Marvels of Eastern Turkey: 16-Day Private Tour
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OVERVIEW
A Journey Through Cappadocia, Mount Nemrut, Urfa, Diyarbakır & Van
Marvels of Eastern Turkey is a 16-day, 15-night private guided tour from Istanbul and back, covering Istanbul, Ankara, Hattusa, Cappadocia, Konya, Adana, Mount Nemrut, Urfa, Harran, Diyarbakır and Van. You travel with your own guide and driver for the whole trip, not as part of a shared group, and pricing starts from 3,850 USD per person for parties of 10 or more.
16 Days / 15 Nights
Duration
Istanbul
Departure
Istanbul
Return
Private, guided
Style
✓ 100% private tour, no joining a group
✓ Licensed local guides
✓ Flexible dates & group sizes
✓ Free, no-obligation quote
FROM
$3,850 per person
For groups of 10 or more. See the full price table below.
Tailored to your dates and group size
WHAT’S INCLUDED
What the Price Covers
Here is what the price includes, and what it does not.
What's Included
15 nights accommodation at selected hotels
15 breakfasts and 14 lunches and 15 dinners at hotels, as marked B, L and D in the itinerary
Admission fees, tax and service charges
Complete program of tours as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
Services of a Professional English-speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and an expert on Turkey’s history and culture
Local transportation by a private chauffeur driven deluxe van with A/C
All transfers and touring as per itinerary from arrival to departure
Airfare for the flight from Istanbul to Ankara; Van to Istanbul
Flight for guide from Istanbul to Ankara; Van to Istanbul
Accommodation for guide and driver at a lower category hotel including their meals
VAT
What's Not Included
International airfare and related taxes
Customary end-of-tour gratuities to the guide and drivers
Bottled beverages or alcohol
Travel insurance and visas, laundry and personal items
Final pricing depends on season, group size and hotel category.
DAY BY DAY
16 days and 15 nights from Istanbul.
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival Day
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Welcome reception and dinner at hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Guided Day
A full day visit of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Underground cistern and the Church of St. Sophia with its world famous mosaics and architecture. After lunch within the Topkapi Palace complex, we continue our tour of the palace, one time residence of the Ottoman emperors and now a museum housing extraordinary collections of jewellery armor and imperial costumes. We will finish the tour with a visit to the Grand Bazaar before returning to our hotel. Dinner at hotel.
Day 3: Istanbul
Guided Day
Today we continue to explore more of Istanbul including the Chora Church (Kariye Camii), one of the most important monuments in Istanbul and famous for its mosaics. Visit the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. Lunch. Drive along the ancient walls of Constantinople on the way to the Archaeological Museum which has an enormous collection of finds on display before returning to your hotel. Dinner at your hotel.
Day 4: Istanbul and Ankara
Travel + Guided Day
Transfer to Istanbul airport for our morning flight to Ankara. Upon arrival drive to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which houses the richest collection of artifacts brought from various parts of the country. These artifacts include pre-historical materials, Neolithic cave drawings, utensils from Catalhoyuk, the earliest known city in the world. We will see thousands of objects which give us an overall picture of Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian and Urartian civilizations. Then we will proceed to the Temple of Augustus. After lunch, we will visit the Mausoleum of the founder of Modern Turkey, Ataturk. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Ankara.
Day 5: Ankara and Hattusa
Travel + Guided Day
Leave Ankara for Amasya. En route visit of the Hittite capital Hattusa. The breath-taking setting and massive size of the former city are unrivalled. Our visit includes the Lion Gate, King’s Gate, Royal palaces, city walls, various temples. Short drive to the rock shrine of Yazilikaya where we see various reliefs dedicated to the Hittite deities. The sanctuary has a breathtaking quality of its relief depictions. After lunch, drive to Alacahoyuk. After Hattusa, Alacahoyuk is the most important Hittite settlement site in existence. Drive back to Ankara where we spend the night and have dinner
Day 6: Ankara, Kayseri and Cappadocia
Travel + Guided Day
Leave Ankara for Cappadocia. En route visit of the museum of Hacibektas, dedicated to one of the greatest Islamic Sufic philosopher. Continue to Kayseri for our visit of Karum Kanesh. It is one of the oldest settlements in Asia Minor. Karum was established by Assyrian merchants as a bazaar, one of the oldest in the world. Drive to Cappadocia where we spend the night. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Cappadocia
Guided Day
We continue for our full day tour of the region. Our first stop is at Goreme where we will see a lot of rock cut churches with beautiful frescoes. Then we will drive to see the Pashabagi Valley before we arrive at Zelve Open Air Museum which was one of the earliest monastic settlements in the area. Afternoon visit of one of the Underground cities of Cappadocia which was used in times of danger. Dinner and overnight
Day 8: Cappadocia and Konya
Travel + Guided Day
This morning, we drive to Acemhoyuk which was established in the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age and became more popular during the Assyrian Colony period. After lunch in Aksaray, we drive to Konya which was the capital of the Selcuk Empire and adorned with elaborate monuments of the 12th and 13th century. We visit the Mevlana Museum which houses the tomb of the world famous mystic philosopher, Mevlana. A sacred Islamic shrine and object to pilgrimage from all over Turkey. Dinner and Overnight in Konya.
Day 9: Konya, Ivriz and Adana
Travel + Guided Day
Leave Konya for Ivriz. a Assyro-Hittite site south of Eregli, in the very foothills of the Bolkar-Toros range. Visit of the rock-relief of the Hittite deity Tarhunzas. After a picnic lunch by the lake, begin our drive over the picturesque Taurus Mountains and passage through the famed Cilician Gates to Adana. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Adana and Kahta
Travel + Guided Day
After our early breakfast at hotel, leave for Karatepe, the summer palace of the Neo-Hittite Kingdom. En route, visit of the Hellenistic city of Hierapolis-Castabala. Arrive Karatepe where we will see elegant stone carvings and hieroglyphics. The carvings show hunting and feasting scenes, all guarded by sphinxes, lions and horses. After lunch drive to Kahta where we spend the night. Dinner and overnight in Kahta.
