Turkey: Trabzon – Erzurum – Mardin – Sanliurfa – Gaziantep – Istanbul (Discovering heritage on the Black Sea coast)

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ✈ TRABZON

Main activities: Departing for the port city on the Black Sea coast

• The Vietravel tour leader meets guests at Tan Son Nhat Airport and assists with check-in for the flight to Trabzon – a beautiful port city on the Black Sea coast. (transit depending on the airline).
• Overnight on the plane.

DAY 2: TRABZON (Lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring the typical landmarks of Trabzon

• Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque – built in the 13th century under Emperor Manuel I Komnenos and one of the best-preserved Late Byzantine buildings in Turkey.
• Visit Sumela Monastery – perched on a steep cliff at about 1,200 metres above sea level, with its rock church – notable for colourful frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible, images of saints and the Virgin Mary.
• Overnight in Trabzon.

DAY 3: TRABZON – UZUNGOL LAKE – ERZURUM (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: From picturesque Uzungol Lake to the Seljuk heritage of Erzurum

• Free time to stroll around Uzungol Lake, admiring the emerald-green water, enjoying the fresh air and taking in the poetic scenery of traditional wooden houses.
• Depart for Erzurum – a city known as the “Winter Capital” of Turkey.
• Take photos outside the Three Tombs (Uc Kumbetler) – a historic mausoleum complex dating from the 13th century, a typical example of Seljuk architecture in Anatolia.
• Guests have the chance to explore the Yakutiye Madrasa, now the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. Learn about Erzurum's cultural heritage through the exhibits and admire the main gate with its delicate stone carvings.
• Overnight in Erzurum.

DAY 4: ERZURUM – BATMAN – MARDIN (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: A journey from Erzurum via Batman to the ancient city of Mardin

• Begin the journey to Batman – one of Turkey's major oil production and refining centres.
• Continue to Mardin – an ancient city notable for the blending of many cultures.
• Visit Mor Gabriel Monastery – one of the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries in the world. Inside the monastery, admire exquisite mosaics and decorative details.
• Visit the Tomb of the Saints – where clergy are buried in a seated position facing east to await the Resurrection; also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the monastery.
• Overnight in Mardin.

DAY 5: MARDIN – DARA ANCIENT CITY (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring the ancient and religious heritage around Mardin

• Visit the ancient city of Dara – a witness to the centuries-long confrontation between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanid Persian Empire. Explore the underground structure Sarnıc Zindan – which holds the remains of thousands of fallen Byzantine soldiers.
• Learn about the more than 4,500-year history of Deyrulzafaran Monastery – a hillside complex preserving many precious historical items such as a Bible about 300 years old, a baptismal font about 1,000 years old and a mosaic floor about 1,600 years old.
• Visit the interior of the Church of the Virgin Mary – built of golden-orange sandstone, with a large worship space supported by 12 stone columns symbolising the 12 apostles of Jesus. The highlight of the church is its Bell Tower – one of the most beautiful and delicate stone structures in Mardin.
• Free time to stroll the small streets of Midyat town, exploring ancient architecture and admiring traditional houses.
• Overnight in Mardin.

DAY 6: MARDIN – SANLIURFA (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring the “City of Prophets” and immersing in a Sira Night

• The group departs for Sanliurfa – known as the “City of Prophets”.
• Free time to stroll the small streets and take memorable photos with the unique beehive houses of Harran ancient village – a historic place believed to be where the Prophet Abraham once lived.
• Take photos at Balikligol – known as the “Pool of Sacred Fish” – and listen to the mysterious spiritual stories tied to this landmark.
• Visit Abraham's Cave – where the Prophet Abraham is believed to have been born and now a famous pilgrimage site, attracting visitors and believers from around the world.
• Enjoy a traditional Sira Night – immerse yourself in Urfa folk melodies played on classical instruments, along with traditional dances, and enjoy a dinner of distinctive local dishes.
• Overnight in Sanliurfa.

