Eastern Turkey Tours
(14 days)

Eastern Turkey Tour Overview

Eastern Turkey has a more mountainous landscape, is home to the sources of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras, and contains Lake Van and Mount Ararat.
Many of the peaks are extinct volcanoes that have been active in the recent past, as evidenced by widespread lava flows. Eastern Anatolian is the largest region of Turkey occupying 21% of the total area of the country with its 163.000 square kilometers of land. From the highlands in the north, to the mountain ranges in the south that descend toward the Mesopotamian plain in Iraq, vast stretches of this eastern region consist only of wild or barren wasteland. Fertile basins, such as the Mus Valley west of Lake Van and various river corridors, lie at the foot of the lofty ranges.
Which we will explore on this trek is this huge area.

Eastern Turkey Tour Plan

Eastern Turkey: Day 1 Istanbul

Meet with your guide in Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel in the hearth of old Istanbul.

Eastern Turkey: Day 2 Istanbul - GaziAntep - Urfa

Take an internal flight from Istanbul Airport to Gazi Antep. Visit the archaeological Museum of Gaziantep where you will see the Belkis Zeugma mosaics, which has stayed buried beneath the pistachio groves for nearly two thousand years. After the visit of museum transfer to Sanli Urfa. On our way to Sanli Urfa will stop in Birecik to see the Kelaynak "bold ibish"( Geronticus eremita) birds and have a dinner. Stay night in to our antic hotel in Sanli Urfa

Eastern Turkey: Day 3 Sanli Urfa-Harran

Transfer from Sanli Urfa to “Harran” was an extremely important city in the region, famous for its philosophers and thinkers, and is near to the site where the ancient tablets carrying the Epic of Gilgamesh found. Harran was where Rebecca found water for Jacob, and where the prophet Abraham, having been born, decided to move to Canaan. In the afternoon to visit Balikli Gol and the castle at the center of Sanli Urfa.
Stay night at hotel in Sanli Urfa

Eastern Turkey: Day 4 Sanli Urfa - Nemrut Mountain - Kahta

Transfer to Ataturk dam (GAP) "Southeastern Anatolian Project". The project consists of a series of dams on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers designed to create artificial lakes that will be used to create millions of hectares of arable land. Than drive up to Adiyaman where we will see the sun set at the Nemrut Dagi (Mt. Nemrut) is the first impressive peak rising from a flat plain in Northern Mesopotamia and stretches to a height of 2150 metres . It is matchless in its historical treasures. The original peak was removed and in its place was constructed the Tumulus of Antiochos 1, one of the kings of Commagene when it was at its height of power and art expression during the 1st century B.C.
Night in Adiyaman "Kahta"

Eastern Turkey: Day 5 Nemrut Mountain - Diyarbakir

After our breakfast we will be driving to Diyarbakir second largest city in Turkey's South-eastern Anatolia region, where we will visit ancient city walls; the best preserved walls in the world after the famous Great Wall of China. Another fascinating sight we will visit is the Ulu Mosque, Mesudiye Medresse, Hasan Pasha Han with the antic streets and bazaar’s of Diyarbakir.
Night in Diyarbakir

Eastern Turkey: Day 6 Diyarbakir - Midyat - Mardin

Today we will be driving from Diyarbakir to Midyat (Matiat) and Mardin. The ancient city of Mardin is the epicenter of a centuries old Christian Syriac Aramean enclave in Southeast Turkey, widely familiar under its Aramaic name Tur Abdin and we will be visiting several monastery’s of Tur Abdin (Mor Gabriel, Deyr’ul Zafaran, Mor Yakup) and will visit ancient city of Mardin with in narrow streets.
Night in Mardin

Eastern Turkey: Day 7 Mardin - Hasankef - Van

Today our first stop will be ancient city of Hasankeyf located around Tigris River.
Hasankeyf was as the capital of the Artuklu Seljucks. A grand fortress was built during the time on wonderful limestone structures. The remains of the fortress are where we will visit. After visiting Hasankeyf and the Tigris River, we will drive to Van.
Night in Van

Eastern Turkey: Day 8 Van - Dogubayazit

Our first visit in Van will be the Akdamar church “island”; The Church of the Holy Cross was once an important Armenian cathedral. The seat of the Armenian Orthodox patriarch, the cathedral was founded by King Gagik between 915 and 921 alongside a royal palace and monastery. After visiting Akdamar aand having lunch in the Shore of Van Lake we will visit the Van castle “rock of Van”; it was built within the capital of the Uratu State, Tushba during the 9th century BC. Transfers to Dogubayazit on the way have a stop in the waterfall of Muradiye.
Night in Dogubayazit

