17 Day Eastern & Western Turkey Discovery Tour – Black Sea, Mesopotamia & Aegean Wonders

Breakfast not included
Pick up from Istanbul Airport → Flight to Trabzon → Hotel transfer
The journey begins as you touch down in Istanbul. A short wait in the heart of Turkey, then you rise again into the skies, bound for Trabzon. On arrival, the Black Sea air greets you, fresh and crisp. Your guide welcomes you, and as you are driven to your hotel, the anticipation of the days ahead begins to settle.

Breakfast included
After breakfast, your guide meets you at the hotel and the tour begins. Morning light spills across the rooftops of Trabzon, inviting you into its timeless streets. The journey starts at Hagia Sophia Mosque, where centuries-old frescoes still breathe with quiet devotion. From the slopes of Boztepe Hill, the Black Sea horizon stretches endlessly—blue melting into blue. At Atatürk’s Mansion, time stands still, preserved in elegant rooms that reflect the memory of a nation.
By afternoon, the lively Trabzon bazaars come alive. The scent of roasted hazelnuts mingles with the calls of merchants, anchovy dishes tempt the palate, and the city reveals its true spirit—vibrant, authentic, and full of life.
As the day draws to a close, you are comfortably driven back to your hotel, carrying with you the flavors and stories of Trabzon. Overnight in Trabzon

Breakfast included
After breakfast, your journey carries you deep into the emerald valleys of the Pontic Mountains. The road winds upward to the Sumela Monastery, a marvel clinging to the cliff face like an eagle’s nest, its frescoed walls gazing out over forests and streams.
Continuing through the highlands, you cross the Zigana Pass, where the panorama of rugged peaks stretches endlessly, timeless and commanding. Soon after, the subterranean world of Karaca Cave reveals itself—its glittering chambers adorned with stalactites and stalagmites sculpted by nature’s patient hand.
By evening, you arrive in Erzurum, the ancient Seljuk stronghold. Stone minarets rise proudly above the city, and echoes of old caravan routes linger in the crisp mountain air. As the day ends, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest.  Overnight in Erzurum

Breakfast included
After breakfast, the day begins in Erzurum, where history is etched into stone. The graceful Twin Minaret Madrasa still whispers the wisdom of Seljuk scholars, while the weathered walls of the old citadel echo with memories of battles long past.
By midday, your journey turns eastward, stretching across the boundless Anatolian steppes. The road leads you to Kars, a frontier city where the air is sharp, the cheese is famed, and every stone tells the story of empires that once rose and fell upon these lands.
As evening descends, you are comfortably transferred to your hotel, with time to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s discoveries. Overnight in Kars

Breakfast included
After breakfast, your journey takes you eastward to the windswept borderlands, where the ancient city of Ani—the fabled “City of 1001 Churches”—awaits. Here, broken arches rise against the sky, silent streets echo with prayers long vanished, and the solemn beauty of its ruins endures, majestic and eternal.
Returning to Kars, the castle stands proudly above the town, guarding centuries of history. In the lively markets below, life bustles on—cheese stalls, stone houses, and warm-hearted locals remind you that the city is as vibrant in the present as it is rich in the past.
As the day draws to a close, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest.

Breakfast included
After breakfast, the road carries you further east to Van, a city embraced by the shimmering waters of Turkey’s largest lake. Along the way, the vast landscapes unfold—mountains, valleys, and endless horizons that speak of ancient journeys across Anatolia.
By evening, you ascend to the mighty Van Castle, standing proudly above the lake. As the sun sinks low, the waters turn to gold and crimson, a breathtaking canvas of color reflected in the timeless silence of the highlands. In this moment, the world feels ancient, unhurried, eternal.
As night approaches, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest. Overnight in Van

Breakfast included
After breakfast, a boat carries you across the shimmering blue waters of Lake Van, bound for the storied Akdamar Island. Here stands the Holy Cross Church, its stone walls adorned with intricate reliefs—like a manuscript carved in faith, telling sacred stories across the ages.
Later, back in Van, the lively markets welcome you with glowing carpets of every hue, while the city’s most famous residents—the gentle Van cats, with one blue and one amber eye—remind you that beauty can be found in the smallest details.
As the day draws to a close, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest. Overnight in Van

Breakfast included
After breakfast, your journey begins through the golden-hued streets of Mardin, a city where stone houses cascade along the hillside like steps of history. Every narrow alley tells its own story, whispered through the voices of merchants, craftsmen, and pilgrims who once passed here.
From elegant mosques to ancient monasteries, the old town reveals itself as a living mosaic of faiths and cultures, all glowing under the soft Anatolian light. Time feels suspended in Mardin—where the past lingers in every carved doorway and the horizon stretches toward Mesopotamia.
As the day draws to a close, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest. Overnight in Mardin.

