The tremendous diversity of the eastern and southeastern lands surprises travellers: the red ochre plateau of Erzurum; the forests, waterfalls, and green pastures of Kars and Agri; the permanent snow-cap on biblical Mount Agri (Ararat); and the immense Lake Van with its deep blue waters. Dwellings and ways of life also vary greatly in this large region. For example, small, earth-roofed houses, built close to the ground typify Kars. Despite a generally austere life, the people of Kars are generous and hospitable.
The region's long and turbulent history has left monuments to its various civilisations: Byzantine monasteries and churches, Seljuk mausoleums and caravanserais and elegant Ottoman mosques and hilltop citadels. To the inveterate traveller and lover of adventure, this region of Turkey fascinates, astonishes and informs.

From Erzincan to Dogubayazit

The great trans-Anatolian axis road, is the most direct route between Ankara and the Iranian border, and passes through Sivas, Erzincan, Erzurum, Agri and Dogubayazit.
Erzincan, the principal city of its province, lies 688 km east of Ankara on a fertile plain. The highly-decorated and hand-fashioned copperware of Erzincan maintains a long tradition in the area's fame for metalwork. Bolkar, a ski slope 40 km to the west, provides facilities for winter sports enthusiasts.
Erzurum, 193 km east of Erzincan and the largest city in eastern Anatolia, sprawls on a high plateau at an altitude of 1,950 meters. As you enter the city, the large Aziziye monument commemorating the Turkish-Russian war will catch your eye.
Although the collection in the archaeological museum reveals much of the city's history and ancient origins, it is Erzurum's architecture which is in fact the best picture of its past. While wandering around the city, notice the local black stone (Erzurum Oltu Tasi) which is used in jewellery.