438... 30... 235,841... 7,121... 43 E 45 - 37 N 34...

Hakkari... 203 km southeast of Van, is Hakkari, sits at an altitude of 1,700 m, with high mountains dominating the land, and wide valleys separate the great peaks with heights exceeding 4,000 m. Mounts Cilo and Sat are two of the outstanding ones for mountaineering and winter sports. The snow accumulating on the upper parts of these mountains form beautiful glaciers. The Zap Valley, through which the road to the city passes, offers fantastic scenery. This land has witnessed the passing of tribes since earliest times. The medieval fortress reflects the history of this small region and is worth seeing, together with the Medresse standing nearby. Buses depart daily from Van for Hakkari. At 112 km is Baskale, notable for its altitude (2,450 meters). Yeni Koprü, at 160 km, is the point at which a road left goes to Yuksekova, on the road to Iran, an alternative base for climbs into the mountains. Cavustepe, 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, is an important Urartian citadel. Excavated in 1970, today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions. On the pastoral, winding road to Hakkari, the Zernek Dam Lake offers itself as a resting spot on the way to Hosap, 60 km from Van, where a 17th century fairy-tale castle rises above a small hill. Although the inside is badly damaged, the exterior walls, crenellations and turrets are well preserved. Among the interesting geographical features around Lake Van, the Muradiye Waterfalls, 88 km north of Van, with a peaceful tea garden and restaurants, and Gahnispi-Beyaz Cesme Falls, 60 km south of Van, are worth visiting. The road to remote Hakkari, 203 km southeast of Van, takes you through some of Türkiye's most magnificent scenery: the Cilo Mountains and the Zap Valley. A medieval fortress dominates the city, which is at an altitude of 1,700 meters. Some of the islands in Lake Van have monasteries and churches built on them; no doubt the remote location offered seclusion to the resident religious communities. Forty-one kilometers southwest of Van, Akdamar Island (a half hour sail from shore) is the most important of these. On the island stands the tenth century Church of the Holy Cross, now designated a museum, whose stone outer walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. After sightseeing, swimmers and picnickers enjoy themselves around the island's almond groves. If you have time, visit Carpanak Island to enjoy its landscape, and to wander around the 12th century church which has now been converted into a museum.

Cavustepe, 35 km from Van on the Hakkari road, is an important Urartian citadel. Excavated in 1970, today you can see temples, a palace, a sacrificial altar and inscriptions. On the pastoral, winding road heading to Hakkari, the Zernek Dam Lake offers itself as a rest spot on the way to Hosap where a 17^th century fairy-tale castle rises above a small hill. Although the exterior walls, crenellations and turrets are well preserved, the inside is badly damaged. Among the interesting geographical features around Lake Van, the Muradiye Waterfalls, 88 km north of Van, with a peaceful tea garden and good restaurants, and Gahnispi - Beyaz Cesme Falls, 60 km south of Van, are worth visiting.