Tour Detail
3 Night 4 Days
Do you want to explore the magical atmosphere of the East with the rhythm of the rails? With the "Kars Van Nakhchivan Tour (Eastern Express)", we combine the legendary journey of the Eastern Express with the historic streets of the Ani Ruins, the azure waters of Lake Van, and the unique culture of Nakhchivan. Get ready for an unforgettable experience accompanied by snow-covered plateaus, winding rails, and sunrise views filtering through the window.
Kars City Center
Fethiye Mosque
Stone Bridge
Our tour begins with a pleasant journey on the Eastern Express, arriving in Kars. After checking into your hotel, you will explore the streets of Kars adorned with beautiful examples of Baltic architecture, and at dinner, you will get acquainted with the famous Kars goose, gruyere cheese, and local delicacies. In the evening, guests who wish can take a short walk in the snow to photograph Kars's romantic atmosphere.
Ani Ruins
Ani Cathedral
Silk Road Bridge
The next day, we set out for the Ani Ruins. Once known as the "City of 1001 Churches", we embark on a fascinating historical journey in this ancient city where Armenian, Seljuk, and Georgian traces intertwine. From the cathedral to the walls, from the canyon bridge to the details of stone craftsmanship, Ani is virtually an open-air museum for photography enthusiasts and history buffs.
Çıldır Lake
Akdamar Island
Van Castle
Van Cat House
Continuing the program, we head to Van to experience another facet of Eastern Anatolia. The views of Çıldır Lake, where horse-drawn sleds roam over its frozen surface in winter, the sunset along the shores of Lake Van, the unique stone carvings of the Armenian church on Akdamar Island, and the panoramic views from Van Castle will be among the most special moments of this tour.
Nakhchivan City Center
Dede Korkut Monument Complex
Momine Khatun Tomb
Aşabıbulaq (local spring/recreation area)
The most distinctive part of our tour is the visit to Nakhchivan. After completing border crossing procedures, we experience history, architecture, and local life in Nakhchivan, where Azerbaijani culture is strongly felt. While exploring the exquisite stone workmanship of the Momine Khatun Tomb, the legends of the land of Dede Korkut, and the modern structure of the city, we also have the opportunity to taste the local cuisine.
This journey, which begins with the Eastern Express, offers you a unique itinerary by bringing together three different geographies on the same line. The "Kars Van Nakhchivan Tour (Eastern Express)", designed for those who want to experience history, culture, nature, and train nostalgia all at once, promises an experience that will fill your photo albums and memory books with unforgettable moments for a lifetime.
What's Included
Train ticket and reservation with the Eastern Express to Kars
Comfortable bus transfers Kars – Nakhchivan – Kars
Accommodation in a hotel at the specified standard (Kars and Nakhchivan)
Professional Turkish-speaking guiding service
Kars city tour (Ani Ruins, Lake Çıldır, Kars Fortress, etc.)
Nakhchivan city and surrounding tours (Duzdağ, Aşabu-Kehf, Elincəqala, etc.)
Breakfast and dinner as specified in the program
Travel insurance and mandatory professional liability insurance
Comfortable bus transfers Kars – Nakhchivan – Kars
Accommodation in a hotel at the specified standard (Kars and Nakhchivan)
Professional Turkish-speaking guiding service
Kars city tour (Ani Ruins, Lake Çıldır, Kars Fortress, etc.)
Nakhchivan city and surrounding tours (Duzdağ, Aşabu-Kehf, Elincəqala, etc.)
Breakfast and dinner as specified in the program
Travel insurance and mandatory professional liability insurance
Not Included
All extra food and drinks not mentioned in the meals
Overseas exit tax stamp and personal visa processing
Personal expenses, shopping, and hotel minibar usage
Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, as well as extra organized optional tours
Travel health insurance and special insurances outside of coverage
Overseas exit tax stamp and personal visa processing
Personal expenses, shopping, and hotel minibar usage
Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, as well as extra organized optional tours
Travel health insurance and special insurances outside of coverage
What to bring with you?
Comfortable walking shoes and season-appropriate clothing
Jacket, hat, gloves, and thermal undergarments for cold weather
ID, passport (if any), and reservation documents
Personal medications, basic first aid supplies, and hygiene products
Camera or a phone with sufficient memory and a power bank
Water bottle, snacks, and a small backpack
Cash (TL) and bank cards
Jacket, hat, gloves, and thermal undergarments for cold weather
ID, passport (if any), and reservation documents
Personal medications, basic first aid supplies, and hygiene products
Camera or a phone with sufficient memory and a power bank
Water bottle, snacks, and a small backpack
Cash (TL) and bank cards
Important information
The tour program typically starts with a journey on the Eastern Express train and includes stops at places like Kars, the Ani Ruins, Çıldır Lake, and the vicinity of Lake Van, followed by a land crossing to Nakhchivan: Participants first reach Kars with the Eastern Express amidst enchanting winter landscapes, then they explore the historical and natural sites around Ani Ruins, Çıldır Lake (activities on ice may be included) and Lake Van. In the continuation of the program, they cross into Nakhchivan by road, where they thoroughly visit mausoleums, historical structures, salt caves, and important locations in the city center.
