12-Day Eastern Turkey Tour

Eastern Türkiye: Historical & Archaeological Highlights

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Tour Overview

This 12-day journey through Eastern Türkiye explores one of the world’s most significant cultural corridors, where Anatolia functioned as a bridge between civilizations for thousands of years. The itinerary combines prehistoric ritual centers, monumental classical and medieval architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and living cultural traditions. Carefully paced drives, expert historical context, and diverse regional landscapes provide a comprehensive archaeological and cultural experience.

Day 1 – Arrival in Gaziantep

Arrival at Gaziantep Airport and transfer to the hotel. Hotel check-in and short rest.

In the afternoon, an introductory lecture presents Anatolia as a crossroads of civilizations, covering prehistoric cultures, classical antiquity, andIslamic periods.

Visit the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to some of the finest Roman mosaics ever discovered.

Welcome dinner featuring regional cuisine.

Overnight: Gaziantep

Day 2 – Gaziantep & Rumkale

Morning visit to Gaziantep Castle for panoramic views of the city, followed by a walk through

the historic bazaar and traditional craft areas.
Drive to Rumkale (approx. 1.5 hours), a strategically located fortress overlooking the

Euphrates River.

Exploration of the site with historical commentary on its Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic phases.

Return to Gaziantep (approx. 1.5 hours).

Overnight: Gaziantep

Day 3 – Gaziantep → Şanlıurfa

Departure for Şanlıurfa (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
Visit Harran, known for its ancient university tradition and iconic beehive houses.

Continue to Karahantepe, a major Neolithic settlement related to the Göbekli Tepe cultural horizon.

Explore Balıklıgöl, the Cave of Abraham, and the surrounding sacred complex in Şanlıurfa’s historic center.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa

Day 4 – Göbekli Tepe & Şanlıurfa Museums

Morning visit to Göbekli Tepe (approx. 30-minute drive), the world’s oldest known monumental ritual site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return to Şanlıurfa to visit the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum.

Evening at leisure in the historic old town.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa

Day 5 – Şanlıurfa → Perre Ancient City → Adıyaman

Drive to Adıyaman (approx. 2 hours).

Visit Perre Ancient City, featuring rock-cut tombs and a Roman necropolis, one of the five major cities of the Commagene Kingdom.

Arrival in Adıyaman and briefing in preparation for the Mount Nemrut excursion.

Overnight: Adıyaman or Kahta

Day 6 – Mount Nemrut & Commagene Kingdom

Early morning departure for Mount Nemrut (approx. 1.5 hours).

Sunrise visit to the monumental statues and royal tomb sanctuary of King Antiochos I (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Continue to Arsameia, Karakuş Tumulus, and the Roman Cendere Bridge, exploring the landscape of the Commagene Kingdom.

Return to hotel.
Overnight: Near Mount Nemrut or Kahta

Day 7 – Nemrut → Diyarbakır

Drive to Diyarbakır (approx. 4.5–5 hours).
Walk along the Diyarbakır City Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the Great Mosque of Diyarbakır, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia, and the historic Roman (Ten-Eyed) Bridge over the Tigris River.

Overnight: Diyarbakır

Day 8 – Diyarbakır → Mardin

Morning departure for Mardin (approx. 2 hours).
Visit Zinciriye Medrese and Kasımiye Medrese, outstanding examples of Artuqid architecture.

Evening stroll through Mardin Old Town, noted for its terraced stone houses and panoramic views of the Mesopotamian plains.

Overnight: Mardin

Day 9 – Mardin & Tur Abdin Region

Visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery, former seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate.

Drive to Midyat (approx. 1 hour).

Excursion into the Tur Abdin region, visiting ancient Syriac monasteries and villages, with cultural insights into the region’s Christian heritage.

Overnight: Midyat

Day 10 – Midyat → Van

Long overland drive to Van (approx. 6.5–7 hours) or domestic flight (subject to schedule).

En-route historical commentary on the Urartian civilization, one of the earliest Iron Age kingdoms of Anatolia.

Arrival in Van and evening relaxation by Lake Van.

Overnight: Van

Day 11 – Van & Akdamar Island
Visit Van Fortress and surrounding Urartian remains.
Drive to Gevaş (approx. 45 minutes) and take a boat to Akdamar Island.
Explore the Church of the Holy Cross, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture.

Return to Van.

Overnight: Van

Day 12 – Van → Ahlat → İshak Paşa Palace – Departure
Drive to Ahlat (approx. 1.5 hours) to visit the Seljuk cemetery and monumental tombstones.

Continue to İshak Paşa Palace (approx. 2 hours), an exceptional example of late Ottoman palace architecture.

Transfer to Van Airport (approx. 3 hours).