Guaranteed Departure – September 21, 2026
Join our guaranteed small-group journey through Eastern Turkey, visiting Göbekli Tepe, Karahantepe, Mount Nemrut, Ani, Lake Van, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Gaziantep with an expert licensed guide.
✅ Guaranteed Departure
✅ Small Group Tour
✅ Solo Travelers Welcome
✅ Domestic Flights Included
✅ 4 & 5-star and Boutique Hotels
✅ From US$4,100 per person
Advance booking is recommended to secure your preferred departure.
Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour 11 Nights
Explore the rich history, archaeology, and cultural heritage of Eastern Turkey on this 11-night journey. One of our most comprehensive Eastern Turkey tours, this route connects Göbekli Tepe, Mount Nemrut, Kars and the ancient city of Ani, Mount Ararat, traditionally associated with Noah’s Ark, Ishak Pasha Palace, Lake Van, Mardin, Diyarbakır, and Gaziantep. Along the way, discover remarkable archaeological sites, centuries-old churches and monasteries, historic palaces and fortresses, ancient cities, spectacular landscapes, and authentic local traditions, all brought to life by expert licensed guides.
Tour Overview
Step into the heart of Eastern Turkey on this 11-night heritage adventure, exploring some of the region’s most iconic historical sites. From the breathtaking cliffs of Sumela Monastery on the Black Sea to the awe-inspiring Mount Nemrut, this journey spans millennia of history.
Highlights include the grandeur of Ishak Pasha Palace, the world’s oldest temples at Göbekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe, and the rich cultural traditions of Sanliurfa, Van, and Gaziantep. Stroll ancient streets, explore Ottoman bazaars, and enjoy landscapes ranging from rugged mountains to serene lakeshores.
Perfect for: History enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and adventurous travelers seeking an in-depth cultural journey through Eastern Turkey’s hidden gems.
This Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour connects archaeology, nature, and culture in one seamless route from Trabzon on the Black Sea to Gaziantep in Southeastern Anatolia. Designed for history lovers and cultural travelers, it combines UNESCO World Heritage Sites with local craftsmanship, regional cuisine, and Anatolian hospitality.
Tour Details & Highlights
Price: $4,100 per person
Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Region: Eastern & Southeastern Anatolia, Black Sea Region
Fitness Level: Moderate, suitable for walking up to 2 km on uneven ground
Group Size: Small Group Tour, minimum 4 travelers
Accommodations: A mix of carefully selected 4 & 5-star and boutique hotels
Top Attractions:
Sumela Monastery
Ishak Pasha Palace
Mount Nemrut & Colossal Statues of Gods
Mount Ararat
Göbekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe
Akdamar Island & Church of the Holy Cross
Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Historic bazaars of Sanliurfa & Mardin
Departure Dates:
2026: Sep 21 (Guaranteed Departure) | Oct 27
Solo travelers, couples, and small groups are welcome on this guaranteed departure.
2027: Apr 29 | May 11 (Guaranteed) | May 27 | Jun 24 | Aug 26 | Sep 23 | Oct 28
Guaranteed departures have reached the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Due to the extensive route and the arrangements required across multiple regions of Eastern Turkey, advance booking is recommended to secure your preferred departure.
All tours are operated by Experience Anatolia Tours, a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (License No. 10762)
Day 1 – Arrival in Trabzon & Sumela Monastery
Arrive in Trabzon, visit Hagia Sofia, continue to Sumela Monastery in Altındere National Park, drive along the Black Sea to Hopa.
Meals: D | Overnight: Trabzon / Hopa
Day 2 – Hopa to Erzurum via Artvin & Georgian Valleys
Travel through Artvin and Georgian Valleys to Erzurum. Scenic stops en route.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Erzurum
Day 3 – Erzurum to Kars & Ancient Ani
Sightseeing in Erzurum, travel to Kars, visit WWI battlefield Sarıkamış and ancient city of Ani.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Kars
Day 4 – Noah's Ark Formation, Mount Ararat & Ishak Pasha Palace
Drive toward Doğubayazıt with spectacular views of Mount Ararat, visit the Durupınar Noah’s Ark site and Ishak Pasha Palace, then continue to Van.
Meals: B | Overnight: Van
Day 5 – Van Region: Hoşap Fortress & Akdamar Island
Visit Hoşap Fortress, explore Akdamar Island and Church of the Holy Cross.
Meals: B, L | Overnight: Van
Day 6 – Tatvan, Nemrut Crater & Seljuk Monuments of Ahlat
Travel to Tatvan, visit Nemrut Volcano Crater and Seljuk monuments in Ahlat.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Tatvan
Day 7 – Bitlis Gorge, Batman & Hasankeyf
Drive through Bitlis Gorge, stop in Batman, explore Hasankeyf, continue to Mardin, visit Kasimiye Medrese.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Mardin
Day 8 – Mardin & Saffron Monastery to Diyarbakir
Visit Deir-Al-Zafaran (Saffron Monastery), continue to Diyarbakir, see 10 Arches Bridge.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Diyarbakir
Day 9 – Diyarbakir to Nemrut National Park
Sightseeing: Ulu Cami, Great Wall, ferry over Euphrates to Narlice Village, climb Mount Nemrut, watch sunset over statues.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Near Nemrut
Day 10 – Sanliurfa & Göbekli Tepe
Travel to Şanlıurfa and explore Göbekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest known monumental ceremonial sites, dating back more than 11,000 years, followed by a visit to the Holy Pools of Abraham and Abraham’s Cave.
Karahantepe Update (October 2026): Karahantepe is temporarily closed to visitors due to ongoing conservation work and the construction of a protective roof. Visits will resume once the site officially reopens.
