This compact private tour introduces Ardahan in three days, with arrival and departure via Kars Airport, two nights at a hotel in Ardahan with breakfast, and one full guided day covering the province's castles and Lake Çıldır.
Ardahan sits on a high plateau in Turkey's far north-east, close to the Georgian border, where long winters and green summer pastures shape daily life. The province is dotted with fortresses that guarded this frontier for some 3,000 years, and a single guided day lets you see the most important of them, from the Ottoman citadel in town to the dramatic Şeytan Castle on its rock above the river and Urartian Kalecik.
The castle route ends at Lake Çıldır, one of Turkey's highest large lakes, ringed by villages and pastures and known for the little island of Akçakale. In winter the lake freezes and horse-drawn sleighs cross the ice; in summer it is a peaceful spot for photos and fresh fish by the shore.
Your free arrival and departure days leave time to explore Ardahan town and to try the produce of the plateau: the region is known for its roast goose, mountain honey and aged cheeses, best sampled in the small local restaurants and delicatessens.
With only one touring day, the trip is easy to combine with Kars, Ani or a longer journey through eastern Anatolia. Transfers, guiding and entrance fees are included; lunches and dinners are paid locally.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Days 2 Nights |
| Price | From €285 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 3 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Our driver meets you at Kars Airport and takes you to your hotel in Ardahan. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ardahan.
Spend the day on Ardahan's castle trail. Start at Ardahan Castle, built on the orders of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in the mid-16th century on a site where Bronze Age finds have been made. Continue to Şeytan (Devil's) Castle, used from the Hellenistic era to Ottoman times, with cisterns, a chapel and a rock-cut stairway leading down to the water. Visit Kınzı Castle, believed to pre-date the Christian era, the Urartian Kalecik Castle from the 8th century BC, Kurtkale (Wolf's Castle) close to the Georgian border and Kırnav Castle, whose walls share the building technique of Ardahan Castle. End at Lake Çıldır, a large freshwater lake on a high plateau, with views of Akçakale Island. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Ardahan.
Enjoy a free morning, then transfer to Kars Airport for your flight home.
Ardahan – Arrival → Ardahan – Castles & Lake Çıldır → Ardahan – Departure
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Ardahan – Arrival, Ardahan – Castles & Lake Çıldır, Ardahan – Departure.
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!
