Legendary Eastern Express Journey

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul & High-Speed Rail to Ankara

Your epic winter journey begins. Navigate Istanbul’s seamless rail network via the underwater Marmaray train to connect to Söğütlüçeşme station on the Asian side. Here, step aboard the ultra-modern YHT (High-Speed Train). Sip hot tea as the urban cityscape melts into rolling central Anatolian hills, arriving in the capital city of Ankara in just 4.5 hours. Check into your hotel and spend the evening exploring the historic Ankara Castle district or dining on hearty local stews. Accommodation: Hotel in Ankara

Day 2: All Aboard the Legendary Touristic Eastern Express

Departure: 13:55 PM from Ankara Gar Spend the morning visiting Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Atatürk. By midday, make your way to the historic Ankara train station. Welcome aboard the Touristic Eastern Express. Settle into your private, wood-paneled double sleeper cabin, which you can decorate with fairy lights and snacks like a seasoned local. As the whistle blows, the train snakes east, climbing steadily into the dramatic highlands. Spend your night enjoying a meal in the dining car while watching the snowy Anatolian plains roll past your window. Accommodation: Private Sleeper Cabin on the Train

Day 3: Canyons of Erzincan & the Flavors of Erzurum

Wake up to a stark, breathtaking world of white. Today is all about the curated sightseeing breaks unique to the Touristic train line.Morning Stop (Erzincan): The train pauses for roughly 3 hours. Take a guided excursion to the icy cascades of the Girlevik Waterfall, completely frozen into majestic icicles. Afternoon Stop (Erzrum): Arriving in the high-altitude alpine city of Erzurum, you will have another 3 hours to explore. Marvel at the intricate Seljuk stonework of the Twin Minaret Madrasah, and do not miss tasting authentic Cağ Kebabı (tender, horizontally-spit roasted lamb) at a local tavern before boarding the train for the final, snowy push. Accommodation: Private Sleeper Cabin on the Train

Day 4: Arrival in Kars & The Ghost City of Ani

Arrival: Early Morning in KarsStep off the train into the crisp, frosty air of Kars, a frontier city known for its unique, dark-stone Russian Baltic architecture. After a hearty breakfast of local kashar cheese and honey, drive out to the windswept Armenian border to explore the UNESCO-listed Ruins of Ani. Once a bustling medieval metropolis of 100,000 people competing with Constantinople, it sits today as a hauntingly beautiful collection of crumbling cathedrals, mosques, and fortified walls dusted in thick winter snow. Return to Kars for a traditional dinner featuring local slow-roasted goose. Accommodation: Historic Hotel in Kars

Day 5: Sleighs of Lake Çıldır & Caucasian Nights

Journey north to Lake Çıldır, a massive alpine lake sitting at 1,950 meters above sea level that freezes completely solid in the winter months. Walk out onto the thick ice to watch local fishermen practice traditional Eskimo-style ice fishing, then hop onto a brightly decorated, horse-drawn wooden sleigh for an exhilarating ride across the white mirror. In the evening, return to Kars to celebrate your final night with a lively Caucasian folkloric dance performance and live accordion music. Accommodation: Historic Hotel in Kars

Day 6: Final Departure

Enjoy one last morning walking the snowy grid-streets beneath the towering Kars Castle. Pick up some world-renowned aged Kars Gruyere cheese as a souvenir before transferring to Kars Harakani Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul, concluding an unforgettable rail adventure.

Included services:

Transport & Rail Tickets
- YHT High-Speed Train Ticket: Standard or Business Class ticket from Istanbul to Ankara.
- Touristic Eastern Express Ticket: A guaranteed private, 2-bed sleeper compartment (Yataklı Vagon) from Ankara to Kars.
- Ground Transfers: All private, heated minivan transfers between stations, hotels, the Ani Ruins, and Lake Çıldır.
Accommodations
- 1 Night in Ankara: 4-star or boutique hotel, including breakfast.
- 2 Nights on the Train: Staying in your private sleeper cabin.
- 2 Nights in Kars: Authentic stone-built boutique hotel or 4-star accommodation, including breakfast.
Excursions & Activities:
- Guided Sightseeing: Short excursions during the train's 3-hour stops in Erzincan and Erzurum. Ani Ruins
Excursion:
- Round-trip transport and entry fees to the archaeological site.
- Lake Çıldır Experience: Transport to the frozen lake and a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride across the ice.

Recommended travel period:

November to February

Excluded services:

Flights
- Return Flight: Your domestic flight from Kars Harakani Airport (KSY) back to Istanbul at the end of the tour.
Meals & Drinks
- Lunch and Dinner: Meals on the train (dining car or personal snacks), the Cağ Kebabı lunch in Erzurum, and the traditional goose dinner in Kars are out-of-pocket.
- Beverages: Alcoholic and soft drinks throughout the trip.
Personal Expenses
- Tips: Gratuities for drivers, train staff, and local tour guides.
- Souvenirs: Buying local Kars cheese, honey, or crafts.
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for winter travel to cover potential weather-related delays.

Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday
Image Source: LCC Babylon Holiday