Multi-day tour
Eastern Anatolia in 7 days: Kars, Ani and Lake Çıldır
A narrated journey from Istanbul’s skyline to the Kars plateau, the ruins of Ani and Lake Çıldır, with a licensed guide.
Key facts
- Duration 7 days / 6 nights
- Route Istanbul → Sarıkamış 5 destinations
- Quotation Quotation within 24 business hours
- Recommended months January, February, June–August, December
- Type Private
Overview
A 7-day, 6-night circuit combining classical Istanbul with the quiet landscapes of northeast Turkey, a region that barely appears in Spanish-language catalogues. After two days in the historic city, with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Bosphorus, a domestic flight leads to Kars.
From there the route takes in Ani, a former medieval capital now a vast archaeological site above the Arpaçay valley, and Lake Çıldır, which freezes over in winter and opens onto wide steppe in summer. The circuit is completed with the forests and history of Sarıkamış, before a domestic flight back to Istanbul for the last night. On request, part of the route can be covered on the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train, subject to seat availability.
From there the route takes in Ani, a former medieval capital now a vast archaeological site above the Arpaçay valley, and Lake Çıldır, which freezes over in winter and opens onto wide steppe in summer. The circuit is completed with the forests and history of Sarıkamış, before a domestic flight back to Istanbul for the last night. On request, part of the route can be covered on the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train, subject to seat availability.
Route: IstanbulKarsAniLake ÇıldırSarıkamış
- Physical level: Moderate
Highlights
- The archaeological site of Ani, a former medieval capital above the Arpaçay valley, next to the Armenian border.
- Lake Çıldır, frozen and snow-covered in winter or wide-open steppe in summer.
- The city of Kars, with its Russian-period architecture, its castle and its frontier atmosphere.
- The forests and history of Sarıkamış, in northeastern Anatolia.
- Classical Istanbul as the way in: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Bosphorus.
- The option of adding a leg on the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) train, on request and subject to availability.
What is included and what is not
Included
- 6 nights’ accommodation in total: usually 3 nights in Istanbul and 3 nights in Kars (or similar distribution, subject to availability).
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Istanbul.
- Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Kars.
- Domestic flights according to the itinerary (e.g. Istanbul–Kars and Kars–Istanbul; on request, part of the route may be done by Eastern Express train).
- Transportation by air-conditioned tourist vehicle for all mentioned transfers and excursions.
- Services of a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the circuit.
- Entrance fees to the monuments, museums and sites listed in the itinerary.
Not included
- International flights (home country – Istanbul – home country).
- Lunches and dinners (unless specifically stated as included).
- Optional activities such as horse-drawn sleighs on the frozen lake, winter activities, ski equipment rental, private sleeping car on the Eastern Express, etc.
- Personal expenses (shopping, minibar, drinks not mentioned, laundry, room service, etc.).
- Tips for guide, driver, porters, restaurants and hotel staff.
- Visa fees and visa handling services, if required.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Any services not explicitly mentioned as included.
Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST or SAW) and meet-and-greet with our representative. After a short welcome briefing, private transfer to your hotel and check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you will have free time to rest, get to know the area around the hotel or enjoy your first taste of Turkish cuisine. -
Day 2
Classical Istanbul & Bosphorus Atmosphere
After breakfast we start exploring Istanbul’s historic peninsula. In the Hippodrome square we see the obelisk, the Serpent Column and other Byzantine remains. We then continue to the Blue Mosque (interior/exterior visit depending on current regulations) and, opposite, Hagia Sophia, a symbol that brings together centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history.
After free time for lunch, and depending on season and schedule, we may take a short Bosphorus cruise or enjoy some free time around the Spice Bazaar. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure to continue exploring the city on your own.Notes for the day: A walking day around the historic peninsula, on cobbled streets. Working mosques close to visitors during prayer times.
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Day 3
Flight Istanbul – Kars & First Contact with the City
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Kars. After around two hours’ flying we arrive and transfer to the hotel. Following a short rest, we take an orientation walk in Kars city centre: stone buildings from the Russian period, views of the castle and grid-like streets reveal the city’s imperial past.
