Itinerary Details

Day 1 (Arrival to Cappadocia)

You will take your flight to the Cappadocia region, where we will greet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel in the Cappadocia area. Please note that the flight ticket is not included in the package, but we can assist you in booking one. Overnight stay in Goreme.

Day 2 (Private Cappadocia Tour, breakfast and lunch included)

An optional early morning Hot Air Balloon Flight offers a wonderful way to start the day with a breathtaking sunrise.

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at 10:00 for the start of your private Cappadocia tour. The first stop will be a panoramic viewpoint in Goreme, where you’ll learn about the geography, formation, and history of Cappadocia while enjoying stunning views of the region. From this spot, you will be able to admire The Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys, and the villages of Goreme and Uchisar.

After a 30-minute drive, we will visit the Kaymakli Underground City, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cappadocia. The most fascinating feature of Kaymakli Underground City is its well-organized and thoughtfully designed layout. The city includes everything from living spaces, sleeping quarters, stables, and communal kitchens to a church and a cemetery, all fortified to ensure the safety of its residents. After exploring life underground, we will take you to Pigeon Valley to enjoy a panoramic view of Uchisar Castle and the surrounding valley.

We will then enjoy a delicious lunch at a charming boutique restaurant in Avanos. Afterward, we will witness the traditional kick-wheel pottery demonstration in Avanos, a craft that dates back to the Hittite civilization 4,000 years ago. You will have the opportunity to see the entire pottery-making process, and even try creating your own pot. Next, we will visit Pasabag (Monks Valley), famous for its mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. These well-preserved fairy chimneys offer the best insight into how these natural formations were created, and our guide will explain the process with real-life examples.

Lastly, we will head to Devrent Valley, where you can observe the camel-shaped fairy chimney along with many other unique shapes. The tour will conclude around 17:00, and we will drive you back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Goreme.

Day 3 (Private Cappadocia Tour, breakfast and lunch included, breakfast and lunch included)

Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel at 09:30 to begin the hike through the stunning Red & Rose Valleys, which are among the most breathtaking valleys in Cappadocia. Along the way, you'll encounter numerous pigeon houses, a spectacular view of Uchisar Castle, and several rock-hewn churches that are over 1,000 years old. The hike will take approximately 1.5 hours and will conclude in Cavusin Village, an abandoned Greek village offering stunning views.

Cavusin Village was deserted in the 1950s due to falling rocks. After taking in the panoramic view of the village, we will head to the Uchisar Castle Viewpoint to admire the scenic view of the castle. Following this, we will drive to a local restaurant for lunch, where you can enjoy the renowned "Pottery Kebab".

After lunch, we will explore the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Here, you'll witness some of the best-preserved rock-cut churches in the Cappadocia region and gain insight into the Eastern Orthodox Christian frescoes and their intricate details.

Next, we will travel to Mustafapasa (Sinasos) Village, which once hosted both Turkish and Greek communities until the 1924 population exchange. In this village, you will see numerous old Greek houses, an Ottoman Madrasah, and an ancient church. We will then stop in Urgup to see beautiful examples of fairy chimneys. Afterward, we will drive you back to your hotel around 17:00. Overnight stay in Goreme.

Day 4 (Drive to Gaziantep and explore the city, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will start the day around 8:30 a.m. with a drive of approximately 1.5 hours to the Karatay Caravanserai along the historic Silk Road. This caravanserai is one of the most well-preserved examples of Anatolian caravanserais and stands as a magnificent example of Seljuk architecture. After another scenic drive of 2 hours, we will stop for lunch in Kahramanmaras and sample its famous ice cream, before continuing our journey to Gaziantep's renowned Mosaic Museum.

The Gaziantep Mosaic Museum houses some of the finest fully preserved mosaics in Turkey. These mosaics, dating back over 2,000 years, are from the ancient city of Zeugma, which has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2021. In addition to the 1,450 m² of mosaics, you will also find 140 m² of frescoes, 4 Roman fountains, 20 columns, 4 limestone sculptures, a bronze statue of Mars, gravestones, and sarcophagi. Afterward, we will visit the ancient city castle, the copper market, and a baklava shop (as Gaziantep is the birthplace of baklava). Overnight stay in Gaziantep.

Day 5 (Drive to Harran and Sanliurfa, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive for about 2 hours to Harran, the ancient city where Prophet Abraham lived for a period. Despite its location in a dry and barren plain, Harran has endured for over 5,000 years. The trade routes connecting Anatolia to Mesopotamia brought prosperity and sustained culture through Harran, ensuring its survival across millennia. Harran is renowned for its adobe (bee-hive) houses, ancient castle, and the 8th-century university building. It has been listed on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2000.

