Откройте Для Себя Скрытую Красоту Восточной Турции

Day 1 – Istanbul to Trabzon We will welcome you at Istanbul Airport and fly together to Trabzon, the gateway to Turkey’s beautiful Black Sea region. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Trabzon.

Day 2 – Trabzon & Sumela Monastery Trabzon has long been surrounded by legends and stories. Even the famous fictional hero Don Quixote dreamed of becoming the King of Trabzon as a reward for his adventures. Our first visit today will be the spectacular Sumela Monastery, dramatically built into the cliffs of the mountains and surrounded by lush forests. The scenery and atmosphere here are truly unforgettable. After enjoying a delicious local lunch, we will return to Trabzon and visit the historic Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, one of the city’s most important Byzantine monuments. Overnight in Trabzon.

Day 3 – Zigana Pass, Erzurum & Kars Today we will leave the Black Sea region and cross the spectacular Zigana Pass toward Erzurum, one of the most mysterious and fascinating cities of Eastern Turkey. In Erzurum, we will visit the magnificent Seljuk-era madrasah and enjoy a wonderful local lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue along the historic Silk Road toward Kars. We will make several short stops along the way before arriving at our hotel. Overnight in Kars.

Day 4 – Ani & Mount Ararat This morning we will travel toward the eastern border of Turkey, where we will have a view toward Armenia. We will visit the magnificent ancient city of Ani, once the capital of the medieval Armenian Kingdom. This extraordinary open-air archaeological site is filled with the remains of ancient churches, walls, palaces, and other monuments. After lunch, we will visit the historic Church of the Twelve Apostles, which is now used as a mosque. We will then continue along the border toward Dogubayazit and spend the night at the foot of the legendary Mount Ararat. Overnight in Dogubayazit.

Day 5 – Ishak Pasa Palace & Lake Van After breakfast, we will visit the impressive Ishak Pasa Palace, a magnificent palace complex built over several generations. We will then cross the volcanic mountains and continue to Van, home to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. After lunch, we will take a boat across the lake to Akdamar Island, where we will visit the beautiful Armenian Church of the Holy Cross and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Lake Van. Overnight in Van.

Day 6 – Hosap Castle & Urartu Civilization Today we will explore the fascinating history of the ancient Urartu civilization. We will first visit Hosap Castle, dramatically located in the mountains. Then we will continue to Cavustepe, a remarkable archaeological site dating back nearly 3,000 years. After lunch, we will visit Van Castle and the ancient royal tombs associated with the Urartian kings. Overnight in Van.

Day 7 – Malabadi Bridge & Diyarbakir Today our journey continues toward Mesopotamia. Our first stop will be the historic Malabadi Bridge, an impressive medieval bridge crossing the Tigris River. After lunch, we will walk through the historic streets of Diyarbakir and visit the Great Mosque. We will also see the famous city walls of Diyarbakir, among the longest and most impressive surviving fortification systems in the world. Before returning to our hotel, we will visit a historic Syriac Orthodox church and learn more about the region’s ancient Christian heritage. Overnight in Diyarbakir.

Day 8 – Hasankeyf, Midyat & Mardin Today will be one of the most mystical and memorable days of our journey. First, we will visit the ancient town of Hasankeyf, dramatically situated along the Tigris River. The area is famous for its ancient caves, ruins, and historic monuments. We will then continue to Midyat, famous for its beautiful stone architecture and rich Christian heritage. We will enjoy lunch in Midyat. Later, we will visit Mardin, one of the most beautiful and atmospheric cities in southeastern Turkey. We will explore its historic streets and visit a Syriac Christian church. This will be a particularly meaningful experience as we learn about the ancient Syriac Christian tradition and hear the Bible in the language traditionally associated with the time of Jesus. Overnight in Diyarbakir.

Day 9 – Mount Nemrut & Sanliurfa After breakfast, we will travel toward Mount Nemrut, one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Turkey. At the summit, we will see enormous stone statues of ancient gods and goddesses, some nearly two meters high, overlooking the spectacular landscape. Later, we will continue to Sanliurfa, known as the City of Prophets because of its strong connections with biblical traditions. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

Day 10 – Harran & Sanliurfa Today we will visit the biblical city of Harran, famous for its traditional beehive-shaped houses and its ancient history as a center of learning. According to Old Testament tradition, Harran was an important place in the life of Abraham and his family before their journey toward Canaan. Later, we will explore Sanliurfa and visit the traditional birthplace of Prophet Abraham. We will also walk through the historic bazaar and experience the unique atmosphere of this ancient city. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

Day 11 – Euphrates River, Rumkale & Gaziantep Today we will enjoy a memorable cruise on the Euphrates River toward Rumkale, an impressive historic fortress rising above the river. After lunch, we will visit the famous Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, home to some of the finest Roman mosaics discovered in the region. We will then continue our journey toward Antakya. Overnight in Antakya.

Day 12 – Antakya, St. Peter & Tarsus Today we will explore Antakya, one of the most important cities in the history of early Christianity. We will travel through the historic landscapes associated with biblical traditions and arrive in Antakya, where we will learn about the city’s remarkable religious heritage. According to the New Testament, it was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. We will visit the Cave Church of St. Peter, traditionally regarded as one of the earliest Christian places of worship in the world. We will also visit the impressive Hatay Archaeology Museum, famous for its outstanding collection of ancient Roman and Byzantine mosaics. Later, we will continue to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Walking through ancient Tarsus, we will visit St. Paul’s Well and explore the city’s connection to his early life. Overnight in Adana.

Day 13 – Tynna, Nigde & Gumusler Monastery Today we will leave for Cappadocia and travel through the historic landscapes of central Anatolia. We will visit the ancient site of Tynna and continue to Nigde. Later, we will visit the remarkable Gumusler Monastery, famous for its beautifully preserved frescoes, including its unique depiction of the smiling Virgin Mary. We will also hear the fascinating and controversial story of Apollonius of Tyana, an ancient philosopher and spiritual figure. We will then continue to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 14 – Dreamlike Cappadocia & Goreme Today we will explore dreamlike Cappadocia, one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Turkey. We will visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, where early Christian communities established monasteries and churches carved into the soft volcanic rock. Inside these churches, we will see some of the most beautiful Byzantine frescoes in the region. Cappadocia also has a strong connection with St. Basil and the development of early Christian monasticism. Cappadocia is one of the world’s most famous destinations for hot-air balloon rides. A balloon ride is optional and offers an unforgettable view of the valleys, fairy chimneys, and unique rock formations. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 15 – Cappadocia: Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos & Zelve After breakfast, we will spend another full day exploring Cappadocia. We will visit Uchisar, Urgup, Avanos, and Zelve, each offering a different view of the region’s unique history and natural beauty. We will also explore one of Cappadocia’s famous underground cities, where early Christian communities lived, worshiped, and sought refuge during difficult times. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 16 – Departure After breakfast, we will transfer you to Kayseri Airport for your homebound flight via Istanbul. Your extraordinary journey through the Black Sea, Eastern Turkey, Mesopotamia, and Cappadocia comes to an end. This is far more than an ordinary tour. It is a journey through wild landscapes, ancient civilizations, biblical lands, forgotten cities, Christian heritage, traditional cultures, and some of the most authentic regions of Turkey. You will return home with unforgettable memories of a Turkey that few travelers have the opportunity to discover.