Eastern Anatolia & Ancient Kingdoms

Upon your arrival at Diyarbakır Airport, you will be greeted by your private guide and begin discovering one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Middle East.

Start your visit with a walk along portions of the impressive Diyarbakır City Walls, among the longest and best-preserved defensive walls in the world. Their striking black basalt construction has protected the city for nearly two thousand years.

Continue to the historic Ulu Mosque (Great Mosque of Diyarbakır), considered one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia and an outstanding example of early Islamic architecture.

Explore the lively streets surrounding Hasan Paşa Han, a beautifully restored Ottoman caravanserai where locals have gathered for centuries.

If time permits, enjoy views over the fertile Hevsel Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape stretching between the ancient city walls and the Tigris River.

Following your tour, continue south to the enchanting city of Mardin, where centuries of history are carved into honey-colored limestone buildings overlooking the Mesopotamian plains.

Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Mardin.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and explore one of Turkey's most atmospheric and culturally diverse cities.

Begin with a leisurely walk through Mardin Old Town, where narrow stone alleyways, elegant mansions, artisan workshops, and historic houses preserve the city's timeless character.

Visit the impressive Zinciriye Madrasa, whose elevated location provides breathtaking panoramic views across the vast Mesopotamian plains.

Continue to the magnificent Kasımiye Madrasa, one of the finest surviving examples of Artuqid architecture and an important center of learning during the medieval period.

Later, visit the remarkable Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the oldest Syriac Orthodox monasteries in the world, which has served as an important religious center for more than 1,500 years.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Mardin.

After breakfast, set out to explore the remarkable historical treasures surrounding Mardin.

Begin at the extraordinary Ancient City of Dara, once a major Roman frontier city featuring impressive underground cisterns, defensive walls, rock-cut tombs, and extensive archaeological remains.

Continue to the historic Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the oldest functioning Syriac Orthodox monasteries in the world and a remarkable symbol of the region's enduring Christian heritage.

Visit the peaceful village of Anıtlı, known for its traditional stone architecture and authentic rural atmosphere.

Later, explore the charming town of Midyat, famous for its beautifully carved limestone mansions, traditional silver craftsmanship, and vibrant Syriac culture.

Return to Mardin for your final evening.

Overnight in Mardin.

After checking out of your hotel, begin your journey east through the dramatic landscapes of Eastern Anatolia.

Spend additional time exploring Midyat before continuing toward the shores of Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake.

Board a boat to Akdamar Island, home to the magnificent Church of the Holy Cross, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture beautifully situated against the deep blue waters of the lake.

Later, visit the imposing Van Castle, an enormous Urartian fortress that has overlooked the region for nearly three thousand years while offering spectacular panoramic views across Lake Van.

Continue to your hotel.

Overnight in Van.

After breakfast, check out and continue your journey toward Kars.

En route, visit the magnificent İshak Paşa Palace, one of Turkey's greatest architectural masterpieces. Perched dramatically on a hillside overlooking the surrounding valleys, the palace harmoniously blends Ottoman, Persian, Seljuk, and Armenian architectural influences.

Continue to the breathtaking Ancient City of Ani, the legendary medieval capital known as the "City of 1,001 Churches." Once one of the world's largest cities, its haunting ruins now stand peacefully along the Turkish-Armenian border.

Arrive in Kars and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Kars.

After breakfast, enjoy a short tour of historic Kars, a fascinating frontier city where Ottoman, Russian, Armenian, and Anatolian cultures have blended for centuries.

Visit the impressive Kars Castle, which overlooks the city from its commanding hilltop position, before strolling through the elegant streets lined with beautifully preserved Russian-era stone architecture.

If time permits, admire the historic Church of the Apostles, a remarkable monument reflecting the region's rich multicultural past.

At the appropriate time, your private driver will transfer you to Kars Airport for your onward flight.

We hope your journey across Eastern Anatolia has been filled with unforgettable landscapes, extraordinary history, and authentic cultural encounters. We look forward to welcoming you back for another remarkable adventure in Turkey.