From

US $6,420 per person

Istanbul to Yerevan: The Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains

22 days

•

From Istanbul to Yerevan

4.5 (12,140 reviews)

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View all

From

US $6,420 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Platinum Operator: Intrepid Travel
City & Culture: Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Max Group Size 12
Ages 15+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Intro
Introduction
Day 1
Istanbul
Istanbul
Optional Activities
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Explore Hippodrome
- See Million stone (4th-century road marker)
- Dinner with group (kebabs, balik durum, gozleme)
Landmarks
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Million Stone
Day 2
Istanbul to Safranbolu
Istanbul to Safranbolu
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Safranbolu Old City (Cukur market district, Kirankoy artisan quarter, Baglar traditional homes)
- Visit Old Bazaar
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit Cinci Hamam
Optional Activities
- Tea or simit (sesame bread) stop
- Dinner featuring saffron dishes or bukmesi (buttery pastry)
Landmarks
Safranbolu Old Town
Old Bazaar (Safranbolu)
Clock Tower (Safranbolu)
Cinci Hamam
Day 3
Safranbolu to Kastamonu
Safranbolu to Kastamonu
Included Activities
- Turkish Delight and local Soda demonstration and tasting
- Crystal Glass Terrace visit
- Horma Canyon short hike (wooden platform through canyon)
Optional Activities
- Explore Kastamonu Old Town
- Visit Byzantine fortress ruins
- Visit covered bazaar
- Visit centuries-old mosques
- Try pastirma (cured meat specialty)
Landmarks
Crystal Glass Terrace
Incekaya Canyon
Horma Canyon
Kastamonu Byzantine Fortress
Kastamonu Old Town
Day 4
Kastamonu to Samsun
Kastamonu to Samsun
Included Activities
- Amisos Hill cable car ride
- Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Visit Samsun Museum (ancient artefacts from burial chamber)
- Swim at Samsun beaches
- Hire a bike and follow cycling trails
Landmarks
Amisos Hill
Samsun Museum
Black Sea (Samsun beaches)
Day 5
Samsun to Trabzon
Samsun to Trabzon
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Trabzon Hagia Sophia visit
- Lake Sera visit
Optional Activities
- Paddle boat rental at Lake Sera
Landmarks
Lake Sera
Trabzon Hagia Sophia
Day 6
Trabzon
Trabzon
Included Activities
- Sumela Monastery visit and guided exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit Trabzon Castle
- Visit mosques and churches in Trabzon
- Boztepe Observation Deck sunset views
Landmarks
Sumela Monastery
Altindere Valley
Trabzon Castle
Boztepe Observation Deck
Day 7
Trabzon to Ayder Plateau
Trabzon to Ayder Plateau
Included Activities
- Kuymak cooking demonstration and tasting
- Tea plantation visit and tasting
- Gelin Tulu Waterfall visit
Landmarks
Rize Tea Plantations
Ayder Plateau
Gelin Tulu Waterfall
Day 8
Ayder Plateau
Ayder Plateau
Included Activities
- Firtina Valley visit
- Zil Castle visit
- Highland village visit
- Elevit Plateau hiking
Landmarks
Zil Castle
Firtina Valley
Firtina River
Elevit Plateau
Kackar Mountains
Day 9
Ayder Plateau to Kars
Ayder Plateau to Kars
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Merkez Kumbet Mosque visit
Optional Activities
- Try slow-cooked goose with bulgur
- Try piti (lamb, chickpeas and saffron/turmeric stew)
Landmarks
Merkez Kumbet Mosque
Day 10
Kars
Kars
Meals
Lunch (Home-cooked lunch at Molokan family in Bogatepe village (features local cuisine and Kars gravyer cheese))
