Eastern Turkey Explorer
Nemrut, Ararat & Black Sea Tour
Discover 10 unforgettable nights across Eastern Turkey’s legendary monuments, scenic lakes, and hidden cultural treasures.
Embark on a 10 night journey through the legendary landscapes, ancient ruins, and cultural treasures of Eastern Turkey from Nemrut’s stone gods to the cliffside monasteries of the Black Sea.
Tour Description
Discover the wonders of Eastern Turkey on this Eastern Turkey Explorer 10-night adventure, combining ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural experiences. From the monumental statues of Mount Nemrut to the legendary heights of Mount Ararat, this tour takes you along historic Silk Road routes, through vibrant cities like Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Van, and ends at the awe-inspiring Sumela Monastery on the Black Sea. Perfect for travelers seeking history, culture, and unforgettable scenery in one immersive journey.
Eastern Turkey Explorer Tour Quick Facts
• Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
• Region: Eastern Anatolia
• Fitness Level: Moderate – able to walk 2 km over uneven or inclined ground
• Accommodation: Carefully selected boutique, 4 & 5-star hotels where available, with daily breakfast
• Tour Price: $4,200 per person (single supplement +15%)
✅ Departure Date: 1 November 2026
✅ Minimum 4 participants required
This tour can also be arranged as a private journey tailored to your preferred travel dates, pace, travel style, and group size.
Tour Overview: Eastern Turkey Explorer, 10 Nights of Discovery
Embark on a 10-night cultural and historical journey through Eastern Anatolia, exploring ancient ruins, medieval fortresses, and natural wonders. This Eastern Turkey Explorer tour offers:
Monumental statues and royal tombs at Mount Nemrut
Archaeological marvels at Göbekli Tepe (Gobekli Tepe)
Iconic city walls of Diyarbakir
The sacred Saffron Monastery in Mardin
Stunning landscapes around Lake Van and Mount Ararat
The cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery overlooking the Black Sea
Why Take the Eastern Turkey Explorer Tour
Experience Eastern Turkey like never before with:
Exclusive access to key historical and archaeological sites
Insight into Kurdish, Armenian, and Syriac Christian heritage
Authentic local experiences, including Van’s traditional carpets and cuisine
Scenic drives through mountains, river gorges, and Silk Road routes
Tour Highlights of the Eastern Turkey Explorer
Nemrut Peak: UNESCO World Heritage funerary monument
Göbekli Tepe: The world’s oldest known temple complex
Diyarbakir: Ancient city walls stretching over 5.5 km
Mardin: Saffron Monastery and hilltop city views
Ishak Pasha Palace: Spectacular Ottoman-Persian architectural masterpiece
Akdamar Island & Holy Cross Church: 10th-century Armenian church
Sumela Monastery: Cliffside monastery dating back to the 4th century AD
Learn more about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey at
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Kayseri to Adiyaman
Depart from Kayseri, the foot of Mount Erciyes and former capital of the Seljuk Anatolian Sultanate. Travel along the ancient Silk Road, stopping at the Karatay Han before proceeding to Adiyaman.
Overnight: Adiyaman
Day 2 – Nemrut Peak & Şanlıurfa
Visit the magnificent funerary monument at Mount Nemrut, a testament to King Antiochus’s ambition. Continue to the Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates and arrive in Şanlıurfa, the ancient city of prophets.
Overnight: Şanlıurfa
Day 3 – Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe
Explore the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe (Gobekli Tepe), one of the most important Neolithic sites in the world. Continue to Diyarbakir, famous for its ancient city walls constructed of massive black basalt, the second longest continuous defensive wall after the Great Wall of China.
Overnight: Diyarbakir
Day 4 – Mardin
Travel to Mardin, perched on a high hill overlooking the southern plains. Visit Deir-Al-Zafaran (Saffron Monastery), center of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchy, still an active monastery with a sacred history spanning thousands of years.
Overnight: Mardin
Day 5 – Mardin to Tatvan
Drive to Hasankeyf, now submerged under the Tigris dam waters. Continue to Batman and the Bitlis River Gorge, reaching Tatvan on the western shore of Lake Van.
Overnight: Tatvan
Day 6 – Van & Akdamar Island
Visit Akdamar Island and the restored 10th-century Holy Cross Church (Sourp Khach). Explore Van Museum of Urartu and the 9th-century Van Fortress.
