Caspian Sea
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Iran/Turkey
Tehran to Istanbul
Iran/Turkey
Comfort rating: Standard
Day 2 Travel through varied landscape, stopping to witness traditional
village life before arriving at the Caspian Sea and the pretty town of
Anzali, Iran’s caviar capital.
• Iran’s capital Tehran
• Anzlai on the Caspian Sea
• Tabriz’s old bazaar
• Lake Van’s Akdamar Island
• Statues of Nemrut Dagi
• Landscape of Cappadocia
Neighbours Iran and Turkey are fascinating destinations with long
histories and rich cultures, and this tour takes you both to big cities and
on the path less travelled for a richly rewarding travel experience. Take in
metropolitan Tehran then witness traditional village life on the way to the
old world charm of Anzlai, Iran’s caviar capital on the Caspian Sea. Follow
winding mountain roads to Tabriz to immerse yourself in one of the
world’s largest and most atmospheric bazaars. Crossing the
mountainous border region into eastern Turkey, you’ll head for Lake Van,
the country’s largest lake, and stay in the Kurdish town of Tatvan.
Continue to Nemrut Dagi, an isolated mountain capped by intriguing rockhewn statues, then head for the central Anatolian plateau and the
strange, wind-sculpted landscapes of Cappadocia. A short internal flight
will finally take you to minaret-studded Istanbul, the only city in the world
to straddle two continents.
Day 1 Arrive in Tehran and check into your central hotel. Explore the city’s
markets, museums and gardens or visit the huge complex dedicated to
Ayatolla Khomeini. Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for an
evening welcome briefing and optional group dinner.
90
Kahta
0808 230 6340
Day 3 Take the scenic mountain road, with a stop at the ancient city of
Ardebil, site of an impressive dervish monastery. Continue to Tabriz,
home to Iran’s oldest, largest and most atmospheric bazaar. Haggle for
bargains and spend the evening with the locals in a garden teahouse.
Day 4 Pass the vast Urumiyeh salt lake then cross the border into
eastern Turkey, surrounded by dramatic mountains. Head for Lake Van,
Turkey’s largest lake, and take an optional boat trip out to Akdamar Island,
with its beautiful Armenian Church. Arrive in the Kurdish town of Tatvan
for the night.
Tour code TRTTA7
Duration
Group Size Max 15
Age Minimum 12
Day 5 Journey to Kahta, your base for visiting Nemrut Dagi mountain, its
2,150m peak topped with enigmatic rock-hewn statues.
Day 6 Drive to Cappadocia - a land of bizarre wind-sculpted volcanic
landscapes and ancient cave dwellings in the centre of Turkey’s Anatolian
plateau. Stay in Kayseri, a traditional city with a rich history.
Day 7 Take a short internal flight to Istanbul, Turkey’s former capital and
the only city in the world to straddle two continents. Visit Haghia Sophia once Christianity’s most important church - then delve underground to
the eerie Basilica Cistern. Enter the cavernous Blue Mosque Walk then
perhaps walk across to the legendary Grand Bazaar.
Day 8 The tour ends in Istanbul.
(Arrival airport: Tehran. Departure airport: Istanbul).
8 days
What’s included
• 7 nights hotels
• 6 breakfasts
• All land transport within tour
• Internal flight from Kayseri to Istanbul
• Professional tour leader throughout, local guides
• Tabriz bazaar
• Nemrut Dagi National Park
• Single room option available from £139
Price
Land only from £899 (International flights from £400)
When
April to July & September to November, selected Fridays
Istanbul
TURKEY
Keyseri
Tatvan
Tabriz
Kahta
SYRIA
Anzali
Tehran
IRAN