Home / Europe, Turkey Tours / Culture & Historical

Eastern Anatolia & Mesopotamia Grand Discovery Tour (14 Days)

Trabzon, Sumela Monastery, Erzurum, Ani Ruins, Kars, Van, Akdamar Island, Ahlat Museum, Tatvan, Hasankeyf, Midyat, Mardin, Mor Hananyo Monastery (Deyrulzafaran Monastery), Karahantepe Kargalı, Gobeklitepe Archeological Site, Sanliurfa, Nemrut Mount, Adiyaman, Halfeti, Gaziantep, Adana,
Duration

14 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

1-40 people

Physical Level

easy

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Tour Overview

This extraordinary journey unfolds across the heart of Eastern Anatolia and ancient Mesopotamia, tracing civilizations that shaped human history. Beginning on the lush shores of the Black Sea and ending in the fertile plains of Çukurova, the tour reveals a timeless landscape of monasteries carved into cliffs, medieval capitals, sacred mountains, and the world’s earliest temples.

From the dramatic Sumela Monastery and the ruined city of Ani to the mystical heights of Mount Nemrut and the Neolithic wonders of Göbeklitepe, each day offers a profound encounter with history, faith, and culture. Carefully paced and rich in meaning, this tour is designed for travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and unforgettable heritage experiences.

Activities
Discovery Family Historical In-depth Cultural Museum Solo Travel Sightseeing Photography Explorer

Tour Features

Duration
14 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-40 people

Tour Code
EAMGDT14D

Departure Type
scheduled

Tour Category
Culture & Historical

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
11 - 99

Trabzon

Pickup Time:

----------------

Adana

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Cliffside Sumela Monastery and Black Sea cultural heritage

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival in Trabzon, you are met by your professional guide and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to rest after your journey or enjoy a gentle introduction to this historic Black Sea city.

Overnight: Trabzon

Day 2

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, your guide picks you up from the hotel to begin a full-day exploration of Trabzon and its surroundings. Travel into the forested mountains to visit the legendary Sumela Monastery, dramatically built into a sheer cliff face in the 14th century and dedicated to the Black Virgin.

Returning to the city, visit the elegant Hagia Sophia, followed by the Atatürk Pavilion, set within tranquil gardens overlooking Trabzon. At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.

Overnight: Trabzon

Day 3

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Following breakfast, meet your guide and depart from the hotel toward Erzurum, passing through the lush valleys and highlands of the Black Sea region. Upon arrival in Erzurum, enjoy a guided city tour featuring the iconic Çifte Minareli Medrese, Yakutiye Medrese, Erzurum Castle, the Three Tombs, and the historic Ulu Mosque, outstanding examples of Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, drop-off at the hotel.

Overnight: Erzurum

Day 4

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, depart with your guide across the wide pastures of Eastern Anatolia toward Kars. En route, explore the remarkable ruins of Ani, the medieval capital known as the “City of a Thousand and One Churches,” located near the Turkish–Armenian border.

Continue to Kars to visit Kars Castle and the Archaeological Museum. Transfer to the hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight: Kars

Day 5

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by departure with your guide toward Doğubeyazıt. Visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, an 18th-century masterpiece blending Ottoman, Persian, and Seljuk architectural styles.

Admire views of Mount Ararat, traditionally believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark, before continuing toward Van with a stop at the scenic Muradiye Waterfalls. Hotel drop-off upon arrival.

Overnight: Van

Day 6

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, your guide escorts you to the pier for a boat trip to Akdamar Island, home to the Church of the Holy Cross, famed for its intricate biblical reliefs.

In the afternoon, visit the Urartian fortress of Çavuştepe and the impressive Hoşap Castle (1643). Return to the hotel at the end of the tour.

Overnight: Van

Day 7

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Meet your guide after breakfast and depart toward Tatvan. Travel by local minibuses to reach Mount Nemrut Crater Lake, the largest volcanic crater lake in Turkey.

Continue to Ahlat, renowned for its Seljuk mausoleums and monumental cemetery. Transfer to the hotel in Tatvan.

Overnight: Tatvan

Day 8

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, depart with your guide for Mardin. En route, visit Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement overlooking the Tigris River, and the Syriac monastery of Anıtlı.

Continue to Midyat, famous for its stone houses and traditional silversmiths, before arriving in Mardin. Hotel drop-off in the evening.