After lunch, we will continue our journey to the center of Sanliurfa. This city has been home to many Old Testament prophets, including Jethro, Job, Elijah, and Abraham. It was also where Prophet Moses worked as a shepherd for seven years before returning to Egypt. For this reason, the city is often referred to as 'The City of Prophets'. We will visit the Pool of Prophet Abraham, where it is believed that when Abraham defied the religion of Nimrod, he was thrown into a fire by Nimrod. However, as Abraham was a faithful follower of God, the fire miraculously turned into water, and the wood became the carps that now swim in the pool. We will also take a stroll through the streets, where you can witness the rich blend of various cultures and ethnicities. Overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

Day 6 (Visit Gobeklitepe and drive to Kahta, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin by visiting the Sanliurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum. The museum offers a wonderful collection of mosaics from various locations around Sanliurfa as well as T-shaped columns from Gobeklitepe. Notable pieces such as the Orpheus Mosaic, Ktisis Mosaic, and the Mosaics depicting Achilleus’ Life are definitely worth seeing.

Following our museum visit, we will drive for about 30 minutes to one of Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Gobeklitepe. Gobeklitepe holds the title of the earliest known monumental human-made structure discovered to date. Scientists have confirmed that it is the oldest temple in the world, dating back an incredible 11,500 years. The site is characterized by numerous limestone pillars, many of which are decorated with stylized T-shaped symbols. Archaeoastronomers suggest these pillars may have had an astronomical purpose. After this fascinating visit and lunch, we will drive for about 3 hours to reach Kahta. Along the way, we will stop at the Ataturk Dam, the largest dam project in Turkey. Overnight stay in Kahta.

Day 7 (Visit Mount Nemrut and drive to Diyarbakir, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will wake up early around 03:30 am to begin our climb to the summit of Mount Nemrut. After arriving at the entrance of the national park, we will hike for about 30 minutes to reach the top. At the summit, you will witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises in the world, accompanied by the majestic statues of gods and kings. Mount Nemrut has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. After enjoying the sunrise, we will descend the mountain to explore the Arsemia Ancient City, Cendere Bridge, and Karakus Tumulus. The Arsemia Ancient City sits atop steep cliffs, and its structures are accessed by a ceremonial pathway adorned with relief stelae, rock-carved monuments, the largest inscription in Turkey, a tunnel, and architectural remnants at the peak. The Cendere Bridge was constructed in the early third century, following the victory of Septimius Severus over the Parthians. The Karakus Tumulus is a funerary monument dedicated to the Commagene Royal Family. After these fascinating visits, we will head back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will drive for about 2.5 hours to Diyarbakir to explore this remarkable city. The Diyarbakir Walls are the longest and widest intact defensive walls in the world, second only to the Great Wall of China. We will also visit the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir, the oldest and one of the most important mosques in Anatolia. The Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. After lunch and spending the afternoon in Diyarbakir, we will drive for another hour to reach Mardin, where we will spend the night.

Day 8 (Visit Mardin and drive to Tatvan, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

After enjoying a traditional Mesopotamian breakfast at our hotel, we will begin our exploration of Mardin. Mardin is a unique, multi-ethnic city situated on a hill in the Mesopotamia region, offering a stunning view of the surrounding plains. Due to its location along major trade routes, this city has been conquered and governed by numerous ancient civilizations, making it an important part of several empires. The city has been ruled by the Hurri-Mitani, Hittites, Surs, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and the Seljuks, among others. During the reign of the Artuklu Kingdom, Mardin flourished. We will visit several significant historical sites such as the Kasimiye Madrasah, Zinciriye Madrasah, and the Grand Mosque. We will also explore the Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery, an active Syriac Christian Monastery that dates back to the 8th century.

Next, we will drive to Midyat, which is about an hour away, to visit the remarkable Mor Gabriel Monastery (Deyrulumur Monastery) and the historical city of Midyat. The Churches and Monasteries of Midyat (Tur ʿAbdin) and Surrounding Area were added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2021. After having lunch in Midyat, we will continue our journey to Tatvan, passing through Hasankeyf. Hasankeyf, located along the Tigris River, was once a vital trade center on an ancient trade route and has witnessed numerous historical events, dating back as far as 10,000 years ago. After exploring this picturesque town, we will drive for another 2 hours before arriving in Tatvan, a small town by the shores of Lake Van. Overnight stay in Tatvan.

Day 9 (Visit Ahlat Cemetery & Akdamar Church and drive to Van, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will depart from Tatvan to visit the Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery. The Seljuk Cemetery Ruins are home to some of the most famous tombstones and remarkable works by notable artists from the Seljuk Period. Covering an area of 210,000 square meters, it ranks as the 3rd largest among Turkish-Islamic cemeteries in the world. The Tombstones of Ahlat have been added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2000.

