Explore Eastern Turkey: Discovering Ancient Sites, Sunken Cities and Magnificent Mosques

Today, you’ll get to grips with Istanbul alongside someone who knows the city best – a clued-up local resident. Wander through the city’s narrow streets and discover multiple museums, shops, cafes, mosques and markets. If you’re feeling peckish, your guide will let you follow your nose (literally) and stop at any food stalls that take your fancy… think steaming döner kebabs and crispy börek. In the evening, unwind at a restaurant recommended by your guide and discuss the day’s discoveries over a delicious local dinner.

This morning, your Eastern Turkey adventure starts with a transfer back to Istanbul airport for a one-hour domestic flight to Gaziantep in south-eastern Anatolia. After landing, you'll be met by your local guide and driver. Over the next two days, they’ll take you through the city to visit the stunning mosaic museum, housing a priceless collection from the sunken city of Zeugma. You’ll also see the citadel and the old town of Gaziantep, stopping in one of the many pastry shops (trust us, this is the place for the world's best pistachio baklava). Along with the buzzing café culture, Gaziantep is a lovely spot to wander and explore the old town's beautifully restored bazaars and stone houses. In the evenings, try out some of the fantastic local restaurants recommended by your guide.

Today is an exciting day of exploration as you depart Gaziantep for the two-hour drive to Sanliurfa, the next stop on your Eastern Turkey itinerary. En route, stop at the sunken city of Halfeti, which was semi-flooded by the Euphrates River in 2000. The village now sits on the eastern bank of a newly created lake, and you can take a boat across the Euphrates to see it. Continue to Sanliurfa, check in to your hotel for the next two nights, and then visit perhaps the highlight of your entire Eastern Turkey itinerary: Gobekli Tepe, one of the most important archaeological digs in the world. This is the earliest religious structure ever discovered, dating from around 10,000 BC and predating the Great Pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge by around 5,500 years.

This morning, your knowledgeable local guide will accompany you on a stroll through the captivating city of Sanliurfa. You'll explore the enchanting flower-filled gardens lining the Pools of Abraham, venture to the Cave of Abraham, see the impressive Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) and peruse the vibrant bazaar. Your guide will enlighten you on how Urfa's architecture resembles Aleppo and how the town's population reflects a rich ethnic tapestry, comprising Arab, Turkish and Kurdish communities.

This morning, your local guide will meet you for the drive from Sanliurfa to Diyarbakir, stopping off at Mount Nemrut, one of the best-known sites in Eastern Turkey. The site is a vast funeral monument built by King Antiochus I Theos and consists of substantial stone heads scattered over the mountaintop. The views of the surrounding plains are fantastic, but the stones themselves are fascinating; they offer insight into ancient Commagene culture. After your visit, you’ll drive to the Roman bridge of Cendere and the Karakus cemetery, before heading to Diyarbakir and passing by the Ataturk dam. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the evening, just in time for dinner and bed.

Today, you’ll embark on a scenic drive from Diyarbakir to Mardin, soaking in the rich history and cultural treasures. In Diyarbakir, explore landmarks like the Grand Mosque, the City Walls, and the iconic Four-legged Minaret, before wandering through the charming backstreets and marvelling at the Ten-eyed Bridge. When you’ve arrived in Mardin, uncover the secrets of Dara Ancient City, once a bustling Roman outpost, and visit the symbol of Syriac Christianity, the Deyrulzafaran Monastery. Stroll through the historic alleys where history echoes through the stone walls before settling into your hotel for the night.

This morning drive to Hasankeyf, approximately two hours away. The town is situated by the Tigris River and is sadly soon to be submerged under the flood waters of a new dam on the Tigris. It is one of 37 villages that will be displaced by the dam, along with many other archaeological sites, so this represents the last chance to visit. The town itself is spectacularly located on a cliff overlooking the Tigris and the name Hasankeyf means 'fortress of the rock'. The town has a distinctive red brick mosque in the middle of it with large storks nests perched on top.
Continue to Tatvan on the western shore of Lake Van and visit the tombs of the rulers of the Seljuk Dynasty (who reigned over an empire from Turkey to Central Asia in the early second millennium) in Ahlat before returning to Tatvan for the night.

Feast on a hearty Turkish breakfast to fuel yourself for today’s guided drive from Tatvan to Van. You’ll stop at the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery, a sacred resting place for notable figures steeped in the Seljuk Empire’s history. Continue onwards to Van, a city on the eastern shore of Lake Van. Dump your bags at your lakeside hotel before heading out to one of the popular restaurants recommended by our local Concierge.

It’s your final day of exploring Turkey, and it’s going out with a bang. Begin your day by immersing yourself in history at the Archaeology Museum, where a rich collection of artefacts spanning various periods awaits discovery. Next, journey to the Castle of Van before delving into the world of feline fascination at the Van Cat House, which is dedicated to preserving the distinct breed indigenous to the area. Conclude your adventure with a visit to the captivating Akdamar Island, where you can marvel at a 10th-century Armenian church adorned with stunning carvings. After a busy day, head for a final tipple overlooking Lake Van and raise a glass to the past 11 days in terrific Turkey.