Ani Ruins & Kars Full-Day Private Tour, Hotel Pick-up
Overview
Ani Ruins & Kars Full-Day Private Tour, Hotel Pick-up
This full-day tour takes you through Kars and Ani, a region rich in history. It combines one of Turkey's newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a city shaped by the Armenian, Byzantine, Seljuk, Russian and Ottoman empires.
The Ancient City of Ani
After a scenic drive, the first stop is the ancient city of Ani, perched above the Arpacay River on the border between Turkey and Armenia.
Once known as the "City of 1001 Churches", Ani was a key stop on the Silk Road and holds more than two thousand years of history.
Medieval Monuments Inside the Walls
Walking inside its fortified walls, you visit the Great Cathedral of Ani, the Ebul Manucehr Mosque, the Church of the Redeemer and other medieval monuments, as well as buildings from the Russian period.
It is one of the most unusual and culturally rewarding trips we offer.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Private Ani Ruins & Kars Tour with Hotel Pick-up
Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby in Kars, and you drive about 45 minutes to the ruins of Ani.
Ani is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in eastern Anatolia and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016. Known as the "City of 1001 Churches" and an important stop on the Silk Road, it was inhabited for almost 2,500 years and became the capital of the medieval Armenian Bagratid Kingdom in the 10th century.
On a guided walk inside the city walls you see its most important monuments, including:
- The Great Cathedral of Ani
- Ebul Manucehr Mosque, considered the first Turkish-Islamic mosque in Anatolia
- Church of the Redeemer
- The Pictorial Church, and more along the way
In the afternoon you tour the city of Kars. The first stop is Fethiye Mosque, followed by Kars Castle, built in 1153 by the Saltukid rulers on a rocky hill above the city. The final stop is Kars Museum, with archaeological finds from Kars and the surrounding region.
At the end of the tour you are driven back to your hotel in Kars.
This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you again.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✕Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Travel guides
Ani ruins and Kars private tour: what you need to know
This private full-day tour from your hotel takes you to the ruins of Ani, the medieval "City of 1001 Churches" and one of Turkey's newer UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and then to the city of Kars, shaped by the Armenian, Byzantine, Seljuk, Russian and Ottoman empires. A professional guide and a private van are included. The price depends on your date and group size, so we quote it on request.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 7 hours |
| Price | Quoted on request for your date and group |
| Type | Private, with a professional guide |
| Start and end | Your hotel in Kars |
| Highlights | Ani Cathedral, Church of the Redeemer, Ebul Manucehr Mosque, Kars Castle, Kars Museum |
| Included | Professional guide, private van |
| Not included | Entrance fees, meals and drinks, tips |
What is Ani?
Ani is a ruined medieval city on a plateau above the Arpacay River, on the border between Turkey and Armenia. In the 10th and 11th centuries it was the capital of an Armenian kingdom and a major stop on the Silk Road, with churches, palaces and walls that earned it the name "City of 1001 Churches". Today its ruined cathedral, churches and mosques stand alone on the empty steppe, one of the most haunting archaeological landscapes in Turkey.
What do you see at Ani and in Kars?
| Site | What it is |
|---|---|
| Cathedral of Ani | The great cathedral of the medieval city |
| Church of the Redeemer | A dramatic church, half of which still stands |
| Ebul Manucehr Mosque | Considered one of the earliest Seljuk-era mosques in Anatolia |
| Ani city walls | The fortifications that once guarded the capital |
| Kars Castle | The fortress above the city |
| Fethiye Mosque | A former Russian Orthodox church in Kars |
| Kars Museum | Finds and history of the region |
Why visit Kars?
Kars has a character unlike any other Turkish city: Russian-era stone buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a castle above the river, and a rich mix of cultures. It is also known for its cheese and honey, and as the gateway to Ani.
How does this compare with other heritage tours in eastern Turkey?
| Tour | Focus | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Medieval Ani and Russian-era Kars | On request |
| Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe group tour | Commagene statues and the oldest temple | $1,050 |
| Mardin and Midyat, 3 days | Stone cities and Syriac monasteries | On request |
| Ancient civilisations of southeastern Turkey | 9 days across the southeast | On request |
When is the best time to visit Ani?
Late spring to early autumn. Kars lies on a high plateau, so winters are long and very cold with heavy snow, which some visitors love, though conditions at the open site can be harsh. Summer days are pleasant and the steppe is green.
What should you bring?
Warm, windproof layers at any time of year, sturdy walking shoes for the large open site, a hat and sunscreen, water, and your passport or ID, as Ani lies on the border.
How do you book?
Send us your preferred date and your Kars hotel through the form on this page or on WhatsApp. We confirm the price and plan in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Eastern Turkey tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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