Overnight: Van
Day 7 – Van to Hosap & Van Carpet Collective
Drive along a Silk Road branch to visit Hosap Castle, built to protect the road and collect tolls. Return to Van for a visit to a local carpet and rug collective where traditional skills are taught.
Overnight: Van
Day 8 – Doğubayazıt, Ararat & Kars
Travel to Doğubayazıt, stopping at Bendimaahi Falls. Visit the Ishak Pasha Palace and journey north along Mount Ararat, known as the Mountain of Pain in Turkish and Masis to Armenians. Arrive in Kars.
Overnight: Kars
Day 9 – Ani & Erzurum
Visit Ani, the medieval Armenian Kingdom’s former capital, including churches, the Cathedral shell, citadel, and preserved defensive walls. Travel west along the Aras River, passing Sarikamis WWI site and Cobandede Bridge en route to Erzurum.
Overnight: Erzurum
Day 10 – Erzurum to Sumela Monastery, Trabzon
Drive north through the Pontic Alps, following historic routes of Xenophon’s Ten Thousand. Pass Bayburt Fortress and reach the cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with buildings dating from the 12th century.
Overnight: Trabzon
Day 11 – Departure
End of tour. Transfer to Trabzon Airport for onward travel.
From the monumental statues of Mount Nemrut and the mysteries of Göbeklitepe to Lake Van, Mount Ararat, Ani, and the cliffside Sumela Monastery, this journey showcases some of Eastern Anatolia’s most remarkable landscapes, cultures, and historical treasures.
Travelers seeking a well-balanced another small-group option may wish to consider our Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour, a 12-day journey designed specifically around the region’s geography, history, and cultural depth. The itinerary includes Trabzon, Sumela Monastery, Ani, Kars, Lake Van, Akdamar Church, Ishak Pasha Palace, Mardin, Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa, Mount Nemrut and Antep. Scheduled departures are available throughout 2026 and 2027, including a guaranteed departure on September 22, 2026.
Plan Your Eastern Turkey Journey
What’s Included
✅ Carefully selected 4 & 5-star hotels with daily breakfast
✅ Domestic flights: (Istanbul–Kayseri and Trabzon–Istanbul)
✅ All road transportation (tolls and taxes included)
✅ Airport transfers
✅ Professional English-speaking guide
✅ All museum and site entrance fees
✅ All state and local taxes
Terms & Conditions:
• Please note that there is a 15% surcharge for single room occupancy.
• Please note that it is essential that you have purchased travel insurance for all parts of Turkey. It is your responsibility to organize the correct cover, but we are happy to advise.
What’s NOT Included
❌ Lunches, Dinners
❌ Beverages
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Travel insurance (unless otherwise stated)
❌ Optional activities
❌ Tips
Price: $4200 USD per person
Fun Facts & Did You Know?
Nemrut’s Sky-High Statues: The colossal stone heads atop Mount Nemrut weigh up to 10 tons each and were part of King Antiochus I’s 1st-century BC funerary sanctuary. Visiting them at sunrise is a breathtaking experience.
Biblical Ararat: Mount Ararat, known as the resting place of Noah’s Ark, rises to 5,137 meters and dominates Eastern Turkey’s skyline. Its history and legends make every glance a story.
Van’s Guinness Breakfast: The city of Van holds the record for the world’s largest full breakfast, with over 51,000 people participating in 2014. A must-try for any traveler seeking local flavors!
Saffron Monastery’s Ancient Roots: Deir-Al-Zafaran (Saffron Monastery) in Mardin has been a spiritual center since 493 AD, built on the foundations of a 1,000 BC temple, history, and faith intertwine here.
Ancient City Walls of Diyarbakir: Stretching over 5.5 km and made of black basalt, these walls are the second longest continuous defensive walls in the world, after the Great Wall of China.
Ready to Book Your Tour?
10-night Eastern Turkey adventure: Ancient city walls, Ishak Paşa Palace, Göbekli Tepe, and breathtaking landscapes from Ararat to the Black Sea.
For travelers who prefer a fully customized and private version of this route, explore our Private Eastern Turkey Tours, designed by local experts and tailored around your travel dates, pace, and interests.
