Escorted Tours

Journey to the Edge of History - Highlights of Eastern Turkey

4 July to 19 July 2025

A guided tour through Eastern Turkey, a region where numerous ancient civilisations have left their mark. Travelling from the Armenian border to the Mediterranean coast, we explore the remnants of the oldest known manmade structures on earth, and even visit what some believe to be the original Noah's Ark.

Istanbul, Kars, Mount Ararat, Dogubeyazit, Van, Midyat, Mardin, Gaziantep, Gobeklitepe/Karahantepe, Tarsus (St.Paul), Anamurium, Side, Faralya/Fethiye

Itinerary:

Day 1; 4 July
Arrival, stay in Istanbul on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 2; 5 July
Time to explore the sights of Istanbul, including Saint Sophie, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, the bazaar and the spice market, at your own pace. Stay on Bed & Breakfast basis
Day 3; 6 July
Flight from Istanbul to Kars. Afternoon sightseeing around Kars, including the hilltop castle. Stay on bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 4; 7 July
After breakfast we drive to Ani, an abandoned Armenian city right on the border with Armenia, with stunning medieval churches, mosques and palaces in a remote open field. We proceed to Dogubeyazit, where we visit Ishak Pasha Palace, Urartu Castle and then drive to Van where we stay overnight on bed & breakfast basis.
Day 5; 8 July
Visit Nuh'un Gemisi (Noah’s Ark) National Park. This huge boat-shaped structure found at an altitude of around 2,000 metres above sea level just south of Mount Ararat has attracted substantial interest from archaeologists since its discovery by a Kurdish shepherd in 1948. Whilst most now believe this to be a natural rock formation rather than the fossilised remains of Noah's Ark, it is a fascinating and scenic place. Afterwards, we take a boat trip on Lake Van to Akdamar island, home to the Church of the Holy Cross and some Armenian monastery ruins. Overnight on bed & breakfast basis in Van.
Day 6; 9 July
Drive from Van to Midyat. The ancient city is the center of a centuries-old Hurrian town in Upper Mesopotamia, reminiscent of a medieval city with its gradually rising stone . Many different empires had ruled over Midyat including the Mitannians, Assyrians, Arameans, Armenians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Abbasids, Seljuks and Ottomans. Overnight on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 7; 10 July
We drive from Midyat to Mardin via the antique city of Dara, an important East Roman fortress city in northern Mesopotamia on the border with the Sassanid Empire. Because of its great strategic importance, it featured prominently in the Roman-Persian conflicts. Overnight on Bed & Breakfast basis
Day 8; 11 July
From Mardin we proceed via Karahantepe and Göbekli Tepe to Gaziantep. Open to the public in October 2021, Karahantepe is an archaeological site in Sanliurfa Province. Prior to its excavation, nearby Göbekli Tepe (which we also visit) was deemed the oldest known manmade construction on Earth, dating back 10,000 years and thus predating both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by several millennia. Based on the latest research, Karahantepe is thought to be another 1,000 years older, so today you can experience two historic record-breakers! Archaeologists have uncovered T-shaped stelae and 250 obelisks featuring animal figures to date. Overnight in Gaziantep on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 9; 12 July
We travel from Gaziantep via Tarsus to Anamur. We visit the old sea town of Anamurium. Overnight in Anamur on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 10; 13 July
Drive from Anamur via Side to Faralya. Side, located on the eastern part of the Pamphylian coast, was founded by Greek settlers from Cyme in Aeolis, a region of western Anatolia. This most likely occurred in the 7th century BC. Its tutelary deity was Athena, whose head adorned its coinage. After exploring Side's sights, we continue to Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotel in Faralya, where we will be based for the remainder of the trip. Stay on Half Board basis.
Day 11; 14 July
A well-deserved day for rest and relaxation... Stay on Half board basis (breakfast & dinner) at the Mandarin & Mango.
Day 12; 15 July
A hike along the Lycian Way, swim in the Mediterranean, or be lazy by the pool… Stay on Half board basis (breakfast & dinner) at the Mandarin & Mango.
Day 13; 16 July
Turkish bath, massage, shopping in Fethiye town for some "genuine fakes", or just relax by the pool with a drink or two…Stay on Half board basis (breakfast & dinner) at the Mandarin & Mango
Day 14; 17 July
Visit the ghost village of Kaya, old Greek village called Levissi, known as Karmylassos during Lycian time, then drive to Lycian ruins of Tlos, Xanthos, and the gorge of Saklikent. Stay on Half board basis (breakfast & dinner) at the Mandarin & Mango
Day 15; 18 July
Relax day, and get ready for your return trip. Stay on Half board basis (breakfast & dinner) at the Mandarin & Mango.
Day 16; 19 July
Fly home from Dalaman Airport (or extend your stay at Mandarin if you wish).

The price is US$3775 per person based on two people sharing a double/twin room; Single supplement US$1695.

Price includes:

Not included:

Payment Terms:
A non refundable deposit of US$350 is required to secure a space. Balance payment due by 15 March 2025.

All our tours in 2025 are covered under the Tursab-licence of our agent, Light Tours (Tursab Nr. 1739).