b'WHERE EMPIRES COLLIDE Scan here for the full A JOURNEY THROUGH NORTH-EAST TURKEY itineraryFROM LAKE VAN TO THE BLACK SEA29 September 2026Historical Background8 days The history of northeast Turkey is marked by a host of differing kingdoms Expert Historian: Ian Colvinwhich move on and off the stage like actors. The first organised historically attestable kingdom in the region is the Hayasa-Azzi who came into conflict Activity Level: 2 with the Hittite Empire to the west in the 14th century BC. Within a century the kingdom had been absorbed by the Hittites. In the southern part of the region the Kingdom of Urartu flourished between the 9th century BC This 7-night and 8-day tour explores theand 585 BC with its capital at Tushpa (Van). The kingdom is known for its history, archaeology and culture of theformidable fortresses and cuneiform writing. Urartu gradually succumbed fascinating region of north-east Turkey.to the growing power of Assyria and then the Iranian Medes who eventually From gorgeous Lake Van we journey throughextended their hegemony over most of the area. By the 6th century BC magnificent mountain scenery to the Easterna new regional superpower, the Achaemenid Empire, had extended its Anatolian plain passing by Mount Ararat,control over the whole of Anatolia. Between 334 and 331 BC the Empire was Turkeys highest peak, to finish at the Blackdecisively conquered by Alexander the Great ushering in the westward Sea coast at Trabzon. On the way we admireexpansion of the Kingdom of Armenia which ruled the area up to the atmospheric Byzantine monasteries andEuphrates by the 1st century AD. In 387 AD the western part of the Kingdom churches, Ottoman mosques, madrassas andbecame part of the Roman Empire which ruledin the guise of its Byzantine palaces, and Urartian citadels, the remotesuccessoruntil its conquest by the Seljuk Turks in the 13th century. The Georgian churches of Tao-Klarjeti and thedominant religion of north-east Turkey has been Islam ever since. A rump remarkable lost Armenian city of Ani, all setByzantine court ruled from Trabzon until 1461 when the Ottomans conquered within the vibrant modern culture of thethe area. Ottoman rule continued until the modern Republic of Turkey was modern Turkish nation. created in 1923 ending warfare between Russian, Armenian and Turkish This is a region of incredible diversity witharmies over the region. traces of intriguing cultures, both past and present, including Urartians, Byzantines, Ottomans, Zazas, Kurds, Armenians and Georgians. Set within the breathtaking scenery of Turkeys most spectacular region this is a tour of contrast and discovery. Day 1Fly London to Van via Istanbul or meet at hotel Hotel in Van1 night (D)Day 2 Drive to Doubeyazt - Ishak Pasha Palace Continue to KarsHotel in Kars2 nights (B,L,D)Day 3 Ani Return to Kars (B,L,D)Day 4 Drive to Erzerum (pause at obandede bridge) Erzerum - Uli Cami(Grand Mosque) ifte Minare Hotel in Erzerum2 nights (B,L,D)Day 5 Churches of Tao-Klarjeti - Haho (Hahuli), sk Vank Free timein Erzerum (B,L,D)ESSENTIALS Day 6Drive to Trabzon via Smela Monastery Hotel in Trabzon2 nights (B,L,D)4-star or best available hotels, meals asDay 7Trabzon, Atatrk Mansion, Panagia Theoskepastos (Kzlar) Monastery, Church of Aya Sophia (B,L,D)indicated, drinks with dinner, all entranceDay 8Fly Trabzon to London via Istanbul or extend stay in Turkey (B)fees, tour manager and expert historian throughout, all internal travel, optional travel from UK.www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 195926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 19 22/08/2025 13:35'