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Cilicia, Cappadocia and Western Armenia 12 Day tour

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Tour price: starts from 1280 USD Duration of the tour: 12 days The tour distance: 4500 km ( 2796 miles ) Tour type: Cilicia, Cappadocia and Western Armenia


Anitour travel agency is the founder of the tours to Historical Armenia and has been providing high quality service (VIP) for over 20 years. The majority of the tourists are from abroad, they appreciate the comfort (hotels, meals, transport, guide, etc).
The actual price of the tour depends on the number of members in the group.
30 people 1190$ /Mercedes Tourismo 48 seats, 2017/
20 people  1230$ / 1 Mercedes
Tourismo 30 seats, 2017/
10 people  1280$ / 1 Mercedes Sprinter 17 seats, 2017/
9-7 people 1360$-1540$ / 1 Mercedes Sprinter 17 seats, 2017/
4-6 individual order / 1 Mercedes Viano 8 seats, 2017/

Day 1

In the morning you leave Yerevan and by way of Gyumri you set off to Akhlkalak which is the centre of Javakhk. You cross the Armenian Georgian border at Bavra.  You arrive in Akhalkalaki. After a short rest you cross the Georgian Turkish border at Karzakhi.
After crossing the border you find yourself in the Armenian plateau, greater part of which is in Western Armenia /about 140000 square km/.  On the way you visit Lake Cildir, surrounded by a mountainous region.  You arrive in Artvin and check-in at the hotel. You have a tour around the city of Artvin. Here you visit the church of Holy Mother of God and Artvin fortress.
Overnight at the hotel Grand Artvin 5*.

  • Lake Cildir
  • Lake Tortum
  • Lake Tortum
  • Armenian church in Artvin
  • Artvin Fortress
Day 2

After breakfast you visit Tortum Waterfall. Tortum Waterfall is both a unique and not to be missed attraction full of natural beauty and wonder. With a total drop of 48 meters, the waterfall creates a giant splash. You continue your way to Erzurum. Here you see Erzrum Castle, Sanasaryan College, Armenian Church which was turned into a mosque. You leave for Malatia. The way passes through Bingyol and Kharberd. Here it’s important to see the fortress of Kharberd, the Armenian district, St. Mariam church which is said to have a curing effect.
You arrive in Malatya, the birthplace of Hrant Dink. Here you see Holy Trinity church and the Armenian district.
Overnight at the hotel Ramada Plaza 5*.

  • The church of St. Gregory the Illuminator
  • St Sophia, Trabzon
  • Sumela Monastery
  • Sumela Monastery
  • Tercan
Day 3

After breakfast you leave for Adiyaman. You drive up Mount Nemrut, but you have to climb some part of the way on foot. The way to Gods is rather difficult but there are benches to have a rest on. Many tourists from all over the world come to see the royal mausoleum of the Yervandunis and the statues of pagan Gods /Aramazd, Mihr, Vahagn, Anahit/ which are 8m high. After getting the blessing of Gods, you continue your way to Marash, where you visit Marash Fortress and Armenian district.
You leave for Cappadocia. On the way you visit Kayseri - the place of consecrating of the Armenian supreme patriarchs. Here you see Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
You arrive in Goreme and check-in at the hotel Vezir Cave Suites or  Doors of Cappadocia.

  • Shabin Karahisar
  • Kaymakli underground city
  • Kaymakli, Cappadocia
  • Kayseri
  • Kayseri
Day 4

After breakfast you have a tour with a native tourist guide around the magic city Goreme which astonishes people with its ancient and historical sites. You also visit Kaymakli, which is the widest underground city in Cappadocia.
Overnight at the hotel Vezir Cave Suites or  Doors of Cappadocia.

  • Cappadocia
  • Cappadocia
  • Kaymakli underground ciry
  • Cappadocia
  • Cappadocia
Day 5

After breakfast you visit Tarson, where the cave of Poghos Apostle is situated. You have dinner and continue your way to Mersin. You arrive and check-in at the hotel Royal Sebaste 4* on the shore of the sea.

  • Tarson
  • Tarson
  • Cleopatra"s Gate
  • Mersin
  • Mersin
Day 6

 It is a remarkable day today as in Armenian church of St. Astvatsatsin/Holy Mother of God/ at Vagf village you pray for those who fought heroically on Mount Mousa for 40 days and didn’t give in. The way passes through Alexandret and Antakya. You start for Adana. The most important place to visit is the ancient bridge built on the Mehyan river during the times of Hustinyanos /527-565/. You see the city which was turned into a desert during the massacre.
Overnight at the hotel Taskopru hotel 4*.

  •  the sea-fortress of Korikos
  • fortress of Korikos
  • fortress of Korikos
  • the sea-fortress of Korikos
  • the sea-fortress of Korikos
Day 7

You also visit the underground cave, which is rich in colorful stalactites. On the way back you see the Roman University with its amphitheatre.
Overnight at the hotel Royal Sebaste 4*.

