EASTERN EXPRESS BOUTIQUE KARS TOUR (23-27.02.2026)

A Fairytale-Like Kars & Touristy Eastern Express Journey - with carriages just for you -

Snow-capped mountains, historic stone buildings, frozen lakes, and legendary landscapes... Sometimes a vacation isn't just a vacation; it's a story you'll tell for a lifetime.

On this tour, you'll experience the captivating atmosphere of Kars in the comfortable sleeper cars of the Touristy Eastern Express, walk across the white carpet of Sarıkamış, enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides on Lake Çıldır, and trace history in the Ani Ruins. A winter dream filled with postcard-perfect scenes awaits you on our Touristy Eastern Express journey to Kars. On this journey, you'll both discover and create memories that will be etched in your memory.

TOUR INSTITUTE

DAY 1: MARMARIS-IZMIR TRANSFER, IZMIR-KARS FLIGHT, THE WHITE TALE BEGINS IN SARIKAMIŞ

We will meet you, our valued guests, at Eşref Girginç Park at 04:00 on Monday, January 12th, and depart for our 09:40 SunExpress flight XQ9114 from Izmir to Kars. We check in at Izmir Airport and board our plane. After an approximately two and a half-hour journey, we arrive at Kars Airport. After landing in Kars, we begin our tour with our waiting vehicle.

Our first stop is the Sarıkamış Martyrs' Memorial, a monument that evokes both sorrow and pride. Here, we listen to our guide tell the touching story of the 1914 Sarıkamış Operation and respectfully commemorate our heroes lying silently under the snow.

Next, we see the Catherine Hunting Lodge, a rare example of Baltic architecture, from the outside. This historic lodge, still standing with its nail-free structure, stands out like a postcard in the snow.

Our next day's route is Sarıkamış Ski Resort, surrounded by pine forests. Those who wish can ski, or take the chairlift to the summit for stunning views. We'll have free time to walk on the snow, take photos, or enjoy the view with a hot drink. After enjoying our time at the ski resort, we conclude our visits for the day and return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay will be at our Kars hotel. (KARS ACCOMMODATION) ATAPARK BOUTIQUE HOTEL

NOTE: In the event that access to the ski resort is not possible due to weather conditions, etc., the tour may be changed or a different itinerary may be implemented at the discretion of our guide. Our company cannot be held responsible for any missed visits in such cases. DAY 2: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME IN ANI & A WINTER DREAM AT ÇILDIR LAKE

After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on an unforgettable day witnessing the magical harmony of history and nature.

Our first stop is the ruins of Ani, the "City of 1001 Churches." This unique ancient city, which stretches over an area larger than Ephesus and hosted various civilizations for seven centuries, was once so wealthy and powerful that it rivaled Constantinople and Baghdad in trade. In Ani, which bears the traces of Armenian, Muslim, and pagan cultures, we visit the Gagik Church, the Church of the Holy Apostles, the magnificent Great Cathedral, the famous frescoed Tigran Honents Church, the Seljuk Palace and baths, and the Ebu'l Menucehr Mosque, the first mosque built by the Turks in Anatolia.

We emerge from the dusty pages of history and enter a pristine fairytale land: Çıldır Lake. This lake, 1959 meters above sea level and frozen to a depth of 80 centimeters during the winter months, is a truly captivating white desert. Guests can experience fishing by breaking the ice, as the Eskimos do, or take a dreamy horse-drawn sleigh ride across the lake.

At lunchtime, you'll have the opportunity to sample the famous carp of Lake Çıldır at one of the renowned lakeside restaurants.

After completing our fairytale-like visits, we return to Kars in the evening and, if desired, join our guests for a delightful "Kars Night" program, enlivened by local delicacies, minstrel quarrels, and folk dances (additional charge). On this special evening, you'll witness the captivating rhythm of Caucasian and Circassian dances and truly feel the spirit of Kars with the accompaniment of local music. (KARS ACCOMMODATION) ATAPARK BOUTIQUE HOTEL

NOTE: The Kars Night program is subject to restaurant availability and number of participants. It is organized by our guide during the tour and may vary depending on the day.

DAY 3: A FAIRY TALE JOURNEY ON THE RAILS THROUGH THE HISTORICAL STREETS OF KARS

After breakfast, we depart our hotel and begin our city tour, where we will witness the rich history and culture of Kars.

Our first stops are Kars Castle, two of the city's landmarks, and the Church of the Twelve Apostles. Then, we visit the Alexander Nevski Church (now the Fethiye Mosque), which stands out with its magnificent architecture. As we walk along the streets of Kars, laid out during the Russian occupation, we see the Provincial Mansion and the Treasury Building, adorned with Baltic architecture.

At noon, we have free time in the city center. Here, those who wish can sample Kars's cuisine at local restaurants. Afterward, we visit the Kars Archaeology and Ethnography Museum and the Caucasus Front War History Museum, which shed light on the city's past.

Later in the day, we will have free time to shop for Kars' famous kashar cheese, honey, and other local delicacies. You can also pick up some snacks to make our evening train journey even more enjoyable.

