13 Days of Eastern Turkey

From the imperial skyline of Istanbul to the basalt heights of Mount Nemrut and the ancient monasteries of Tur Abdin, this itinerary traces a dramatic eastward arc through Anatolia. Expect a rich blend of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Roman mosaics, Euphrates landscapes, the world’s earliest monumental sanctuaries at Gobeklitepe, and the sapphire expanse of Lake Van, with warm local hospitality and outstanding regional cuisine throughout.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Arrive in Istanbul, the legendary city bridging Europe and Asia and layered with two millennia of imperial history. Meet your representative and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to rest after your journey, take a gentle walk in your neighborhood, and begin soaking up the rhythm of the city.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: None (0) | Overnight: Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, begin in the historic Sultanahmet district, where Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks sit within an easy walking circuit.

Visit Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of late antiquity whose vast dome reshaped world architecture, then step outside to the Hippodrome, once the arena of chariot races and imperial ceremonies, still marked by monumental obelisks and columns.

Continue to the Blue Mosque, formally the Sultanahmet Mosque, admired for its harmonious courtyard and luminous Iznik tilework.

In the afternoon, explore Topkapi Palace, the residence and administrative heart of the Ottoman sultans, with ceremonial courtyards, treasury collections and panoramic views over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

End the day at the Grand Bazaar, a living labyrinth of covered streets and workshops where textiles, ceramics, spices and jewelry reflect centuries of trade.

Meals: Breakfast (1)| Overnight: Istanbul

Day 3: Fly to Gaziantep – Zeugma Mosaics and the Coppersmith Bazaar

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Gaziantep, one of Turkey’s great culinary capitals and a gateway to the mosaic-rich heritage of Roman Mesopotamia.

Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to extraordinary floor mosaics rescued from the ancient city of Zeugma, including world-famous portraits, mythological scenes and intricate geometric panels that reveal the sophistication of Roman domestic art.

Later, wander through the Coppersmith Bazaar, where the sound of hammering echoes from workshop to workshop. You will have time to visit small shops and ateliers and see traditional metalwork, kitchenware and regional crafts.

Return to your hotel to check in, then enjoy dinner and a well-earned evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2) | Overnight: Gaziantep

Day 4: Halfeti and the Euphrates – Baklava Craft and River Landscapes

After breakfast, begin with a visit to a baklava shop to see how Gaziantep’s signature dessert is made. Watch the careful layering of paper-thin pastry, generous pistachios and slow baking, then taste baklava at its freshest, when the texture is still delicate and crisp.

Continue to the peaceful town of Halfeti on the Euphrates, known for its riverside scenery and partially submerged old settlement after the construction of the dam.

Take a boat excursion on the Euphrates. From the water, observe minarets and stone houses emerging from the shoreline, along with rugged cliffs and quiet coves that make this stretch of river so distinctive.

After the cruise, travel to the Ancient City of Zeugma, once a prosperous Roman frontier city famous for its villas and mosaics. Explore the atmosphere of the site and its setting above the river, then return to Gaziantep.

Meals: Breakfast (1) | Overnight: Gaziantep

Day 5: Kahta and Mount Nemrut – The Throne of the Gods, then Sanliurfa

After breakfast, drive toward Kahta, passing through landscapes that hint at the ancient kingdom of Commagene, a cultural crossroads between the Hellenistic and Persian worlds.

Continue to Mount Nemrut, one of Anatolia’s most dramatic archaeological sites. Climb to the summit to see the monumental sanctuary and the mausoleum of King Antiochus I, flanked by colossal seated gods and guardian animals.

Take time to absorb the wide-open views and the surreal scale of the stone heads scattered across the terraces. Afterward, continue onward to Sanliurfa.

Arrive in Sanliurfa for hotel check-in, followed by dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2)| Overnight: Şanlıurfa

Day 6: Sanliurfa and Gobeklitepe – Sacred Springs and the Neolithic Revolution

After breakfast at the hotel, explore the historic core of Sanliurfa, a city deeply woven into the region’s sacred traditions and trade routes.

Visit Gumrukhan Bazaar, an atmospheric caravan-style marketplace where courtyards, tea houses and small shops preserve the feel of Ottoman-era commerce.

Continue to the Pool of Abraham, a tranquil complex of gardens and reflective waters associated with local tradition, then visit the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum, which provides essential context for the region with rich collections from prehistoric to classical periods.