Next, we will drive to Akdamar Island. After a 1-hour drive, we will take a boat ride to Akdamar Island and explore the Akdamar Church, also known as The Church of the Holy Cross, located on the island in Lake Van. This church, which reflects the diverse faiths of the Vaspurakan Kingdom during the 10th century, holds a significant place in world history with its unique architecture and intricate decorations. The Akdamar Church was added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2015. After our visit, we will drive for about 1 hour to reach Van and stay overnight in the city center.

Day 10 (Visit Van and Dogubeyazit & drive to Kars, breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

After breakfast in Van, our first stop will be the renowned Van Castle. The ancient fortress of Van, also known as Van Castle, is a monumental stone fortification constructed by the Urartu Kingdom during the 9th to 7th centuries BC. Perched atop a steep bluff, the castle overlooks Tushpa, the ancient Urartian capital. Both The Old City of Van and The Fortress of Van have been added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2016.

After this visit, we will continue our journey to Dogubeyazit to explore the magnificent Ishakpasha Palace. The Ishakpasha Palace is more of a complex than a mere palace. It served as the second administrative center after Topkapı Palace in Istanbul and is one of the most famous palaces constructed in the late period. Built on a hill 5 km east of Dogubeyazit District, the palace is an example of 18th-century Ottoman architecture and stands as one of the largest surviving examples from that era. The Ishakpasha Palace was added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2000. After thoroughly exploring the palace, we will drive for about 2.5 hours to reach Kars, passing by the majestic Mount Ararat. Overnight accommodation in Kars.

Day 11 (Visit Ani & drive to Erzurum, breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After breakfast, we will drive for approximately 1 hour to reach Ani Ancient City. Ani was once a medieval Armenian city located at the far eastern edge of Turkey, within Kars Province. It served as the capital of Eastern Armenia and the Bagratid Kingdom until it was captured by the Byzantine Empire. Ani has suffered from various natural disasters and invasions over the centuries, including Mongol, Tamerlane, and earthquake damage, leaving it surrounded by the remains of massive stone walls. The Historic City of Ani was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016 and is home to numerous churches, mosques, and caravanserais. This ancient city is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. We will also have lunch in Ani.

After our visit to Ani, we will return to Kars center to explore Kars Castle, which was constructed in 1153 A.D. and offers a commanding view of the city. Then, we will drive for about 2.5 hours to reach Erzurum, where we will stay overnight.

Day 12 (Visit Erzurum and drive to Trabzon, breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After breakfast, we will take a walking tour through the city of Erzurum. The sites we will visit are all within walking distance of each other, including the Erzurum Castle, The Double Minaret Madrasah, The Yakutiye Madrasa, The Grand Mosque, and The Three Tombs.

Erzurum Castle may not be very tall, but it provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and town, especially after ascending its 12th-century minaret. The Double Minaret Madrasah, the largest madrasa in Anatolia, was built in the second half of the 13th century. Originally a theological school, it later served as a gun foundry in the 17th century and an armory in the 19th century. Yakutiye Madrasah is a rectangular structure centered around a courtyard, with a cylindrical minaret. The Grand Mosque, constructed in 1179, can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers during Friday prayers and on sacred nights. After lunch in Erzurum, we will drive to Trabzon, a journey of about 4 hours, where we will stay overnight.

Day 13 (Visit Trabzon, breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After a scenic drive through the mountains and dense forests, we will arrive at Sumela Monastery. This Greek Orthodox monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the best-preserved churches in Turkey, famous for its stunning paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. The monastery complex includes the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring, which is highly revered by Eastern Orthodox Christians. Sumela Monastery has been added to the Tentative List of UNESCO in 2000.

After enjoying lunch, we will head to another fascinating site in Trabzon: Hagia Sophia Church. There are several Hagia Sophia Churches across Turkey, and this one is among the finest. The Hagia Sophia Church, also known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom, was constructed in the 1250s. The church is renowned for its stunning mosaics and frescoes inside, as well as some remarkable reliefs on the exterior of the building. After visiting this historical landmark, we will return to the hotel. Overnight accommodation will be in Trabzon.

Day 14 (Flight back to Istanbul, breakfast included)

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to Trabzon Airport for your flight back to Istanbul or any other city of your choice. The flight ticket is included in the tour price.

The pricing for this private tour is as follows:

The hotel list in this package will be as:

Please send us an email to get more information or text/call us through our Whatsapp Number, and we will respond as soon as possible.