Tour Code : EN-038

Eastern Anatolian Grand Tour - 10 Days

Trabzon is a charming city with its green nature on the western Black Sea coast in the north of Turkey. It has important historical monuments such as Sümela Monastery, St Sophia Church, and natural beauties such as Uzungöl and plateaus.
Your guide will meet you on arrival and you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Free time after check-in. You may discover the city and the vicinity of your hotel at your own will. 
Overnight in Trabzon. (Dinner)

After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we will start our Trabzon city tour. First, we will visit the Hagia Sophia Church, which is a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture. Next, we will visit the famous Sumela Monastery, which has recently been renovated. Sumela is a Greek Orthodox monastery and church complex built on a steep slope 300 meters above a valley, among steep mountains and deep streams. The construction of the monastery was first started in the 13th century and over time new sections were added. It was used as a monastery until 1923.
Afterward, we will take a lunch break and drive to Erzurum (approx. 4 hours). Here, we’ll be visiting the Nene Hatun Bastion, Double Minaret Madrasa, Ulu Mosque, Üç Kümbetler (Three Tombs), Yakutiye Madrasa, Erzurum Congress and Milli Mücadele Müzesi (National Struggle Museum). 
Dinner and accommodation at Erzurum. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we’ll depart early for Kars. On arrival, we will have lunch at a local restaurant in Kars and visit Ani Ruins which is 50 km away.
Ani had its heyday between 953 and 1020 when it served as the capital of the Armenian Kingdom. The city of Ani was captured by the Byzantines in 1045 ending the Kingdom of Armenia. Then in 1064, Seljuk Emperor Alpaslan conquered Eastern Anatolia and took it from the Byzantines. Today, Ani is on the Unesco World Heritage List. Ani ruins spread over a wide area with the Gate of Lions, Church of the Redeemer (St. Prkitch), Stone Bridge, Seljuk Palace, Church of Saint Gregory of Tigran Hornets, and the Inner Fortress. Next, we’ll see historical artifacts such as Menüçehr Mosque, Ani Cathedral, Monastery of the Hripsimian Virgins, and Cathedral of Kars, also known as the Holy Apostles Church.
After our visits, we’ll head to Kars city center. Here, we recommend you to try Kars specialties such as goose meat, honey, Kars cheese, Kars gruyere cheese, yellowfish, Hengel, kit, which you can also buy as souvenirs. In Kars, you’ll also realize buildings featuring Russian architecture and that the city’s climate and geography are similar to that of Russian cities.
Dinner and accommodation at Kars.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we will continue our tour with a trip to the South. On the way, we will enjoy the beautiful geography of Eastern Anatolia and see the ruins left by ancient civilizations, which offer a glimpse into their way of life. We will arrive in Doğubayazıt via Iğdır city. We’ll give a lunch break and visit the famous Ishak Pasha Palace. It is said that the construction of the 116-room palace took 99 years. After we tour this magnificent palace overlooking Mount Ararat, we will depart for Van bypassing the Tendürek Mountain accompanied by beautiful views. 
At the end of a 7-hour bus journey, we’ll arrive at Van, one of the largest cities in Eastern Turkey located on the shores of Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake (3,713 square km).   
Dinner and accommodation in Van.    ( Breakfast – Dinner ) 

We start today's tour in Van Castle, known as Tuspa Castle in the olden days. The castle, which overlooks Lake Van, was built by the Urartu King Sarduri 2800 years ago. It became the capital of the Urartu Kingdom with the name Tuspa. Inside the castle are also rock tombs belonging to the Urartu Kings. Next, we’ll visit the Akdamar Church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, which was built with magnificent stonework and later restored by the Turkish government. We’ll reach the island on boats from the pier in the Edremit district and enjoy the incredible lake and mountain scenery. 
Take a lunch break in a local restaurant, and head for Ahlat (180 km away). Here, we’ll see the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world, founded in 1200 by the Seljuks, with 8,169 tombstones, some of which are 3,5 meters long. What makes the tombstones more remarkable are the unique inscriptions and decorations on them. After seeing the Grand Vault and the Emir Bayındır Mosque, we’ll continue to Batman.
Arrival and accommodation in Batman.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Departure to Midyat, in Midyat, you will find the best examples of Filigree art and all kinds of handcrafted silver jewellery, which Syriac masters elaborated on with centuries of experience in the Syriac-Muslim neighbourhoods. You can also sample local dishes while shopping and wandering around the neighbourhood.

