Turkey Collection
Historical Eastern Turkey
A 12-day journey through Turkey's vibrant history, from Istanbul's icons to Van's Urartian heritage, Mardin's stonework and the ancient site of Harran.
Gallery
Moments from the Journey
Full gallery coming soon — for now, explore this journey through our itinerary and highlights above.
Overview
A Journey Through 10,000 Years
Experience Turkey's vibrant history with our 12-day tour package. We'll take you on a journey through Istanbul's iconic landmarks, visit Van's unique natural-dyed kilims and ancient Urartu kingdom, explore Mardin's fascinating stonework architecture, and end the tour with a visit to Harran's ancient city. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to see traditional artisans, enjoy delicious Turkish cuisine, and take a private ferry ride on the Bosphorus. With expert guides and seamless transportation, our tour package offers an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Turkey.
Highlights
What Makes This Tour Unforgettable
Imperial Istanbul
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and a private Bosphorus ferry ride
Van's Urartian Heritage
The Van Citadel, Cavustepe fortress, Hosap Castle, and Akdamar Island's Armenian Cathedral
Mardin's Stonework & Monasteries
Deyr ul-Zafaran "Saffron" Monastery and the historic city walls of Diyarbakir
Göbeklitepe & Mount Nemrut
The world's oldest known temple complex and the colossal summit statues of Mount Nemrut
Day by Day
Your Itinerary
Day 1
Istanbul Arrival
Welcome to the Imperial City of Istanbul! Your first day of your Turkey tour begins with a pick-up from Istanbul's airport and a transfer to your Istanbul hotel.
Day 2
Istanbul Sightseeing Tour
After breakfast, we begin our day with a sightseeing tour of Istanbul, visiting Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome area, the Aya (Hagia) Sophia museum, the Blue Mosque, and The Grand Bazaar. We will then transfer you back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3
Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace Tour
We begin with a scenic drive to the Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar, followed by a private ferry ride on the Bosphorus, and a visit to Dolmabahce Palace, the imperial residence of the last 6 Sultans. Finally, we transfer you back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 4
Flight from Istanbul to Van / Van
After checking out from our hotel, we'll head to Istanbul's airport for a 2-hour flight to Van. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel and enjoy half a day of leisure, visiting the Archaeological Museum and the Van Citadel, a massive stone fortification built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu.
Day 5
Van
We'll drive to Cavustepe, an Urartian fortress, then visit Hosap Castle, a large medieval castle built in 1643. On our return to Van, we'll see local artisans creating traditional rugs and kilims. We'll travel by ferryboat across Lake Van, stopping on Akdamar Island, home to the 10th-century Armenian Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross.
Day 6
Van / Mardin
We continue our tour to Mardin city, stopping in Tatvan for refreshments and a picnic lunch at Nemrut Crater Lake. We visit Ahlat's Seljuk Cemetery, then continue to Hasankeyf, an ancient town along the Tigris River, and Midyat town to see the Mor Gabrial Monastery, the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world.
Day 7
Mardin / Diyarbakir
We explore Mardin's fascinating stonework architecture and visit Deyr ul-Zafaran Monastery, the 'Saffron Monastery' with 365 rooms. We then head to Diyarbakir, famous for having the 2nd largest city walls in the world. Overnight in Diyarbakir.
Day 8
Diyarbakir / Harran / Sanliurfa
We drive to the ancient city of Harran, famous for its traditional 'beehive' adobe houses, exploring the ruins of the city walls and fortifications. We end the day with a drive to Sanliurfa, where we visit Abraham's Pool and covered bazaar.
Day 9
Gobeklitepe
We are transferred to Göbeklitepe, an ancient site dating back to the 10th millennium BCE, with its intricately carved stone pillars and significant historical impact. After the tour, return to the hotel for an overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 10
Sanliurfa / Mt. Nemrut
We drive to Kahta, crossing the Ataturk Dam and seeing the Karakus monumental tomb. We then head to Mount Nemrut, famous for its summit statues, including lions, eagles, and various Greek, Armenian, and Iranian gods. After watching the sunset, overnight in Nemrut.
Day 11
Flight from Adiyaman to Istanbul / Istanbul
We are transferred to Adiyaman Airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we are transferred to the hotel for a free day of leisure. We stay overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12
Final Departure
After hotel check-out, a transfer is available to Istanbul Airport for the homebound flight.
What's Included
Your Journey Covers
- Hotel accommodation in the category of your choice
- Domestic flight tickets inc. taxes
- Sightseeing tours on a private basis on request
- Licensed tour guide assistance during the sightseeing tours
- Main entrance fees to all sites visited as per the itinerary
- Fast-track entries to the museums and natural parks
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Deluxe air-conditioned vehicles for tours and airport transfers
- Taxes and handling service
- 24/7 support during your trip
Questions
Frequently Asked
Is this tour private or group?
This itinerary is offered as a private tour, with daily departures available on request.
What is unique about Eastern Turkey compared to the more popular western routes?
Eastern Turkey offers Urartian and Syriac Orthodox heritage, dramatic landscapes around Lake Van and Mount Nemrut, and Göbeklitepe — the world's oldest known temple complex — all far less visited than Istanbul or the Aegean coast.
Is Göbeklitepe really older than the pyramids of Egypt?
Yes, Göbeklitepe dates to roughly the 10th millennium BCE, predating the pyramids and Stonehenge by thousands of years.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable temperatures for this region, which can be very hot in midsummer.
Private Design Service
Not exactly the journey you had in mind?
Tell us your travel style, dates, pace and wish list. We'll design a private journey around what you actually want to experience.