- 4.9/5 300 Latest reviews
- Destination: Turkey
- Duration: 9 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Most Turkey trips stop at Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast. This 9-day private trip goes east instead, to places few visitors reach: the medieval Armenian ruins of Ani on the border, Mount Ararat above the Doğubayazıt plain, the island church on Lake Van and the 11,000-year-old temple at Göbekli Tepe.
You walk through a ruined Silk Road city, visit an Ottoman palace on a hillside, cross a lake by ferry and end in Istanbul. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide and driver, several long road days and one flight, and it suits travelers who care more about history and landscape than comfort and can handle simple hotels and changeable weather.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Kars
Bogatepe cheese museum, Ani ruins, Kars Castle, Russian-era streets
3
Kars and Lake Çıldır
Lake trek, hammam
4
Doğubayazıt
Mount Ararat views, İshak Paşa Palace
5
Van
Van Castle, Akdamar Island church
6
Van to Şanlıurfa
Long drive, Diyarbakır stop
7
Şanlıurfa
Göbekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe, Pool of Abraham
8
Şanlıurfa to Istanbul
Flight, evening in the city
9
Istanbul
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Kars
Your driver meets you at Kars airport and takes you to your hotel in the old town, about 15-20 minutes away. If you arrive early, visit a cheese museum such as Bogatepe to taste the local cheeses, then take a short walk past Kars’s Russian-era stone buildings. Your guide stops by to go over the route and the long drives ahead. Pack warm layers, since nights are cold.
Highlights : Airport transfer, cheese tasting, Kars old town, trip briefing
- Kars
- Day 2: Ani Ruins and Kars
Drive about 1 hour to Ani, the ruined medieval Armenian capital on the Armenian border. Walk among the cathedral and churches on the open plateau above the gorge, and plan about three hours on site with little shade. Return to Kars for lunch, then see Kars Castle and the old Cathedral. Weather can close Ani, so we keep the order flexible.
Highlights : Ani Ruins exploration, Kars Castle panoramic views, Cathedral of Kars visit
- B
- Kars
- Day 3: Lake Çıldır and a Hammam
What’s interesting is drive about 1.25 hours to lake çıldır, a high lake near the georgian border, and take a guided walk along the shore. Stop in a village to meet local families. Return to Kars in the afternoon for a traditional hammam, which is welcome after a cold day.
Highlights : Lake Çıldır, village visit, traditional hammam
- B
- Kars
- Day 4: Doğubayazıt, Ararat and İshak Paşa Palace
Drive about 4.5-5 hours south across the high plateau to Doğubayazıt, with stops for views and lunch. Mount Ararat rises above the plain, but views depend on cloud, so we don’t promise them. In the afternoon, visit İshak Paşa Palace, an 18th-century Ottoman palace on a hillside. No Ararat climb is included.
Highlights : Plateau drive, Ararat views, İshak Paşa Palace
- B
- Dogubeyazit
- Day 5: Van Castle and Akdamar Island
Drive about 3.5-4 hours to Van and visit Van Castle, an Urartian rock fortress overlooking the lake. Then take the ferry, about 45 minutes, to Akdamar Island to see the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross and its carved reliefs. Ferries can be cancelled in rough weather.
Highlights : Van Castle, Akdamar ferry, Church of the Holy Cross
- B
- Van
- Day 6: Van to Şanlıurfa
This is a very long travel day of about 9-10 hours by road. Stop in Diyarbakır for a short walk along its black basalt walls and old streets, then continue to Şanlıurfa and arrive in the evening. We can split the day with a night in Diyarbakır if you prefer.
Highlights : iyarbakır walls, long drive, Şanlıurfa arrival
- B
- Sanliurfa
- Day 7: Göbekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe
Visit Göbekli Tepe, a UNESCO site of carved stone pillars about 11,000 years old, then drive about 1 hour to Karahan Tepe. In the afternoon, walk Şanlıurfa’s Pool of Abraham and the covered bazaar. Wear sturdy shoes, and dress modestly for the religious sites.
Highlights : Göbekli Tepe UNESCO site, Karahan Tepe Neolithic site, Sanliurfa sacred old town exploration
- B
- Sanliurfa
- Day 8: Sanliurfa to Istanbul
Spend a relaxed morning in the bazaar, then fly to Istanbul, about 2 hours. Check in at your hotel and walk a neighborhood such as Karaköy or Balat for dinner. There’s no formal sightseeing today.
Highlights : Flight to Istanbul, hotel check-in, evening walk
- B
- Istanbul
- Day 9: Departure from Istanbul
Your Eastern Turkey Tour concludes today. A private driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward journey, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Eastern Anatolia’s history, culture, and landscapes.
Highlights : Private transfer to Istanbul airport, Completion of a 9-day Eastern Turkey adventure
- B
Trip Highlights
Istanbul Culinary Adventure
Taste Ottoman delicacies, explore Spice Bazaar, and savor Turkish treats across Istanbul’s vibrant neighborhoods.
Bosphorus Private Cruise
Enjoy a private yacht cruise along Istanbul’s Bosphorus, capturing stunning daytime or sunset views.
Hodjapasha Cultural Shows
Experience Turkish culture through live performances, including Whirling Dervishes and traditional dance.
Get a Free Tour Quote
Fill out the form below and our travel experts will send you the best personalizes offer.
CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT
1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert's Advice
