Turkey Route - Invalid

Assuming we cross the Iran border early.

Day 1
Arrive in Turkey (0800) from Iran at Dogubayazit - Mount Ararat (Day 1)

We can choose to stay at Dogubayazit to view Mount Ararat. Otherwise, a transfer to Van would take approx 2.5h. (http://www.allaboutturkey.com/tur-ararat.htm and http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Turkey/Agri_Ili/Dogubayazit-1844604/Transportation-Dogubayazit-TG-C-1.html). We leave Dogubayazit at 0800 on day 2 morning.

O/N in Dogubayazit

Day 2 Dogu-Van
Van(1000) - Lake Van (Day 2 morning, choosing to stay a night in Dogubayazit)

We arrive at van early at 1000 by chartered vehicle. The biggest lake in turkey with astonishing views. Trails across snow-capped peaks are accessible as well. From here, we can take a ferry to tatvan, if there is a train station in tatvan. the ferry ride is 6h(http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/bordercrossing-iran-turkey-iraq-train-47179). Otherwise, a confirmed train will depart from Van at 1612 arriving at Malatya at 1654. Most likely we can find a chartered vehicle willing to take us all the way to Kayseri (nearest train station to Cappadocia)

O/N in Van

Day 3 Van - Malatya - Kayseri
Malatya (1654) - Nothing interesting (Day 3 afternoon)

Here, the next train to Kayseri is at 1937. I think there is a straight train from Van to Kayseri but i couldnt find any. Departing at 1937 and arriving at Kayseri at 0441.

Day 3 night on train from Malatya 1937 to Kayseri

Day 4 Kayseri

From here, we will find a vehicle to bring us to Ugrup, the nearest nicest town to base ourselves before we explore the cappadocia and goreme. (http://www.thereareplaces.com/newguidebook/pdest/tupts.htm) It takes an hour to travel from Kayseri to Ugrup by car.(http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/CentralAnatolia/Kayseri/trans/times.html)

Ugrup (0800) - Cappadocia+Goreme Valley (Day 4 morning)

We will spend 1 night here to visit cave houses etc. Nice scenery here. On day 5 afternoon at 1600, we will take a vehicle back to Kayseri to board the train(buy tickets when we first arrive at kayseri) that departs at 2033 to arrive at 1311 at haydarpasa station in Istanbul.

O/N in Keyseri

Day 5 Keyseri - Istanbul
Istanbul (1311) - Sure got things to see (Day 6 morning)

We are finally here in the afternoon of day 6.

Note

This is a highly compacted schedule for turkey and we can allocate more days depending on the Iran side of the trip.

All train schedule obtained from https://etcdd.tcdd.gov.tr/tcddrezwebapproot/danismatcddservlet?ulkeid=ENG

The transit at Malatya might not happen if we are able to find a direct train service.

We have a total of 17 days for this trip.