The ruins of Cavustepe perch on top of a mountaintop, and was another capital of the Urartian civilization. Overnight in Van for two nights. Along the southern shores of Lake Van is lovely Akdamar Island with its famous 10th century Armenian church. Adorning the facades of the building are carved friezes of frolicking animals and stories from the bible. We will have a relaxing morning on the island with a picnic lunch and swim in the alkaline waters of the largest lake in Turkey before returning to Van to visit the fine local museum and climb to Tushpa to watch the sunset.
Today is a travel day.
This morning, we fly to Malatya and drive to Adiyaman for dinner and overnight. We will retire early as tomorrow will be a very early departure. From the spectacular sanctuary we can see for more than 70 miles across the Mesopotamian Plain. Arsameia is the tomb that Antiochus built for his father, and at the entrance stands a large relief of the Persian god, Mithra. The Tumulus Of Karakus was built to house the burials of Commagene queens and princesses.