Eastern Anatolia & Mesopotamia Grand Discovery Tour (14 Days)
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Duration
14 days
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Tour Overview
This
extraordinary journey unfolds across the heart of Eastern Anatolia and ancient
Mesopotamia, tracing civilizations that shaped human history. Beginning on the
lush shores of the Black Sea and ending in the fertile plains of Çukurova, the
tour reveals a timeless landscape of monasteries carved into cliffs, medieval
capitals, sacred mountains, and the world’s earliest temples.
From the dramatic Sumela Monastery and the
ruined city of Ani to the mystical heights of Mount Nemrut and the Neolithic
wonders of Göbeklitepe, each day offers a profound encounter with history,
faith, and culture. Carefully paced and rich in meaning, this tour is designed
for travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and unforgettable heritage
experiences.
Attractions
Highlights
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Trabzon, you are met by your professional guide and
transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing
time to rest after your journey or enjoy a gentle introduction to this historic
Black Sea city.
Overnight:
Trabzon
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, your guide picks you up from
the hotel to begin a full-day exploration of Trabzon and its surroundings.
Travel into the forested mountains to visit the legendary Sumela
Monastery, dramatically built into a sheer cliff face in the
14th century and dedicated to the Black Virgin.
Returning to the city,
visit the elegant Hagia Sophia, followed by the Atatürk
Pavilion, set within tranquil gardens overlooking Trabzon. At
the end of the tour, return to your hotel.
Overnight:
Trabzon
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Following breakfast, meet your guide
and depart from the hotel toward Erzurum, passing through the lush valleys and
highlands of the Black Sea region. Upon arrival in Erzurum, enjoy a guided city
tour featuring the iconic Çifte Minareli Medrese,
Yakutiye
Medrese, Erzurum Castle, the Three
Tombs, and the historic Ulu Mosque,
outstanding examples of Seljuk architecture.
After the tour, drop-off
at the hotel.
Overnight:
Erzurum
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, depart with your
guide across the wide pastures of Eastern Anatolia toward Kars. En route,
explore the remarkable ruins of Ani, the medieval
capital known as the “City of a Thousand and One Churches,” located near the
Turkish–Armenian border.
Continue to Kars to
visit Kars
Castle and the Archaeological Museum.
Transfer to the hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight: Kars
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by
departure with your guide toward Doğubeyazıt. Visit the magnificent Ishak
Pasha Palace, an 18th-century masterpiece blending Ottoman,
Persian, and Seljuk architectural styles.
Admire views of Mount
Ararat, traditionally believed to be the resting place of
Noah’s Ark, before continuing toward Van with a stop at the scenic Muradiye
Waterfalls. Hotel drop-off upon arrival.
Overnight:
Van
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, your guide escorts
you to the pier for a boat trip to Akdamar Island, home
to the Church
of the Holy Cross, famed for its intricate biblical reliefs.
In the afternoon, visit
the Urartian fortress of Çavuştepe and the
impressive Hoşap
Castle (1643). Return to the hotel at the end of the tour.
Overnight:
Van
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Meet your guide after breakfast and
depart toward Tatvan. Travel by local minibuses to reach Mount
Nemrut Crater Lake, the largest volcanic crater lake in Turkey.
Continue to Ahlat,
renowned for its Seljuk mausoleums and monumental cemetery. Transfer to the
hotel in Tatvan.
Overnight:
Tatvan
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, depart with your
guide for Mardin. En route, visit Hasankeyf, an ancient
settlement overlooking the Tigris River, and the Syriac monastery of Anıtlı.
Continue to Midyat,
famous for its stone houses and traditional silversmiths, before arriving in
Mardin. Hotel drop-off in the evening.
Overnight:
Mardin
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, your guide picks you
up for a full-day exploration of Mardin, a medieval
city cascading down the hillside above the Mesopotamian plains. Visit the
important Dayrul-Zeferan
Monastery, followed by the ancient Roman city of Dara,
near the Syrian border.
Return to the hotel
after the tour.
Overnight:
Mardin
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Following breakfast, depart with your
guide toward Karahantepe and then Göbeklitepe,
the world’s oldest known temple complex, dating back over 11,000 years.
