13-Day Private Eastern Turkey Tour from Gaziantep to Trabzon

Upon your arrival at Gaziantep Airport, your guide welcomes you and the program begins in one of Turkey’s most renowned culinary and cultural cities. The first stop is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world’s finest Roman mosaic collections, including the iconic “Gypsy Girl” discovered in ancient Zeugma.

After the museum visit, you explore the historic surroundings of Gaziantep Castle with a short walk through the old city streets. Passing through narrow alleys, traditional stone buildings, and authentic urban textures, you arrive at the lively Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, where the city’s craftsmanship and trade heritage can be observed up close.

The day concludes with a delightful baklava tasting at İmam Çağdaş or Koçak, two of the city’s most famous patisseries. Overnight stay in Gaziantep.

Overnight: Gaziantep – Novotel Gaziantep or Gaziantep Şirehan

After breakfast, you leave Gaziantep and head toward Halfeti, located on the banks of the Euphrates River. With its partially submerged structures and calm atmosphere, this settlement presents one of the region’s most impressive landscapes.

During the boat tour in Halfeti, you observe the dramatic cliffs and the historic Rumkale Fortress, which can only be seen from the river, offering a unique panoramic view.

Following the boat tour, the route turns toward Şanlıurfa, known as the “City of Prophets.” Upon arrival, you visit the sacred Balıklıgöl and its surroundings. Afterwards, you proceed to Şanlıurfa Castle, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

The evening is free at leisure. Guests who wish may join an optional Sıra Gecesi program reflecting the region’s cultural heritage.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa – Nevali Hotel

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, known for its rich collection reflecting the region’s history from the Neolithic period onward. This visit provides a strong historical background for the ancient sites to be explored throughout the day.

The journey then continues toward the Adıyaman region. Along the way, you stop at the Karakus Tumulus and the remains of Arsemia Ancient City, important landmarks of the Commagene Kingdom that help you understand the historical context before reaching Nemrut.

In the later hours, you ascend to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mount Nemrut. At the summit, you witness the famous colossal stone heads and the monumental tumulus during sunset. The panoramic mountain landscape here becomes one of the most impressive moments of the journey.

After the visit, you return to Şanlıurfa for the night.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa – Nevali Hotel

After breakfast, we set out for Göbekli Tepe, recognized as the world’s oldest known temple complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back over 11,000 years, its monumental T-shaped pillars and symbolic carvings offer a rare insight into the dawn of civilization and the transition to settled life.

Our route then continues to Harran, famous for its iconic beehive mudbrick houses and its legacy as one of the region’s earliest centers of science and learning. Here, you observe traditional architecture and the authentic rural texture of Upper Mesopotamia.

In the afternoon, we drive toward Mardin, a hilltop city celebrated for its golden stone architecture and cultural diversity. Upon arrival, enjoy a short walking orientation through its narrow streets lined with historic houses, artisan shops, and panoramic terraces overlooking the Mesopotamian plains before checking in to your hotel.

Overnight in Mardin – Gazi Konağı Hotel

Today is dedicated to discovering the rich historical heritage of Mardin, a city where different beliefs and cultures have coexisted for centuries. In the morning, we visit the city’s iconic landmarks, the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) and the elegant Kasımiye Madrasa, admired for its refined stone craftsmanship. We then continue to the significant Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an important spiritual center for the Syriac Orthodox world and a key site for understanding the region’s multi-layered religious and cultural past.

After a lunch break, our route leads to Dara Ancient City, one of the most remarkable settlements of antiquity. With its rock-cut tombs, massive underground cisterns, and impressive defensive structures, Dara offers deep insight into Mesopotamia’s military and commercial history.

At the end of the day, we return to Mardin. The evening is free to enjoy panoramic views over the Mesopotamian plains from the city’s terraces or to explore local cuisine and handicrafts.

Overnight in Mardin – Gazi Konağı Hotel

After breakfast, we depart from Mardin and drive toward Diyarbakır. On the way, we stop at the remarkable Zerzevan Castle, once a strategic Roman frontier garrison overlooking the ancient trade routes between Mesopotamia and Anatolia.

Beyond its military walls, Zerzevan Castle reveals something extraordinary. Here lies the only known underground Mithras Temple discovered on Rome’s eastern frontier. Carved directly into bedrock, this sanctuary preserves elements of the Mithraic cult, a belief system practiced among Roman soldiers in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The niches, ritual basins, carved symbols, and animal tethering points visible today offer insight into ceremonies once hidden from the outside world. This site is considered one of the earliest and best-preserved mithraeums and is currently on UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List.

Continuing to Diyarbakır, we pause at the historic Ten Arches Bridge over the Tigris River. Upon arrival in the Old City, we explore the imposing black basalt city walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a visit to the magnificent Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) and the lively traditional bazaars.

