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Home , Ani, Geghard, Ishak Pasha Palace, Khor Virap, Sanahin, Sanahin Monastery

Tutku Tours Travel Programs Endorsed by Biblical Archaeology Society Eastern , &

June 4-16, 2017 VAN • • • • • • BATUMI • KUTAISI • MTSKHETA • SADAKHLO • • • • ECHMIADZIN • ZVARNOTS ARTASHAT • • • • • SEVAN • SADAKHLO

TOUR HOST:

Dr. Mark Wilson, D.Litt. et Phil., Director, Asia Minor Research Center, Antalya, Turkey, and Adjunct Professor of Early , Regent University

organized by

Khor Virap, Armenia and Eastern Turkey, Georgia & Armenia / June 4-16, 2017 • Optional Extension / June 16-18 Mount Ararat, Turkey Bagrati Cathedral, Georgia

Eastern Turkey, Georgia & Armenia

Dr. Mark Wilson, D.Litt. et Phil., Director, Asia Minor Research Center, Antalya, Turkey, and Adjunct Professor of Early Christianity, Regent University www.sevenchurches.org June 7 Wed ANI – TRABZON Morning proceed to Ani. Between 961-1045 Ani was the of Bagradid Armenian kingdom called “The city of 1001 churches”, where we will admire Armenian architeture. We will see the cathedral, The Church of the Redeemer, Akdamar Church, and many others on the site located today’s Armenian border. We will also see the Van Lake, Turkey city walls of Ani. Afternoon we will drive to Georgian church of Ishkan on th way to the North . We will proceed to the church with local minibuses. After the visit, continue to Trabzon for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) June 8 Thu SUMELA MONASTERY – TRABZON Morning drive to Sumela Monastery founded in AD 386 during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I. 4th century. During its long history, the monastery fell into ruin several times and was restored by various emperors. It reached its present form in the 13th century after gaining prominence during the existence of the . In 1461, it was granted the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II’s protection and given rights and privileges that were renewed by following sultans. The monastery remained a popular destination for monks and travelers through the years. Back to Trabzon, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) June 9 Fri TRABZON - BATUMI Visit Hagia Sophia Church in Trabzon in the morning. Drive to Batumi, one of the oldest cities in Georgia and inhabited from as early as the third century BC. Batumi is mentioned by Greek and Roman sources as one of the Black Sea’s principal ports. On the way to Batumi visit Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, Tour Itinerary: located 12 km south to Batumi, on the left bank of River Chorokhi, on the place where Colchian Bronze culture and first Georgian statehood found its birthplace June 3 Sat DEPART NEW YORK JFK Airport by Turkish Airlines The history of Gonio Fortress is closely connected to the Myth of the Argonauts. TK 12 flight departing at 23:50 According to the legend this is a site where king Ayet buried his sun Aphsaros, who was killed by escaped Jason. Oldest archeological layer excavated here belongs to June 4 Sun ARRIVE ISTANBUL AIRPORT at 16:25 - Take 17-18cc. Visit Archaeological Museum of Batumi. (B,L,D) connecting flight to VAN Your tour guide will meet you at Istanbul Airport after the customs with a June 10 Sat BATUMI – KUTAISI – TBILISI “BAS-TUTKU TOURS” sign. You will walk to the domestic terminal to check- Drive to Kutaisi. Visit Bagrati Cathedral, the 11th century cathedral, built during in to the TK 2750 19:00/21:05 flight to Van. Meet and transfer to the hotel. the reign of King Bagrat III and know as “the symbol of united Georgia”. The Overnight at the hotel in Van. (D) Cathedral was officially rebuilt on September 16, 2012. Drive to Gelati Monastery. On the way to Gelati, visit Motsameta.According to the legend the monastery was June 5 Mon VAN Ani, Turkey constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Morning visit the 9th- Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam. Visit Gelati Monastery, century BC capital of . founded in 1106, by the famous king of Georgia, Davit the Builder. Gelati Complex Archaeological excavations includes an academy and remained for a long time one of the main cultural and and surveys carried out in the enlightening centers in Georgia. The Gelati Monastery has preserved a great indicate that the number of manuscripts dating back to the 12th c. and is listed in the UNESCO history of human settlement in World Heritage Sites. (B,L,D) this region dates back at least as far as 5000 BC. Then proceed June 11 Sun TBILISI – MTSKHETA - TBILISI to Van lake and take a boat to In the morning we drive to Mtskheta - the ancient capital of Georgia, located at Ahtamar. Visit the 10th century the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Holy Cross church. After the Sites: Jvari, the 6th century cross-shaped monastery built on the top of a cliff, Ahtamar drive to Çavuştepe overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. At this place St. Nino, (Haykaberd) fortress from a female evangelist, erected a large wooden cross on the site of a pagan temple; 1st century BC. In Armenian Svetitskhoveli, the fortified cathedral dating from the 11th century. Svetitskhoveli folklore it is the fortress built is a sacred place where the Robe of Christ is buried. Tbilisi Sightseeing tour: visit by Hayk, the legendary founder Metechi Church (12th -13th cc), built under the order of king Demetre the 2nd, of Armenian nation. Then proceed to Menua Canal which is originally 45 miles although the former church stood here already in 5th century. Afterwards we long, supplying the large region. End of the day visit Van Archaeological Museum. visit Jewish prayer house – Georgian Synagogue, built from 1895 to 1903. We Dinner and overnight in Van. (B,L,D) continue walking through cobbled streets, where you have an opportunity to see typical Georgian old houses with wooden, curved balconies. Visit Sioni Cathedral June 6 Tue MOUNT ARARAT - KARS (7th -19th cc) and Anchiskhati (6th -18th cc) – the oldest surviving church Morning drive to Doğubeyazıt. Near mount Ararat visit Ishak Pasha , an in Tbilisi. After wondering in old city, we visit Narikhala Fortress - the main citadel Ottoman period palace built between 1685 – 1784. It is a rare example of the of the city, enjoying the wonderful views of Tbilisi. We come down at the Sulphur historical Turkish . Then visit the Urartian tombs. Afternoon proceed to Baths, characterized with a therapeutic nature having the constant temperature of Kars. Visit the castle of Kars. Dinner and overnight. (B,L,D) 8-40 C. Dinner and overnight Tblisi. (B,L,D)

