmth throughout the structure.
Walk through the fortified walls and dungeons, which once held prisoners in the depths of the palace.

Soak in the dramatic scenery from the palace’s terraces, where rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and the distant peaks of the Eastern Anatolian highlands form a breathtaking panorama.

📸 Photography Tip: Capture the palace at sunrise or mid-morning when the soft light enhances the golden tones of its intricate stonework, creating a truly magical scene.

Midday: Journey to the Foot of Mount Ararat & Noah’s Ark Site
Your next destination brings you face-to-face with legend—the mysterious Noah’s Ark site, located near the base of Mount Ararat. According to biblical and Quranic tradition, this is the place where Noah’s Ark is believed to have come to rest after the Great Flood.

🛶 Noah’s Ark Site & Discovery:
Visit the Visitor Center, where exhibits showcase the scientific theories, religious references, and local folklore surrounding the legendary ark.
Learn about the discoveries of rock formations shaped like a ship, fueling speculation that the remnants of Noah’s Ark may be buried beneath the earth.
Discover ancient inscriptions and biblical references that connect this site to the Great Flood.
Stand in the quiet serenity of this sacred spot, where pilgrims, historians, and explorers alike have gathered for centuries in search of answers.

⛰ Mount Ararat – The Towering Guardian of the East
Gaze upon the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat (5,137m/16,854 ft), Turkey’s highest mountain, standing as an awe-inspiring symbol of nature’s power.
This dormant volcano has inspired centuries of myths, mountaineering expeditions, and sacred stories.

Take a moment to reflect on the spiritual and historical significance of this landscape, which has been immortalized in religious texts and legends.
Enjoy a peaceful walk near the mountain’s base, where the untouched wilderness offers an unparalleled connection to nature.

📸 Photography Tip: Capture Mount Ararat’s majestic peak framed against the sky, or wait for sunset, when golden hues bathe the mountain in a surreal glow.

Afternoon: Visit the Mysterious Meteor Hole – A Celestial Scar on Earth
Your journey continues toward the Iranian border, where you will encounter one of Eastern Turkey’s most intriguing natural formations—the Meteor Hole.

☄️ What Makes This Meteor Crater Unique?
Unlike typical craters, this deep impact site lacks the expected central depression, puzzling geologists and astronomers.

Scientists believe it was formed by a meteor impact, but its erosion patterns and shape have led to alternate theories.
The surrounding landscape is otherworldly, with craggy terrain and sweeping plains, making it feel like an extraterrestrial site on Earth.
The region’s remoteness and silence add an air of mystery to this celestial phenomenon.

📸 Photography Tip: Experiment with wide-angle shots to capture the vastness of the crater against the distant peaks of Mount Ararat.

Evening: Return to Istanbul – A Journey Through Time and Myth
After an incredible day of exploration, history, and breathtaking landscapes, you’ll be transferred to Kars Airport for your return flight to Istanbul.

🛫 As you depart, reflect on the journey:
The grandeur of Ishak Pasha Palace, where Ottoman royalty once resided.
The mystery of Noah’s Ark, a legend that has captivated people for centuries.
The majesty of Mount Ararat, standing tall as a symbol of endurance and history.
The enigmatic Meteor Hole, a hidden gem of Eastern Turkey’s untouched landscapes.

Why This Day is Truly Unforgettable
✅ Step into a fairy-tale palace, with Ottoman, Persian, and Armenian influences blended into one architectural masterpiece.

✅ Explore a legendary site tied to one of the most enduring biblical and Quranic stories—Noah’s Ark.

✅ Stand at the foot of Turkey’s highest peak, where history, faith, and adventure converge.

✅ Discover a mysterious meteor crater, adding a scientific twist to your journey through time and legend.

✅ Witness some of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Turkey, from palatial terraces to snow-capped peaks and rugged crater lands.

Sights Visited