Türkiye and Georgia by train

Arrival in Istanbul

transfer to hotel in Sultan Ahmet quarter.

Overnight: Istanbul ***

Istanbul-Ankara ( Train & Transfer )
Embark on the high speed train from Istanbul to Ankara. The morning train departs from Halkalı or Söğütlüçeşme train station.The journey takes ca 4, 5 hrs.

After arrival in Ankara, transfer to hotel in the center. Nearby are Ankara castle , museum of Anatolian civilisations, which displays may pieces from the stone age to present day, Roman bath, Atatürk’s Mausoleum  and other highlights.

Overnight Ankara: **** hotel (BB)

Visit to Gordion- sleeper train to Erzincan ( excursion & Train)

Start the day with a ride to Yassıhöyük village ( ca 95 km) for a visit to
to Gordion.  Gordion was the capital of Ancient Phrygia and it is here that Alexander de Great cut the proverbial knot and opened the way to Asia. Explore the site with a guide( 2-3 hrs)

On return in Ankara check in on the Doğu Express train to Erzincan. ( Dept 17.55 hrs) Sleeping places in the couchettes have been arranged for you.

Overnight in train. Bed in couchettes ( 2 pax)

Erzincan- transfer to Erzurum – Train to Kars. ( Bus & Train)

Make yourself comfortable with snacks and drinks, and prepare for the night, as the landscape passes by and changes from day to night and to day again, as the estimated arrival time in Erzincan is 11.17 hrs, the next morning.

Upon arrival,the bus awaits you at the station and takes you to Erzurum.( 207 km/ 3 hrs)  During a beautiful drive along the Euphrates river  there will be time to visit the twelfth century Mama Hatun caravanserai and  tomb and the remarkable Seljuk buildings in Erzurum. Then take your pullman seats on the train for the last scenic part on the train to Kars ( end station of the train) where you arrive at approx 20.20 hrs.

Overnight in Kars: *** hotel( BB)

Kars-Anı ruins-Kars. ( Excursion)

After breakfast you are collected for a guided excusion  to Anı, (45 km) the capital of Bagratid Armenia, and UNESCO world heritage site.  The site is bounded by one side by the gorge of the Arpaça ( Akhurian river) which forms Turkey’s border with the Armenian republic. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and carvansaries.

In the afternoon explore Kars on your own. The city was under Russian rule for about 40 years and the Russian legacy can still be seen in much of the town’s architecture.

Overnight Kars: *** hotel (BB)

Kars- Lake Çıldır- Devils castle-Posof ( Bus & Excursion)

Todays drive takes you past Lake Çıldır to the border town of Posof. Along the way you stop for a walk to Devil’s castle (Şeytan kalesi) The castle  located on high cliffs was used continuously from the Hellenistic era to the Ottoman period.

Distance : 186 km/ ca 3 hrs

Overnight: Posof: hotel (BB) 3 km from the Georgian border.

Posof- Türgözü-Vale border- Borjomi ( Bus & Excursion)

Head to Türkgözü  for border crossing with Georgia and continue with bus towards Borjomi spa resort.The driver will stop at Vardzia, a monastery in a cave and small town Akhaltsika for a visit to Rabati fortress where you will find traces of the mix of cultures that dominated the area.Borjomi  was already a popular spa resort in times of the Romanovs. They called it the ‘ pearl of the Caucasus’.

Distance: 90 km/ ca 2 hrs

Overnight: Borjomi *** hotel (BB)

Borjomi-Tbilisi ( Bus)

Stroll through the park and sip the famous Borjomi mineral water, or  take a ride in the cable car and visit the salfur pools or museums before your afternoon transfer to Tbilisi.
After arrival in Tbilisi. Transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

(free day)

Tbilisi city tour or your own.

Located in the gorge of Mtkvari River Tbilisi is shaped out in accordance with the terrain and forms a very beautiful city with Mt. Mtatsminda embracing the entire town, Narikala Fortress topping up the oldest quarter of Tbilisi and Metekhi Church overlooking Mtkvari River from a rocky plateau.

Highlights of Tbilisi are beautiful Orthodox Christian churches, Mosque, Synagogue, famous Sulphur Baths, narrow cobbled streets with hanging wooden carved multi-colored balconies, 19^th century houses following the architectural styles of 19^th century Europe, cable car up to Narikala Fortress, the glass Bridge of Peace, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue.

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

Tbilisi-Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Tbilisi ( Excursion)

Today you continue with a guided tour to discover more about the history of Mtskheta.

Enjoy  the natural and historical beauty of the Caucasian Mountains on a full-day tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda).You will visit the 6th-century Jvari monastery in Mtskheta, which is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other highlights, which include confluence of the two Rivers – black and white Aragvi, Gergeti Trinity Church, Ananuri Fortress and Jinvali Water Reservoir

Overnight: Tbilisi*** hotel (BB)

Tbilisi- Gori-Tbilisi ( train & Excursion)

Except the Stalin museum there is plenty to do and see in Gori.  Cave town Uplislistsike consists of several hundred chambers and rooms excavated from a relatively flat cliff face.
Gori is easily visited by train. Upon arrival 10.00 hrs. at Gori train station, there is a bus ride  to Uplistsikhe, which you can explore on your own. The driver will wait 2 hrs, and drive you back to Gori to explore the other highlights before you take the train back to Tbilisi. Dept 16.00 hrs / or 22.18 hrs.

Overnight: Tbilisi *** hotel (BB)

(Train)

Take morning or evening train to Batumi (5hrs8 min)
Batumi—the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” as it is often called—is located in the autonomous republic of Adjara. It’s history date back to the 4^thcentury BC and was it was ruled by the Ottoman approximately 300 years. European architects undertook numerous projects in Batumi at the beginning of the 20th century, and today it remains a hub of architectural innovation.

Overnight: Batumi *** hotel (BB)

Batumi (Free day)

Stroll around  the old town of Batumi , visit the statue of Ali and Nino, which symbolizes the love of two young people who cannot meet. Visit Batumi theatre and square, the church of virgin Mary, Batumi botanical garden, the lighthouse and harbour or enjoy the beach and take a dip in the sea.

Overnight: Batumi *** hotel (BB)

Onward travel. ( Transfer)

After breakfast your arrangement ends with a transfer to Batumi airport.

Minimum 6- maximum 12 persons

***We are happy to help you with a Doğu ekspresi ( eastern express)  trainticket only
or
extra nights in Istanbul and other places ***
**** Since we have to buy traintickets one month before departue, this program cannot be booked later than 5 weeks before arrival.

• 12 Nights in ***/**** hotel based on BB.
  1 Night in 2 Pax couchette in Doğu express train
  All train tickets
  Transfers according to program
  excursions according to program

Lunches
Dinners
Personal expenses.
Tips