South-Eastern Turkey Tour

After breakfast, we begin our day with Istanbul sightseeing tour with a trip to the Old City of Sultanahmet starting with Topkapi Palace. Afterwards, we walk around the Hippodrome area where chariot races were held during the Roman period. Then it’s time for lunch at a Turkish restaurant. Next, we visit the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Finally, we visit The Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.

Start the day at the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar, followed by a Bosphorus cruise showcasing historical sites. Overnight in Istanbul.

After the hotel check-out, you are transferred to the airport in Istanbul for our flight to Mardin. Upon arrival, we are transferred to the hotel for check-in. We visit Deyr ul-Zafaran Monastery, an important Syriac Orthodox monastery, founded in 493 AD. We end the day with a drive back to the hotel for an overnight stay in Mardin.

After the hotel check-out, our tour of Turkey continues with a drive to Sanliurfa, also known as Sanliurfa. Along the way, we make a stop in Birecik town famous for the nearly extinct Northern Bald Ibis birds. In Sanliurfa, we visit a covered bazaar for some shopping. After lunch, we visit a cave known to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. Finally, we visit the ancient city of Harran, famous for its traditional ‘beehive’ adobe houses, before being transferred to the hotel in Sanliurfa for an overnight stay.

Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Şanlıurfa and transferred to Göbeklitepe. Explore this ancient site, dating back to the 10th millennium BCE, with its intricately carved stone pillars and significant historical impact. After the tour, return to the hotel for an overnight in Sanliurfa.

After hotel check-out, we continue with a memorable drive to Kahta. Along the way, we cross the huge Ataturk Dam, named after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. We also see the Karakus, a monumental tomb built by Commagene’s King Mithradates II in honor of his mother. Then, we head to Mount Nemrut, the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia, located about 40 kilometers/20 miles away from Kahta. This mountain is famous for its summit where several large statues are erected around what is assumed to be a royal tomb from the 1st century BC. Some of these remaining ruins and tombs include lions, eagles, and various Greek, Armenian, and Iranian gods. After watching the beautiful sunset, overnight in Nemrut.

After the hotel check-out, the tour continues with a memorable drive down the mountain and through small villages to the Cappadocia region. The day ends with an early evening arrival to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we start with a gentle hike through the orchards and unique volcanic rock formations of Red Valley and Pasabagi, where we will see the famous fairy chimneys. We then visit the ancient village of Cavusin, where we explore the Great Basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist and Cavusin Kilise or the “Great Pigeon House.” Next, we head to Goreme Open-Air Museum to view the numerous rock-carved churches, monasteries, and spectacular wall paintings from early Christianity. Lastly, we visit Uchisar, the tallest point in the region, to enjoy the panoramic views and visit the natural rock citadel. The day ends with a transfer back to the Cappadocia hotel for an overnight stay.

An optional hot-air balloon ride is available today.

We start our day after breakfast by visiting the largest excavated underground city in Turkey, Kaymakli. This ancient city has five floors that go down approximately 60 meters/196 feet and was capable of sheltering around 20,000 people, as well as their livestock and food. We then proceed to Ihlara Valley, known for its more than 4,000 homes and 100 cave churches. After a stop for lunch in Belisirma village, we head to Selime, where we see the largest rock monastery in the region. Our last stop is the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, used to accommodate travelers and their animals during their travels on the ancient Silk Road. End of the tour, overnight in Cappadocia.

On the last day of the tour, after checking out of the hotel, we provide a transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your flight to Istanbul which will connect you to your homebound flight for the final departure.