Legendary Railway Journeys in Turkey
For individuals or for groups, our train tours in Turkey take you across this great land, and into others. Trains are quiet, comfortable, the lines are scenic.
Travel while you sleep in comfort.
Make the journey the highlight of the trip.
Aegean to Gulf. Legendary Train Journey.
Journey of a Lifetime. 4000km by Train, Countless Civilisations.
Private Journey – Semi Guided in Turkey, Fully Guided in Iran.
Day 1. Arrive in Izmir, ancient Smyrna.
The historical metropolis of Asia Minor, birthplace of Homer, and one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse.
Transfer on Metro from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Aksan hotel (or similar) We recommend that you use the IZBAN suburban service, or the state railway service from Adnan Menderes Airport to Basmane station, close to your hotel. When we know your arrival time we can advise you. Hotel is within easy walking distance of the station. Once settled in you can visit the Agora of Smyrna, The Kemeralti Bazaar and the waterside, before finding dinner in one of the many restaurants serving tasty Aegean cuisine, including Boyoz - a light pastry of Jewish origin.
Day 2. Selcuk, Ephesus, Sleeper train to Konya.
Walking tour of Selçuk and Ephesus 9 Km trek. Night in first class sleeper train.
After breakfast, you walk the short distance to Basmane station. We take the train to Selçuk 08:52 – 10:21 Meet your guide, at Selçuk Station. We take a walking tour, first to the newly renovated Museum of Ephesus, from there we pass the site of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Wonders of the World. From there, our walk takes us past a café where we can buy coffee and a light lunch before we continue our walk to the south gate of Ephesus. We tour Ephesus, visiting the Arcadian way, as visited by Anthony and Cleopatra, the Virgin Mary and St John, touring the massive theatre, the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian etc. If you have time you can visit the famous Terrace Houses, but do not miss the brothel and latrines! Continuing our walk from the North gate back to the station to get the 16:07 train back to Izmir. You can have dinner and a few drinks in Izmir, before picking up your bags and back to the nearby Basmane station in time for the Konya Sleeper train 20:05. First class 2 berth sleeper compartments. Single available.
Day 3. Day tour of Konya. The Mystic Anatolian city, Capital of the Selcuk empire, home of Mevlana and the Whirling Dervishes.
Arrive in Konya at 09:01. Night in Mesnevi Hotel (or similar)
You can have breakfast on the train before a very short transfer to Mesnevi Hotel.
Tour the Mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, Karatay Madrassa, China Tile museum, and Alaeddin Keykubad Mosque. If you are here on Saturday do not miss the free Whirling Dervish Ceremony!
Enjoy a meal on the atmospheric square, why listening to the call to prayer, of Tandir Kebab and the characteristic 'Etli Ekmek', an elongated crispy pizza with herby mince on top, sometimes several meters long! At night the illumination of the green tile clad Mevlana Dome leaves a lasting impression.
Day 4. Travel the Steppe to Capaddocia. Visit perhaps the world's oldest town. Trek a lush valley with Rock Churches.
Guided tour in private car with Mr Necip Ataseven. Night in Çiner hotel or similar.
After breakfast you will be met by your guide for the next 2 days, you are driven by private car to the Neolithic settlement of Çatal Hoyuk, know as the oldest town on earth. From there you follow the Silk Road, and stop at the Grand Caravansary at Sultanhani before continuing on to Ihlara Valley, where we have a light trek in the lush Church Lined Valley, before continuing on to your hotel in the centre of Cappadocia. Try 'Testi Kebab' for dinner, a stew roasted in a clay amphora. Served by breaking the amphora with a hammer! A full and memorable day.
Day 5. Guided walking tour of Cappadocia.
A full days tour of this fascinating area, guided, on foot. In evening board the Eastern Express Sleeper Train
Guided tour in private car with Mr Necip Ataseven. Night in Royal Stone hotel or similar.
After breakfast you will be met by your guide for the next 2 days, you are driven by private car to the Neolithic settlement of Çatal Hoyuk, know as the oldest town on earth. From there you follow the Silk Road, and stop at the Grand Caravansary at Sultanhani before continuing on to Ihlara Valley, where we have a light trek in the lush Church Lined Valley, before continuing on to your hotel in the centre of Cappadocia. Try 'Testi Kebab' for dinner, a stew roasted in a clay amphora. Served by breaking the amphora with a hammer! A full and memorable day.
Day 6. Travel East to Erzurum on an enjoyable train voyage, along the upper Euphates.
Day on the Eastern Express, afternoon sightseeing in Erzurum. Night in Rafo Hotel or similar
Wake up to spectacular views of Anatolian steppe and with long stretches following the Euphrates river. You can have breakfast on train as the spectacular journey continues. This part of the journey is actually one of the highlights of the holiday!
Arrive in Erzurum at 14:46. Transfer to hotel, then visit the Yakutiye Medrese and Turkish Islamic Arts and Ethnography museum.
Day 7. More sightseeing in Erzurum, Train to borderland Kars.
Time in Erzurum to Trek or Sightseeing. Take afternoon train to Kars. Night in Karabag Hotel or similar.
More sightseeing in Erzurum, to soak up the atmosphere of Turkey's highest city. Visit the Cift Minare Mosque and the Seljuk ‘Kumbet’ Mausoleum or Trek in the Palandoken Mountains ( Transport charge extra) to be followed by afternoon train to Kars. Visit Kars Castle and Church of the 12 Apostles. In the evening you might want to try the roasted goose, a local speciality of this far away border town where winter temperatures can reach -40 degrees! Don't miss the Russian architectural influences from the days of Russian occupation.
