7-Day Private Eastern Turkey Tour from Trabzon

This 7-day private Eastern Turkey tour from Trabzon to Gaziantep features Sumela Monastery, Mardin, Gobeklitepe, and Mount Nemrut. It includes licensed guiding and stays at 4- and 5-star hotels while showcasing the region’s history, living culture, and Gaziantep’s celebrated cuisine.

• This 7-day private Eastern Turkey tour from Trabzon to Gaziantep connects the Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia in one route.
• Licensed guiding and stays at some of the region’s best 4- and 5-star hotels make this long route comfortable and well organized.
• From Sumela Monastery’s dramatic cliffside setting to Mardin’s stone streets, the route shows Anatolia’s changing landscapes and architectural heritage.
• Gobeklitepe, Dara, and Mount Nemrut bring the ancient history of Mesopotamia and the Kingdom of Commagene together in one tour.
• Zeugma mosaics, the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, and Gaziantep cuisine complete the tour with art, traditional crafts, and local flavors.

1. IntroIntroduction

   This 7-day private Eastern Turkey tour from Trabzon follows an overland route from the Black Sea coast to the historic cities and archaeological landscapes of Southeastern Anatolia. Beginning at Trabzon Airport and ending at Gaziantep Airport, the itinerary connects some of eastern Turkey’s most significant cultural destinations.

   The tour begins with Sumela Monastery and Karaca Cave before continuing to the Seljuk monuments of Erzurum. The route then leads through the Diyarbakir City Walls, Zerzevan Castle, the stone streets of Mardin, Dara Ancient City and Harran. Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep bring together thousands of years of Anatolian and Mesopotamian history.

   The tour operates exclusively for the guests included in the reservation. A dedicated vehicle and licensed guide make this private Eastern Turkey tour more comfortable and personal, allowing the group to travel without following the pace of a large coach tour.

   The final part of the tour includes the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Castle and its surroundings, and the traditional Copper Bazaar. Accommodation is arranged at some of the best 4- and 5-star hotels along the route, while a licensed professional guide provides historical and cultural context throughout the tour.

2. Day 1Arrival in Trabzon, Sumela Monastery & City Tour

   The 7-day private Eastern Turkey tour begins with a meet-and-greet at Trabzon Airport. Guests then travel by private vehicle to Altindere Valley in the Macka district. The first major stop is Sumela Monastery, dramatically built into the cliffs overlooking the surrounding forested valley.

   During the guided visit, guests explore the sections open to visitors and learn about the rock church, chapels, and historic living areas. Its centuries-old heritage and remarkable location provide a memorable introduction to the history and landscapes of Turkey’s Black Sea region.

   The tour then continues with a Trabzon city tour, including visits to Hagia Sophia Mosque, Ataturk Mansion and the historic Ortahisar district. These landmarks present different layers of the city’s Byzantine, Ottoman and modern history through the commentary of a licensed guide.

   After the sightseeing program, guests are transferred to their 4- or 5-star hotel in Trabzon. The evening is free for rest or independent time in the city center, followed by an overnight stay in Trabzon.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Included activities

   • Guided visit to Sumela Monastery
   • Visit to Hagia Sophia Mosque
   • Visit to Ataturk Mansion
   • Walk through the historic Ortahisar district

   Special info

   Arrival in Trabzon by 10:00 at the latest is important for the first day’s itinerary to be completed comfortably and as planned.

3. Day 2Karaca Cave & Erzurum City Tour

   After breakfast at the hotel, the private overland route continues to Karaca Cave near Torul in Gumushane Province. Known for its stalactites, stalagmites, travertine formations and mineral-rich colours, the cave is one of the most remarkable natural attractions in Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea region.

   Following the cave visit, the route leads to Erzurum for a guided Erzurum city tour. The program includes Yakutiye Madrasa, the Grand Mosque, the Double Minaret Madrasa and Erzurum Castle. Together, these landmarks reveal the city’s Seljuk and Ottoman heritage, with historical and architectural context provided by a licensed guide.

   The day concludes at Tashan, a historic caravanserai and traditional bazaar associated with Erzurum’s famous Oltu stone craftsmanship. After the visit, guests continue to their 4- or 5-star hotel for an overnight stay in Erzurum.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Visit to Karaca Cave
   • Guided visit to Yakutiye Madrasa
   • Visit to Erzurum Grand Mosque
   • Visit to the Double Minaret Madrasa
   • Visit to Erzurum Castle
   • Visit to Tashan historic bazaar

4. Day 3Diyarbakir City Tour, Zerzevan Castle & Mardin

   After breakfast at the hotel, the private tour continues from Erzurum to Diyarbakir, one of the oldest cities in Mesopotamia. The guided program begins with the monumental Diyarbakir City Walls and the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir, one of Anatolia’s earliest and most significant mosques.

   The Diyarbakir city tour continues through the historic Sur district with visits to the Four-Legged Minaret, Surp Giragos Armenian Church and Ic Kale (Inner Citadel). Together, these landmarks reveal the city’s layered cultural heritage, brought to life through the insights of a licensed guide.

   After visiting the Ten-Eyed Bridge over the Tigris River, the tour continues along the historic road toward Zerzevan Castle, a remarkable Roman frontier garrison between Diyarbakir and Mardin. Its fortifications, watchtowers, underground structures and sweeping views across the plains make it one of the day’s most memorable stops.