DAY 7: SANLIURFA – GAZIANTEP (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring Gobeklitepe and the remains of ancient Halfeti

• Explore the Gobeklitepe archaeological site – one of the oldest structures in the world, dating back more than 12,000 years, where you can admire giant stone pillars with delicate carvings; learn about prehistoric construction techniques and the historical hypotheses about the site.
• Continue to Gaziantep – a city recognised by UNESCO as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.
• Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum – once one of the largest mosaic museums in the world, displaying masterpieces found in the ancient city of Zeugma, an important settlement under the Romans.
• Enjoy a cruise on Birecik Lake – admire the unique scenery of Savasan Village and Rumkale Castle – remnants of ancient Halfeti after the area was flooded by dam construction in the 1990s.
• Overnight in Gaziantep.

DAY 8: GAZIANTEP ✈ ISTANBUL (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring traditional crafts in Gaziantep and flying to Istanbul

• Visit the Coppersmiths' Bazaar – a “living museum” where the traditional copper craft has been preserved for centuries.
• The group transfers to the airport and checks in for the flight to Istanbul – a unique city between the two continents of Asia and Europe.
• Visit the Grand Bazaar – one of the oldest and largest old markets in the world, famous for thousands of stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery, carpets and spices.
• Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 9: ISTANBUL ✈ HO CHI MINH CITY (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring Istanbul's landmarks and departing for Vietnam

• Stroll through the Hippodrome of Constantinople – where chariot races were held under the Byzantine Empire.
• Admire the Blue Mosque – one of the world's famous mosques, notable for more than 20,000 blue ceramic tiles, six tall minarets and unique Ottoman architecture; Hagia Sophia – an outstanding architectural masterpiece and one of Istanbul's historic symbols; Topkapi Palace – the residence and political centre of the Sultans for centuries.
• Take photos outside the Galata Tower – a medieval structure steeped in the history of Istanbul.
• Stroll through Taksim Square, feel the lively pace of Istanbul, watch the nostalgic bright-red tram and explore the famous shopping avenue Istiklal Caddesi.
• Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Vietnam

DAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY

Main activities: Returning to the beloved S-shaped land

• Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport; the Vietravel tour leader says goodbye and looks forward to seeing you on future journeys.

Pricing for Children

• Children under 2 years old: 30% of the adult tour price.
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: 85% of the adult tour price (no private bed).
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: 100% of the adult tour price (with a private bed).
• Children 12 years old and above: 100% of the adult tour price.

Tour Change and Cancellation Policy

- After payment, if you wish to transfer/cancel the tour, please bring your Travel Ticket, receipt and ID (of the paying guest) to the tour registration office to complete the transfer/cancellation procedure in accordance with Vietravel's regulations. Or you can contact a Vietravel consultant for guidance on the procedure.
- For tours still within the cancellation period but for which a visa has been processed, please pay the visa fee; after the tour deposit is paid and before Vietravel submits the visa fee, the airline ticket deposit fee is non-refundable; if a visa application is refused, visa fees and services are non-refundable.
- Tour cancellation time is counted in working days from Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and Tet.
- If a Turkey or Russia e-visa is refused, the non-refundable fee is VND 1,500,000 per guest - Cancelling or transferring to other tours 20 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 30 days before the departure date for all other tours: no charge.
- Cancelling or transferring to other tours 15-19 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 25-29 days before the departure date for all other tours: the transfer/cancellation fee is 50% of the tour deposit.
- Cancelling or transferring to other tours 12-14 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 20-24 days before the departure date for all other tours: the transfer/cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- If the trip is cancelled right after the Embassy/Consulate has issued the visa (for countries requiring a visa): the tour cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 08-11 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 14-19 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 05-07 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 10-13 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 70% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 02-04 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 02-09 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 90% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip within 01 day before the departure date: the tour cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.

Cancellation Policy for Public Holidays and Tet

- Cancelling or transferring to other tours 30 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 45 days before the departure date for all other tours: no charge.
- Cancelling or transferring to other tours 25-29 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 34-44 days before the departure date for all other tours: the transfer/cancellation fee is 50% of the tour deposit.
- Cancelling or transferring to other tours 20-24 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 25-33 days before the departure date for all other tours: the transfer/cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- If the trip is cancelled right after the Embassy/Consulate has issued the visa (for countries requiring a visa): the tour cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 17-19 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 20-24 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 08-16 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 11-19 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 70% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip 02-07 days before the departure date (for Southeast Asia tours) and 02-10 days before the departure date for all other tours: the tour cancellation fee is 90% of the tour price.
- Cancelling or transferring a trip within 01 day before the departure date: the tour cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.