Eastern Turkey: Day 9 Dogubayazit - Kars

Today our visit will start with Ishak Pasha Palace; Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th-century in a mixture of architectural styles. The next visit will be a Biblical Noah’s Ark in the plane of Mount Ararat and will visit some of local villages in the foot of Mount Ararat. In the afternoon, we will be transferred to Kars.
Night in Kars

Eastern Turkey: Day 10 Kars - Ani - Erzurum

After our breakfast we will drive to visit ancient city of Ani Ruins “the City of 1001 churches” Ani is first mentioned in Armenian chronicles in the 5th century A.D. Located on the crossroad of the trade routes between Byzantium, Persia, Syria, and central Asia it flourished, and in the 11th century its population was above 100,000 people. After the visiting of Ani we will drive to Erzurum and will visit Cifte minareli medrese, and Yakutiye medresesi with museum.
Night in Erzurum

Eastern Turkey: Day 11 Erzurum - Trabzon - Sumela

Today we will be driving from Erzurum to Trabzon in the shore of Black sea to visit Sumela Monastery; stands on the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley known as "Meryem Ana manastırı" The Virgin Mary monastery. The Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, took the name of "Sumela" which derives from "Melas", meaning black.
Night in Trabzon

Eastern Turkey: Day 12 Trabzon

Our last day is in the eastern part of Turkey in the shore of Black Sea. The day of visiting Trabzon bazaars and visiting and enjoying old hamam’s “Turkish bath” of Trabzon city. Trabzon Sekiz Direkli Hamam is assumed to be built by Seljuk’s in the 11th century. The name is derived from the eight columns inside.

Eastern Turkey: Day 13 Trabzon - Istanbul

Take a flight from Trabzon to Istanbul. You will have free time to discover grand bazaar of Beyazit and Sultanahmet area in the afternoon.
Night in Istanbul

Eastern Turkey: Day 14 Istanbul

A full day to take in all the sight of what was the capital of the civilized world. We visit the Topkapi palace, the Blue Mosque, chapel of St Sophia. Stroll in the world's biggest covered market then spend the Afternoon shopping or visiting sites of interest at your leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Eastern Turkey: Day 15 Istanbul - Home

Transfer to Airport fly home.

What is Included on a Climb ?

Included:

Climbing permit and fees,
Hotel accommodation with breakfast,
First day dinner in Dogubayazit,
Celebration party and Dinner in Dogubayazit,
Professional certified local guide,
Professional licensed Mountain guide on climb (One guide for each 8 person),
Cook on climb,
Insurance,
Transport in private vehicle to the trailhead,
Sightseeing entrance fees,
Porters for personal gear (20kg for one person),
Full trekking support,
Sleeping mattress,
Climbing ropes,
Base Tents,
Personal Tents (one tent for two people),
Crampons,
All hot meals and soft drinks during the climb,
Staff supports establishing camps,
Touring staff/guides on the trek,
All group technical gear,
All National Park entry fees,
All Sightseeing, Museum entrance fees,
All support staff,
Summit certificate,

Not Included:

Personal climbing equipment,
Any alcoholic beverages,
Meal in the town,
Country visa costs,
International and domestic airfares (We can arrange air ticket if you wish),
Personal laundry,
Carry your own small daypack,
Personal evacuation and medical insurance,

You will need the following personal equipment:

Sleeping Bag,
Cold weather gear,
Climbing boots,
Sunglasses,
Rucksack and daypack,
Walking stick / hiking poles,
Thermal underwear
Water/Windproof Pants,
Water/Windproof Shell,
Underwear (quick-dry),
Socks (summer and expedition weight),
Winter hat (cover ears),
Gloves (water/wind proof),
Glove liners,
Neck warmer or scarf,
Head light,
Swimsuit
You may also consider taking Diamox for high altitude

Group Size:

Minimum 5 persons with a maximum of 16.

Tailored Trips

Please see itinerary for group trip. However if you need transfer and hotel in Istanbul or Van we can arrange these for you. If you would like to climb Mt Ararat at a different time, we can arrange a tailor made trip to suit your needs.

For Price, Booking and more information

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