# The Ultimate Eastern Turkey Expedition 11 Nights | 3 Cappadocia · 1 Gaziantep · 1 Şanlıurfa · 1 Diyarbakır · 3 Mardin · 1 Van · 1 Kars — fairy chimneys, Mount Nemrut, Mardin and the haunting ruins of Ani. - Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days - Price: from $5890.00 USD per traveler - Physical rating: 3 - Moderate - Meeting point: Nevşehir Airport (NAV) — arrivals hall ## About this trip Embark on the definitive twelve-day expedition across Turkey's eastern frontiers, a journey that begins amid the surreal volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia, descends through the ancient Mesopotamian cities of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakır, lingers in the honey-colored stone alleyways of Mardin, crosses the high plains of Eastern Anatolia to the sacred waters of Lake Van, and concludes among the haunting ruins of Ani on the Turkish-Armenian border. With eleven nights of handpicked accommodation, your own private guide and driver throughout, and seven distinct regions traversed in a single seamless itinerary, this is the most complete tour of eastern Turkey available — a journey of rare landscapes, ancient kingdoms, and extraordinary cultural depth that culminates at the edge of one of the world's most storied borderlands. ## Places visited - Cappadocia - Göreme Open Air Museum - Love Valley - Paşabağ (Monks Valley) - Avanos - Özkonak Underground City - Uçhisar Castle - Pigeon Valley - Ortahisar - Red Valley - Ürgüp - Kahramanmaraş - Gaziantep - Zeugma Mosaic Museum - Göbekli Tepe - Şanlıurfa - Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum - Balıklıgöl - Harran - Ancient City of Perre - Karakuş Tumulus - Cendere Roman Bridge - Mount Nemrut - Diyarbakır - Diyarbakır City Walls - Ulu Mosque (Diyarbakır) - Hasan Paşa Han - Hevsel Gardens - Mardin - Mardin Old Town - Zinciriye Madrasa - Kasımiye Madrasa - Deyrulzafaran Monastery - Ancient City of Dara - Mor Gabriel Monastery - Anıtlı - Midyat - Akdamar Island - Church of the Holy Cross (Akdamar) - Van Castle - Van - İshak Paşa Palace - Ancient City of Ani - Kars - Kars Castle - Church of the Apostles (Kars) ## Itinerary ### Day 1 — September 22 — Flight to Cappadocia Upon your arrival at Cappadocia Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your boutique cave hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and settle into one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. Surrounded by volcanic rock formations and centuries-old cave dwellings, Cappadocia offers a truly unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else on Earth. In the evening, guests who wish may attend an optional Whirling Dervishes Ceremony, held inside a beautifully restored historic Seljuk caravanserai. This spiritual performance offers a fascinating glimpse into the mystical traditions of Sufism and provides one of the region's most authentic cultural experiences. Overnight in Cappadocia. Stops: Cappadocia Inclusions: Boutique cave hotel accommodation Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Optional activities: Whirling Dervishes Ceremony – USD96 ### Day 2 — September 23 — Cappadocia Highlights Early risers may choose to join an optional hot air balloon flight, widely considered one of the world's most spectacular ballooning experiences. Watching hundreds of colorful balloons drift above Cappadocia's surreal volcanic landscape at sunrise is truly unforgettable. After breakfast and some time to relax, meet your private guide to begin exploring the region. Your first visit is the remarkable Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring beautifully preserved rock-cut churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes dating back more than a thousand years. Continue to the scenic Love Valley, famous for its dramatic fairy chimneys sculpted naturally by volcanic erosion over millions of years. Explore the unique rock formations of Paşabağ (Monks Valley), where some of Cappadocia's most iconic fairy chimneys can be found. Later, visit the charming riverside town of Avanos, renowned for its pottery tradition that dates back thousands of years thanks to the rich red clay collected from the nearby Red River (Kızılırmak). Conclude the day with a fascinating visit to Özkonak Underground City, an impressive multi-level underground settlement where early Christians sought refuge during times of invasion. Return to your hotel. Stops: Cappadocia, Göreme Open Air Museum, Love Valley, Paşabağ (Monks Valley), Avanos, Özkonak Underground City Inclusions: Boutique cave hotel accommodation, Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner Optional activities: Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise – USD316 ### Day 3 — September 24 — Hidden Valleys of Cappadocia Meet your guide after breakfast for another full day exploring Cappadocia's breathtaking scenery. Begin at Uçhisar Castle, the highest natural rock fortress in the region, offering spectacular panoramic views across Cappadocia's volcanic landscape. Continue through the picturesque Pigeon Valley, named after the thousands of dovecotes carved into its cliffs that once supported local agriculture. Visit the charming village of Ortahisar, dominated by its impressive rock castle that rises dramatically above traditional stone houses. Enjoy a scenic walk through the colorful Red Valley, where vibrant mineral-rich rock formations create one of Cappadocia's most beautiful hiking areas. Finish the day in the elegant town of Ürgüp, known for its beautifully restored stone mansions, boutique wineries, and relaxed atmosphere. Return to your hotel for your final evening in Cappadocia. Stops: Cappadocia, Uçhisar Castle, Pigeon Valley, Ortahisar, Red Valley, Ürgüp Inclusions: Boutique cave hotel accommodation, Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 4 — September 25 — Cappadocia to Gaziantep After checking out of your hotel in Cappadocia, meet your private guide and begin your scenic drive toward Gaziantep, one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities and its undisputed culinary capital. Along the way, stop in Kahramanmaraş, the