A Visit to Syriac Monastry and Noah’s Ark

Upon arrival, meet and greet local guide and proceed to Istanbul Old City. Our first visit is going to be Blue Mosque which was built by Sultan Ahmet the first on 1616 and very famous with its stunning blue tiles on its Wall. Afterwards we visit Hagia Sophia which was built as an Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. However the giant worship center was converted in a Mosque by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1453. It is now a museum where you can enjoy the harmony of two culture in the same building. After our time finishes at Hagia Sophia, we continue our trip visiting Topkapı Palace which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second in 1475. Topkapı Palace is the biggest palace in Turkey and also one of the biggest in the World by its 80 acres area. Topkapı Palace is the most visited palace in Turkey while it offers to its visitors many beautiful small mansions with nice view of Bosphorus Strait or Golden Horn, many valuable jewelleries which was used by the Sultans, Holy Relics such as David’s sword, Moses’ Staff and so on. After we have our dinner, we proceed to hotel and check in.

Overnight in Istanbul.

After we have our breakfast, we check out hotel and then proceed to Leather Outlet Center which is nationwide famous. After our shopping time ends, we take a short cruise trip and enjoy the beautiful Bosphorus Strait with hundreds of houses by the strait and many beautiful palaces from Ottoman Era. Afterwards we proceed to airport for domestic flight to Mardin. Upon arrival in Mardin, we proceed to hotel and enjoy beautiful night scenery from old town of Mardin.

Overnight in Mardin.

After we have our breakfast, we proceed to Mor Gabriel Monastry the oldest surviving Orthodox monastery in the world. It is located on the Tur Abdin plateau near Midyat in the Mardin City in southeastern Turkey. Mor Gabriel was founded in 397 by the ascetic Mor Shmu’el (Samuel) and his student Mor Shem’un (Simon). According to tradition, Shem’un had a dream in which an Angel commanded him to build a House of Prayer in a location marked with three large stone blocks. When Shem’un awoke, he took his teacher to the place and found the stone the angel had placed. At this spot Mor Gabriel Monastery built. After we enjoy this unique history of Syriac Orthodox, we go back to Mardin Old Town to experience walkin tour in the old and narrow alleys and streets, while visiting some old Syriac Churches and wine houses and also Traditional Silver Shops. After we end our programme, we go back to hotel and have a rest for the next day.
Overnight in Mardin.

On this morning after breakfast, we check out from hotel and proceed Van. Upon arrival in Van, we proceed to visit Akdamar Church which is located on Akdamar Island of Lake Van. The church is an Armenian Orthodox church which was built by Armenian Kingdom on 10th Century AD. After we enjoy beautiful scenery of Lake Van and high plateau of eastern Turkey, we visit Van Citadel whic is a massive stone fortification built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu during the 9th to 7th centuries BC, and is the largest example of its kind. It overlooks the ruins of Tushpa the ancient Urartian capital during the 9th century which was centered upon the steep-sided bluff where the fortress now sits. A number of similar fortifications were built throughout the Urartian kingdom, usually cut into hillsides and outcrops in places where modern-day Armenia, Turkey and Iran meet. Successive groups such as the Medes, Achaemenids, Armenians, Parthians, Romans, Sassanid Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Safavids, Afsharids, Ottomans and Russians each controlled the fortress at one time or another. The ancient fortress is located just west of Van and east of Lake Van in the Van Province of Turkey. After our programme ends, we proceed to hotel, check in and dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Van.

After we enjoy our breakfast at hotel, we early departure from our hotel and proceed to Doğubeyazıt. Upon arrival in Doğubeyazıt, we proceed to visit Sagliksuyu village to see the Noah’s Ark Anchor stone called Delikli Tas. Many crosses have been carved into the stone since the original eight, which are in a different styles. Afterwards we proceed to Ishakpaşa Palace which was built by the Ottoman Empire on 18th Century AD that has unique Turkish and Armenian architectural style. Later on we continue to at a place where is believed to be the place of Noah’s Ark landed. The monument appears as a ship-shaped silhouette. It is said that the silhouette is of the ark which landed on Mount Ağrı as a result of Noah’s Flood. Many scientists came in to the region for searches. This natural monument, visited by many tourists every year, is under protection as a nature conservation area and an open-air museum. After our programme ends for the day, we proceed to hotel, check in and dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Doğubeyazıt.

After we have our breakfast we check out from hotel and proceed Airport for domestic flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, we have our free time shopping for local souveniers at Grand Bazaar which is the oldest and the biggest shopping place in Turkey. After we have our diner, we proceed to hotel and check in.

Overnight in Istanbul.

On this morning after breakfast, we proceed to Taksim Square and we experience local daily life enjoying shopping and cafes. After our time ends there, we are transferred to airport for flight back to your home.

Till we meet on another trip…