  • Fortress of Korikos
  • Korikos
  • Korikos
  • the Roman amphitheatre
  • Amphitheatre in Korikos
Day 8

After breakfast you start for Adana. The most important place to visit is the ancient bridge built on the Mehyan river during the times of Hustinyanos /527-565/. You see the city which was turned into a desert during the massacre. You also visit Armenian church of St. Astvatsatsin/Holy Mother of God/ at Vagf village where you pray for those who fought heroically on Mount Mousa for 40 days and didn’t give in.
The city tour in Ayntap is also very interesting. The castle is very beautiful. In the Armenian district you feel the Armenian spirit. The wonderful Armenian Church is converted into a mosque and the cross is covered with the Turkish flag, but its being Armenian is quite obvious.
Overnight at the hotel Sirehan 5*.

  • Adana
  • the ancient bridge
  • the church of St. Astvatsatsin
  • the church of St. Astvatsatsin
  • Armenian Church in Ayntap
  • Ayntap Castle
Day 9

After breakfast you leave for historical Hromkla. It’s an unforgettable one hour journey on the Euphrates. Hromkla became the centre of Armenian culture during the times of Nerses Shnorhali /1166-1173/. In the restaurant you taste very delicious Euphrates fish. You leave for Edesia, the city of three prophets. Here you can see grotto of Abraham, torture-chamber of Hob Eraneli, drink sacred water. You leave for Mardin. On the way you also visit Gobekli Tepe, an early Neolithic sanctuary, dating back to the 10th millennium B.C..  In the evening you arrive in Mardin - the city of Sun. It’s really beautiful, especially at night. You have a city tour and visit Armenian Church.
Overnight at the Mardin hotel (5*).

  • Kharberd
  • Sunset over Lake Tsovq
  • : The statue of Aramazd
  • Mount Nemrut, Cilicia
  • The Fortress of Dirabeqir
  • The Fortress of Dirabeqir
Day 10

After breakfast you set off to Van. On the way you stop at Por Village, the birthplace of famous Armenian writer William Saroyan.
40km way to Akhtamar Island lies along the shores of Lake Van. You cannot help admiring the beauty of the lake that looks like a pearl surrounded by mountains. It takes 15 minutes to get to Akhtamar Island by boat. On approaching the island you are met by St. Cross church which was built by architect Manvel from 915 to 921. You have dinner in “Akhtamar” restaurant on the shore of Lake Van. Here Van tarekh is served. You drive up to Varagavank (built at the end of 10th century), the most remarkable holy place in Vaspurakan. You arrive in one of the magnificent places in Western Armenia – the first capital of Armenia, Van.
 Overnight at the hotel Haldi 5*.

  • Armenian Church in Bitlis
  • Lake Van
  • St. Cross church
  • Akhtamar Island
  • The statue of Van Cat
Day 11

After breakfast you visit Van Castle (built during the Urartian period) where the mausoleums of Menua, Argishti and Rusa are situated. Then you visit Mher’s Door which never opens. You continue your way to Kars. On the way you see the picturesque waterfall of Berkri. On the way you stop at Bayazet ( Bayazet fortress)  and Igdir, the birthplace of Dro.
You arrive in Kars. It is one of the former five capitals in Western Armenia. In 928 Kars was the 10th capital of Armenia. You start the tour around Kars. St. Apostle’s church which was built during the reign of king Abas Bagratuni /928-953/ is a magnificent structure, still standing but it has been turned into a mosque. You admire the beauty of the fortress. Those who want can go up to the fortress from where they can have a beautiful panorama of the city. You go over across St. Vardan Bridge; see well preserved two storeyed buildings in black tuff and the ruins of Charents’ paternal house alongside them.
Overnight at the Hotel Grand Ani 4+*

  • The fortress of Van
  • Bayazet Fortresss
  • Waterfall of Berkri
  • St. Apostle’s church
  • Kars Fortress
Day 12

40 minutes on the road and you arrive in Ani. You are met by the Smbatashen walls on which just in front of the entrance you can see the coat of arms of the Bagratunis – a running lion. In 961 Ani became the 11th capital of Armenia. It is famous for its churches. The Mother Cathedral was built by architect Trdat (989-1001). It is considered to be the masterpiece of Armenian architecture. The general structure of the church of Holy Redeemer was so solid that when it was ruined in two halves, its dome wasn’t damaged. The church of Tigran Honents is decorated with different reliefs and frescoes inside and outside. Walking about Ani you see numerous churches and ruins of magnificent buildings.
You leave for the Turkish Georgian border. You leave for Akhalkalak. Arrival in Yerevan.

  • The Mother Cathedral
  • The church of Holy Redeemer
  • The church of Tigran Honents
  • The church of St. Grigor Abughamrents
  • The Fortress of Smbatashen

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Tour to Western Armenia
Tour to Western Armenia
Tour to Western Armenia
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