Included Activities
- Ani Ruins visit
- Bogatepe village Molokan family visit with cheese-making experience and home-cooked lunch
- Kars Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Hike up to Kars Castle for views
- Join Kafkas Night (evening Caucasus dances, traditional music, colorful costumes)
Landmarks
Ani Ruins
Kars Castle
Kars Museum
Day 11
Kars to Tbilisi
Kars to Tbilisi
Included Activities
- Poka St. Nino Nunnery visit
- Paravani Lake views
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with Georgian dishes (khinkali, badrijani nigvzit, khachapuri)
Landmarks
Poka St. Nino Nunnery
Paravani Lake
Day 12
Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Optional Activities
- Explore Tbilisi architecture
- Visit cafes and wine bars
- Dinner with new group members
Day 13
Tbilisi to Kutaisi
Tbilisi to Kutaisi
Meals
Dinner (Dinner at family-owned hotel with local Georgian flavors)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk (City Hall, Opera House, Mon Plesier Arch, Mtsvane Bazari)
- Soviet Aerial Tramway ride
Landmarks
Kutaisi City Hall
Kutaisi Opera House
Mon Plesier Arch
Mtsvane Bazari
Soviet Aerial Tramway (Kutaisi)
Day 14
Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo
Kutaisi - Tskhaltubo
Included Activities
- Tskhaltubo Soviet sanatoriums visit
- Family winery visit and wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Visit Gelati Cathedral
- Explore cobbled streets to Bagrati Palace and Citadel ruins
Landmarks
Tskhaltubo Sanatoriums
Gelati Cathedral
Bagrati Palace and Citadel
Day 15
Kutaisi to Akhaltsikhe
Kutaisi to Akhaltsikhe
Included Activities
- Borjomi leader-led walking tour to mineral springs
- Rabati Fortress and Castle visit
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Borjomi
Landmarks
Borjomi Mineral Springs
Rabati Fortress and Castle
Day 16
Akhaltsikhe to Gyumri
Akhaltsikhe to Gyumri
Included Activities
- Vardzia cave city visit and guided exploration
Landmarks
Vardzia Cave City
Mtkvari River
Day 17
Gyumri
Gyumri
Included Activities
- Inclusive bakery visit
- Guided city walk (local history, 1988 Spitak Earthquake impact)
Landmarks
Gyumri (Kumayri)
Day 18
Gyumri to Dilijan
Gyumri to Dilijan
Meals
Lunch (Home-cooked lunch at Molokan family in Fioletovo (Russian-influenced cuisine: borscht, pirozhki, tea from samovar))
Included Activities
- Fioletovo Molokan village visit with family lunch
- Dilijan leader-led orientation walk
- Dilijan wine bar visit and Armenian winemaking tasting/discussion
Landmarks
Fioletovo
Day 19
Dilijan - Lake Sevan
Dilijan - Lake Sevan
Included Activities
- Dilijan National Park hike
- Matosavank Monastery visit
- Jukhtakvank Monastery visit
- Lake Sevan visit
Optional Activities
- Swim in Lake Sevan
Landmarks
Dilijan National Park
Matosavank Monastery
Jukhtakvank Monastery
Lake Sevan
Day 20
Lake Sevan to Yerevan
Lake Sevan to Yerevan
Included Activities
- Sevanavank Monastery visit
- Khor Virap Monastery visit
- Leader-led orientation walk (Yerevan)
Landmarks
Sevanavank Monastery
Khor Virap Monastery
Mount Ararat
Day 21
Yerevan
Yerevan
Meals
Lunch (Dolma (stuffed vegetables with Armenian twist) following cooking demonstration with local women)
Included Activities
- City tour with local guide
- Ethnographic house visit
- Dolma cooking demonstration and lunch
Optional Activities
- Visit Matenadaran (Museum of Ancient Manuscripts)
- Wander Vernissage Market
Landmarks
Matenadaran
Vernissage Market
Day 22
Yerevan
Yerevan

