Eastern Turkey Tour

On this Eastern Turkey Tour with a special knowledge of both the superb ancient sites and the hidden areas, you are assured of a trip into the heart of Eastern Turkey. Before Travel guides are uniquely equipped to take you off the hidden track. We look ahead to offering you to the culture, traditions, folklore and food of the unique region. Eastern Anatolia knew with its friendliness, history, and pastoral beauty. Before Travel Tours will take you closer to the people so that you will feel their hospitality first hand.

Extra Note

We recommend these flights with Turkish airlines :

Day 2 - TK2014 Istanbul – Kayseri 15.50 – 17.15

Day 13 - TK2833 Trabzon – Istanbul 17:55 – 19:45

Highlights

Gaziantep - Archeological Museum

Gaziantep - Mosaic Museum

Harran

Mt. Nemrut

Tatvan

Van - Akdamar Church

Van - Ishak Pasa Palace

Dogubeyazit

Mt. Ararat

Ani Citadel

Sumela Monastery

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 : Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! We will meet you at the Airport and transfer to your hotel, and the balance of the day is yours, free to explore. Overnight Istanbul

Day 2 : Istanbul

Today it is free to explore this unusual city that crosses east and west, before boarding your flight to Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia

Day 3 : Gaziantep

Early morning leaving today for Gaziantep, where we will view the magnificent Roman mosaics of Zeugma in the archeological museum. At the way, we will tour Gumusler Monastery and Yesemek. Overnight Gaziantep

Day 4 : Sanli Urfa

Today we ride to the ancient city of Sanli Urfa, place of Abraham. On the way, we will tour remains of the Biblical Roman city of Zeugma by the River Euphrates. Overnight Sanliurfa

Day 5 : Kahta

See the 'City of Prophets' as we tour Abrahams caves, the pool of pure Carp and the busy, bright silk bazaar before touring nearby Harran to see the unbelievable beehive houses. In the afternoon, we turn to Kahta with a short stop at Ataturk dam, third largest in the world. Overnight Adiyaman

Day 6 : Mt Nemrut

Today will be on an adventure to remember as we visit Mt Nemrut and the mountaintop church of Antiochus I at sunrise, before proceeding to Mardin, overlooking the wide plains of Mesopotamia. Overnight Mardin

Day 7 : Mardin

This morning we travel Mardin, and it's Arabic style houses decorated with intricate carvings before proceeding onto Hasankeyf, to tour the cliff top Roman remains of ancient Cephe and the old town of Midyat. After lunch by the Tigris River, we leave to Tatvan, a small town on the shore of Lake Van and watch the sunset over the lake before heading to Van. Overnight Van

Day 8 : Van

Today we get on a ferry to Akdamar Island and hit the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross built in the 10th century. Overnight Van

Day 9 : Dogubeyazit

Today we start the ancient 'silk road' Dogubeyazit placed at the foothill of Mt Ararat, the highest mountain in Anatolia and Noah's Ark is believed to have landed. We also tour Ishak Pasa Palace and hit the remains of Eski Beyazit, an ancient Urartian City before continuing onto Kars. Overnight Kars

Day 10 : Kars

An early morning going to the medieval City of Ani. It is close to the Turkish-Armenian border. We also have an opportunity to visit the impressive Kars Castle, and surrounding ancient churches. Overnight Kars

Day 11 : Erzurum

Today we drive southwest to the beautiful heights of Erzurum. On the way, we will visit the 12th-century Medrese, speak with the imam at the 12th century Mosque and enjoy the ethnographic museum. Overnight Erzurum

Day 12 : Trabzon | Sumela Monastery

We will enjoy a beautiful drive towards the historic city of Trabzon today, via Karaca Cave before touring the breathtaking Byzantine Monastery of Sumela. Overnight Trabzon

Day 13 : Istanbul

Today we travel the historic city of Trabzon, once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, before our flight back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul

Day 14 : Istanbul

After breakfast, our tour ends, and we will transfer you back to the airport for your outbound flight.

Notes

This tour is available all year round.

There is no hidden cost.

Departs daily