Eastern Turkey, Georgia & Armenia / June 4-16, 2017 • Optional Istanbul Extension / June 16-18 , Armenia

Istanbul, Turkey

June 12 Mon TBILISI – SADAKHLO – HAGHPAT – SANAHIN - YEREVAN OPTIONAL ISTANBUL EXTENSION Transfer to Sadakhlo border. Continue to Lori region for the sightseeing tour to the 10th-13th centuries Haghpat historical and architectural monument set amidst forest-clad hills close to the town of Alaverdi (178 kilometers from Yerevan). Visit June 16 Fri ISTANBUL TOUR (09:30-16:30) Sanahin Monastery. The monuments are preserved by UNESCO and included in Visit Chora Church, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus the World Heritage List. Continue to Yerevan. (B,L,D) Boat Tour. Evening is free. (B) June 13 Tues ECHMIADZIN – ZVARNOTS – ARTASHAT – KHOR June 17 Sat ISTANBUL TOUR (09:30-16:30) VIRAP – MATENADARAN – YEREVAN Visit Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Drive to Echmiadzin - the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch- of all and . Evening is free. (B) . The Cathedral was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301. Visit St. Church June 18 Sun ISTANBUL AIRPORT – FLY BACK TO NEW (7th century). A few kilometers from Ejmiadzin are the ruins of the 7th century YORK or Optional Istanbul Extension Tour AD Temple of Zvartnots (buiIt in 641—661), which was to suppress Ejmiatsin Pick-up from your hotel at 04:30 am. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for TK 3 cathedral by its grandeur. The remnants of Zvartnots are a wonderful sight, even 07:25/12:55 flight to New York. Arrive JFK Airport at 12:55 pm same day. in ruins. Only the lower parts of the walls and individual fragments have been End of our services. survived. Drive to Khor Virap via Artashat, the site of royal prison where St. was held for thirteen years before converting Armenia into the first Christian nation in 301. Guided by the remote majesty of biblical mount Ararat, we explore the site, its underground chambers, elegant chapels and are captivated by the ascetic atmosphere of the site. If time allows, we LAND & AIR: will visit Matenadaran, which after St. Mesrop Mashtotz is a scientific research institute of old manuscripts at the Government of the Republic of Armenia. $5,490 Per Person in Double Originals and hand-written copies of more than 17,000 manuscripts and around 300,000 archive documents not only in Armenian, but also Greek, , , $990 Single Supplement Persian, Syrian, Jewish, Hindu, Japanese, etc. are kept in the Matenadaran. (B,L,D) ISTANBUL EXTENSION , Armenia June 14 Wed GARNI – GEGHARD – SEVAN – SADAKHLO – TBILISI Drive to Garni and Geghard. In harmony with $690 Per Person in Double the natural beauty you will see the pagan Garni architectural complex of the 1st century and feel $150 Single Supplement the spirit of ancient ages. Another ten minutes ride through the gorge will take you to the cave INCLUDING monastery of Geghard (12th –13th centuries). Drive to , the second highest lake in • Roundtrip International air fare between New York JFK – Van – Tblisi – the world after Titicaca. It is locate at 1925m Istanbul – New York above sea level, surrounded by Geghama • 2 Nights at 4 star Elite World Hotel in Van mountain chain. Visit Sevanavank. Transfer • 1 Night at boutique Kar’s Hotel in Kars to Sadakhlo border. Drive to Tbilisi. Farewell • 2 Nights at 4 star Grand Zorlu Hotel in Trabzon dinner at a local restaurant with folk show. • 1 Night at 4 star Hotel World Palace (or similar) in Batumi Overnight in Tbilisi. (B,L,D) • 2 Nights at 4 star Courtyard by Marriott (or similar) in Tbilisi • 2 Nights at 4 star (or similar) in Yerevan • 1 Night at 4 star Courtyard by Marriott (or similar) in Tbilisi June 15 Thu TBILISI – FLY ISTANBUL • 1 Night at Arcadia Blue Hotel in Old City Istanbul Transfer to the airport. Fly Istanbul by TK 385 departing at 11:20 am. • Daily breakfast and 12 dinner at the hotels Arrive Istanbul at 12:50. Meet and transfer to the hotel in Old City. Visit Hagia • 5 Lunches at local restaurants in Turkey Sophia Church, built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian • 5 Lunches at local restaurants in Georgia and Armenia in the 6th century, one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels and a • All transfers and transportations by private AC Deluxe Bus designated World Heritage site. Then visit the Archaeology Museum containing • English-speaking local guides during all tours important Biblical artefacts: Siloam Inscription, Herod’s “Thanatos” temple • Entrance fees to the sites and museums inscription, Gezer Calendar, Tile panels from the Ishtar gate, Babylon. Our final • Service charges and local taxes visit is to the St. Irene Church, site of the 2nd Ecumenical Council 381 A.D. • Tips to the tour guides and drivers Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B,D) June 16 Fri ISTANBUL AIRPORT – FLY BACK TO NEW YORK EXCLUDING or Optional Istanbul Extension Tour Pick-up from your hotel at 04:30 am. Transfer to Istanbul Airport for • Turkish Visa Fee to be obtained online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr TK 3 07:25/12:55 flight to New York. Arrive JFK Airport at 12:55 pm same day. • Travel and Health insurance End of our services. • All personal expenses, any other item not mentioned above

