Turkey Tours - 10 days and longer
'Eastern Anatolia Tour'
16 - Day itinerary

Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours free to explore. Overnight Istanbul

Trabzon

Morning flight to Trabzon, on the Black Sea coast to visit the breathtaking Byzantine Monastery of Sumela and the historic city of Trabzon. Overnight Trabzon (B,L,D)

Rize, Erzurum

Today we travel along the Black Sea coast towards to Artvin before driving through the wild landscapes of Çoruh Valley. We visit the picturesque Ishan village on our way to the scenic heights of Erzurum. Overnight Erzurum (B, L, D)

Ani, Dogubayazit

This morning tour the Seljuk monuments of Erzurum and lunch in Kars before continuing to Ani, close to the Turkish Armenian border. We continue to Dogubeyazit located at the foothill of Mount Ararat, the highest mount in Anatolia and where Noah's Ark is thought to have landed. Overnight Dogubeyazit (B, L, D)

Dogubeyazit, Van

Tour the Ishak Pasa Palace before driving along the Iranian border through barren landscapes of volcanic stones stopping at Muradiye Waterfalls for lunch. We continue to Van, on the banks of Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake. Overnight Van (B, L, D)

Van, Hosap, Akdamar

Morning drive to Çavustepe, to explore the ancient Urartian citadel before continuing to the village of Hosap. After lunch in Gevas we take a boat excursion to Akhtamar Island and the 10th century Holy Cross Church. Overnight Van (B, L, D)

Ahlat, Tatvan, Bitlis, Diyarbikar

Today we drive along the north shore of Lake Van to visit Ahlat, Tatvan and the picturesque town of Bitlis. Late afternoon arrival in Diyarbakir, located near the bank of the Tigris River. Overnight Diyarbakir (B, L, D)

Hasankeyf, Midyat, Mardin

Morning drive to Hasankeyf, to visit the cliff top Roman ruins of ancient Cephe, and the old town of Midyat, an architectural treasure. After lunch, we tour Anitli before continuing to Mardin which overlooks the vast plains of Mesopotamia. Overnight Mardin (B, L, D)

Harran, Urfa

Visit the famous 'beehive' village houses of Harran and the ancient city of Urfa, home of Abraham. Discover the "City of the Prophets" as we visit Abraham's Caves, the pool of sacred carp and the busy and colourful bazaar. Overnight Urfa (B, L, D)

Nemrut Dag, Kahta

Today will be an experience to remember as we visit to Mount Nemrut and the mountain top sanctuary of Antiochus I, at sunrise or sunset (depending on season). A brief stop at Ataturk Dam built on the Euphrates River, before exploring Eski Kahta. Overnight Kahta (B, L, D)

Halfeti, Zeugma, Gaziantepe

In Halfeti we take a boat ride on the Euphrates to explore Rumkale Fortress and the valley submerged by Birecik Dam. Visit the ancient Roman city of Zeugma and tour Gaziantep, and the Archaeological Museum where the superb Roman mosaics of Zeugma are displayed. Overnight Gaziantepe (B, L, D)

Antakya, Adana

Morning drive to Antakya, the ancient Antioch where the disciples of Jesus were first called "christians". After lunch, visit the Mosaic Museum, one of the richest collections of Roman and Byzantine Mosaics in the world, the Grotto of St Peter and drive across the Plain of Issus, before continuing to Tarsus, the birthplace of St Paul and meeting place of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Overnight Adana (B, L, D)

Karatepe, Kayseri

Today we visit the open-air museum of Karatepe, an 8th century BC Neo-Hittite site before continuing north to the city of Kayseri for our flight to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul (B, L, D)

Istanbul

Free day to explore the exotic city of Istanbul (B)

Istanbul

After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your outbound flight. (B)

(B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)

Tour includes

• Inbound airport transfer - Istanbul
• Outbound airport transfer - Istanbul
• Professional English speaking tour guide throughout the journey
• Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
• 14 nights - 3 star, 4 star & 5 star accommodation in total.
  • - 1 night in Erzurum
  • - 1 night in Adana
  • - 1 night in Diyarbakir
  • - 1 night in Dogubeyazit
  • - 1 night in Gaziantep
  • - 3 nights in Istanbul
  • - 1 night in Mardin
  • - 1 night in Trabzon
  • - 1 night in Urfa
  • - 2 nights in Van
  • - 1 night in Kahta
• 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 12 Dinners

Tour does not include

• Domestic Flights
• Suggested optional activities
• Tips