The rest of the afternoon is free to begin exploring the local cuisine, renowned for its cheeses, honey and hearty dishes suited to the cold climate.Optional activities
- Doğu Ekspresi train leg in place of the flight, on request
Notes for the day: Domestic flight from Istanbul to Kars, about 2 hours. In winter, snow can cause delays or diversions at this airport.
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Day 4
Ani Ruins & Kars Plateau
After breakfast we leave Kars and drive towards Ani, close to today’s border with Armenia. At this impressive archaeological site we wander among city walls, cathedrals, churches and bridge remains over the Arpaçay valley, while your guide explains Ani’s role on historical trade routes.
There is free time for lunch in the area before returning to Kars, with photo stops on the wide plateau along the way. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free in the city.Notes for the day: Ani is visited in the open, across a vast unshaded site on uneven ground, with frequent wind on the plateau. The site sits on the border with Armenia.
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Day 5
Lake Çıldır & Village Life (Seasonal)
After breakfast we set off from Kars towards Lake Çıldır. In winter, the lake is usually frozen; as long as weather and safety conditions allow, horse-drawn sleigh rides and photo stops out on the ice may be possible. In spring and summer, the scenery is different: lakeside walks, fishing boats and open steppe dominate the horizon.
We have the chance to glimpse local rural life and pause for hot tea and regional bites. In the afternoon we return to Kars, where you will have free time for shopping (cheese, honey and other local products) or rest.Optional activities
- Horse-drawn sleigh ride on the frozen lake (in winter, subject to ice conditions)
Notes for the day: Activities on the ice of Lake Çıldır depend on ice thickness and on the day’s safety conditions; they are not guaranteed.
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Day 6
Sarıkamış Forests & Return to Istanbul
After breakfast we head towards the Sarıkamış area. Its pine forests and gentle slopes, often snow-covered in winter, have made it a well-known ski resort; we view the area panoramically and, depending on the season, enjoy a short walk or photo stops.
In the afternoon we transfer to Kars Airport for our domestic flight back to Istanbul. On arrival we transfer to the hotel and you have your last night in the city at leisure; your guide can suggest restaurants or activities for a memorable farewell evening.Optional activities
- Skiing at Sarıkamış with equipment hire (winter season)
Notes for the day: Sarıkamış is seen panoramically. In the afternoon, a domestic flight from Kars to Istanbul; the day’s programme follows the confirmed schedule.
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Day 7
Farewell Turkey & Departure Transfer
Breakfast at the hotel (depending on flight time) and final free moments in Istanbul. You may take a short farewell walk or simply relax at the hotel until your transfer. At the agreed time, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight.
After this 7-day journey that combines Istanbul’s skyline with the quiet landscapes of Kars and Ani, you leave not only with photos but also with memories of two very different faces of Turkey.
How the rate is calculated
Rate tailored to the season, the hotel category and the number of travellers. Request a quotation.
On request, part of the route can be quoted on the Doğu Ekspresi train instead of the domestic flight leg.
Departures
Tailor-made departures: any date
The programme is operated privately for your group: you choose the starting day and the itinerary is built around that date. There is no fixed departure calendar and no outside group to join.
Route map
Istanbul → Kars → Ani → Lake Çıldır → Sarıkamış
Operational notes
- The order of the visits may change according to opening hours, traffic and the day’s operation. The content of the programme stays the same.
- Domestic flights are issued in economy class and the checked and cabin baggage allowance depends on the airline and the fare issued; the exact allowance is shown on the ticket. Schedules may be rearranged and the day’s programme follows the confirmed flight.
- In winter, snow can affect roads in the region and operations at Kars airport, with delays or diversions. The programme allows margin on the transfers, but this should be taken into account when planning international connections.
- Activities on the ice of Lake Çıldır depend on ice thickness and on the day’s safety conditions; they are not guaranteed. When going out onto the ice is not possible, the day is reordered with visits in the area.
- The Ani site is covered on foot, across a very large area, unshaded and on uneven ground, with frequent wind on the plateau. It sits on the border with Armenia.
- Kars and its surroundings lie above 1,700 metres. This is a moderate altitude that does not usually affect healthy travellers, but it is worth bearing in mind in case of cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
- The Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi) leg is offered on request only. Seats are limited and tickets sell out quickly, so it must be requested well in advance and cannot be taken as confirmed until issued.
- The language of the commentary is confirmed in the quotation, before booking.
