We might do one of the world's great train rides

We didn't do very much yesterday because the weather wasn't the best. We did do a short drive just for a change of scenery though. We ended up parked at a playground/park just outside the village of Kargicak. They even have a couple of electric outlets, and it's free. So, a good spot to spend the night when the solar panels aren't getting much charge during the day.

I wasn't going to tell you about our plan just yet, because it might not actually happen. But we don't have much else to talk about today, so here it is...

There is an inland train journey in Turkey called the Eastern Dogu Express. It's become known as one of the world's great train rides. It runs from Ankara to Kars... a distance of 1,310 kms (812 miles).

There are two different trains. One that is the local train that has standard seating and "couchettes" and takes 26 hours, and one that is specifically for tourists that has only sleeper cabins and takes 32 hours due to two different three hour stops along the way.

Apparently the best time to do the trip is in winter due to the landscapes at higher altitudes.

The only problem is that it's very popular, and it's very difficult to get tickets. I've been in contact with a travel agent who specializes in this, and here is what he told me... 

Tickets of the mainline trains are released 30 days before departure and when it comes to Eastern Express, all the couchettes and sleepers (sleepers are only available on the Touristic Eastern Express departing on Wednesdays and Fridays from Ankara and Fridays & Sundays from Kars) are sold out in seconds  Most of the seats are taken by tour groups, run by companies that pre-purchase entire wagons.

However normally in the last few days before the journey, or indeed the last few hours, the tickets that have not been resold, or any cancellations, are cancelled and therefore go on sale again.  At this stage we can buy them for you as long as you are able to be there (departure city) and  access your email a few hours before the journey.

What we can do for you, so you can make travel plan is this:

- You pay us the rate for the couchette/sleeper berths that you would like.

- At the first opportunity we will purchase (as availability allows) couchettes/sleepers or seats for you. (as tickets went on sale for the 16th of february 2 weeks ago we have missed this step already)

- If we are unable to get them for you at that stage ( 90% likelihood) we can buy you seats instead ( No seats available at the moment)

- We will continue to check for availability of them, all the way until 30 mins before the train departs.  At any time before departure, if we are able to change your tickets to Sleeper couchettes we will do this and send you the tickets by email.

- If we are unable to change the tickets, we will refund the difference to your account.

* Regular Eastern Express: Price of 1 couchette is 15€ in a 4 pax shared cabin. We can try to buy all 4 berths for 60€ in order to make a private cabin. 

* Touristic Eastern Express: Ticket of a double and/or single sleeper cabin  is 117€.  (Excursions are not included in the price).

If we were unable to get the tickets then you would receive a full refund,  If you wanted to cancel after we had sent the tickets the 35% service charge would be retained.

So, I think we are going to go for it. Just for the adventure! We would need to fly Antalya to Ankara (or Kars depending on which end we start from) and then back to Antalya afterwards. We would probably stay in Kars a few days, so we might be gone from Max for a week or so. Worst case scenario is that we end up with standard seats that recline for sleeping. Not the best, but we would survive. It's only for a night. Best case scenario, we end of with a full sleeper cabin. If we're looking at the bright side, the seats would be much cheaper!

We are flexible on the dates, which makes it easier to get tickets. This probably won't happen until late February or early March though. Flights in country are really cheap. For example, it's about $30 USD for a one way flight Antalya to Ankara.

In the meantime, we will continue in Max towards Antalya.

Max, parked at GPS 37.376302, 27.799451

He is filthy dirty and needs a bath!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Pack of Motion Sensor Solar Lights. Take 30% off at checkout using code 30A2FG75

And in Canada...

Check out the deals at Amazon.ca