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The Land Beyond the Sunrise

With archaeologist Iain Shearer, explore a land of ancient temples, exquisite churches and lively bazaars at the confluence of South Caucasian, Persian, and Kurdish cultures.

The region of Eastern Anatolia, known to the Ancient Greeks as the ‘Land Beyond the Sunrise’, witnessed the rise and fall of civilisations over thousands of years, each leaving their mark on a complex and diverse culture.

Marvel at Gaziantep’s wondrous mosaics and the colossal statues on Mount Nemrut, marking the funerary sanctuary for the Kings of Commagene.

Discover the tranquil Syriac Orthodox monastery of Deyr al-Zafaran and the exquisitely carved Armenian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Cross on an island in Lake Van.

Please click ‘Register Interest’ to receive further information when more details are available.

 

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

At a Glance

  • Explore the temple of Göbekli Tepe, believed to be the oldest monumental structure in the world dating back 12,000 years to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic era
  • Wander through peaceful Syriac and Georgian monasteries and cruciform Armenian churches
  • Gaze upon extraordinary mosaics of Greek gods, nymphs and Amazons in the new museums of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa
  • Wonder at the ruins of the 9th century BC Urartian Castle of Van and the abandoned 10th century AD Armenian capital city of Ani
  • Enjoy the astounding natural beauty of Lake Van and snow-capped Mount Ararat, supposed resting place of Noah’s Ark, and the forested hills of Trabzon

Tour Leader

Iain Shearer

Destination

Ancient Cities, Temples and Landscapes of Eastern Turkey

Dates

May 2023 (21 days)

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Tour Status

On request

Register Interest

At a Glance

  • Explore the temple of Göbekli Tepe, believed to be the oldest monumental structure in the world dating back 12,000 years to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic era
  • Wander through peaceful Syriac and Georgian monasteries and cruciform Armenian churches
  • Gaze upon extraordinary mosaics of Greek gods, nymphs and Amazons in the new museums of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa
  • Wonder at the ruins of the 9th century BC Urartian Castle of Van and the abandoned 10th century AD Armenian capital city of Ani
  • Enjoy the astounding natural beauty of Lake Van and snow-capped Mount Ararat, supposed resting place of Noah’s Ark, and the forested hills of Trabzon
  • Pricing

Tour code

AG2307

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Colossal statues on Mount Nemrut

Deyr al-Zafaran ‘Saffron Monastery’, Mardin

Neolithic archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe

Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Akdamar island in Lake Van

The Land Beyond the Sunrise

With archaeologist Iain Shearer, explore a land of ancient temples, exquisite churches and lively bazaars at the confluence of South Caucasian, Persian, and Kurdish cultures.

The region of Eastern Anatolia, known to the Ancient Greeks as the ‘Land Beyond the Sunrise’, witnessed the rise and fall of civilisations over thousands of years, each leaving their mark on a complex and diverse culture.

Marvel at Gaziantep’s wondrous mosaics and the colossal statues on Mount Nemrut, marking the funerary sanctuary for the Kings of Commagene.

Discover the tranquil Syriac Orthodox monastery of Deyr al-Zafaran and the exquisitely carved Armenian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Cross on an island in Lake Van.

Please click ‘Register Interest’ to receive further information when more details are available.

 

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

  • Pricing

Tour code

AG2307

Register Interest
Register Interest

The Land Beyond the Sunrise

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        Participation in tours

        Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. However, in certain destinations, or in certain seasons, or because of the nature of travel, certain tours will require an ABOVE MODERATE or CHALLENGING level of fitness. For the overall benefit of the group, at the time of booking we will require you to declare in writing that you are fit to participate in your chosen tour according to the level of fitness required for that tour. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to undergo a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate.
        We reserve the right to refuse admission to the tour for any reason before commencement of the tour. Further, if after the tour has begun it becomes apparent that you are unfit or unsuitable to travel on the tour, we reserve the right to require you to withdraw from the tour at the earliest opportunity to do so. No refund will be provided.
        It is also a requirement that you do not cause any significant disruption to the tour or the tour group, and we may refuse admission on the tour, or require you to withdraw from the tour at any time if your participation causes significant disruption for other guests or the tour group or there is any safety issue as a result of your ongoing participation in the tour.

        Fitness to participate

        Moderate

        Tour members must be able to:

        • negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
        • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
        • undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
        • stand for long periods in museums and other sites
        • embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
        • handle your own luggage

        Above Moderate

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours
        • climb staircases of 100 or more steps

        Challenging*

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or above 35 degrees)
        • handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres and above)

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        Renaissance Tours

        Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001

        1300 727 095 (Australia) | 0800 403 621 (New Zealand)
        phone +61 2 9299 5801 | fax +61 2 9299 5805 | email info@renaissancetours.com.au

        ABN 14 069 591 448.

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