We’ll take a coffee break after sightseeing in Nusaybin in the recreational area called Beyazsu (white water), famous for its ice-cold stream.

Visit the ancient city of Dara to see the cave tombs, cave houses, substantial water cisterns, and ancient city ruins spread over a wide area with a history of 3100 years. The city of Dara is said to have been founded by the famous "Darayuvashi", the King of Iran, 1000 years before Christ, who changed hands between the Iranians and the Romans in various periods. Dara, between Alexander the Great and the Persian Emperor Darius, B.C. It is an impressive ancient city that witnessed its war in 320 BC.
Next, visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery.

Deyrulzafaran Monastery, which will amaze you with its impressive domes, arched columns, woodwork, and embroidery carvings, has served as one of the religious education centres of Assyrians for many years. Today, it is one of the most important religious centres considered sacred by the Assyrian Church.
Arrival at Mardin
Mardin, one of the oldest cities of Upper Mesopotamia, is famous for its mosques, mausoleums, churches, monasteries and similar religious works, renowned for their local stonemasonry and having artistic and historical value, in parallel with different religious beliefs. Our tour of this fairytale city, the pearl of Mesopotamia, begins. 
End of the tour. Dinner and accommodation in Mardin.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we prepared a tour program so you can experience Mardin like its residents. After breakfast, we’ll start our tour of Old Mardin from the Kasımiye Madrasah (Mosque Kebir), which has a rich cultural mosaic with its architectural structure that gives a mystical Muslim, Syriac, Turkish, and Arabian atmosphere to the city, bringing together different religions and languages, the Ulu Mosque and the Minaret, Şehidiye Madrasa, and Old PTT Building. After our visits, we will have free time in Mardin and have lunch with traditional dishes in a local restaurant. We recommend you bring an extra suitcase for local products, natural soaps (Sabuncu Mehmet), nuts, and Mardin specialities like almond candies, dried fruits, sweets, rosaries, and similar handmade accessories and souvenirs.

Afterwards, we’ll continue towards the city of Urfa, and about 2 hours later, we will arrive at Göbeklitepe, the oldest temple in the world with a history of 12.000 years. In the mysterious atmosphere of the temple, you will feel the mysticism in your bones. Göbeklitepe is the oldest open-air temple in the world, dating back to the Stone Age, which started a new era in the history of world archaeology and even changed the world's human history.
End of the tour. We will leave Göbeklitepe's mystical environment and head for our hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Sanliurfa.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )
*** Dinner at the Sıra Gecesi musical program with traditional music.

After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll start our tour of Urfa, known as the City of the Prophets. Here, we’ll see the Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, Rızvaniye Mosque, Balıklıgöl,  Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, and the pit where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire. The city of Prophets has very fertile lands with great plains, and it is one of Turkey's most important agricultural centres. After our visits, we will have free time to shop at Bedesten and Gümrük Inn.

Lunch break at a local restaurant, sampling Urfa's famous kebab and local dishes. Next, we will admire the Urfa Archeological Museum and the Mosaic Museum, where many historical artefacts from Anatolian civilisations are exhibited.
Continue on our way to Adıyaman. Dinner and overnight in Adıyaman. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

 

The best time to see the fascinating view of Mount Nemrut and to absorb its high-frequency energy is to be at the summit at sunrise or sunset. Therefore, after an early breakfast, we move to Mount Nemrut.