birthplace of Turkey's world-famous ice cream. Here you'll enjoy a tasting of the city's legendary Maraş Dondurması, celebrated for its uniquely rich texture and remarkable elasticity. Upon arrival in Gaziantep, check into your hotel and enjoy a short period of rest. Later in the afternoon, visit the extraordinary Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics, including the internationally renowned "Gypsy Girl" mosaic. Continue with a leisurely walk through Gaziantep's historic Old Town, where beautifully preserved stone streets, traditional bazaars, ancient inns, and centuries-old mosques reflect the city's rich cultural heritage. Overnight in Gaziantep. Stops: Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Zeugma Mosaic Museum Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 5 — September 26 — Göbeklitepe & Şanlıurfa After breakfast, check out and drive toward Şanlıurfa. Your first stop is the extraordinary archaeological site of Göbeklitepe, recognized as the world's oldest known temple complex and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times. Dating back over 11,000 years, it has dramatically reshaped our understanding of early human civilization. Continue to Şanlıurfa and visit the outstanding Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, whose remarkable collection showcases the region's immense historical significance from prehistoric times through the Roman period. Next, explore the sacred pools of Balıklıgöl, believed by many to be associated with the story of Prophet Abraham. This peaceful spiritual complex remains one of Turkey's most important pilgrimage sites. Later, drive to the ancient settlement of Harran, famous for its distinctive beehive-shaped mud-brick houses and its role as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Return to Şanlıurfa for overnight. Stops: Göbekli Tepe, Şanlıurfa, Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, Balıklıgöl, Harran Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 6 — September 27 — Kingdom of Commagene & Mount Nemrut After checking out, begin one of the most scenic days of your journey through southeastern Turkey. Visit the fascinating ancient city of Perre, one of the five great cities of the Kingdom of Commagene. Continue to the impressive Karakuş Tumulus, the royal burial monument built for the female members of the Commagene royal family. Cross the beautifully preserved Cendere Roman Bridge, considered one of the oldest Roman bridges still in use today. The highlight of the day is Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where colossal stone heads of ancient gods and kings overlook one of Turkey's most breathtaking mountain landscapes. Built by King Antiochus I more than two thousand years ago, this monumental sanctuary remains one of the country's most iconic archaeological treasures. Following your visit, continue to Diyarbakır and check into your hotel. Overnight in Diyarbakır. Stops: Ancient City of Perre, Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Roman Bridge, Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakır Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 7 — September 28 — Diyarbakır & Journey to Mardin 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. Stops: Diyarbakır, Diyarbakır City Walls, Ulu Mosque (Diyarbakır), Hasan Paşa Han, Hevsel Gardens, Mardin Inclusions: Boutique stone hotel accommodation, Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 8 — September 29 — Discovering 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. Stops: Mardin, Mardin Old Town, Zinciriye Madrasa, Kasımiye Madrasa, Deyrulzafaran Monastery Inclusions: Boutique stone hotel accommodation, Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 9 — September 30 — Dara, Midyat & Ancient Monasteries 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. Stops: Ancient City of Dara, Mor Gabriel Monastery, Anıtlı, Midyat, Mardin Inclusions: Boutique stone hotel accommodation, Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 10 — October 1 — Journey to Van 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. Stops: Midyat, Akdamar Island, Church of the Holy Cross (Akdamar), Van Castle, Van Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 11 — October 2 — Van to Kars 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. Stops: İshak Paşa Palace, Ancient City of Ani, Kars Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 12 — October 3 — Kars & Departure After breakfast, enjoy a short tour of historic Kars, a fascinating city where Russian, Ottoman, Armenian, and Anatolian influences blend together in both architecture and culture. Visit the imposing Kars Castle, overlooking the city from its rocky hilltop, before exploring the elegant streets lined with distinctive 19th-century Russian-era stone buildings. If time permits, stroll through the city center and admire the beautiful Church of the Apostles, later converted into a mosque, reflecting the region's remarkably diverse history. Following your tour, your private driver will transfer you to Kars Airport for your onward flight. We hope this extraordinary journey across Cappadocia, Mesopotamia, and Eastern Anatolia has provided memories that will last a lifetime, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable adventure in Turkey. Stops: Kars, Kars Castle, Church of the Apostles (Kars) Inclusions: Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ## What's included & not included Included: - Accommodation (as per itinerary) - Daily breakfast - All ground transportation (private vehicles) - Domestic flights (as per itinerary) - Professional English-speaking guide(s) - All entrance fees to mentioned sites and museums - Selected meals (as per itinerary) - Airport transfers (on tour start and end dates) - 24/7 local support from our team Not included: - International flights - Travel insurance - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary - Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.) - Optional activities and experiences - Tips for guides and drivers (optional) - Visa fees (if applicable) - Early check-in or