Eastern Turkey From Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure.

Istanbul - Trabzon - Atvin. This morning, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Trabzon. On arrival, we visit the 14th-century Byzantine church of Hagia Sophia, set on a hilltop with sweeping views over the Black Sea.

We then continue to Altindere National Park to explore the cliff-side Sumela Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. From here, we follow the scenic Black Sea coastline, enjoying striking coastal views as we travel to Hopa, near the Georgian border. We're staying overnight in Atvin.

Atvin - Erzurum. Our journey continues as we travel towards Erzurum, passing through the striking landscapes of Artvin, Ishan, and the dramatic Georgian Valleys. Along the way, we’re treated to a series of scenic vistas and natural beauty that offer a memorable glimpse into this rugged and remote region.

Erzurum - Kars. We begin the day exploring Erzurum before setting off towards Kars. Our route takes us through the scenic Aras River valley, with a stop at Sarikamis, a significant First World War battlefield site.

On arrival in Kars, we visit the ancient Armenian city of Ani, perched above the Arpaçay River. Once a thriving medieval capital, Ani is now a hauntingly beautiful site, scattered with ruins that speak to its rich and complex history.

Kars - Van. We continue our journey towards Dogubayazit, travelling past the legendary Mount Ararat, traditionally linked to the story of Noah’s Ark. Here, we visit the impressive Ishak Pasha Palace – a striking blend of Ottoman, Persian and Armenian architectural styles.

From Dogubayazit, we make our way to the lakeside city of Van, where we stay overnight.

We begin our day exploring the Van region with a visit to the 17th-century fortress at Hosap, a key stronghold along the ancient Silk Road that once linked Persia with the wider Orient. In the afternoon, we head to Akdamar Island on Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey.

Here, we visit the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross, renowned for its detailed stone reliefs and historical significance, offering insight into the area's rich cultural and religious past.

Van - Tatvan. We continue our journey from Van along the southern shore of Lake Van, making our way to Tatvan. From here, we visit the impressive volcanic crater of Mount Nemrut, a striking natural formation.

We then explore the Seljuk monuments of Ahlat, where tombstones and mausoleums from the Seljuk period provide a fascinating glimpse into the region’s historical and architectural heritage.

Tatvan - Midyat - Mardin. Our journey continues via Bitlis, following the scenic Bitlis Gorge and passing through the city of Batman before reaching Hasankeyf. Set along the Tigris River and soon to be submerged by a dam project, Hasankeyf offers a final glimpse of its rich past through its ancient caves and remnants of a medieval Byzantine city.

Travelling west, we stop in Midyat to visit the atmospheric Silver Bazaar. On arrival in Mardin, we visit the historic Kasimiye Medrese – an impressive example of local architecture that reflects the city’s deep cultural and scholarly heritage.

Mardin - Diyarbakir. After breakfast, we visit the Deir-Al-Zafaran (Saffron Monastery), once the spiritual centre of the Syriac Christian Patriarchy. Built atop the remains of a 1000 BC sun temple, the monastery offers a unique blend of ancient and religious architecture, notably featuring a flat arch roof constructed over the temple’s original foundations.

From Mardin, we travel northwest to Diyarbakir, where we visit the 10 Arches Bridge across the Tigris River – a remarkable example of early engineering and an enduring symbol of the region’s rich cultural history.

Diyarbakir - Mount Nemrut. We begin the day exploring Diyarbakir with a visit to the Ulu Cami (Mar Thoma), a significant site that once served both Christian and Islamic communities. From here, we continue our journey towards Nemrut, crossing the Euphrates River by ferry to reach Narlice Village in Nemrut National Park.

On arrival, we ascend Mount Nemrut to visit the impressive tombs of the Commagene Kingdom and the colossal statues of ancient gods. We continue to the Tumulus of Antiochos, once the capital of Kommagene, where we take in the spectacular sunset from the summit – a remarkable setting that brings this forgotten ancient monument vividly back to life.

Mount Nemrut - Sanliurfa. After breakfast, we travel towards Sanliurfa, stopping en route at the remarkable archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe. Considered one of the most significant discoveries in modern archaeology, this site features the world’s earliest known religious structures, dating back 11,000 to 13,000 years—long before the invention of pottery, writing, Stonehenge or the Pyramids.

In the afternoon, we continue to Sanliurfa to visit the Holy Pools of Abraham (Balıklıgöl) and the nearby cave believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham—both important pilgrimage sites steeped in spiritual tradition.

Sanliurfa - Gaziantep. After breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to Sanliurfa’s lively Ottoman Bazaar, where you can soak up the atmosphere and explore the local crafts and traditions. We then head to the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum, home to an impressive collection that traces the region’s deep and varied history.

From here, we travel to Gaziantep to visit the renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Housing one of the world’s finest collections of ancient mosaics, the museum showcases the exceptional artistry and cultural heritage of the ancient city of Zeugma, with beautifully preserved pieces that bring the past vividly to life.

Gaziantep - Istanbul. Today, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at leisure.

After breakfast, our tour comes to an end. We bid farewell to new friends before your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.