Itinerary - 21 Day Eastern Turkey Tour

Detailed Itinerary and Trip Notes    Dates and Prices   

Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul airport & transfer to the hotel. Free Afternoon to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of this amazing city. Welcome Dinner. Night in Istanbul.

Day 2 - Safronbolu
Lunch in the picturesque Bolu Mountains, then on to Safranbolu where you will enjoy the experience of staying the night in a traditional Ottoman style house.

Day 3 - Safronbolu to Amasya
We visit some of Safronbolu's traditional old buildings including the Governor's House and Caravanserai before setting off for Amasya and its dramatic setting of river, rock tombs and a castle, all floodlit at night. Night in Amasya.

Day 4 - Amasya
Morning in Amasya inspecting the Pontic tombs, the historic Beyazit II Mosque, and a restored Ottoman mansion. Free Afternoon. Night in Amasya.

Day 5 - Black Sea Coast
Today travel along the picturesque Yesil Irmak River valley, and across the Potic Mountain range to Giresun on the Black Sea coast. Night in Giresun.

Day 6 - Giresun to Trabzon
Morning visit Kale (Castle) Park, then follow the coastal road to Trabzon where we visit the Ayasofya Museum and Ataturk's Mansion. Night in Trabzon.

Day 7 - Trabzon
Morning visit to Sumela National Park. Enjoy breathtaking sight of Sumela Monastery on the mountainside. Free afternoon to visit local bazaars and artisans' shops, a Turkish Bath or just relax in a tea garden. Night in Trabzon.

Day 8 - Rize and Ayder
Travel along the Black Sea coast, visiting the picturesque Uzun Lake and Turkey's tea country capital, Rize. Then on to Ayder to enjoy the Thermal Springs, Alpine scenery and highland villages. Night in Ayder.

Day 9- Ayder to Erzurum
In the morning we travel through hilly tea country before reaching the roaring Çoruh River. Lunch stop to enjoy the breathtaking views in the city of Artvin before heding on to Erzurum. Night in Erzurum.

Day 10- Erzurum
Enjoy a morning tour of some of the notable city sites, including Çifte Minareli Medrese (Twin Minareted Seminary), Ulu Cami (the Grand Mosque) and the 5th century Citadel. Free afternoon. Night in Erzrum.

Day 11- Erzurum to Kars
On the way to Kars we stop to look at the 13th Century Çobandere Bridge and monument to the victims of Sarikamis siege. Afternoon visit to the 12th century Selçuk Citadel and the 10th century Armenian Church of 12 Apostles in Kars. Night in Kars.

Day 12- Kars to Dogubeyazit
A morning visit to the ruins of the 10th century Armenian capital of Ani, before driving to Dogubeyazit, stopping to take in the views of Turkey's most famous natural landmark, magnificent Mt Ararat on the way. Night in Dogubeyazit.

Day 13 - Dogubeyazit to Van
We set off to explore the spectacular Ishak Pasha Palace, once used to control the Silk Road before continuing on to the Van, home of Lake Van, Turkey's largest inland body of water, and one of the world's highest lakes. Night in Van.

Day 14 - Van
A full day exploring the ancient remains of the Van Region including the 10th Century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island in Lake Van and the 9th century Hosap citadel some 50km away. Night in Van.

Day 15 - Van to Diyarbakir
Today we visit Nemrut Crater Lake with its volcanic hot springs, then on to Diyarbakir where the River Tigris flows past the mighty black basalt walls of Diyarbakir, (second only to the Great Wall of China). Night in Diyarbakir.

Day 16 - Diyarbakir to Sanliurfa
Morning exploring Diyarbakir's maze of cobbled streets and alleys, then travel to the architectural "treasure chest" of Mardin. Continue to the old Testament town of Sanliurfa, reputed birthplace of Prophet Abraham. Night in Sanliurfa.

Day 17 - Sanliurfa and surrounds
Visit Mount Nemrut's spectacular stone heads and god statues built in honour of King Antiochus, and Ataturk Dam which provides hydroelectric power and irrigation for the region. Night in Sanliurfa.

Day 18 - Sanliurfa and surrounds
After a morning visit to the beehive-style mud houses of Harran, we visit the fascinating Old Testament town of Urfa, including the Sacred Carp Pools of Abraham and his birth cave. Free afternoon. Night in Sanliurfa.

Day 19 - Sanliurfa to Tarsus
Travel to Gaziantep where we visit the local museum which holds the exquisite mosaics from the ancient Roman City of Zeugma. On to spend the night in Tarsus.

Day 20 - Tarsus to Kizkalesi
Visit to Tarsus, the birth place of St Paul, almost 2000 years ago, before continuing to Kizkalesi where we will enjoy a farewell dinner. Night in Kizkalesi.

Day 21 - Adana to Istanbul
Drive to Adana airport, for morning flight to Istanbul.