Day 8. Tour with private driver/guide. Ani, Ishakpasa palace, Van. Sleeper to Iran.
The breathtaking ruins of Armenian Ani, the unforgettable rococco palace of Ishakpasa Palace. The Biblical Mt Ararat!
After breakfast in Hotel, meet Mr Mahmut Gezer and drive to the still closed Armenian border, visit the ancient capital city Ani. Perhaps one of the highlights of Turkey, this site was until recently off-limits to visitors. Continue to the enigmatic İshakpaşa palace at Doğubeyazit, Optional walk to the palace with fine views of Mt. Ararat. Continue via Mt Tendurek with its lava flows to Lake Van. Have dinner with Mahmut’s family before boarding the train to Tabriz in Iran. Train leaves at 19:48. If tour is to be done exactly as above then it must be a Tuesday start, as the Van – Tabriz train only runs on Tuesday. If another start day is needed then could drive from Doğubeyazıt to Tabriz, without stopping in Van.
Day 9 .Tebriz. The capital if Azeri Iran. Dazzles with it's mosaics, teases with it's bazaars silk-road heritage.
Arrive to Nothern Iran. Start your fully guided tour of Iran provided by our partner company.
Your guide will meet you straight off the train and your 2 day tour of this magical city begins.
Visit El Goli Park, National museum, UNESCO certified Grand Bazaar, Blue Dome, Jame mosque. Night in Tabriz Gostaresh Hotel or similar
Day 10. Day in Tebriz. More sightseeing shopping or resting. Evening Sleeper Train to Tehran.
A day of relaxing in Tabriz. Evening train 433- Sleeper to Tehran.
A day to finish off anything missed the day before. Another visit in more depth to the Bazaar area, probably the most interesting in the world, may be in order! The train departs 20:45 Private cabin.
Day 11. Tehran. City tour of the revolutionary capital.
Arrive at 09:20 to Tehran central. Night in Tehran Enghelab / Kosar Hotel or similar.
Nestled on the lower slopes of the spectacular, ice encrusted Alborz mountain range, you may be surprised to find the liberal and secular heart of the country is here in Tehran. This seemingly chaotic city is the centre of the nation, and it is here that you will understand how this country works. You will visit the Golestan Palace in its glittering majesty, the Grand Bazaar, and you can also visit the infamous US Embassy. Then there are the famous National museum, and the Glass and Carpet musuems should not be missed.
Day 12. Tehran to Isfahan. Morning train to to Isfahan. Full day tour of city.
06:00 train to Isfahan. Overnight in Alighapou hotel.
Stroll around the leafy boulevards of Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. Visit Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, Imam Square and Mosque, and the AliKapu Palace. marvel at and learn the history of Isfahan's bridges. Shop for miniatures, an art form that this city is famous for.
Day 13. Nagshe Rostam and Persepolis!
Drive via the fabled Persepolis and the Tombs of Rustem to Shiraz. Overnight in Arg Hotel or similar
A wonder of its age, Persepolis was an ideal as well as a model city design. Thought up by Darius the Great, who inherited the world's first empire from his predecessor Cyrus the Great in 520BC. Ahead of his time, Darius pursued cultural tolerance and fair treatment for all. With this in mind, Darius brought architects from the furthest corners of his empire to design the magnificent palace complex. The result was an eclectic mix of structures, magnificent gateways, intricate reliefs and decorative stairways, which pay homage to Darius' expansive empire and his administrative vision.
Day 14 . Shiraz. City of Nightingales, Poetry and (formerly) Wine.
City tour of Shiraz visits Narenjestan, Karimkhan citadel, Bazaar, Nasir mosque and Hafez tomb.
Day 15. Departure – Transfer to airport take departure flight
Price is 940€ per person based on 2 sharing for Turkish section and 1700USD per person for Iranian section.
Price includes -
Visa invitation letter 5 night’s accommodation at hotel base on DBL / Twin room.
Daily buffet breakfast.
All transfers & transportation with A/C Comfortable vehicle with professional driver per itinerary.
Professional English speaking tour guide in Iran
Entrance fees to all monuments as mentioned in the program.
Tips and gratuities at hotels in Iran
Portage / Refreshment during Trip.
Depending on the Departure flight it is possible to take flight from Shiraz to Tehran and depart from Tehran which per person: 135 USD ( include domestic flights Shiraz to Tehran / one-night accommodation Tehran ) will be added to the package.
Price does not include:
Fee for issuing Iranian visa at embassy.
International air tickets.
Tip of guide & drivers.
Hotel tips in Turkey.
Extra Meals and Extra services not included in above.
Day 6. Travel East to Erzurum on an enjoyable train voyage, along the upper Euphates.
Day on the Eastern Express, afternoon sightseeing in Erzurum. Night in Rafo Hotel or similar
Wake up to spectacular views of Anatolian steppe and with long stretches following the Euphrates river. You can have breakfast on train as the spectacular journey continues. This part of the journey is actually one of the highlights of the holiday!
Arrive in Erzurum at 14:46. Transfer to hotel, then visit the Yakutiye Medrese and Turkish Islamic Arts and Ethnography museum.