Breakfast included
After breakfast, the road leads you to Şanlıurfa, a city where faith and myth walk side by side. At the sacred Balıklıgöl, the Pool of Holy Carp glimmers beneath the sunlight, steeped in stories of prophets and miracles.
Not far away, on a quiet hill, the ancient stones of Göbekli Tepe rise from the earth. These circles of carved pillars, older than history itself, stand as the world’s first temple—a cradle of human belief that reshaped the story of civilization.
Later, the journey continues to Harran, a land of mud-brick beehive houses and echoes of ancient Mesopotamia. Once a crossroads of caravans and scholars, Harran carries a timeless atmosphere where history feels alive in every courtyard.
As the day comes to a close, you are comfortably driven back to your hotel to rest. Overnight in Şanlıurfa

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you set out on the road to the legendary Mt. Nemrut. As dawn breaks, you ascend the mountain where colossal stone heads sit silently upon the summit. Their timeless faces have greeted the rising sun for more than two thousand years, watching over the land with an eternal gaze.
The mountain air is crisp, the silence profound—here, history, myth, and eternity converge.
By evening, you descend into Adıyaman, carrying with you the awe and mystery of Nemrut’s ancient guardians. After the tour, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest. Overnight in Adıyaman

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you drive to Gaziantep, a city where history and flavor meet. The day begins at the world-renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where intricate Roman artistry comes alive through vivid colors and timeless designs.
Later, the city opens its kitchens and bazaars to you—kebabs sizzling over charcoal, pistachios bursting with flavor, and baklava layered with honeyed sweetness. Gaziantep is not just a destination; it is a feast for the senses, where every street corner offers aroma, taste, and delight.
As the tour ends, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Gaziantep

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Gaziantep Airport for your domestic flight to Antalya. Upon arrival at Antalya Airport, your journey continues with a scenic drive to Alanya, where the Mediterranean sun, swaying palms, and sparkling sea welcome you to the coast. Overnight in Alanya

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel and begin the drive inland to Pamukkale. Here, the dazzling white travertine terraces glow like frozen waterfalls cascading down the hillside. Above them, the ancient city of Hierapolis stands guard—its marble streets, necropolis, and grand theatre echoing the voices of Rome.
You wander among warm springs and timeless ruins, suspended between the wonders of nature and the footprints of history. After the tour, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you set out for the legendary city of Ephesus, where history still lingers in every stone. You stroll its marble streets, stand in awe before the Library of Celsus, and imagine the thunderous applause that once filled the Great Theatre.
The tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene place of pilgrimage where silence speaks louder than words.
In the afternoon, the journey takes you to Şirince Village, a hillside gem known for its cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and fragrant orchards. Here, you can taste local fruit wines and experience the simple charm of village life.
After the tour, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Kuşadası

Breakfast included
After breakfast, the journey carries you north to the ancient city of Pergamon, once a great center of learning and culture. Among its hills, temples, and theatres, echoes of a kingdom’s grandeur still linger.
Continuing along the Aegean coast, you pause at Assos, a timeless village where stone houses overlook the deep blue sea and where philosophers once walked in search of wisdom.
By evening, the road leads you onward to Çanakkale, gateway to the ancient lands of Troy and Gallipoli.
Overnight in Çanakkale

Breakfast included
After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the legendary city of Troy, where myth and history intertwine in the ruins of walls, temples, and the tale of the wooden horse.
From here, the journey continues to Anzac Cove, a place of remembrance where the winds carry echoes of sacrifice and courage.
As the tour concludes, you drive across the Dardanelles and through the landscapes of Thrace, returning to Istanbul, the city where East and West embrace. Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight. As you bid farewell to Turkey, you carry with you the memories of ancient cities, sacred sites, and landscapes that span empires and ages.
We hope you enjoyed our services and look forward to welcoming you again on another unforgettable journey. Safe travels, and see you soon!