After early breakfast, we will depart for Mount Nemrut where the tumulus of the Commagene King Antiochus Antiochus I and huge head statues are located. This place will be one of the highlights of the entire trip.

After some climbing, we will see the Zeus, Apollon, Heracles, Antiochhos, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion sculptures on the eastern terrace of the Nemrut summit. We will see the altars and sculptures on the western terrace as well. It is impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent view and the beauty of the colossal statues at the top of Mount Nemrut.
With our guide's narration, we will admire the region's history. Visit Arsemia's ancient city ruins, and see the Karakuş Tumulus, and Cendere Bridge (Roman Bridge).

After this visit, we will head for Halfeti (approx. 190 km) and take a lunch break on the road. Halfeti district is also known as the hidden paradise of the Southeast with its historical stone houses, black roses, and natural beauties. Next, we will visit the Savaşan Village, a large part of which is underwater, therefore called "the sunken city", on a boat. We will see the Sunken Mosque, and Greek Castle, and have plenty of time to take photos of the scenery and have coffee by the dam lake. Afterward, we will drive to our hotel in Gaziantep.
End of the tour. Dinner and overnight in Gaziantep.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we will continue exploring Gaziantep.  Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the second-largest mosaic museum in the world.  The world-famous Gypsy girl mosaic is exhibited here.  Visit and take a shopping trip to the traditional Anatolian Bakırcılar Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten, where you’ll have free time to lunch at local restaurants. We strongly recommend you try Gaziantep's world-famous baklava and delicious local dishes.

Lunch break in a local restaurant. It would be best to try Gaziantep specialities like tray kebab and pistachio baklava.  After our break, we’ll drive to Adana.  

Transfer to Gaziantep Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul Airport, where you can connect your onward flight to your next destination.  ( Breakfast )

Customised Tours
We can create a tour program on your request and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us with your requests.

People Per person in
Double
Single Room Extra Bed Children Fee
1 Pax 0.00 8733.00 0.00
2 Pax 4531.00 5186.00 4531.00
6 - 11
4204.00
3 - 5
1401.00
3 Pax 3506.00 4161.00 3506.00
6 - 11
3178.00
3 - 5
1059.00
4 Pax 2315.00 2970.00 2315.00
6 - 11
1988.00
3 - 5
663.00
5 Pax 2697.00 3352.00 2697.00
6 - 11
2370.00
3 - 5
790.00
6 Pax 2412.00 3067.00 2412.00
6 - 11
2084.00
3 - 5
695.00
7-9 Pax 2190.00 2845.00 2190.00
6 - 11
1863.00
3 - 5
621.00
10-14 Pax 1876.00 2531.00 1876.00
6 - 11
1549.00
3 - 5
516.00
15-19 Pax 1711.00 2366.00 1711.00
6 - 11
1384.00
3 - 5
461.00
20-24 Pax 1617.00 2272.00 1617.00
6 - 11
1289.00
3 - 5
430.00
25-29 Pax 1490.00 2145.00 1490.00
6 - 11
1163.00
3 - 5
388.00
30-40 Pax 1422.00 2077.00 1422.00
6 - 11
1094.00
3 - 5
365.00
People Per person in
Double
Single Room Extra Bed Children Fee
1 Pax 0.00 8946.00 0.00
2 Pax 4744.00 5399.00 4744.00
6 - 11
4310.00
3 - 5
2155.00
3 Pax 3718.00 4373.00 3718.00
6 - 11
3285.00
3 - 5
1642.00
4 Pax 2528.00 3182.00 2528.00
6 - 11
2094.00
3 - 5
1047.00
5 Pax 2910.00 3565.00 2910.00
6 - 11
2476.00
3 - 5
1238.00
6 Pax 2624.00 3279.00 2624.00
6 - 11
2191.00
3 - 5
1095.00
7-9 Pax 2402.00 3057.00 2402.00
6 - 11
1969.00
3 - 5
984.00
10-14 Pax 2089.00 2744.00 2089.00
6 - 11
1655.00
3 - 5
827.00
15-19 Pax 1923.00 2578.00 1923.00
6 - 11
1490.00
3 - 5
745.00
20-24 Pax 1829.00 2484.00 1829.00
6 - 11
1395.00
3 - 5
698.00
25-29 Pax 1703.00 2358.00 1703.00
6 - 11
1269.00
3 - 5
635.00
30-40 Pax 1634.00 2289.00 1634.00
6 - 11
1201.00
3 - 5
600.00