In the evening, the moment we've all been eagerly awaiting arrives. With our guide's guidance, we board the Touristic Eastern Express, departing at 9:05 PM, and settle into our seats in the sleeper cars. This epic journey begins with the rhythm of the rails, and as the snow-covered Anatolian landscapes flow past your window, we step into an unforgettable night.

(ACCOMMODATION: TOURISTIC EASTERN EXPRESS)

DAY 4: FROM THE LAND OF SNOW TO HISTORICAL STOPS – THE TOURISTIC EASTERN EXPRESS ADVENTURE

We begin the day with the first light filtering through our train window and the magnificent views. As the Touristic Eastern Express gently moves along the rails, it reveals Anatolia's winter postcards.

One of the most important features that makes this journey unique is the long stops along the route. Today on the Kars-Ankara route: We'll stop at İliç, Erzincan's famous Dark Canyon; Divriği, with its fairytale-like appearance thanks to its historical mansions; and Bostankaya, near Sivas. We'll have approximately three hours of free time at each stop. During this time, you can join optional tours arranged by our guide or explore on your own.

(ACCOMMODATION: TOURISTIC EASTERN EXPRESS)

🔹 İliç – Dark Canyon Tour: We'll head towards the 12-kilometer-long Dark Canyon, the world's second largest canyon. Depending on the weather, we'll have the opportunity to take a boat tour or walk along the famous Stone Road. Then, we'll take a short break to explore the historic streets of Kemaliye. (Extra Tour)

🔹 Divriği Tour: Our first stop is the historic mansions that still preserve their Ottoman-era character. Then, we'll visit the magnificent Divriği Grand Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with our guide. During our free time on Huma Hatun Street, we'll have the opportunity to sample local delicacies. (Extra Tour)

🔹 Bostankaya – Sivas Trip: We'll take a short trip to Sivas and sample the city's famous flavors during our free time. Those who wish can join a guided walking tour of the Twin Minaret Madrasa, Buruciye Madrasa, Şifaiye Madrasa, and Kale Mosque.

At the end of the day, we'll return to our train and begin a peaceful night spent enjoying the rhythm of the rails.

(ACCOMMODATION: Touristic Eastern Express)

Note: Adequate participation is required for the optional tours. Prices vary depending on the number of participants and the type of vehicle. Therefore, this arrangement is made by our guide during the tour, and the price is fixed.

DAY 5: ARRIVAL IN ANKARA & RETURN TO MARMARIS

After a magical night on the touristic Eastern Express, our train arrives at Ankara Train Station in the early hours of the morning. Although it's time to say goodbye, we have local delicacies in our bags and countless memories and photos in our minds.

We board our waiting vehicle and begin our return journey to Marmaris. Along the way, we'll rest and share some final conversations during breaks for food and refreshments.

We arrive in Marmaris in the evening, and at the points where we meet, we bid farewell to our valued guests, "Hoping to see you again on other adventures."

REGARDING ADDITIONAL TOURS: Adequate participation is required for additional tours. Fees and details about these tours will be shared with you by our guide during the trip.

GENERAL CONDITIONS / INFORMATION

** Tours to Kars with the Touristic Eastern Express are limited to train capacity, with a maximum of 20 people permitted. Child rates are not applicable.

**Seating arrangements in the tour vehicle are determined by seat numbers. Seat numbers are automatically assigned after the initial payment. If you have any concerns about seat numbers, please contact us. (Seat numbers will also apply for the return trip from Ankara to Marmaris.)

**In the case of single-person travel, there must be another guest traveling on the same tour, as train compartments are designed for two people. Therefore, for single-person or three-person reservations, the reservation for one person is not finalized until the match is made. During the matching process, the two parties discuss it with each other and an agreement is reached before the trip. Our company assumes no responsibility if no other single person requests the desired booking date.

**Guests traveling with single-person pricing can travel in SEPARATE rooms at the hotel and in the SAME compartment on the train. Since train compartments are designed for two people, guests who choose to travel as a single or triple passenger agree to share a carriage with another guest.

**For our air tours that include airport and hotel transfers, seat numbers do not apply to the transfer vehicles. There is no seating arrangement during transfers; guests may sit wherever they wish. There will be no seating arrangement for the Marmaris-Izmir Airport transfer.

**Our guide reserves the right to make changes to the program and routes, provided that all visits are completed, taking into account circumstances such as weather and road conditions that may affect the course of the trip.

**If physical conditions make a visit impossible (road, weather, natural disaster, etc.), our agency cannot be held responsible for the cancellation of that visit.

**Koral Turizm cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes to flight schedules made by the airline. Our guides reserve the right to make changes to the tour itinerary due to such changes.

**Our company cannot be held responsible for any additional costs that may occur due to flight time changes.

**The prices listed are valid for the early booking period until September 20, 2025. By making a pre-booking with a 10,950.00 TL deposit, you confirm your flight and train ticket reservations.

**In the case of single travel, there must be another guest traveling on the same tour, as train compartments are designed for two people. Therefore, for single or triple travel reservations, the reservation for one person is not considered finalized until the match is made. During the matching process, the two parties discuss the matter and reach an agreement before the trip. Our company accepts no liability if there is no other single person requesting the desired booking date.