late check-out at hotels - Any other services not explicitly mentioned as included ## Before you book you should know ### Is this trip right for you? Our groups are capped at eight travellers, which is about a third of what the industry calls a small group. Eight people share one vehicle, one table at dinner and one guide's attention, and the day can change on the road without anybody being left behind. If you are looking for a coach, a fixed script and a microphone, this is not that. Most days involve real walking, often on ground that was laid two thousand years before walking shoes: marble worn smooth, cobbles, uneven steps and long site paths with little shade. Bring shoes you can spend a morning in. Some days move between regions and are largely a drive, with stops along the way. Summers are hot — well over 35°C inland — and winters are colder than most people expect, so layers, a hat and sunscreen earn their place in the bag whatever the month. How demanding a particular trip is, is written on the trip itself: the physical rating in the header, and the day-by-day itinerary above. ### Can I have my own room, or travel solo? Trip prices are per person, sharing a twin room. Each traveller picks their own room while booking, so a party can mix the three: - **Twin share** — two single beds, shared with someone you are travelling with or with a traveller of the same gender. - **Travelling as a couple** — one double room. - **Individual room** — a room of your own, for a single supplement on top of the trip price. Availability is limited, and the supplement for a given date is shown next to the option when you book. Solo travellers are welcome on every departure, and most of our groups have one or two aboard. ### Rooms, and travelling on your own Trip prices are per person, sharing a twin room. Each traveller picks their own room while booking, so a party can mix the three: - **Twin share** — two single beds, shared with someone you are travelling with or with a traveller of the same gender. - **Travelling as a couple** — one double room. - **Individual room** — a room of your own, for a single supplement on top of the trip price. Availability is limited, and the supplement for a given date is shown next to the option when you book. Solo travellers are welcome on every departure, and most of our groups have one or two aboard. ### Where will we stay? The hotels named in an itinerary are a guideline rather than a guarantee. Where one is full, or has dropped below the standard we booked it for, we substitute a property of a similar standard in the same area — we would rather change the hotel than the trip. Check-in is usually mid-afternoon. If you arrive early we will ask for the room, but no hotel can promise one before its own check-in time; luggage can normally be left at reception in the meantime. If you want the room from the night before, ask us and we will add the extra night to your booking. ### Accommodation The hotels named in an itinerary are a guideline rather than a guarantee. Where one is full, or has dropped below the standard we booked it for, we substitute a property of a similar standard in the same area — we would rather change the hotel than the trip. Check-in is usually mid-afternoon. If you arrive early we will ask for the room, but no hotel can promise one before its own check-in time; luggage can normally be left at reception in the meantime. If you want the room from the night before, ask us and we will add the extra night to your booking. ### What do I need for passports, visas and insurance? Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change without much notice, so the only reliable source is the official one: the government of the country you are travelling to, and your own foreign ministry's travel advice. Check both before you book a flight. Many countries ask for a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and for blank pages. It is worth looking at yours now rather than at the airport. We ask every traveller to carry travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation, and we would strongly encourage cover for cancellation and for your luggage as well. ### Passports, visas and insurance Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change without much notice, so the only reliable source is the official one: the government of the country you are travelling to, and your own foreign ministry's travel advice. Check both before you book a flight. Many countries ask for a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and for blank pages. It is worth looking at yours now rather than at the airport. We ask every traveller to carry travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation, and we would strongly encourage cover for cancellation and for your luggage as well. ### Is my departure guaranteed, and can the plan change? Once a departure is on the calendar it runs. We do not cancel a trip for want of a minimum number of bookings, so a booked date is one you can plan flights and leave around. What can move is the shape of a day. Museums and archaeological sites change their hours, roads close, weather turns, a local holiday lands in the middle of the week. Where that happens your guide reorders the day, or swaps a stop for one of the same weight, and tells you why. Changes to a booked itinerary are covered by our Booking Terms & Conditions. ### Your departure is guaranteed — the day can change Once a departure is on the calendar it runs. We do not cancel a trip for want of a minimum number of bookings, so a booked date is one you can plan flights and leave around. What can move is the shape of a day. Museums and archaeological sites change their hours, roads close, weather turns, a local holiday lands in the middle of the week. Where that happens your guide reorders the day, or swaps a stop for one of the same weight, and tells you why. Changes to a booked itinerary are covered by our Booking Terms & Conditions. ## Upcoming departures No upcoming departures listed right now. Check back soon. --- Full page: https://www.smallvoyage.com/tours/ultimate-eastern-turkey-expedition/