Eastern (Orient) Express Tour - 10 days

Eastern Anatolia Winter Heritage Expedition

10 Days | Snow Landscapes & Frozen Frontiers

Route: – Ani – Çıldır – Sarıkamış – Doğubeyazıt – Van – Tatvan – Ahlat – Bitlis –

Best Season: Late December – March

Style: Cultural winter discovery with light snow walks

 

TOUR CONCEPT

Experience Eastern Anatolia under snow — frozen lakes, medieval ruins in white silence, Russian-era architecture, Ottoman palaces, and Mesopotamian city walls rising from winter mist.

This journey combines history, photography, winter landscapes, and authentic regional cuisine.

DAY 1 – Arrival in Kars: Russian Winter Town

Arrival in .

Walking tour through snow-covered Baltic architecture:

• Kars Castle
• Fethiye Mosque (former Armenian Cathedral)
• Stone mansions from Russian period

Evening tasting: Kars gravyer cheese & goose dinner (winter specialty).

Overnight in Kars.

DAY 2 – Ani: The Frozen Medieval Capital

 

Excursion to .

In winter, Ani becomes silent and mystical.

Highlights:

• Cathedral of Ani
• Church of St. Gregory
• City walls along the Arpaçay Canyon

Snow photography session.

Return to Kars.

DAY 3 – Frozen Lake Çıldır & Sarıkamış Forests

Drive to .

If fully frozen:

• Horse-drawn sleigh ride on the ice
• Ice fishing experience
• Lakeside village lunch

Continue to .

Explore:

• Snow-covered pine forests
• Russian hunting lodge
• Ottoman-Russian war memorial sites

Overnight in Kars or Sarıkamış.

DAY 4 – Journey to Doğubeyazıt

Scenic winter drive to .

Visit the spectacular ,

dramatically set above the plain.

Clear winter days offer striking views of

covered in snow.

Overnight in Doğubeyazıt.

DAY 5 – Arrival in Van

Drive to .

Visit , overlooking the frozen-blue waters of

.

Optional boat to Akdamar Island (weather dependent).

Overnight in Van.

 

DAY 6 – Tatvan & Nemrut Crater

Drive along Lake Van’s winter shoreline to Tatvan.

Excursion to (weather permitting).

Short snow hike on the caldera rim.

Winter picnic with hot tea.

Overnight in Tatvan.

DAY 7 – Ahlat & Bitlis

Morning visit to .

Explore the snow-covered — extraordinary carved tombstones emerging from white landscape.

Continue to :

• Ottoman bridges
• Stone houses
• Historic Bitlis Castle

Overnight in Bitlis.

DAY 8 – Scenic Drive to Diyarbakır

Journey south toward Mesopotamia as climate gradually softens.

Arrival in .

Evening walk inside the old Sur district.

Overnight in Diyarbakır.

 

DAY 9 – Diyarbakır Old City & Hevsel Gardens

Explore UNESCO-listed .

Visit:

• Great Mosque of Diyarbakır
• Hasan Pasha Han
• City gates & basalt walls

Discussion on Mesopotamian cultural layers.

Overnight in Diyarbakır.

DAY 10 – Departure

Transfer to Diyarbakır Airport.

WINTER HIGHLIGHTS

❄ Frozen Lake Çıldır sleigh ride

❄ Snow-covered Ani ruins

❄ Mount Ararat winter panoramas

❄ Seljuk tombstones in white silence

❄ Mesopotamian basalt walls in winter light

❄ Authentic regional winter cuisine

ACTIVITY LEVEL

• Easy to moderate
• Short snow walks (1–3 km)
• Scenic overland travel

IDEAL FOR

• Winter photographers
• Cultural explorers
• Boutique small groups
• Special interest heritage travelers