Overnight: Mardin

Day 9

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, your guide picks you up for a full-day exploration of Mardin, a medieval city cascading down the hillside above the Mesopotamian plains. Visit the important Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery, followed by the ancient Roman city of Dara, near the Syrian border.

Return to the hotel after the tour.

Overnight: Mardin

Day 10

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Following breakfast, depart with your guide toward Karahantepe and then Göbeklitepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex, dating back over 11,000 years.

Continue to Urfa, where visits include Abraham’s Cave, the Sacred Pool, the historic bazaar, and the Haleplibahçe Museum. Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Urfa

Day 11

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Early breakfast, followed by departure with your guide toward Mount Nemrut. Explore the monumental sanctuary of King Antiochus I, the Nemrut Dağı National Park, Cendere Roman Bridge, Arsameia, and the Karakuş Tumulus.

Continue to Adıyaman and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight: Adıyaman

Day 12

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

After breakfast, depart with your guide toward Halfeti. Enjoy a ferry ride to see Rumkale and the partially submerged village along the Euphrates River.

Continue to Gaziantep for visits to Zeugma and the world-renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Hotel drop-off.

Overnight: Gaziantep

Day 13

(Breakfast and Lunch Included)

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by free time for shopping in Gaziantep. Later, depart with your guide for Adana. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour including the Adana Archaeological Museum.

Transfer to the hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight: Adana

Day 14

(Breakfast Included )

After breakfast, your guide provides transfer from the hotel to the airport for your onward journey. End of services.

Included

Trabzon: 2 nights - Zorlu Grand Hotel or Smiller

Erzurum: 1 night - Ramada By Wyndham Erzurum or Smiller

Kars: 1 night - Grand Ani Hotel or Smiller

Van: 2 nights - Ramada by Wyndham Van or Smiller

Tatvan: 1 night - Hotel Tatvan Kardelen or Smiller

Mardin: 2 nights - Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Mardin or Smiller

Urfa: 1 night - Grand Gülizar Otel or Smiller

Adıyaman: 1 night - Park Dedeman Adıyaman or Smiller

Gaziantep: 1 night - Park Dedeman Gaziantep or Smiller

Adana: 1 night - DoubleTree by Hilton Adana or Smiller

Professional, licensed English-speaking guide accompanying the tour from start to finish

Daily breakfast at hotels

Lunches as specified in the program at local restaurants, featuring regional cuisine

Meet & greet and professional guide pick-up from the hotel at the start of the tour

All ground transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle throughout the itinerary

Guided city tours and excursions in:

Trabzon (Sumela Monastery, Hagia Sophia, Atatürk Pavilion)

Erzurum (Seljuk monuments and historic city center)

Ani (UNESCO archaeological site)

Kars (city and museum tour)

Van (Akdamar Island, Çavuştepe, Hoşap Castle)

Ahlat (Seljuk cemetery and mausoleums)

Mardin (old city, Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery)

Dara (ancient Roman city)

Urfa (Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, sacred sites)

Mount Nemrut & Commagene Kingdom sites

Gaziantep (Zeugma and Mosaic Museum)

Adana (city tour and Archaeological Museum)

All entrance fees to museums, archaeological sites, and historical monuments mentioned in the itinerary

Boat trips and ferries, including:

Akdamar Island boat trip (Lake Van)

Halfeti ferry to Rumkale

Local taxes, service charges, and parking fees

Excluded

International And Domestic flights to and from Turkey

Travel insurance

Dinners and beverages unless otherwise stated

Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, and minibar

Tips for the guide and driver (optional and at guests’ discretion)

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Sep 9, 2026 Sep 22, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 10, 2026 Sep 23, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 11, 2026 Sep 24, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 12, 2026 Sep 25, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 13, 2026 Sep 26, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 14, 2026 Sep 27, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 15, 2026 Sep 28, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 16, 2026 Sep 29, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 17, 2026 Sep 30, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 18, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 19, 2026 Oct 2, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 20, 2026 Oct 3, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 21, 2026 Oct 4, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 22, 2026 Oct 5, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 23, 2026 Oct 6, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 24, 2026 Oct 7, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 25, 2026 Oct 8, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 26, 2026 Oct 9, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 27, 2026 Oct 10, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 28, 2026 Oct 11, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 29, 2026 Oct 12, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
Sep 30, 2026 Oct 13, 2026 €4430 (%10 Off) €3987
Double room
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