Adventure 16 Days Max People: 8
Eastern Turkey & Black Sea Coast Tour
Eastern Turkey and the Black Sea coast remain among the country's most overlooked but rewarding regions. This live-aligned sales summary covers Trabzon, Sumela Monastery, Ani, Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakır, and eastern landscapes that most travellers never reach.
Price: $5,990
Availability: All Year
Route: Istanbul to Istanbul
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Step into the city where continents converge. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your elegant hotel near the heart of the old city. After check-in, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or begin discovering Istanbul at your own pace. Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 2
GAZIANTEP GASTRONOMY & ROMAN MOSAICS
- Take a short flight to Gaziantep, discover the Zeugma Mosaic Museum and the iconic Gypsy Girl, walk Gaziantep Castle, explore the bazaars, and finish with UNESCO-recognized baklava. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada by Wyndham Gaziantep.
Day 3
MOUNT NEMRUT & SACRED SANLIURFA (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Depart Gaziantep for Mount Nemrut, stand among the colossal stone heads and royal tomb of King Antiochus, cross the Roman Cendere Bridge, explore Arsemia, and continue to Şanlıurfa. Travel Distance: 290 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Elruha Hotel Urfa.
Day 4
ANCIENT MYSTERIES OF GOBEKLI TEPE, KARAHAN TEPE & HARRAN (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, continue to Harran with its beehive houses, then return to Şanlıurfa for the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, the archaeology museum, and Balıklıgöl. Travel Distance: 180 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Elruha Hotel Urfa.
Day 5
SPIRITUAL HERITAGE OF MARDIN
- Travel from Urfa to Mardin, explore Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Kasimiye Madrasa, the old bazaar, the Great Mosque, and the restored historic post office. Travel Distance: 190 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Mardin.
Day 6
LEGENDS OF THE EAST: ZERZAVAN CASTLE TO VAN
- Drive toward Van, stop at Zerzevan Castle and the underground Temple of Mithras, then continue to Lake Van and the city rich in Urartian heritage. Travel Distance: 420 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada by Wyndham Van.
Day 7
LAKE VAN'S JEWEL: AKDAMAR ISLAND & URARTIAN FORTRESS
- Take a ferry to Akdamar Island to visit the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross, then continue to Çavuştepe Fortress to explore a magnificent Urartian stronghold. Travel Distance: 90 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada by Wyndham Van.
Day 8
VAN CASTLES, MUSEUMS & CULTURAL TREASURES
- Climb Van Castle, visit the Van Museum, continue to Ayanis Castle with its Temple of Haldi, and finish at a traditional kilim workshop. Travel Distance: 80 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada by Wyndham Van.
Day 9
PALATIAL SPLENDOR & MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS: DOGUBAYAZIT TO KARS
- Travel east to Doğubayazıt to explore Ishak Pasha Palace with views of Mount Ararat, then continue across the plateaus to Kars. Travel Distance: ~360 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: Katerina Palace Hotel, Kars.
Day 10
ANCIENT CAPITAL OF ANI & SELJUK SPLENDORS OF ERZURUM
- Visit the ruins of Ani along the Turkish-Armenian border, then continue to Erzurum to explore Çifte Minareli Medrese, the Grand Mosque, and Yakutiye Medrese. Travel Distance: 200 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada by Wyndham Erzurum.
Day 11
JOURNEY TO THE BLACK SEA: SUMELA MONASTERY & TRABZON
- Travel through the Pontic Alps, visit the dramatic cliffside Sumela Monastery, then arrive in Trabzon to explore the Church of St. Sophia and the city center. Travel Distance: 300 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon.
Day 12
OTTOMAN AESTHETICS & ROYAL TOMBS OF AMASYA
- Journey to Amasya to see the rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings, Ottoman mansions along the Yeşilırmak River, and the historic Bimarhane. Travel Distance: 260 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 4-Star Büyük Amasya Oteli.
Day 13
HITTITE HEARTLAND: HATTUSHA & YAZILIKAYA (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Travel to Boğazkale to explore Hattusha and the sacred sanctuary of Yazılıkaya, then continue to Ankara. Travel Distance: 260 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Radisson Blu Hotel Ankara.
Day 14
CAPITAL HERITAGE & RETURN TO ISTANBUL
- Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Anıtkabir in Ankara, then travel west back to Istanbul. Travel Distance: 460 km. Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner. Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 15
ISTANBUL (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Return to Istanbul's historical peninsula for Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. Travel Distance: 5 km. Meals Included: Breakfast. Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 16
ISTANBUL / DEPARTURE
- After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you memories of Turkey's landscapes, cultures, and ancient wonders. Meals Included: Breakfast.
Discover These Ancient Sites
Want to learn more about the world's oldest known temples before your trip? Explore our dedicated guides:
What's Included
- Air fares from Gaziantep to Istanbul
- 15 nights hotel accommodation
- Licensed tour guide
- Entrance fees
- All transportation in destination location
- Meals: 15 breakfasts, and 12 dinner
Price Excludes
- - Beverages with meals
- - Gratuities for guide and driver
- - Any private expenses