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19 Day Conducted Tour
       
Eastern Turkey and
Black Sea

For only $5,520
per person twin share

This price includes airport taxes and levies

Tour departs Australia March 21 and returns April 8, 2012

This great price includes all of the following:
If you do no have a travel partner but still want to travel at twin share rates we will do our best to match you up with someone else, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra charge of $810.

For anyone with an interest in history, Turkey is a fascinating place. Eastern Turkey is very much off the usual tourist track, but is quite beautiful with a wonderful history and culture.

Note: There is an optional 15 day pre-tour extension of West Turkey departing 7 March. Please see the West Turkey Tour on our internet site or contact our office for the full program.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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   Itinerary for Eastern Turkey & Black Sea Tour - March 2012
Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
21.03.12 Australia - Singapore
Depart Brisbane at 9.10am on SQ 256, arriving in Singapore at 3.00pm.
Depart Sydney at 9.25am on SQ 212, arriving in Singapore at 2.30pm.
Depart Melbourne at 11.00am on SQ 238, arriving in Singapore at 3.35pm.
Upon arrival in Singapore you are transferred to your hotel in central Singapore for a two night stay.
22.03.12
 Singapore
Today is at leisure in Singapore. While in Singapore you will receive the benefits listed below:
*50% discount on the la carte food menu (food only) at the designated food outlet in the passenger's hotel
*Free unlimited rides on SIA Hop-on tourist bus, which travels through the main tourist belt.
*Free admission to 6 attractions; National Orchid Garden, Singapore River Cruise, Jurong Bird Park, The Singapore Zoo, Chinatown Heritage Centre, The Battle Box Museum.
*Discounts on shopping, dining, sightseeing tours and attractions as listed in SIA Boarding Pass Privileges program.
23.03.12

 Singapore - Istanbul
Today is at leisure, with late 6pm checkout from the hotel.
In the evening you are transferred to Singapore airport for your flight to Istanbul.
Depart Singapore at 11.20pm on SQ 490, arriving in Istanbul at 4.55am the next morning (24.03.12). 
24.03.12
(D)		 Istanbul
After passport and visa procedure, you will be met and taken to your hotel. There will be time to relax before the guide takes you for dinner at a local restaurant.
25.03.12
(B/D)		 Safranbolu
The next morning we will drive to the historic town of Safranbolu which is one of the UNESCO's world heritage sites of Turkey. The town is graced with many traditional old houses and mansions. The friendly people of Safranbolu will welcome our interest in traditional Turkish culture as we wander through the town, admiring its charm and beauty. Our stay will be at a historical market complex, which is called Cinci Han, and was built in 1645 and is a well restored historical hotel of Turkey. This town is full of unusual photo opportunities with thousands of Ottoman houses. 
26.03.12
(B/D)		 Amasya
We will drive to the Hittite ruins at Yazilikaya to see the private temple of Hittite kings and then to Hattusas, the capital city of the Hittite Empire which is the one of the UNESCO's world heritage sites of Turkey. At this site we will follow the ancient city wall constructed nearly 3,400 years ago and see the ruins of the Great Temple of the Storm God, the Lion Gate, the King Gate (guarded by a relief of the Hittite War God) and the Great Fortress. Afterwards, we will depart Hattusas and continue to Amasya, the one time capital of the Pontic Empire. It is a lovely little town nestled in a small mountain valley formed by the Green River. Some of the most striking features of Amasya are the tombs of the kings of Pontus carved into the high cliffs surrounding the city. Here, we will explore the old streets of Amasya and attend a local bazaar.
27.03.12
(B/D)		 Trabzon
Today is a driving day. We will travel from Amasya to the beautiful wooded coast of the Black Sea, following the coastline to Trabzon. The scenery on this drive is unbelievable. Trabzon is an ancient Silk Road Black Sea Port, with its recorded history dating back to 746 BC. With lush, green vegetation throughout the region, this area is a very unique part of Turkey. Hazelnut and tea plantations are the major contributors to this region's agricultural exports. 
28.03.12
(B/D)		 Erzurum
We will visit the Sumela Monastery in the morning, which is from the Byzantine era, and enjoy a lovely picnic by a rushing stream there. One of the remarkable features of this site is that it is carved into a cliff face!
From Sumela we will drive to Erzurum, with many stops along the way. This is a very beautiful drive, which follows carious rivers. Erzurum rests at the base altitude of 2000 metres and although it is somewhat remote, it is one of the largest cities in eastern Turkey. Despite its size, the people maintain quite a conservative outlook. Here, one will frequently encounter more women waring veils than in other cities. While in Erzurum we will have lunch in a restaurant converted from old Ottoman houses decorated with antiques everywhere. We will visit Ulu Cami (the Great Mosque) and an old Selcuk Medrese (schoolhouse) as well as see several Kurdish villages in the area.
29.03.12
(B/D)		 Kars
An early morning departure from Erzurum will take us on a beautiful drive to Kars. We will arrive in Kars to visit Ani at the Turkish-Armenian border. A 45 minute drive will take us to the medieval Armenian City of Ani, which lies mostly in ruins. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravansaries. Walking around the ruins, we will be able to see a beautiful view of Armenian across the Arpa River, which creates the border between turkey and Armenia. Other attractions in the city of Kars are the immense citadel, its old bridges and an Armenian church (the Church of the Twelve Apostles)
30.03.12 & 31.03.12
(B/D)		 Van (Mt Ararat)
Early in the morning, we will drive along the beautiful yet rugged border between Turkey and Armenia and arrive in Dogubeyazit. On the way, we will stop for photo opportunities, especially of the beautiful flowers in this region (depending on the season). We will also have the opportunity to see Mt Ararat, where Noah's Ark is believed to be, and visit the spectacular Isah Pasa Palace. This complex is a combination of mosque, fortress, and 17th century palace. We will then drive 2 1/2 hours to Van, stopping again for various photo opportunities. One of the stops will be by a gorgeous waterfall. We arrive in Van and overnight.