Continue to Urfa,
where visits include Abraham’s Cave, the Sacred
Pool, the historic bazaar, and the Haleplibahçe
Museum. Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight:
Urfa
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Early breakfast, followed by departure
with your guide toward Mount Nemrut. Explore
the monumental sanctuary of King Antiochus I, the Nemrut
Dağı National Park, Cendere Roman Bridge, Arsameia,
and the Karakuş
Tumulus.
Continue to Adıyaman and transfer to
the hotel.
Overnight:
Adıyaman
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
After breakfast, depart with your
guide toward Halfeti. Enjoy a ferry ride to see Rumkale
and the partially submerged village along the Euphrates River.
Continue to Gaziantep
for visits to Zeugma and the world-renowned Zeugma
Mosaic Museum. Hotel drop-off.
Overnight:
Gaziantep
(Breakfast and Lunch Included )
Breakfast
at the hotel, followed by free time for shopping in Gaziantep. Later, depart
with your guide for Adana. Upon arrival,
enjoy a city tour including the Adana Archaeological Museum.
Transfer
to the hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight:
Adana
(Breakfast Included )
After breakfast, your
guide provides transfer from the hotel to the airport for your onward journey.
End of services.
Trip includes
Included
Trabzon: 2 nights - Zorlu Grand Hotel or Smiller
Erzurum: 1 night - Ramada By Wyndham Erzurum or Smiller
Kars: 1 night - Grand Ani Hotel or Smiller
Van: 2 nights - Ramada by Wyndham Van or Smiller
Tatvan: 1 night - Hotel Tatvan Kardelen or Smiller
Mardin: 2 nights - Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Mardin or Smiller
Urfa: 1 night - Grand Gülizar Otel or Smiller
Adıyaman: 1 night - Park Dedeman Adıyaman or Smiller
Gaziantep: 1 night - Park Dedeman Gaziantep or Smiller
Adana: 1 night - DoubleTree by Hilton Adana or Smiller
Professional,
licensed English-speaking guide accompanying the tour from start to finish
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Daily
breakfast at hotels
Lunches as specified in the program at
local restaurants, featuring regional cuisine
Meet &
greet and professional guide pick-up from the hotel at the start of the tour
All ground
transportation in a
modern, air-conditioned vehicle throughout the itinerary
Guided city
tours and excursions in:
Trabzon
(Sumela Monastery, Hagia Sophia, Atatürk Pavilion)
Erzurum
(Seljuk monuments and historic city center)
Ani (UNESCO
archaeological site)
Kars (city
and museum tour)
Van (Akdamar
Island, Çavuştepe, Hoşap Castle)
Ahlat
(Seljuk cemetery and mausoleums)
Mardin (old
city, Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery)
Dara
(ancient Roman city)
Urfa
(Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, sacred sites)
Mount Nemrut
& Commagene Kingdom sites
Gaziantep
(Zeugma and Mosaic Museum)
Adana (city
tour and Archaeological Museum)
All entrance
fees to museums,
archaeological sites, and historical monuments mentioned in the itinerary
Boat trips
and ferries, including:
Akdamar
Island boat trip (Lake Van)
Halfeti
ferry to Rumkale
Local taxes,
service charges, and parking fees
Tour
duration: 14 days /
13 nights
Walking
level: Moderate to
extensive walking at archaeological and historical sites
Recommended
attire: Comfortable
walking shoes, sun protection, and layered clothing
Early
departures: Required on
certain days, particularly for Mount Nemrut and long-distance drives
Climate: Weather conditions vary
significantly by region, season, and altitude
Flexibility: Itinerary order may be adjusted due
to weather, road conditions, or operational needs
Interest
focus: Ideal for
travelers interested in history, archaeology, ancient civilizations, and
cultural heritage
Cultural
sensitivity: Modest
dress recommended at religious sites
Excluded
International
And Domestic flights to and from Turkey
Travel
insurance
Dinners and
beverages unless otherwise stated
Personal
expenses such as shopping, laundry, and minibar
Tips for the
guide and driver (optional and at guests’ discretion)
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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