Tour Type    : Private Tour
Price Policy : Price changes depending on people's number.

Price includes

Transfer Trabzon Airport -  Trabzon  Hotel

Transfer Gaziantep Airport

Gaziantep Istanbul Domestic Flight (Luggage 15 Kg - Hand Bag 8 Kg)

10-night hotel accommodation with daily breakfast

9 dinners

 Entrance fees are as per the itinerary.

All tours as per the itinerary.

Professional licensed English tour guide

Private air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicles.

All parking, highway, and bridge fees

VAT and city tax

Price Excludes

Personal expenses

Lunch Beverages at dinners

Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Optional tours

Tips for the guide – driver – waiter – Hotel porter  per day 8 USD  (Cash payment done to the officer on arrival )

 

Cancellation Policy  
- For cancellations made 45 days before the tour, 100% refund. (Except per person 175 € for register, bank commission, and domestic flight ticket cost)
- For cancellations made 44 - 30 days before the tour, 50% refund. (Except for the Bank Commission)
- For cancellations made 29 - 15 days before the tour, 20 % refund.
- No refunds will be made on reservations made 14 days before the tour. %100 Penalty is applied.

Flight ticket information
Regarding the comfort of our precious guests, we plan our intercity travels over longer distances by direct flights as much as possible. In this way, we prevent loss of time in flight transfers at Istanbul airport.
Direct flights between Cappadocia and Ephesus and Cappadocia  -Antalya are only available on certain days of the week between May and October. There are no direct flights every day.
Istanbul – Other cities’ flights are on the schedule.
To match these direct flight schedules, you must move your start dates back or forward 1-2 days, otherwise, we will have to complete the tour with a connecting flight to Istanbul. Changes can be made to the tour plan within the information of the passengers.
Domestic Flights are Economy class
Domestic Flight baggage limits 15 kg Luggage + 8 kg Hand baggage. Excess luggage is charged.


Flight ticket group reservation policy

Flight ticket prices in the tour price are valid for individual passengers. Group prices may differ.
It is recommended to buy flight tickets early so that the price increase is not too much.
For this reason, group flight tickets should be purchased at least 2 -3  months in advance for domestic flights such as Istanbul Cappadocia or others. Otherwise, there are not enough plane tickets and prices will be expensive. Paying 30% of the group flight price within 2 days after the reservation confirmation is obligatory. Otherwise, the airline company will cancel the group request and ticket prices.

Remarks
- Travel health insurance is mandatory.
- Sample hotels are confirmed on the date of booking in case of availability. Otherwise,
  similar hotels are booked.  
- In the event of bad weather, time scarcity, traffic jams, and similar situations, the Guide may make changes to the tour program. 
- The locations in the itinerary can be changed with other places if closed.  
- During the tours, you will be walking approximately 2 km every day on uneven and
   cobblestone surfaces, inclines, and steps. 
- You are required to wear comfortable clothing, flat walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. in summer months and a raincoat, warm clothes, winter walking shoes, umbrella, etc. in winter.  
- The order of the sites visited may change to avoid crowds.  
- You will need to have your passport at check-in for all domestic flights.
- Domestic flights are economy class. Luggage limit 15 Kg.

