15 Days Eastern Türkiye & Black Sea Tour

Nemrut • Göbeklitepe • Urfa • Mardin • Diyarbakır • Van • Akdamar • Doğubayazıt • Kars • Ani • Erzurum • Trabzon • Ayder • Uzungöl

An unforgettable journey through ancient civilizations, sacred sites, dramatic landscapes, and the lush green Black Sea region.

Day 1 – Istanbul

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore this magical city at your own pace.
Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2 – Istanbul → Mt. Nemrut → Şanlıurfa (B)

Early morning pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Adıyaman. Upon arrival, meet your guide and drive to Mount Nemrut, home to one of the most extraordinary funerary monuments of the ancient world, built by King Antiochus I.

Continue to the impressive Atatürk Dam on the Euphrates River, then drive to Şanlıurfa, the ancient City of Prophets.
Overnight in Şanlıurfa

Day 3 – Göbeklitepe → Diyarbakır (B)

After breakfast, visit Göbeklitepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex and one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time.

Drive to Diyarbakır, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, famous for its massive black basalt city walls, the longest defensive walls still standing today.
Overnight in Diyarbakır

Day 4 – Mardin → Hasankeyf → Tatvan (B)

After breakfast, depart for Mardin, dramatically set on a hill overlooking the Mesopotamian plains. Visit the Deyrulzafaran (Saffron) Monastery, an active center of the Syriac Orthodox Church with a sacred history spanning thousands of years.

Continue to Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement on the banks of the Tigris River. After visiting the historic ruins, drive to Tatvan (approx. 4 hours).
Overnight in Tatvan

Day 5 – Akdamar Island → Van (B)

After breakfast, drive to Lake Van and take a boat to Akdamar Island to visit the beautifully restored 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross (Sourp Khach).

Return to Van city.
Overnight in Van

Day 6 – Hoşap Castle → Van Citadel (B)

After breakfast, drive south along an ancient branch of the Silk Road to visit Hoşap Castle, built to control trade routes and collect tolls from passing caravans.

Return to Van and visit Van Citadel to enjoy a breathtaking sunset over Lake Van.
Overnight in Van

Day 7 – Doğubayazıt → Mount Ararat → Kars (B)

After breakfast, depart for Doğubayazıt to visit the magnificent İshak Paşa Palace, one of the finest Ottoman palace complexes in Anatolia.

Continue to Mount Ararat, the legendary resting place of Noah’s Ark, consisting of two volcanic peaks dominating the landscape. Drive onward to Kars.
Overnight in Kars

Day 8 – Ani Ancient City (B)

After breakfast, drive to Ani, the former capital of the medieval Armenian Kingdom. Explore its hauntingly beautiful ruins including churches, cathedral, citadel, mosque, and remarkably preserved city walls.

Return to Kars.
Overnight in Kars

Day 9 – Kars → Erzurum (B)

After breakfast, drive to Erzurum, passing through Sarıkamış, the dramatic Aras River Gorge, and the historic Çobandede Bridge.

Arrival and free time.
Overnight in Erzurum

Day 10 – Erzurum → Trabzon (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the bus station and take a comfortable intercity bus to Trabzon (approx. 5 hours).

Arrival and hotel transfer.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 11 – Trabzon City Tour (B)

After breakfast, begin your guided city tour:

• Hagia Sophia of Trabzon (13th century)

• Gülbahar Hatun Mosque

• Trabzon Castle

• Atatürk Mansion

• Ortahisar Mosque

Explore Trabzon’s historic streets, then drive to Boztepe Hill for tea with panoramic city views. Visit Sera Lake before returning to your hotel.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 12 – Sumela Monastery → Karaca Cave (B)

After breakfast, depart for the spectacular Sumela Monastery, dramatically clinging to a cliff in Altındere National Park.

Continue through the Zigana Mountains along the ancient Silk Road to visit Karaca Cave, famous for its colorful formations.
Return to Trabzon.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 13 – Ayder Highland Tour (B)

Morning pick-up (approx. 09:30).

Highlights:

• Sürmene knife workshops

• Traditional weaving looms

• Tea plantations at Ziraat Botanical Garden (Rize)

• Ottoman stone bridge in Fırtına (Storm) Valley

Arrive at Ayder Highland for free time to relax, explore, and enjoy local cuisine surrounded by lush forests and misty mountains.

Return to Trabzon.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 14 – Uzungöl Tour → Istanbul (B)

Morning departure (approx. 10:00) to Uzungöl, a protected nature park famous for its alpine lake, dense spruce forests, and rich wildlife.

Visit a tea factory and horse farm en route.

After the tour, transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrival and hotel transfer.
Overnight in Istanbul

Day 15 – Departure from Istanbul (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight.
End of Services

Included

• Inbound & outbound airport transfers

• Domestic flights and mentioned bus tickets

• Accommodation in mentioned hotels

• Daily guided tours

• Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites

• Meals as specified (B / L)

• All local taxes (no hidden charges)

Excluded

• Drinks

• Tips

• Personal expenses