Eastern Turkey, Georgia & Armenia / June 4-16, 2017 • Optional Istanbul Extension / June 16-18 TOUR MAP GEORGIA CASPIAN SEA KUTAISI MTSKHETA B L A C K S E A BATUMI TBILISI SADAKHLO HAGHPAT TRABZON SANAHIN KARS ZVARNOTS YEREVANARMENIA ECHMIADZIN ARTASHAT MOUNT TURKEY ARARAT KHOR VIRAP

VAN

Tutku Tours Travel Programs Endorsed by Biblical Archaeology Society

Sumela Monastery, Turkey

PAYMENT PROCEDURE: Itinerary and site visits are subject to change and/or substitution – $200 per person Deposit : At the time of booking depending on availability of site access. – Full Payment : March 15, 2017

15 Days prior to departure: You will receive all the travel documents and For Registration please contact: the e–tickets. Travel Study Department: Cancellation Penalty: Alicia Bregon - 120-90 days prior to departure: No Penalty 202–364–3300 ext 216 - 89-60 days prior to departure: 10% Email: travelstudy@bib–arch.org - 59-45 days prior to departure: 25% Biblical Archaeology Society - 44-30 days prior to departure: 50% 4710 41st Street, NW - 29-15 days prior to departure: 75% - 14 days & After No refund Washington, DC 20016 Fax: 202–364–2636 Air Cancellation Policy: We will be liable to the airlines standard rules for any name changes, dates changes or cancellations.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance may be purchased separately at an extra cost. Travel Insurance is a contract between the traveller and the Insurance Company (American Express, or other). To obtain your travel insurance, please call 1–800–TURKIYE and ask for Ms. Ayata. Specializing in Biblical and Classical Tours Turkish Visa: US and Canadian citizens can get the Turkish Visa online before Visit for other tours: www.tutkutours.com arrival https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply Citizens of ALL other countries are responsible for checking their own countries’ visa regulations for Greece and Email for customized group & individual Turkey. tour requests: [email protected]

Eastern Turkey, Georgia & Armenia / June 4-16, 2017 • Optional Istanbul Extension / June 16-18