 

 

HOTELS

Standard Package  Hotels 
Trabzon (1)         -  Funda Hotel 4*
Erzurum (1)        -  Otel Zade 4*
Kars (1)               -  Grand Ani 4*
Van (1)               -  Royal Milano 4*
Diyarbakır (1)     -  SV Business 4*    
Mardin ( 1 )        -  Yay Grand 4*  
Urfa (1)               -  Grand Gulizar
Adıyaman (1)     -  Ramada Wyndham Adıyaman 
Gaziantep (1)     -  SafirHotel 4*

Gold  Package Hotels 
Trabzon ( 1)        -  Novotel Trabzon 5*
Erzurum (1)        -  Polat Erzurum Resort 5*
Kars (1)              -  Cheltikov Boutique
Van ( 1 )             -  Double Three By Hilton
Diyarbakır (1)     -  Divan Diyarbakır 5*  
Mardin ( 1 )        -  Ramada Plaza Mardin 5*
Sanliurfa (1)       -  Nevali Hotel 5*
Adıyaman (1)     -  Ramada Wydham Adiyaman
Gaziantep (1)     -  Grand hotel Gaziantep 5*

Note: Sample hotels are confirmed on the booking date in case of availability. Otherwise, reservations are made in similar hotels.

 

HIGHLIGHTS


Trabzon
Erzurum
Kars
Dogubayazıt
Van
Ahlat
Mardin
Midyat
Dara
Deyrul Zafaran Monastery
Diyarbakır
Mount Nemrut
Arsaemia Ruins
Karakuş Tumulus
Cendere Bridge
Halfeti
Adıyaman
Mount Nemrut
Sanliurfa
Göbeklitepe
Karahantepe
Halfeti
Gaziantep
Zeugma Museum
Halfeti Dam 

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No route defined for this tour

Regular Group Tours are English-guided package tours with mixed nationalities of a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 40 people on the specified dates. Regular Group tour prices are fixed.
There is a child age restriction based on the character of the tour and generally, children under 8 years of age cannot participate.
Private Tours, on the other hand, is between 1 person and 40 people. It usually consists of small and private groups such as Families, groups of friends, or professional groups. No other travelers are allowed in Private groups. In private tours, the guide is given according to the group's request (available in Turkey) 
Guaranty Departure Tours have a definite departure regardless of the number of people on certain dates. 
The minimum and the maximum number of people and child age requirements are specified in the tour information.

The number of tour places varies according to the theme of the tour. Group tours are a minimum of 20 people - a maximum of 40 people. There is no limit on the number of private tours, usually between 1 and 18 people.

You can bring clothes and auxiliary items according to Turkey Tour regions and Tour season. During the winter seasons, you should bring thick and cold protective clothing and rain protective clothing.
Items such as clothes and umbrellas are required against rains that may occur in Spring and Autumn. In summer, have sunglasses, sunhat, comfortable walking shoes, swimming clothes, and equipment in lake and seashore tour programs.
It is appropriate for men and women to wear closed clothes in religious areas such as Churches, mosques, and synagogues. In Turkey, which is a Muslim country, mosques are not visited during prayer times.  Mosques are visited after worship.

After you write your contact information such as the name of the tour you prefer, the tour code number, the date of the tour, the number of people to attend, on the tour request form, you can send us your request by reading and approving the rules written in the (Terms and conditions) section.
Your registration is done and your official confirmation is sent to you. Then you make some payment.

Tour payments are made by money transfer systems such as bank transfer or Western Union.

Visitors can withdraw money in Turkish Lira, Euro, and US Dollars with their bank cards from ATMs in Turkey. Most ATMs offer English or other language options for foreigners' convenience.

Visitors can use their credit and debit cards for all kinds of shopping. During the tour, you can travel to smaller towns or villages far from the city center, where your credit card may not be valid, so it is recommended to always have cash, foreign currency, and Turkish Lira with you.

Two-pin sockets used in Europe are also widely used in Turkey.
If you are using a three-pin socket, it is recommended to bring a converter adapter.

