The Eastern Anatolia Region, The Toros (Taurus) Mountains paralleling Turkey’s southern border, and the Black Sea Mountains in the north meet to form a mighty range which defines the country’s eastern border. 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.