4-Day Van City and Food Tour

Van, with its beautiful lake, people, historical architecture, streets, landscapes, cuisine, and everything in between, is one of Turkey’s most popular historical and cultural destinations. If you love seeing something different in life, enjoy cooking, or want to learn how to cook, we offer a very special route where you can discover the exquisite flavors of Turkish cuisine alongside warm and friendly Turkish people. In this tour package, you will not only taste local delicacies but also learn how to cook them yourself.

Highlights

Meher Gate – Varagavank (Seven Churches) – Cumhuriyet Street – Cat Museum – Van Castle Mound – Kaya Çelebi Mosque – Van Castle – Van Museum – Culinary Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day by Minibus

Meet at Van Airport and transfer to your hotel. Your room key will be provided, and the rest of the day is free for you to explore Van. Overnight stay in Van.

Day 2: Van City Tour
(Breakfast included)

Pick-up from your hotel and departure to Meher Gate (Stone Gate).

Dating back to the reign of Urartian King Ispuini, Meher Gate is one of the most important sources of information about the Urartian religion. The inscriptions on the gate list all the gods and goddesses of the Urartu Kingdom, the daily offerings presented to them, and the sacred mountains, rivers, and cities. In front of the niche where the inscription is located, there is a horizontally rectangular sacrificial altar carved into the rock.

Also known as Meher Kapısı, the word Meher means “the one that enlightens.” It is believed that the God of Light would emerge from it, which is why it carries this name.

Next, continue to Varagavank (Seven Churches), a complex consisting of seven churches and structures built in the 8th century. After this historical visit, proceed to the famous Cumhuriyet Street. Your guide will inform you about the street and lunch break. After lunch, we’ll visit the Cat House (Kedi Evi), where you can meet Van’s world-famous cats, most of which have different-colored eyes. You can feed and photograph them.

Then, continue to Van Castle Mound (Van Kalesi Höyüğü), where layers from the Post-Urartian, Urartian, and Bronze Ages have been excavated. The mound was used as a cemetery for a long time, and construction continued throughout the Middle Ages.

Next to the mound, we will see Kaya Çelebi Mosque, one of the prominent Ottoman structures whose construction began in 1660. From the same point, you will also have a view of Van Castle. Your guide will provide information and free time for photography. Finally, we will visit Van Museum, where cultural artifacts reflecting the region’s history dating back to 5000 BC are exhibited.

Day 3: Cooking Class & Shopping Tour
(Breakfast and lunch included)

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to a local restaurant for a cooking class with the restaurant’s chef. Your guide will explain all the details. You will prepare lunch together with the chef and enjoy your meal at the restaurant afterward.

During the class, you’ll learn how to cook local dishes from Van’s cuisine, including some desserts and salads.

After lunch, you’ll have free time to explore and shop in the city center.

Day 4: Minibus – Airport Transfer – End of Tour
(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, you will have free time until your transfer to Van Airport.
We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

We hope your tour has been unforgettable and look forward to welcoming you on another TravelShop Booking Tour. Thank you for choosing TravelShop Booking.

Please Note

During the winter season, some roads and locations may be closed due to snowfall. Please contact our Tour Consultants for availability.

Included

• Accommodation

• Guide

• Meals

• Transportation

• Other inclusions

• Hygiene protocol

Excluded

• Flights

• Insurance

• Other services not mentioned