If you want to use your own country's GSM operator in Turkey, you should ask your GSM operator to activate the international roaming function of your mobile phone before coming to Turkey. Or you can get a new SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card from one of the local GSM operators such as Türk Telekom, Vodafone, to use while you are in Turkey.

Foreigners in Turkey can drive in Turkey, provided that they always have their passports, international driving licenses, and their car licenses with them. It is legally forbidden to drink and drive and there are penalties. In Turkey, the vehicle is driven on the right side of the road.

Banks working hours 09:00 – 17:00 money transfer ends at 16:00.
Shopping Centers: 10:00 – 22:00
Pharmacies: 08:00 – 18:00 In each region, one on-duty pharmacy remains open between 18:00 and 08:00 at night.
There is a pharmacy on duty that remains open in every region on Sundays and public holidays. It is a legal obligation to keep the pharmacies on duty open.

For the treatments, you want to have in Turkey, travel agencies that have work and agreements with Hospitals and Doctors, who are experts in their fields, provide communication with the patient by transmitting the patient information to the relevant hospitals and Doctors. Travel Agencies, during the treatment period, provide services such as flight tickets, hotel or house reservations for accommodation, transfer services, and tour organizations for the patient and their relatives.
Hair transplant, Dental treatment, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery tour packages are among the most preferred health tourism packages in Turkey.

Compared to other European and Asian countries, Turkey has a large number of JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals and medical institutions. It has world-renowned Doctors who are experienced in their special branches and private or corporate hospitals equipped with modern medical devices. You don't have to wait in line for the highest quality medical treatment people deserve. Moreover, prices are much cheaper than world standards. You can find the best quality medical treatment at the lowest price in Turkey. You can find the best quality medical treatment at the lowest price in Turkey Hospitals. Such as Dental treatments, Hair Transplantation, Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery, Oncology, Urology, IVF – In Vitro fertilization, Cardiology treatments.

For foreigners who come to Turkey, there is no other vaccination obligation other than the Covid 19 Vaccine. It is obligatory for foreigners who come to Turkey during the Covid-19 Pandemic to be vaccinated or have a PCR test 72 hours before. In addition, there is an obligation to document this information.
As in all countries of the world, Cpvid-19 travel rules change from time to time according to countries. For this reason, you should learn the current travel data from the Turkish Consulate in your own country before traveling.

Tour Code
EN-038
Tour Name
Eastern Anatolian Grand Tour - 11 Days
Departure Point
Trabzon
Start Date
End Date
Number of Rooms

Eastern Turkey Grand Tour itinerary 10-Day

The Eastern Anatolia Grand Tour itinerary 10 days will take you to the wonder world of eastern and southeastern Turkey, the cradle of civilisations. On this beautiful tour, discover Asia Minor, the majesty of Mount Ararat, Tuşpa Castle, Ani Ruins, the city with 1001 Churches, and Göbeklitepe, the starting point of humanity.
Mount Nemrut, home to the gods, and feel the fantastic energy of Mount Nemrut; while watching the fascinating view of the sunset from the top of the mountains, you will be spiritually reborn and purified from all the negativity in your life.

The history and natural beauties of the Black Sea Region, the fascinating geography of Eastern Anatolia, the Caucasian city of Kars and the ruins of Ani, the province of Van where the capital of Urartu Civilisation is located, the culture and geography of Mesopotamia,  Sanlıurfa, the city of prophets, Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the wealthiest mosaics.

 

F.A.Q. Eastern Turkey Grand Tour

You will find the answers to the following questions in this tour.

Can Sumela Monastery be visited during the Black Sea tour?

What is the history behind the ruins of Ani?

What makes Göbeklitepe mysterious?

What are the wealthiest mosaics in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum?

 

 

Information
  • Tour Code : EN-038
  • Duration : 10 Days
  • Start : Trabzon
  • End : Gaziantep
  • Tour Season : 1 April - 15 November
  • Transfer : Vehicle
  • Distance : 2.600 Km
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