6 Days | 5 Nights | Private Tour | Domestic Flights Included
Eastern Turkey Highlights Tour is a carefully designed private journey through Kars, the UNESCO-listed Ani Ruins, Ishak Pasha Palace, Akdamar Church, Lake Van, and the spectacular landscapes surrounding Mount Ararat. Perfect for travelers interested in history, archaeology, culture, breathtaking scenery, and authentic local experiences, this tour offers an unforgettable introduction to one of Turkey’s most fascinating and least explored regions.
Fully Private Tours • Licensed Local Guides • 4–5 Star and Boutique Hotels • Seamless Travel Planning Across Eastern Turkey
Tour Highlights
• Explore Ani, the UNESCO-listed medieval city known as the City of 1,001 Churches
• Visit the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace overlooking Mount Ararat
• Cruise across Lake Van to Akdamar Church
• Discover Kars, one of Turkey’s most fascinating historic cities
• Experience the landscapes, culture, and heritage of Eastern Anatolia
• Travel with a private guide and dedicated transportation throughout
Quick Tour Information
Tour Type: Private Tour
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Start: Kars Airport
End: Van Airport
Accommodation: Carefully Selected Boutique & 4-Star Hotels, with 5-Star Upgrades Available
Guide: Professional Licensed Local Guide
Transportation: Private Vehicle Throughout
Domestic Flights: Included
Tour Price: From US$3,200 per person (minimum 2 travelers)
Final pricing may vary based on group size, travel dates, accommodation preferences, and itinerary customization.
Single Supplement: 15% surcharge applies for single room occupancy.
This private Eastern Turkey tour combines history, archaeology, dramatic landscapes, and authentic local culture across some of the region’s most iconic destinations, including Kars, Ani, Mount Ararat, Ishak Pasha Palace, Akdamar Church, and Lake Van.
Why Travel Eastern Turkey With Explore Anatolia
Based in Van, Eastern Turkey, our local team has spent more than 15 years designing and operating private tours across the region. Having hosted over 40,000 travelers, we combine deep local knowledge with seamless planning to create authentic Eastern Turkey travel experiences.
• Based in Van, at the heart of Eastern Turkey
• 15+ years of regional experience
• 40,000+ travelers hosted worldwide
• TÜRSAB Licensed Tour Operator
• Private and tailor-made travel specialists
All tours are operated through Experience Anatolia Tours, ensuring local expertise, seamless logistics, and authentic regional experiences.
Tour Overview
This Eastern Turkey Highlights Tour is a private journey through some of the region’s most remarkable cultural, historical, and natural landmarks, including Kars, Ani, Mount Ararat, Ishak Pasha Palace, Akdamar Church, and Lake Van.
Designed for travelers interested in history, archaeology, culture, and landscapes, it offers an excellent introduction to Eastern Turkey’s most iconic destinations.
Travelers seeking a small-group option may wish to consider our Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour, with scheduled departures available throughout 2026 and 2027.
Day-by-Day Eastern Turkey Highlights Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Kars
Arrive in Kars and begin exploring one of Eastern Turkey’s most fascinating historic cities. Discover the city’s distinctive Russian-era architecture, visit Kars Castle overlooking the city, and explore Kümbet Mosque, originally built as the Church of the Apostles.
Overnight: Kars
Day 2 – Ani Ruins
Spend the day exploring the remarkable UNESCO-listed Ani Archaeological Site, once known as the City of 1,001 Churches. Visit Ani Cathedral, the Church of Tigran Honents, and other medieval monuments reflecting the region’s rich Armenian, Byzantine, and Seljuk heritage.
Overnight: Kars
Day 3 – Kars to Doğubayazıt
Travel through the dramatic landscapes of Eastern Anatolia to Doğubayazıt. Visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, one of Turkey’s finest Ottoman landmarks, and enjoy spectacular views of Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest peak.
Overnight: Doğubayazıt
Day 4 – Doğubayazıt to Van
Continue toward Van, stopping at the beautiful Muradiye Waterfall along the way. Upon arrival, explore Van Castle and the historic ruins of Old Van City overlooking the shores of Lake Van.
Overnight: Van
Day 5 – Akdamar Island & Lake Van
Enjoy a boat excursion across Lake Van to Akdamar Island, home to the famous 10th-century Akdamar Church. Later, visit Hoşap Castle and discover some of the region’s most scenic landscapes surrounding Lake Van.
Overnight: Van
Day 6 – Departure
Transfer to Van Airport for your domestic flight and onward journey.