Day 11: Kahta, Mount Nemrut and Urfa
Travel + Guided Day
Morning visit of the Nemrut Dag which houses the colossal statues and the testimony of the King Antiochus of the Commegene Kingdom. It is a unique and breathtaking experience. After lunch, drive to Urfa, en route, we witness one of the greatest projects of Turkey. The Atatürk Dam built on the Euphrates and has changed the entire silhouette of the area. Arrive Urfa, visit the Pool of Abraham which is charming and unusually peaceful with attractive gardens and canals leading to the pool. Remainder of the day is on your own to explore the old bazaar of the city which has a very Syrian flavor. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 12: Urfa, Harran and Diyarbakır
Travel + Guided Day
Morning visit of Biblical Harran famous with its beehive-style mud houses. Genesis refers to Harran as Terha, the place where Abraham took his wife and son.lt is difficult to believe that this deserted place on the edge of the Syrian desert was once a major economic, religious and a learning capital. Drive back to Urfa for lunch. Continue east for Diyarbakir. Visit of the famous ancient city walls with five monumental gates which are the longest in Turkey. Visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami). This remarkable mosque was the very first of the Great Selçuk mosques in Anatolia. Dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Diyarbakır and Van
Travel + Guided Day
Leave Diyarbakir for Van. Lunch en route in Tatvan. Drive further east for our visit of the Church of Akdamar located on a small island in Lake Van. This is one of the best and most sophisticated Greco- Armenian Churches of the 10th C. It is unique with its decorations carved on the outer walls of the church depicting scenes from The Old Testament. Arrive VAN which was the capital of the famous Urartian Kingdom and gives its name to the largest lake in Turkey. Dinner and overnight at our Hotel in Van.
Day 14: Van
Guided Day
Morning visit of the archaeological Museum of Van which displays artifacts belonging to the Hurrian and Urartian Civilizations. We drive to the Van Castle which has a dramatic location and served not only for the Urartians but also for the Ottomans. After lunch we drive to Cavustepe, known to the Urartians as Sardurihinili, the city of Sarduri and built by Sardur. We will see palace buildings, temples, altars, cisterns and even an ancient toilet. Drive back to Van. Dinner and overnight.
Day 15: Van and Istanbul
Travel Day
Transfer to Van airport for our morning flight to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul. Remainder of the day is at leisure or discover more of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Departure from Istanbul
Departure Day
Transfer to the international airport for your outgoing flight. End of our services
TOUR MAP
Where This Tour Takes You
The route of the Marvels of Eastern Turkey on the map.
PHOTO GALLERY
Moments From the Route
A few photographs from the places this tour passes through.
ACCOMMODATION
Where You’ll Stay
The hotels named for this route. Your exact rooms depend on your dates and availability.
Sultanhan Boutique Hotel
Istanbul
A museum hotel in Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, built to preserve its historical architecture and texture.
Argos Cave Hotel
Cappadocia
A boutique hotel in Cappadocia, set in the region’s landscape of volcanic tuff shaped by wind, snow and rain.
PRICING
Prices
2 Participants
$7,690
4 Participants
$5,460
6 Participants
$4,390
8 Participants
$3,950
10+ Participants · Best Value
$3,850
Prices change with the season and the month of travel. Please ask for the real price valid for the time you are planning to travel.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Quick answers about what is included, how the days run and how to adjust this trip to you.
What does the price cover?
The price covers: 15 nights accommodation at selected hotels; 15 breakfasts and 14 lunches and 15 dinners at hotels, as marked B, L and D in the itinerary; admission fees, tax and service charges; complete program of tours as specified in the day-by-day itinerary; services of a Professional English-speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and an expert on Turkey’s history and culture; local transportation by a private chauffeur driven deluxe van with A/C; all transfers and touring as per itinerary from arrival to departure; airfare for the flight from Istanbul to Ankara; Van to Istanbul; flight for guide from Istanbul to Ankara; Van to Istanbul; accommodation for guide and driver at a lower category hotel including their meals; vAT.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Your own guide and driver travel with just your party for all 16 days, with no joining a shared bus or group itinerary.
Are internal flights included?
Yes. The price includes the flights Istanbul to Ankara; Van to Istanbul. Your guide’s flights are covered too.
How is the price calculated?
Price depends on group size, from 3,850 USD per person for 10 or more travelers up to 7,690 USD per person for a party of 2. Prices vary by season, so ask for the exact rate for your travel dates.
What is not included?
International airfare and related taxes; Customary end-of-tour gratuities to the guide and drivers; Bottled beverages or alcohol; Travel insurance and visas, laundry and personal items.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Istanbul and ends back in Istanbul.
Which hotels are used on this route?
Named hotels on this route include Sultanhan Boutique Hotel (Istanbul), Sheraton Hotel (Ankara), Argos Cave Hotel (Cappadocia), Hilton Inn Hotel (Konya), Hilton Adana Hotel (Adana), Hotel Zeus Boutique Hotel (Kahta), Hotel Dedeman (Urfa), Hotel Dedeman (Diyarbakır), Hotel Merit Sahmaran/Tamara (Van). Your exact rooms depend on your dates and availability.
Can I customize this itinerary?
Yes. This is our standard plan, and dates, pace and stops can be adjusted around your interests. Tell us what you want when you request your quote.
Ready to See Marvels of Eastern Turkey Your Way?
A private guide and driver, your own pace for all 16 days. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send a tailored quote.