   Following the Zerzevan Castle visit, the private tour continues to Mardin. Guests check in at a carefully selected 4- or 5-star hotel, concluding the third day with an overnight stay in Mardin.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Visit to the Diyarbakir City Walls
   • Visit to the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir
   • Visit to the Four-Legged Minaret
   • Visit to Surp Giragos Armenian Church
   • Guided visit to Ic Kale (Inner Citadel)
   • Visit to the Ten-Eyed Bridge
   • Visit to Zerzevan Castle

5. Day 4Mardin City Tour, Dara Ancient City, Harran & Sanliurfa

   After breakfast at the hotel, the guided Mardin city tour begins. In Old Mardin, celebrated for its honey-coloured stone architecture, narrow lanes and sweeping views across the Mesopotamian plains, the route includes the Kasimiye Madrasa, the Great Mosque of Mardin and Deyrulzafaran Monastery. A licensed guide brings the city’s multicultural heritage and centuries-old landmarks to life.

   The route then continues to Dara Ancient City, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in southeastern Turkey. Its rock-cut tombs, vast cisterns, defensive walls and ancient engineering structures reveal the strategic importance of this remarkable Mesopotamian settlement.

   The next stop on the private tour is Harran, known for its traditional beehive houses and atmospheric archaeological remains. A guided visit to the Harran archaeological site offers a closer look at the distinctive history and cultural character of southeastern Anatolia.

   After the Harran visit, the tour continues to Sanliurfa. Guests check in at a carefully selected 4- or 5-star hotel, completing the fourth day with an overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Walking tour of Old Mardin
   • Visit to Kasimiye Madrasa
   • Visit to the Great Mosque of Mardin
   • Visit to Deyrulzafaran Monastery
   • Visit to Dara Ancient City
   • Visit to the Harran archaeological site and traditional beehive houses

6. Day 5Gobeklitepe & Sanliurfa City Tour

   After breakfast at the hotel, the private tour travels to Gobeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important Neolithic discoveries. Its monumental T-shaped pillars and remarkable animal reliefs offer a fascinating window into the earliest chapters of human history. The site is explored with a licensed guide.

   The tour then returns to the city for a guided Sanliurfa city tour. Visits include the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum, which presents the region’s history through an exceptional collection, and the Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum, home to finely preserved mosaics from the Roman era.

   The program continues with an exterior view of Urfa Castle, the legendary Pool of Abraham (Balikligol) and the traditional Sanliurfa bazaars. Historic caravanserais, stone lanes and the lively market atmosphere provide an engaging introduction to the city’s distinctive cultural character.

   After the day’s visits, the group returns to the hotel. The fifth day concludes with an overnight stay in Sanliurfa at one of the region’s best 4- or 5-star hotels.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Visit to Gobeklitepe
   • Visit to Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum
   • Visit to Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum
   • Exterior view of Urfa Castle
   • Visit to the Pool of Abraham (Balikligol)
   • Walk through the historic Sanliurfa bazaars

7. Day 6Mount Nemrut, Arsemia Ancient City & Cendere Bridge

   After an early breakfast at the hotel, the private tour departs toward Adiyaman. The day’s main destination is Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for the monumental tomb sanctuary of King Antiochus I of Commagene. The colossal statues and the East and West Terraces are explored with a licensed guide.

   The route then continues to Arsemia Ancient City, one of the principal administrative centres of the Commagene Kingdom. Rock reliefs, inscriptions and archaeological remains provide a vivid insight into the region’s ancient political and cultural history.

   The program continues with a visit to the Roman-era Cendere Bridge. Spanning the Kahta River, this impressive stone bridge combines monumental engineering with the striking natural scenery of the Mount Nemrut region.

   After visiting Cendere Bridge, the route continues to Gaziantep. On arrival, guests check in at one of the region’s best 4- or 5-star hotels, completing the sixth day with an overnight stay in Gaziantep.

   Accommodation

   • 5-star

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Visit to the summit and East-West Terraces of Mount Nemrut
   • Explore the tumulus and colossal statues of King Antiochus I
   • Visit to Arsemia Ancient City
   • Visit to Cendere Bridge

   Special info

   The Mount Nemrut visit is subject to seasonal weather, road and site conditions. When necessary, the order of the day’s itinerary may be adjusted by the guide.

8. Day 7Gaziantep City Tour: Zeugma Museum & Copper Bazaar

   After breakfast at the hotel, the guided Gaziantep city tour begins at the world-renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Its extraordinary collection of mosaics excavated from the ancient city of Zeugma reveals the artistry and daily life of the Roman world along the Euphrates.

   The program continues at the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum, where discoveries from excavations across the region trace local history from the Paleolithic period through later civilisations. The collection provides valuable context for Gaziantep’s place in the wider story of Anatolia and Mesopotamia.

   In the historic centre, Gaziantep Castle is visited or viewed from the outside, depending on its current opening status, before continuing to the traditional Copper Bazaar. The lively market atmosphere, skilled coppersmiths and local products create a colourful finale that captures the city’s distinctive cultural character.

   Following the city tour and free time, guests are transferred to Gaziantep Airport in accordance with their flight schedule. The 7-day private Eastern Turkey tour concludes with departure from Gaziantep.

   Meals

   • Breakfast at your hotel

   Included activities

   • Visit to Zeugma Mosaic Museum
   • Visit to Gaziantep Archaeology Museum
   • Visit to Gaziantep Castle or an exterior view, depending on its current opening status
   • Walk through the historic Copper Bazaar

• Six nights at some of the region’s best 4- and 5-star hotels, with breakfast included
• A modern, air-conditioned, and comfortable vehicle reserved exclusively for your private group throughout the tour
• Licensed professional guiding throughout the tour program
• Meet-and-greet at Trabzon Airport and drop-off at Gaziantep Airport at the end of the tour
• All road transportation between the cities listed in the itinerary
• All private tours, city sightseeing, and excursions listed in the itinerary
• Transfers between the hotels and the scheduled tour stops
• VAT and taxes applicable to the listed services