Then, travel to Gobeklitepe, the revolutionary Neolithic sanctuary whose monumental stone circles and carved pillars reshape our understanding of early ritual and community life.

After your visit, head to Mardin for dinner and your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2) | Overnight: Mardin

Day 7: Mardin Region – Deyrulzafaran, Dara and the Old Town Skyline

After breakfast, visit the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, a major Syriac Orthodox center with a serene atmosphere and a layered architectural history that reflects centuries of monastic life on the Mesopotamian plain.

Continue to the ancient city of Dara, once a strategic frontier settlement where dramatic stone-cut structures, fortifications and extensive water systems speak to the engineering needs of a borderland city.

Visit Kasimiye Medresesi, an elegant complex built around a courtyard and water channel, celebrated for its harmonious stonework and sweeping views over the plains.

Next, explore the old town of Mardin, famous for honey-colored architecture cascading down the hillside. Walk along historic streets and pause at the Kirklar Church, a landmark of the city’s diverse religious heritage.

Have dinner at a local restaurant and return to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2) | Overnight: Mardin

Day 8: Tur Abdin – Mor Gabriel, Midyat and the Village of Anitli

After breakfast, travel into the historic Tur Abdin region and visit Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the most important surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries, known for its courtyards, stone carvings and enduring spiritual presence.

Continue to Midyat, renowned for its characteristic stone houses, narrow lanes and artisan traditions, including silverwork and filigree.

Travel to the village of Anitli to see the Anitli Virgin Mary Church. Enjoy a guided walk through the village to understand local life and the cultural landscape of the area.

Return to Mardin for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2) | Overnight: Mardin

Day 9: Hasankeyf and Onward to Van – Tigris Heritage and a Lake City

After breakfast, travel to Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement on the Tigris with layers spanning many civilizations and a landscape marked by limestone cliffs and cave dwellings.

Visit the Hasankeyf Museum, which presents artifacts and architectural fragments that help interpret the area’s long history and the transformations brought to the region in recent decades.

Continue the journey east to Van, set beside Turkey’s largest lake and shaped by the legacy of the Urartian kingdom.

Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2) | Overnight: Van

Day 10: Van and Lake Van – Cavustepe, Local Crafts and Akdamar Island

After breakfast, visit Cavustepe, an Urartian fortress site that offers a vivid connection to the Iron Age kingdom that once ruled the Lake Van basin. Walk among the remains and imagine the strategic importance of these high places overlooking routes and fertile plains.

Next, visit a local hali shop to learn about regional carpet traditions, materials and motifs. This is an excellent opportunity to understand how patterns carry memory, geography and identity across generations.

Board a cruise on Lake Van to Akdamar Island, celebrated for its dramatic setting and the Holy Cross Church, a medieval Armenian masterpiece with distinctive exterior reliefs and an unforgettable lakeside panorama.

Return to Van for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (2)| Overnight: Van

Day 11: Van Museum and Savat Silver, then Fly to Istanbul

After breakfast, visit the Van Museum to deepen your understanding of the region’s Urartian heritage, archaeology and cultural history, with key objects that illuminate life around Lake Van across millennia.

Continue to a Savat silver atelier to see the traditional technique of creating high-contrast black-inlaid patterns on silver, a craft strongly associated with the region. Observe the fine detailing and learn what distinguishes Savat work from other forms of decoration.

Then, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

Arrive and settle into your hotel for the evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast (1)| Overnight: Istanbul

Day 12: Istanbul – Basilica Cistern, the Spice Market and Free Afternoon

After breakfast, return to the historic heart of Istanbul to visit the Basilica Cistern, an atmospheric underground reservoir supported by rows of columns and softly lit reflections, a memorable example of Byzantine urban engineering.

Proceed to the Spice Market, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, where fragrances of saffron, sumac, dried herbs, teas and lokum create a sensory map of the city’s trading traditions.

Spend the afternoon at leisure to revisit a favorite neighborhood, enjoy a Bosphorus-side tea, or shop at your own pace.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast (1)| Overnight: Istanbul

Day 13: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have a final chance for a short walk or a last Turkish coffee near your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast | Overnight: None

Hotels

The following hotels are planned for this tour. Please note that accommodations may be subject to change depending on availability and specific client requests. In all cases, hotels of equal or higher category will be provided.