What’s Included
✅ Carefully selected boutique & 4-star hotels, with 5-star upgrades available
✅ Domestic flights (Istanbul–Kars and Van–Istanbul)
✅ Private transportation throughout the tour
✅ Professional licensed local guide
✅ All airport transfers
✅ All museum and archaeological site entrance fees
✅ All road tolls, parking fees, and transportation taxes
✅ All state and local taxes
What’s NOT Included
❌ Lunches
❌ Dinners
❌ Beverages
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Travel insurance
❌ International flights
❌ Optional activities and gratuities
Terms & Conditions
A 15% surcharge applies for single room occupancy.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all travel in Turkey. Travelers are responsible for obtaining appropriate coverage, although our team is happy to provide guidance before departure.
From US$3,200 per person (minimum 2 travelers)
Includes domestic flights, licensed English-speaking guide, private transportation, boutique and 4/5-star hotels, entrance fees, and private airport transfers.
Your Private Eastern Turkey Tour, Fully Customized
Looking for a different pace, additional destinations, or extra nights? Every private Eastern Turkey tour can be tailored to your interests, travel style, and preferred schedule. Our team will help design the ideal journey through Eastern Turkey, from Lake Van and Mount Ararat to Ani, Kars, and beyond.
Tell us your travel dates and interests, and our local team will create the ideal Eastern Turkey itinerary for you.
Final inclusions, accommodations, and travel arrangements will be confirmed with your personalized itinerary.
Why Choose Our Private Eastern Turkey Tours
• Direct local operator, not a reseller
• Based in Eastern Turkey with genuine on-the-ground expertise
• 15+ years designing and operating tours across Eastern Anatolia
• Fully licensed TÜRSAB travel agency with direct operations
• Deep regional knowledge of Kars, Ani, Mount Ararat, Lake Van, and Eastern Anatolia
• Carefully designed routes for comfort, pacing, and seamless travel
• Private, high-quality journeys tailored to your interests and travel style
• 40,000+ travelers hosted worldwide
Travel with a team that knows Eastern Turkey firsthand, delivering high-quality private Eastern Turkey tours built on real local expertise.
See Real Travel Experiences in Eastern Turkey
Watch real moments from our tours across Eastern Turkey and Anatolia, filmed by travelers exploring the region with our local team. These videos show how the journey feels on the ground, guided by our local team.
Explore more on our YouTube channel, where we share real traveler experiences across Eastern Turkey.
Prefer a Small Group Departure?
While most of our Eastern Turkey tours are fully private and custom-designed, we also offer a limited number of scheduled small group departures on selected dates.
Our Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour is ideal for travelers who prefer a fixed itinerary, while our longer Private Eastern Turkey Tour options offer deeper exploration across the region.
Small groups • Limited departures • Carefully designed routes
Most travelers prefer private tours for greater flexibility, comfort, and personalized experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a fully private Eastern Turkey tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions. The itinerary, pace, and daily schedule can be adjusted to suit your interests and travel style.
Yes. Domestic flights between Istanbul and Kars, and Van and Istanbul are included in the tour price, along with airport transfers and ground transportation throughout the journey.
The tour includes carefully selected boutique and 4-star hotels, subject to availability. All accommodations are chosen for their comfort, location, character, and service quality.
Absolutely. Additional destinations, extra nights, different hotel categories, or special-interest visits can be arranged. Every private Eastern Turkey tour can be tailored to match your interests, schedule, and travel preferences.
Highlights include Kars, the UNESCO-listed Ani Ruins, Mount Ararat viewpoints, Ishak Pasha Palace, Lake Van, Akdamar Church, Van Castle, Muradiye Waterfall, and the unique cultural and historical heritage of Eastern Turkey.
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Looking for additional destinations, longer itineraries, or a different travel style? Explore more private and tailor-made journeys across Turkey and beyond.
Ready to Explore Eastern Turkey With Local Experts?
Discover the highlights of Eastern Turkey, from the UNESCO-listed Ani Ruins and the slopes of Mount Ararat to Lake Van, Akdamar Church, and Ishak Pasha Palace. This Eastern Turkey Highlights Tour combines history, archaeology, culture, and spectacular landscapes in one carefully designed itinerary.
Our local team based in Van specializes in private Eastern Turkey tours and will help create the ideal journey based on your travel dates, interests, and preferred travel style.
Looking for a broader overview of routes and travel ideas?
Explore our Eastern Turkey Tours page to discover more routes, itineraries, and travel options across the region.