Overnight in Diyarbakır – The Green Park Hotel

After leaving Diyarbakır, our journey continues east toward one of the finest engineering achievements of the Artuqid period, the Malabadi Bridge. Spanning the Batman River with its remarkable single-arch design, this medieval stone bridge stands as an impressive example of Anatolian architectural mastery.

We then head toward the volcanic landscape of Nemrut Crater Lake, where hot and cold springs lie hidden within a dramatic mountain setting. Surrounded by striking natural scenery, this unique crater forms one of the region’s most fascinating geological sites.

In the final part of the day, we visit Ahlat, renowned for its monumental Seljuk tombstones. This vast open-air historical site preserves distinctive examples of early Turkish-Islamic art. By evening, we arrive in Tatvan on the shores of Lake Van.

Overnight in Tatvan – Beyaz Köşk Hotel

After breakfast, we drive to Gevaş on the southern shore of Lake Van. From here, a short scenic boat ride takes us across the lake to Akdamar Island.

On the island, we visit the remarkable Holy Cross Church of Akdamar, a 10th-century Armenian church renowned for its intricate stone reliefs and extraordinary lakeside setting. This visit offers a rare blend of history, architecture, and nature in one unforgettable location.

Following the island visit, we return to the mainland and continue to Van city center. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the lakeside, take a pleasant walk along the waterfront, or explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Van – Van Life Hotel

After breakfast, we begin our day at Van Castle, the monumental legacy of the Urartian Kingdom, offering sweeping panoramic views over Lake Van and its surroundings. We then visit the Van Cat House, where the region’s rare white cats with heterochromatic eyes are protected and cared for.

Our journey continues with a scenic stop at Muradiye Waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery and natural beauty, providing a refreshing break in nature. The highlight of the day is the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, an architectural masterpiece blending Ottoman and Persian influences. From the palace terraces, we admire views of Mount Ararat and explore the rich historical atmosphere of the region.

By the evening, we arrive in Doğubeyazıt for our overnight stay.

Overnight in Doğubeyazıt – Tehran Boutique Hotel

After breakfast, we drive across the wide steppes of Eastern Anatolia toward Kars. Our key stop along the way is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ani Ruins. Once an important medieval capital on the Silk Road, this remarkable open-air site preserves the remains of cathedrals, churches, mosques, and fortifications. Perched on the edge of the Arpaçay Canyon, Ani presents a striking combination of history and landscape.

Following the visit to Ani, we continue to Kars city center. A short walking tour includes Kars Castle, the former church now known as Kümbet Mosque, and streets lined with elegant Russian-era stone buildings. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace or discover local specialties.

Overnight in Kars – Hotel Katerina Sarayı

After breakfast, we depart Kars and travel west across high mountain plateaus and remote villages toward Erzurum, enjoying scenic Anatolian landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, our city tour begins with the impressive Twin Minaret Madrasa (Çifte Minareli Medrese), one of the finest surviving examples of Seljuk architecture in Anatolia.

We continue to the elegant Yakutiye Madrasa and the historic Great Mosque (Ulu Cami), each reflecting the city’s deep-rooted Islamic and Seljuk heritage. Our next stop is Erzurum Castle, offering insight into the city’s layered past and strategic importance through centuries.

At the atmospheric Taşhan Caravanserai, there is free time to browse workshops displaying the region’s famous Oltu stone jewelry and traditional handicrafts. In winter months, guests may also opt for a short visit to the nearby Palandöken Ski Resort, one of Türkiye’s leading winter destinations.

Overnight in Erzurum – Ramada by Wyndham Erzurum

After breakfast, we depart Erzurum and head toward the Black Sea region through scenic mountain landscapes. Our first stop is Karaca Cave near Gümüşhane, renowned for its colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and remarkable geological formations.

We then continue to Altındere Valley National Park to visit the legendary Sumela Monastery, dramatically built onto sheer cliffs and considered one of the most iconic landmarks of the region. The monastery’s setting, architecture, and centuries-old frescoes offer a striking blend of nature and history.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Trabzon city center for overnight stay.

Overnight in Trabzon – Zorlu Grand Hotel

On the final day of our journey, we head to the serene alpine lake of Uzungöl, nestled among forested mountains and misty slopes. A leisurely walk along the lakeside promenade reveals traditional wooden houses, reflections on the water, and the peaceful rhythm of the Black Sea landscape.

After free time for lunch, relaxation, and souvenir shopping, we return toward Trabzon. According to your flight schedule, we provide your airport transfer to Trabzon Airport, bringing this remarkable journey across Mesopotamia, Eastern Anatolia, and the Black Sea region to a memorable close.

End of Tour