G Adventures
Save 15%Turkey, Georgia & Armenia Encompassed
Turkey, Armenia, Georgia · 27 days · Easy
fromCAD 7,749
Next: 26 JunThe adventure
You may have made your way into Turkey before, but now it's time to take it a little farther east and discover some of the greatest underexplored territory in the world. This 17-day rail tour will bring you through the Turkish countryside to see the highlights of the Cappadocia region and the elegant, lakeside city of Van. You'll cross into Iran to find yourself in bustling Tehran, roam ancient Persepolis, and sample Shiraz grapes in the city that gave them their name. Take a true adventure and experience a part of the globe that's made for small-group travel.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Turkey & Iran
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalThere are no planned activities before an evening welcome meeting.
There are no planned activities before an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving…
IstanbulEnjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the capital city of Ankara.
Day 3Visit Anitkabir
Visit Anitkabir before transferring to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With 2.5 days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride. During one of the evenings, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
Day 4Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open…Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Day 5Enjoy one more morning in Cappadocia before driving…
Enjoy one more morning in Cappadocia before driving to nearby Kayseri. Board an overnight train for Eastern Turkey.
Day 6Arrive to Tatvan and board a ferry…
Arrive to Tatvan and board a ferry for the scenic ride across Lake Van. Arrive to the other side and the town of Van in the afternoon.
Day 7Enjoy a day trip to Mt Ararat with a visit to the Ishak Pasha Palace
Enjoy a day trip to Mt Ararat with a visit to the Ishak Pasha Palace.
Day 8Use a full day here to enjoy Lake Van
Use a full day here to enjoy Lake Van. Drive to Gevas for a short cruise to Ahtamara Island to visit a beautiful Armenian Church. Opt to swim at the local beach.
Day 9Enjoy another day in the Van area…
Enjoy another day in the Van area with a visit to the Van Castle. Board the Trans-Asia train in the evening for the journey to Tehran.
Day 10Spend the day absorbing the scenery from the train
Spend the day absorbing the scenery from the train, arriving into Tehran in the evening.
Day 11Explore Tehran with a local guide
Explore Tehran with a local guide, visiting the Sa’d Abad Palace and National Jewel Museum before boarding an evening train to Shiraz.
Day 12Arrive in Shiraz in the late morningThere is free time to explore the city's beautiful Regents mosque, Nasiralmolk mosque, Khan madrasa, Bagh-e Eram gardens, and perhaps even listen to some poetry being recited at the Hafez tomb. This vibrant student city is buzzing with life and is a great place to interact with some Iran's youth.
There is free time to explore the city's beautiful Regents mosque, Nasiralmolk mosque, Khan madrasa, Bagh-e Eram gardens, and perhaps even listen to some poetry being recited at the Hafez tomb. This vibrant student city is buzzing with life and is a great place to interact with some Iran's youth.
Day 13Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of PersepolisTravel to Persepolis to explore this fascinating sight. On the way back to Shiraz, visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors. With free time, enjoy the vibe of Shiraz.
Travel to Persepolis to explore this fascinating sight. On the way back to Shiraz, visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors. With free time, enjoy the vibe of Shiraz.
Day 14Stop at the Koran Gate and the UNESCO-listed…
Stop at the Koran Gate and the UNESCO-listed Pasargadae complex en route to Isfahan, one of the finest Islamic cities in the world.
Day 15Tour the beautiful city of IsfahanWander the tree-lined boulevards of Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. On a city tour, visit Imam Square and mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Wander the bazaar and learn the history of Isfahan's bridges. Stop in a miniatures shop and learn about this intricate art form before sampling some delicious gaz, a candy famous in Isfahan.
Wander the tree-lined boulevards of Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. On a city tour, visit Imam Square and mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Wander the bazaar and learn the history of Isfahan's bridges. Stop in a miniatures shop and learn about this intricate art form before sampling some delicious gaz, a candy famous in Isfahan.
Day 16Arrive early and enjoy a final day…Ramble through the enormous bazaar and visit the Imam Khomeini Mosque. View the many political murals that surround the former US Embassy then relax like the locals do by drinking chai and chewing on dates in a traditional chaikhuneh (teahouse). Try some more of the fine Iranian cuisine like dizi (stew you crumble bits of bread into and mash up with a mortar and pestle right at the table!) while enjoying traditional music at a local restaurant.
Ramble through the enormous bazaar and visit the Imam Khomeini Mosque. View the many political murals that surround the former US Embassy then relax like the locals do by drinking chai and chewing on dates in a traditional chaikhuneh (teahouse). Try some more of the fine Iranian cuisine like dizi (stew you crumble bits of bread into and mash up with a mortar and pestle right at the table!) while enjoying traditional music at a local restaurant.
Day 17Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
Discover Turkey
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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