- Mosques require shoes to be removed and shoulders and knees covered; women are required to cover their hair. Bringing your own scarf is advisable, although the busiest mosques usually lend one at the entrance.
- Working mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayers and, in particular, around the Friday midday prayer. When a visit coincides, the commentary is given outside or the day is reordered.
- Hagia Sophia is a working mosque. Foreign visitors follow a separate tourist route through the upper galleries, while the ground floor is reserved for prayer. That route closes during the five daily prayers and, at Friday midday, for a longer period. The visiting arrangement and opening hours depend on current regulations and may change without notice; if access is restricted on the date of the visit, the monument is explained from outside.
- Museums and archaeological sites may have a weekly closing day and different summer and winter opening hours. The final itinerary is adjusted to the opening calendar in force on the travel dates.
- During the religious holidays (Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı, whose dates move with the lunar calendar) museum and shop hours change, monuments are busier, and domestic flights and roads fill up.
- A valid passport, the visa or electronic authorisation and compliance with entry requirements are the traveller’s responsibility. They depend on nationality and should be checked well in advance.
Best time to travel
Recommended months: January, February, June, July, August, December
This route has two seasons and they are opposites. From December to March comes the winter the region is known for: Lake Çıldır freezes, Sarıkamış is under snow and Ani stands white on the plateau; in exchange, temperatures frequently drop below 0 °C and snow can affect the roads and flights from Kars. From June to August the steppe opens out in green and gold, the days are long and open-air visits are comfortable, with cool nights because of the altitude. Spring and autumn are transitional, with thaw or first snows and less certainty of the landscape in either direction.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year for this trip?
There are two distinct seasons. For snow and a frozen Lake Çıldır, December to March, bearing in mind that the weather can affect roads and flights. For mild temperatures, walks and open steppe, June to August.
Is it very cold in Kars? What should I pack?
In winter temperatures frequently drop below 0 °C and wind chill can take them much lower. Waterproof boots, thermal layers, gloves, a warm hat and a good coat are essential. In summer days are mild and evenings cool, so layering is advisable.
What language are the visits conducted in?
The language of the commentary is confirmed in the quotation, before booking.
Can the Eastern Express train be included?
Yes, on request a leg on the Doğu Ekspresi or its tourist version can be added. Seats are limited and tickets sell out quickly, so it is worth mentioning when you request the quotation.
What is visiting the Ani site like?
On foot, across a very large site, unshaded and on uneven ground, with frequent wind on the plateau. Closed shoes, a windproof layer and water are recommended.
Are the activities on the ice guaranteed?
No. Sleigh rides on Lake Çıldır depend on ice thickness and on the day’s safety conditions. When going out onto the ice is not possible, the day is reordered with visits in the area.
Is this tour suitable for families?
Generally yes. In winter, however, conditions can be hard — snow, ice and mountain roads. If you are travelling with small children or anyone with reduced mobility, let us know so the pace and activities can be adapted.
Is altitude an issue in the region?
Kars and its surroundings lie above 1,700 metres, a moderate altitude that is not usually a problem for healthy travellers. In case of cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, consult your doctor before travelling.
Booking conditions
- Deposit
- 30% of the total when the booking is confirmed. For bookings made 30 days or less before departure, the full amount at confirmation.
- Balance
- The remaining 70%, no later than 31 days before departure.
- Payment methods
- Bank transfer or credit card. Card payments carry a 3% surcharge; charges applied by the issuing bank are borne by the client.
- Cancellations
- More than 90 days before departure: handling fee only, plus penalties on services already issued · 89–61 days: 25% · 60–31 days: 50% · 30 days or less and no-show: 100%. Reductions in places follow the same scale. Refunds within 10–14 business days of written cancellation.
Credentials
- Legal name
- Colorido Tours Turkey Turizm Ticaret Ltd. Şti.
- TÜRSAB licence
- A-12116
- Office
- Istanbul
- Operating scope
- Turkey only. Egypt, Jordan and the Greek islands only as extensions of a Turkey itinerary.
- Guides
- Licensed guides in Spanish and English
- 24/7 emergency line during the trip
- +90 544 533 53 55
- Who handles your request
- Your request is handled by our reservations team, and the same person follows the file from quotation through to operation on the ground.
