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5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
Daily Tour
1 person
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Türkiye ETT International Travel Agency · No.21
Winter Wonderland (5 nights / 6 days)
Istanbul | Kars | Çıldır Lake
Arrival at Istanbul International Airport and welcome service.
Istanbul has always held an important position on the Silk Road—particularly in transporting goods from China to the European continent, a role that remains true today. In fact, it is a city that connects two continents, Europe and Asia. Both the ancient Silk Road and the modern Silk Road have regarded Istanbul as one of the most important corridors. Historically, Istanbul was located on the vital route connecting the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire, built in the 3rd century BC during the time of Consul Egnatius.
Visit the Hippodrome, which was once the sports and social center of Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire and is now the central square of Istanbul’s Old City. See the Obelisk of Theodosius, Çemberlitaş Column, Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine.
After lunch, visit the Blue Mosque (The Blue Mosque), one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Its interior walls are decorated with blue glazed tiles featuring rich floral patterns, giving the mosque its distinctive blue atmosphere. As one of the largest domed structures in Istanbul, it is surrounded by six minarets.
Continue to the Aegyptian Spice Bazaar, where the air is filled with the aromas of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other spices. Spices were an important trade commodity along the Silk Road, and over time this developed into the vibrant spice market seen today.
Enjoy a Boat Tour of the Bosphorus, the strait that divides Europe and Asia. Along the route, admire views of palaces, ancient fortresses, imperial gardens, and the Eurasian Bridge. With refreshing sea breezes and seagulls following the boat, the experience is truly relaxing.
Dinner, overnight.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Kars.
After lunch, visit the “Lost Kingdom of Ani” (Ani Ruins Ancient City). This city flourished during the 10th and 11th centuries and once served as the capital of the Armenian Kingdom. It is located on the northeastern plateau of Türkiye, overlooking a gorge that forms a natural border with Armenia, where the borderline and the neighboring country of Armenia can be clearly seen. Ani Ancient City is renowned for its magnificent Armenian-style monuments, as well as Anatolia’s first Seljuk mosque. On the walls of the Church of St. John, visitors can find interesting mural remains and well-preserved relief carvings, including many exquisite animal motifs. In 2016, Ani Ancient City was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The site contains numerous churches, mosques, and caravanserais, all enclosed within impressive defensive city walls.
Then return to Kars city center to visit Kars Fortress . The fortress was built by the Armenian Bagratid Dynasty in 1153 and is located in the city center, offering panoramic views of the entire city. The castle was constructed entirely of basalt stone and originally had 22 towers, of which 7 remain today. After dinner, return to the hotel for rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
After breakfast, drive to Cildir Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Eastern Anatolia and the second largest lake in the region, situated at an altitude of 1,959 meters. The lake is fed by numerous streams and springs, with a maximum depth of 42 meters. It is a natural dam lake formed by lava flows and debris.For local residents, fishing in the lake is the primary source of income, and fishing activities take place throughout the year. The lake covers an area of approximately 120 square kilometers. In winter, the lake surface freezes completely and becomes a center of entertainment for visitors. On the fully frozen lake, tourists can enjoy flat sledding and horse-drawn sleigh rides. As the lake freezes, the ice thickness reaches approximately 40 to 50 centimeters, providing opportunities for various activities such as sledding and snowmobile rides.Cildir Lake also offers spectacular scenery for photography enthusiasts. The white frozen surface of the lake combined with the white sky creates an extraordinary ice-and-snow world. After lunch, return to Kars. Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
Breakfast.Transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, also known as the Old Palace. Located on a historic peninsula of Istanbul rich in archaeological remains, it was once the venue for state ceremonies and royal entertainment, as well as the working and residential palace of successive Ottoman sultans. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus.
From the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed II in 1453 until the 19th century, for nearly four hundred years, the Ottoman sultans resided here, received audiences, and governed the empire. Today, the sections open to visitors display a vast collection of Chinese porcelain, weapons, paintings, original calligraphic manuscripts, and precious jewels.
Topkapi Palace consists of four main courtyards, the Harem, and a series of smaller buildings, forming a city within a city. The entire palace complex was supplied with water through underground cisterns and included imperial kitchens, sleeping quarters, gardens, libraries, schools, and mosques. Numerous artists and craftsmen once worked here, producing outstanding works for the Ottoman Empire.
Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
Breakfast. First visit to the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century, one of the architectural masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire. The vast underground chamber is supported by hundreds of marble columns, creating a spectacular scene in the dimly lit space. The cistern could store over 80,000 cubic meters of water and was used to supply the city with water. Inside the Basilica Cistern are two famous columns known as the Medusa Columns, whose bases are carved with Medusa heads, giving rise to many mysterious legends.
Then proceed to Taksim Square, the central gathering point of the city.
After lunch, take a walk along Istiklal Street, one of the most famous pedestrian streets in Istanbul, located in the Beyoğlu district. Developed during the late Ottoman period, it was formerly known as the Grand Rue de Pera and once served as a hub for European embassies, banks, and cultural institutions. Many neoclassical buildings are still preserved today. The street now features a historic tram, bookstores, cafés, churches, and art galleries, making it one of the most vibrant streets reflecting Istanbul’s cultural and urban life.
Then visit Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 1348. It once served as an important defensive and observation structure in the Galata district and has witnessed Istanbul’s transformation from a medieval trading port to an imperial capital. The tower is not only a symbol of the city skyline but also carries legendary memories of aviators, merchants, and maritime civilization.
We will also pass by the Kamondo Stairs, built by the renowned Kamondo family in the 19th century. Blending Art Nouveau style with Ottoman decorative aesthetics, the stairs are a rare example of urban stairway architecture in Istanbul and symbolize the cultural and social influence of Jewish financier families in the late Ottoman urban development.
Dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
After breakfast, enjoy your free time for shopping facilities.
Later, transfer to Istanbul Airport for departure. The journey comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach
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