Three-day Tour
Day 1 Cultural and Historical Riches of Kars
Morning: Arrive at Kars Harakani Airport early in the morning. Drive to Kars city center with the car you rented from the airport. Your first stop should be Kümbet Mosque and Evliya Mosque at the foot of Kars Castle. After visiting these historical buildings, walk towards the river and explore the old stone bridges and baths. Climb to the top of Kars Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant in the center of Kars, where you will experience the flavors of the local cuisine. After lunch, visit the Archaeological Museum to learn more about the rich history of the region.
Afternoon: After the museum visit, take a short walk between Ordu and Atatürk Streets, famous for Kars’ stone buildings, and explore the historical buildings. Fethiye Mosque and other historical buildings of Kars should also be among the places to visit.
Evening: End the day with a visit to Ani Ruins. See the valley on the Armenian border, historic churches, and the first Turkish mosque in Anatolia. Take plenty of photos at the ruins before heading to Çıldır Lake. In the evening, arrive at Çıldır Lake Stone Mansion and end the day with a warm dinner here.
Day 2: Natural Beauties and Cultural Experiences
Morning: Enjoy Kars kashkaval, natural honey, kete, and fresh tea for breakfast. Take a short walk to Çıldır Lake and feel the peaceful atmosphere of the lake. In winter, you can fish with the fishermen or ice skate on the frozen lake.
Lunch: For lunch, organize a picnic by the lake or stop at one of the local restaurants. After lunch, explore the surrounding natural beauty with nature walks.
Afternoon: For the rest of the day, drive to Devil’s Castle. You can get as close as 400 meters to the castle by car and explore the rest on foot. During the winter months, the walking path can be a bit challenging, so make sure you dress appropriately. If you are looking for a more cozy option, you can take in the spectacular view of Şeytan Castle from the Kurtkale pass.
Evening: Return to Çıldır Lake Taş Konak for dinner. Enjoy traditional delicacies and spend a pleasant evening listening to the local lovers singing.
Day 3: One Step to Georgia: A Visit to Meskhetia or Further Exploration in Kars
Option 1: Visit to Meskhetia
Morning: Get up early and set off for the city of Meskhetia on the border with Georgia. The journey will take approximately two and a half hours. In Meskhetia, you can visit the well-preserved historical castle, mosque, baths, monastery, and synagogue. The city has a rich cultural heritage with many buildings from the Ottoman period.
Lunch: Have lunch in Meskhetia at a local restaurant. It is a great opportunity to experience the flavors of Georgian cuisine.
Afternoon: After your sightseeing in Meskhetia, make your way back to Lake Childirim Stone Mansion. Enjoy the nature and historical buildings along the way.
Evening: Dinner and rest at the mansion. Spend the night in a peaceful environment.
Option 2: Further Exploration in Kars
Morning: If you would like to spend more time in Kars, in the morning you can take a detailed tour of the Archaeological Museum, climb the Kars Castle again, or enjoy the various stone structures of Kars.
Lunch and Afternoon: This additional day in Kars offers the opportunity to stroll the streets of the city and discover the local flavors. You can visit local bazaars and examine regional products and handicrafts.
Evening: Return to Çıldır Lake Taş Konak and savor the local cuisine of Kars one last time. Round off the day with local cultural activities and rest up for your return journey the next morning.
With this three-day holiday plan, you will discover the natural and cultural richness of Kars and Çıldır Lake and make unforgettable memories.