Early in the morning a short ferry ride will take us to Akdamar Island. There is a wonderful 10th century Armenian church here called the church of the Holy Cross. the outside walls of the church are decorated with wall relief's depicting various well known tales from the Bible and the Old testament. This church, recently restored to its former glory, is a true gem.  In the afternoon we will visit the 3,000 year old fortress built by the Urartians, who inhabited the region between the 9th and 6th century B.C. and called their capital city, Tushba. Before we finish our tour, we will see beautiful handmade Carpets and Klims of Eastern Turkey.
01.04.12 & 02.04.12
(B/D)
 In the morning we drive to Batman where we will visit the incredible and ancient city of Hasankeyf nearby. Hasankeyf is on the banks of the Tigris River and is located in an area of the Fertile Crescent where animals were domesticated and grains were cultivated over twelve thousand years ago. After driving ninety minutes, we will arrive in Mardin, capping a long but spectacular day with many stops. Mardin is a very unique and lovely city with many old Arabic style houses. It is a city that played an important role in the early development of Christianity. We will take time to visit, walk in its busy streets and bazaars and take superb photographs. Just outside of town, we will visit the monks in the Monastery of Deyr-az-Zaferan, which was founded in 4th century AD. It was the seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for almost 800 years. This monastery is built on top of a 4,000 year old temple originally used by sun worshipers.
03.04.12
(B/D)		 Urfa
Today we will drive three hours to Urfa, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. We will visit nearby Harran and see the incredible beehive houses. Harran, according to the Bible, was the site where the prophet Abraham lived with his family for several years before moving to Israel, the Promised Land. We will also visit the holy sites at Ainzelha, a lake with domesticated fish. There are exceptional photo opportunities in this area.
04.04.12
(B/D)		 Mt Nemrut
From Urfa we will drive 2 hours to Adiyaman Kahta. On the way, we will stop to see Ataturk dam, the fourth largest dam in the world built on the Euphrates River. We will drive through the Pistachio orchards and stop to pick them (depending on the season). We will check into our hotel. Soon after, we will hire small mini buses to drive up Mt Nemrut. Resting at an elevation of 2150 meters this extraordinary mountain top features a funerary temple complex composed of two flattened areas strewn with huge statues and fallen heads of Greco Roman gods. Each head measures 2 - 3 metres high, belonging to the likes of Zeus, Hercules, Fortuna, Apollo and the King Antiochus, who considered himself a god. There is also a mound of broken gravel that makes a perfect false peak of crushed rock. Antiouchus built the entire complex 2,050 years ago as a monument to his 'divine ancestry'.
Please note:  The hike to Mt Nemrut consists of 20 to 40 minutes of a 30% uphill hike, mostly with stairs. There is no time limit and most can do the hike. There are also donkeys or mules available for hire.
05.04.12
(B/D)		 Hatay (Antioch)
Today, we will drive to Antakya, ancient Antioch. Throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods, Antioch stood out as one of the most influential and enduring cities. it was here that Peter preached his first sermon and founded the first Christian community. Just outside the town we will pay a visit to the Grotto of St Peter, erected in the 13th century by the Crusaders. We will visit the Hatay Museum which houses one of the finest collections of Roman mosaics in the world.
06.04.12
(B)
 Istanbul
Today we will fly from Hatay to Istanbul. Overnight is in Istanbul.
07.04.12
(B)		 Istanbul - Singapore
Morning free in Istanbul. Transfer to Istanbul International Airport, departing at 1.20pm on SQ 491, arriving in Singapore at 5.35am the next morning (08.04.12).
08.04.12 Singapore - Australia
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 7.10am on SQ 241, arriving in Sydney at 5.50pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 9.50am on SQ 245, arriving in Brisbane at 7.40pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 10.10am on SQ 217, arriving in Melbourne at 8.35pm. 
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       Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's East Turkey & Black Sea Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 10 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired. Macleay Valley Travel offers Suresave Travel Insurance.  Please note that we can only process  your travel insurance when we have received full payment for the insurance and the signed Suresave Travel Insurance application form, located on the last page of the Suresave Travel Insurance information booklet. Until this time the travel insurance cannot be processed and will not be valid. Macleay Valley Travel will bare no responsibility for any consequences that may occur as a result of an incomplete insurance application.    
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. A visa is required for Turkey, but can be issued on arrival in Istanbul. Current cost $30 USD, but subject to change.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes -  Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.
Not Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), travel insurance etc.
Breakaway Fee - All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary will incur a breakaway fee. The breakaway fee for most deviations including a post-tour extension on this tour is $55 per person. Please inquire with our office for prices on any pre-tour extensions. 
Airfare Upgrades - Business class international airfares can be arranged for this tour from an additional price of $5,305 per person, subject to flight availability. Please inquire with our office for a specific price for this airfare.
Health and Fitness - Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies. 
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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