In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul or Izmir and transferred to the airport, where you will fly to Adiyaman.

Upon arrival in Adiyaman airport, the tour will begin right away.

The highlights of the day:

• On the way to Mount Nemrut, we will visit the Karakus Tumulusu (Black Bird Burial Mound), then the Roman Bridge at Cendere, followed by the old castle (Arsemia) and the new castle at Kahta.
• We will then head to the summit of Mount Nemrut.
• Before the sun sets we will explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the tomb of the famous king Antiochus, surrounded by dozens of statues, as well as reliefs depicting the oldest known images of humans shaking hands.
• We will watch the sunset from the summit of Mount Nemrut.

After dark, we return to Kahta and check in to your hotel.

HOTEL INFO  

Tugra Hotel Adıyaman

Tuğra Hotel is at your service with accommodation in Adıyaman. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. All air-conditioned rooms at this bed and breakfast are equipped with a fla..

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After breakfast we will head to Sanliurfa

The highlights of the day:

• Our first stop is the ongoing archaeological dig at Gobekli Tepe, which is the oldest known temple in the world, pre-dating Stonehenge by 6000 years.
• After a guided tour and photo opportunity at Gobekli Tepe, we visit the Abraham Pool. This is a highly sacred site for Christians and Muslims, as it is thought to be where Abraham/Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, before God turned the fire to water and turned the burning logs to fish.
• Following the pool, we will continue to the cave which is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham.

In the evening, you will check into your hotel in Sanliurfa.

HOTEL INFO  

Grand Gulizar Hotel

Located in Balıklıgöl, the heart of Şanlıurfa, within walking distance of many attractions of the city, Gülizar Hotel offers its guests a pleasant accommodation with i..

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After breakfast we will head to Mardin, the fascinating beauty on a hill slope.

What awaits you in Mardin?

• A cup of coffee accompanying by the view to Mesopotamia Plain will give you a great pleasure.
• You will breathe the mystical atmosphere of the city on the stone paved streets.
• You will see the historical buildings, madrasas, churches and mosques.

Then we go to the hotel which is made of special cut stone. You will continue to experience the city’s “touch”  in the hotel.

In the evening you can visit the local shops and enjoy the famous kebabs.

After breakfast we will head to Midyat with houses with demure doorways opening onto huge courtyards surrounded by intricately carved walls, windows and recesses. 

Then we will follow the ancient river Tigris until historical Malabadi Bridge, on the way we will stop by Hasankeyf.

Highlights of the day:

• After breakfast we will head to Midyat with houses with demure doorways opening onto huge courtyards surrounded by intricately carved walls, windows and recesses.
• Then we will follow the ancient river Tigris until historical Malabadi Bridge, on the way we will stop by Hasankeyf.
• We will reach Ahlat before sunset, the largest Seljuk tomb in the area. Giant grave stones are must see.
• After all, we will reach Tatvan, a small town by Van Lake, where we spend the night.

Apart from gifting the world with exotic cats, Van has a deep-rooted history going back as far as 5,000 BC.

The city has been moulded by different civilizations and kingdoms throughout history, including Urartian, Armenian, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman influences.

You can find their fingerprints scatted throughout the city, such as the Urartian Van Fortress and Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral.

Nature has also blessed Van with an idyllic location right next to the largest body of water in Turkey. Travel to Van (approximately 2 hours) before taking a boat trip across the lake to Akdamar Island and visiting the Holy Cross Cathedral. This 10th century Armenian construction houses impressive faded frescos, while the exterior stonework is carved with epic biblical scenes.

Afterwards, make the most of free time to wander town, visit the bizarre Lake Monster statue, and spot the occasional Van cat.

Overnight in Van.

After breakfast this morning, your journey continues towards to Ishak Pasa Sarayi (Ishak Pasha Palace). 

Ishak Pasha Palace: Perched atop a hill in the historic town of Dogubeyazit, Turkey, the Ishak Pasha Palace stands as an awe-inspiring testament to Ottoman architectural magnificence.

This 17th-century marvel, commissioned by Ishak Pasha, a powerful Ottoman governor, blends elements of Ottoman, Persian, and Seljuk styles into a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship and design.

Highlights of Ishak Pasha Palace:

• The Harem: This secluded section of the palace, once the residence of Ishak Pasha's family, showcases intricate tilework, decorative fireplaces, and private gardens.
• The Mosque: The palace's mosque, with its ornate minaret and serene courtyard, offers a glimpse into the religious life of the palace's residents.
• The Divan Hall: This grand hall, once used for official meetings and gatherings, boasts impressive acoustics and stunning architectural details.
• The Treasury: The palace's treasury, now transformed into a museum, houses a collection of artifacts and relics from the Ottoman era.

A visit to Ishak Pasha Palace is a journey through time, transporting visitors to an era of opulence, artistry, and power. Its harmonious blend of architectural styles and its rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.

Overnight in Kars

Begin the day with a visit to the important site of Ani, the ruined capital of the medieval Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia.

This kingdom originally had its capital in Kars, but in the 10th century King Ashot III decided to move it to this new location, which was closer to the main trade routes.

Surrounded by rolling steppe on a headland above the valley of the Arpa Cayi River, and right on the border with Armenia, this atmospheric ‘ghost town’ of crumbling ruins makes for one of the most romantic sights in Turkey.

After time to explore the ruins – such as the church of Christ the Redeemer, which is split perfectly in half – head to Karagol, a hidden lake in Nature, where you will have a late lunch.

After lunch we will continue to Artvin for the night.

If you’ve heard the term “for all the tea in China”, then think again – Turkey consumes more tea than any other nation in the world!

What awaits you in Rize?

• Gain a better understanding and appreciation for Turkish tea on a trip to Rize, the country’s tea capital.
• Travel east along the coast, passing lush tea farms along the way, before sampling the local brew in Rize.
• Next, turn inland and travel to the foot of the Kackar Mountains to discover rolling fields fringed by craggy, frost-tipped mountains.
• Enjoy a late afternoon hike through alpine meadows, visiting a medieval castle and picturesque ancient stone bridges, before settling in for the night at the village of Camlihemsin.

Highlights of the day:

• We start our tour to still mysterious Sumela through Altındere Valley until we reach the mountain where the Monastery is situated; the Black Mountain, where you take pictures on the edge of the monastery’s road as a fenomena with Sumela in the view, and then we depart from the vehicle.
• In 15 minutes we reach the monastery by feet, after break, we get back calmly to our seats and hit the road to Zigana; there will be an hour break in the pine forest where you can eat lunch at the restaurants, take pictures and get refreshed with the pure breeze of pure nature.
• After that, we are getting on the way for Karaca Cave. Be careful, in karaca temparature will be lower and wievs will be amazing.
• We start our way back by stopping at showroom where you can buy famous dried fruit pulps at the factory.
• Our third spot will be at Torul Glass Terrace. At Glass Terrace, you will feel the adrenaline because of the height.
• And for our last visit we are stopping by the wonderous village of Hamsikoy where you can have the best made Sutlac (rice pudding) and picturing the natural magic, breathing neat weather of the village.

After the tour we will transfer you to Trabzon airport, return flight to Istanbul.