Landmarks
Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
Million Stone

Landmarks
Safranbolu Old Town
Old Bazaar (Safranbolu)
Clock Tower (Safranbolu)
Cinci Hamam

Landmarks
Crystal Glass Terrace
Incekaya Canyon
Horma Canyon
Kastamonu Byzantine Fortress
Kastamonu Old Town

Landmarks
Amisos Hill
Samsun Museum
Black Sea (Samsun beaches)

Landmarks
Lake Sera
Trabzon Hagia Sophia

Landmarks
Sumela Monastery
Altindere Valley
Trabzon Castle
Boztepe Observation Deck

Landmarks
Rize Tea Plantations
Ayder Plateau
Gelin Tulu Waterfall

Landmarks
Zil Castle
Firtina Valley
Firtina River
Elevit Plateau
Kackar Mountains

Landmarks
Merkez Kumbet Mosque

Landmarks
Ani Ruins
Kars Castle
Kars Museum

Landmarks
Poka St. Nino Nunnery
Paravani Lake

Landmarks
Kutaisi City Hall
Kutaisi Opera House
Mon Plesier Arch
Mtsvane Bazari
Soviet Aerial Tramway (Kutaisi)

Landmarks
Tskhaltubo Sanatoriums
Gelati Cathedral
Bagrati Palace and Citadel

Landmarks
Borjomi Mineral Springs
Rabati Fortress and Castle

Landmarks
Vardzia Cave City
Mtkvari River

Landmarks
Gyumri (Kumayri)

Landmarks
Fioletovo

Landmarks
Dilijan National Park
Matosavank Monastery
Jukhtakvank Monastery
Lake Sevan

Landmarks
Sevanavank Monastery
Khor Virap Monastery
Mount Ararat

Landmarks
Matenadaran
Vernissage Market

What's Included

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Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

Platinum Operator

Rating: 4.5 (12,140 reviews)
Response time: 7 hours
Response rate: 84%
Cancellation policy

Reviews from other tours by Intrepid Travel

Tour Operator
4.5

Sonya5.0•September 2026
Our guide Oran was fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable and if he didn’t know, he would find out. The trip covered a...
Our guide Oran was fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable and if he didn’t know, he would find out. The trip covered a lot of ground over the 8 days. All the accommodation was great. The one thing I would suggest to consider changing the return flight from Cappadocia to later in the morning. This way it gives two opportunities (mornings) to be able to get a hot air balloon ride and not putting all your hope into just the one morning only.Show more
Elizabeth5.0•May 2026
The tour guide Erdim was excellent, our driver was excellent,the places we visited were amazing, Eastern Turkey is...
The tour guide Erdim was excellent, our driver was excellent,the places we visited were amazing, Eastern Turkey is beautiful however the hotels qere a disaster, tiny rooms, in some I had to share my bed with my luggage as there was no room for it anywhere else, no milk at the breakfast buffet, lots of steps to the hotels with no help offered from staff, no lifts. Yes it was stated that there would be steps however in my experience staff will help with luggage. The only good hotel was the Ozkaya in Sivas where the manager turned on the heating as we arrived soaked from the rain and the ladies in tge kitchen provided omelettes abd yoghurt for breakfast on request, the worst hotel was the Euphrat hotel in Adiyaman, the buffet dinner was very limited in options as was the breakfast and neither were good, but its the only hotel in the area so they have a monopoly, they weren't very friendly either. It poured rain, which formed puddles up the ankles because the water was not draining, my new adidas traibers were ruined, the room waa cold abd some light fixtures didn't work. In all the other hotels except the hotel in Sivas there were issues with hot water, light fixtures, in Aga Konagi in Mardin, the water bottle in my room had a broken seal which tells me it was filled from a tap and not bottled water, I didnt drink it but I could have gotten sick if I hadn't noticed the seal was broken. Safe deposit boxes were practically non existent. The Wimeingaet hitel in Istanbul weren' t able to organise a take away breakfast for us and gave us all sandwiches wrapped on a tray, no bag, no fruit and no juice. In Aga Konagi in Mardin the toulet was in my room with shower doors around it, the hand basin was seperate in the room and the shower was also in the room behind shower doors, I know that these renovated mansions have limitations on how they can change and build because of planning and heritage but a toilet in the room is ridiculous, there was no other room available. I will also be emailing Intrepid about this issue with the hotelsShow more
HELEN5.0•May 2026
It wasn’t the Orient Express (couldn’t afford that), but it was a wonderful tour with a small group of amazing...
It wasn’t the Orient Express (couldn’t afford that), but it was a wonderful tour with a small group of amazing travellers and guide. It was well organised and the guide took good care of us all. I have no hesitation in recommending the tour, as long as you ensure you have a medium level of fitness (high level for old people - I’m 75). There is a lot of walking with hills, stairs and cobbled streets.Show more

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Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 370034

Currencies
֏
Armenian Dram
Armenia
₾
Lari
Georgia
$
US Dollar
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.
Type C
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey
Type E
Armenia
Type F
Armenia, Georgia and Turkey
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Armenia.Georgia.Turkey. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Armenia.Georgia.Turkey. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Armenia.Georgia. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Armenia.Georgia.Turkey. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for Armenia.Georgia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before November 11th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after November 11th, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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Istanbul to Yerevan: The Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains

Itinerary

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

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