Meals: B | Overnight: Sanliurfa
Day 11 – Sanliurfa to Gaziantep & Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Visit Urfa Ottoman Bazaar, Archaeology Museum, travel to Gaziantep, explore Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
Meals: B, D | Overnight: Gaziantep
Day 12 – Departure
Transfer to Gaziantep Airport for your onward flight.
End of services.
Meals: B
What’s Included
Terms & Conditions
• 15% surcharge for single room occupancy
• Travel insurance is required for all parts of Turkey; travelers are responsible for coverage, but guidance is provided
What’s NOT Included
❌ Meals not specified in the itinerary
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Beverages
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Optional tours and activities
❌ Tips for the tour guide and driver
Pre & Post-Tour Arrangements
Additional travel arrangements before or after the tour can be organized on request. This may include arriving in Trabzon one day before the tour begins, an Istanbul stay, or additional destinations in Turkey.
Pre- and post-tour arrangements are quoted separately according to the number of travelers, accommodation preferences, itinerary, and services required.
As one of Turkey’s most comprehensive Eastern Turkey tours, the Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour brings together archaeology, ancient history, cultural heritage, and spectacular landscapes across Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, from Ani and Mount Ararat to Lake Van, Mardin, Mount Nemrut, Göbekli Tepe, and Gaziantep.
Operated by local specialists based in Van, at the heart of Eastern Turkey, the journey benefits from extensive regional knowledge and firsthand experience across the destinations, archaeological sites, churches, monasteries, and historic landscapes along the route.
Every detail is arranged by Experience Anatolia Tours, a TÜRSAB-licensed Turkish travel agency (License No. 10762), with nearly 20 years of experience and more than 40,000 travelers hosted worldwide. Our team provides professional local coordination, licensed guiding, comfortable transportation, and carefully selected accommodations throughout the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accommodation, 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 8 dinners as specified in the itinerary, transportation, 2 domestic flights, airport transfers in Trabzon and Gaziantep, museum and archaeological site entrance fees, a professional English-speaking licensed guide, and applicable taxes are included in this Eastern Turkey tour. The journey is operated by TÜRSAB-licensed Experience Anatolia Tours (License No. 10762), providing professional local coordination and extensive regional expertise throughout Eastern Turkey.
Yes. The Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour is professionally guided by a licensed English-speaking tour guide registered through TUREB (Turkish Union of Tourist Guides Chambers), providing in-depth historical, archaeological, and cultural insight throughout the journey across Eastern Turkey.
Yes. Travelers who prefer not to join the scheduled group departures may book this itinerary as a private tour. The route, accommodations, and pace can be adjusted to suit your interests and travel dates. Please note that private tours are priced differently from the scheduled small-group departures, as costs are based on the number of participants and the services requested.
The best time to take the Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour is from April to November, when the weather is ideal for exploring Göbekli Tepe, Mount Nemrut, Van Lake, and other UNESCO heritage sites. During these months, travelers enjoy clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and the most scenic landscapes of Eastern Anatolia.
You can submit an inquiry through our Enquire Today page or email us directly at info@exploreanatolia.com. We will confirm availability, departure dates, and pricing. Private departures are also available upon request and are quoted separately from the scheduled small-group tour. All tours are operated by Experience Anatolia Tours (TÜRSAB License No. 10762).
Yes. We can assist with additional hotel nights, airport transfers, domestic flights, and sightseeing before or after the tour. Many travelers choose to spend extra time in Istanbul before joining the tour or arrive in Trabzon a day early to rest after an international flight. These arrangements are available upon request and are quoted separately based on your hotel preferences and travel requirements.
This tour is ideal for travelers interested in ancient history, archaeology, Biblical heritage, culture, and authentic local life. It is particularly suited to those seeking a deeper understanding of Eastern Turkey’s ancient civilizations, archaeological sites, centuries-old churches and monasteries, historic cities, traditional bazaars, and diverse cultural heritage. Along the journey, travelers can also experience regional cuisine, traditional dishes, local markets, and everyday life across Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. History enthusiasts, cultural travelers, photographers, and those interested in the Biblical and religious heritage of Eastern Turkey will find the journey especially rewarding. The small-group format provides a more personal experience, meaningful local interactions, and the opportunity to discover this remarkable region with like-minded travelers.
Ready to Join This Tour?
September 21, 2026 Guaranteed Departure
Solo travelers, couples, and small groups are welcome.
Looking for another way to experience Turkey? Explore our archaeology tours, cultural journeys, Biblical routes, and privately designed Eastern Turkey tours, connecting some of Anatolia’s most remarkable ancient sites, landscapes, and cultural heritage.
Choose from scheduled small-group departures or private journeys designed for travelers interested in archaeology, ancient history, culture, and authentic local experiences.
• 8-Day Göbekli Tepe & Upper Mesopotamia Archaeology Tour
• Private Eastern Turkey Tours
• Taste of Turkey 12-Day Culinary & Cultural Tour
• Ancient Anatolia Tours
• Biblical Turkey Tours – Seven Churches & St. Paul Routes
See real traveler experiences and discover Turkey’s archaeological sites, cultural heritage, and local life through our journeys across the country.
Fun Facts / Did You Know?
- Mount Ararat: Traditionally associated with the resting place of Noah’s Ark
- Göbekli Tepe: More than 11,000 years old and thousands of years older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids
- Ani: Once a major medieval city on the Silk Road, famous for its churches and monumental architecture
- Akdamar Church: The 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross stands on an island in Lake Van
- Mount Nemrut: Its monumental sanctuary and colossal statues were created by King Antiochus I of Commagene in the 1st century BC