During the tour, since there might be intense walking, cold weather conditions, and high altitude, winter clothing, comfortable walking shoes, beanies, gloves, and raincoats should definitely be included: Especially in Kars, Çıldır Lake, and high-altitude areas, a harsh continental climate prevails, making windproof jackets, thermal underwear, waterproof boots, and thick socks very important for comfort and health. Comfortable shoes that support the feet and layered clothing/raincoats should be preferred as long walks will be conducted during the city tours and sudden weather changes can occur.
For the crossing into Nakhchivan, valid passport and visa/ID requirements should be checked in advance, and the current customs and border crossing rules should be confirmed from the agency or official sources: Since the practices at border crossings can sometimes change, the necessary conditions regarding passport validity, visa status, or ID requirements for Turkish citizens and foreigners should be clarified before the tour. Additionally, it is advisable to obtain up-to-date information from your agency or consulate/official institutions about the customs limits regarding cash, medications, electronic devices, and similar items you may carry to avoid potential problems.
Accommodations are generally made in hotels located in the city centers of Kars, Van, and Nakhchivan; the type of room, whether breakfast is included, and whether dinner is included in the program should be learned in advance: Hotels in city centers provide advantages for evening walks, shopping, and exploring the environment during free time; however, knowing details such as hotel location, star rating, and single/double room arrangements in advance helps manage your expectations. In some tours, only breakfast may be included, while others may also include dinner; this is critical for budget planning and anticipating additional meal costs.
The tour fee generally includes train tickets, a certain number of accommodations, city tours, and guiding services; entrance fees to museums/archaeological sites, personal expenses, and some meals are often additional costs: It is important to carefully review the tour contract to clarify which items are “included” and which are “excluded” to avoid unexpected expenses during the trip. Especially experiences such as the Ani Ruins, museums, boat tours, or activities on ice may be subject to additional fees in most packages; therefore, it would be beneficial to bring sufficient cash or a suitable credit card with an appropriate limit.
The regional cuisine of Kars and Nakhchivan is famous for its local specialties (cheese, goose meat, tandoor, traditional sweets, etc.); it is recommended that individuals with specific dietary preferences or allergies inform the agency before the tour: The region offers a rich gastronomy featuring local cheeses, meat dishes, tandoor delights, and syrupy desserts; you will generally have the opportunity to experience these unique flavors during the tour. However, participants with vegetarian/vegan diets, gluten-free diets, lactose intolerance, or specific food allergies should provide this information to the agency in advance for alternative menu planning, which is important for both safety and comfort.
During the tour, since there might be intense walking, cold weather conditions, and high altitude, winter clothing, comfortable walking shoes, beanies, gloves, and raincoats should definitely be included: Especially in Kars, Çıldır Lake, and high-altitude areas, a harsh continental climate prevails, making windproof jackets, thermal underwear, waterproof boots, and thick socks very important for comfort and health. Comfortable shoes that support the feet and layered clothing/raincoats should be preferred as long walks will be conducted during the city tours and sudden weather changes can occur.
For the crossing into Nakhchivan, valid passport and visa/ID requirements should be checked in advance, and the current customs and border crossing rules should be confirmed from the agency or official sources: Since the practices at border crossings can sometimes change, the necessary conditions regarding passport validity, visa status, or ID requirements for Turkish citizens and foreigners should be clarified before the tour. Additionally, it is advisable to obtain up-to-date information from your agency or consulate/official institutions about the customs limits regarding cash, medications, electronic devices, and similar items you may carry to avoid potential problems.
Accommodations are generally made in hotels located in the city centers of Kars, Van, and Nakhchivan; the type of room, whether breakfast is included, and whether dinner is included in the program should be learned in advance: Hotels in city centers provide advantages for evening walks, shopping, and exploring the environment during free time; however, knowing details such as hotel location, star rating, and single/double room arrangements in advance helps manage your expectations. In some tours, only breakfast may be included, while others may also include dinner; this is critical for budget planning and anticipating additional meal costs.
The tour fee generally includes train tickets, a certain number of accommodations, city tours, and guiding services; entrance fees to museums/archaeological sites, personal expenses, and some meals are often additional costs: It is important to carefully review the tour contract to clarify which items are “included” and which are “excluded” to avoid unexpected expenses during the trip. Especially experiences such as the Ani Ruins, museums, boat tours, or activities on ice may be subject to additional fees in most packages; therefore, it would be beneficial to bring sufficient cash or a suitable credit card with an appropriate limit.
The regional cuisine of Kars and Nakhchivan is famous for its local specialties (cheese, goose meat, tandoor, traditional sweets, etc.); it is recommended that individuals with specific dietary preferences or allergies inform the agency before the tour: The region offers a rich gastronomy featuring local cheeses, meat dishes, tandoor delights, and syrupy desserts; you will generally have the opportunity to experience these unique flavors during the tour. However, participants with vegetarian/vegan diets, gluten-free diets, lactose intolerance, or specific food allergies should provide this information to the agency in advance for alternative menu planning, which is important for both safety and comfort.
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