Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 8 Day Eastern Turkey Adventure. Step back in time on this eight-day journey through the ancient wonders of Eastern Turkey. Wander the ruins of Karakus Tumulus, a grand funerary monument, and soak in the breathtaking views from Ataturk Dam before indulging in a farm-fresh lunch at a Karahantepe farmhouse. Discover the world’s oldest known temple at Göbekli Tepe, explore the open-air museum of Mardin, and gaze out over the vast, shimmering expanse of Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake. Stand before the imposing Van Castle and lose yourself in the read more haunting beauty of Ani, the “City of 1000 Churches”. With every step, this journey unveils layers of history, culture, and stunning landscapes — an adventure so rich, you’ll be longing for more.
Save 25%
Our Price From
US$1,387 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $487 per person
Trip Length
8 Days
Trip Starts
Istanbul
Trip Ends
Kars
Departures
May 2026 to Nov 2027
Countries Visited:
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
6-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ETIK
Itinerary
Arrive at any time, and meet your CEO and group in the evening at a welcome meeting. Afterwards, head out for a short orientation walk around the hotel area on the way to an optional group dinner.
Accommodation: Golden Horn Sirkeci Istanbul
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman. Settle in for lunch by the lake of the Ataturk Dam before continuing on to the Mt. Nemrut area. Visit the funerary monument, Karakus, the Cendere bridge, then ascend to the summit of Mt. Nemrut for sunset. Continue on to Adiyaman where you can settle in for the night and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Accommodation: White Star Hotel Adıyaman
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Karakus Tumulus Visit: See the Karakus Tumulous, a 35m high artificial mound built atop a hill, for Queen Isias and Princess Antiochis. Built between 30-20 BC, this site boasts limestone columns and acts as a funerary monument for royal women from the Kommagene family.
- Mt Nemrut Sunset Experience: Revel in the stunning vistas and colourful sunset at Mt. Nemrut's summit.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Ataturk Dam to enjoy the viewpoint, then continue to Karahantepe. You'll be welcomed into a local home for lunch before continuing on to the ancient and impressive archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe. Afterwards, transfer to the nearby town of Urfa for the night and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Şanlıurfa Uludağ Otel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Lunch with a Local Family: Be welcomed into a traditional home in Karahan Tepe for a lunch with a local family. Enjoy a cultural immersive experience with typical regional food.
- Göbekli Tepe Archaeological Site Visit: Explore the world’s oldest temple on a visit to Gobekli Tepe. Built approximately 11,600 years ago, the site is composed of large limestone pillars erected in a series of rings. Stroll around the site, check out the animal bas-reliefs that adorn the pillars, and contemplate the feat of constructing these impressive structures millennia ago.
Travel to Mardin after breakfast this morning. Mardin's old town is protected by UNESCO and is considered to be an open-air museum. Explore the historic limestone architecture and learn about the interesting landmarks throughout. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or time to relax before joining the CEO for an optional dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Kaya Ninova Hotel Mardin
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Mardin UNESCO City Tour: The city of Mardin was strategically built at the top of a steep hill around the 11th century BC, overlooking the Tigris River. Mardin was the site of many religions and cultures over the previous centuries and was annexed by the Ottoman turks in the 16th century. Full of historically significant landmarks, UNESCO has protected the site, which now acts as an open-air museum. Explore Kasimiya Madrassa and the Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
- Walking Tour Mardin: Explore on foot pausing to enjoy the Great Mosque, the Virgin Mary Church, and the local architecture outside the old town.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
Optional Experiences
- Latifiye Mosque: Wander through the Mosque, built in 1371 Abdüllatif bin Abdullah, the minaret built by the Governor of Egypt, Muhammed Ziya Tayyar Pasha, and the most recent minaret built by the Governor of Mosul, Gürcü Mehmet Pasha in 1845. Witness the impressive dome, colourful stones, and geometric motifs. A true architectural masterpiece.
- Tellallar Bazaar: Take in some shopping in the Tellallar Bazaar, a shopping street, home to handicraft shops in a traditional bazaar style.
Settle in for a drive to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. Upon arrival to the lakeside town of Gevas, board a boat to Akdamar Island for a CEO-led walk, then head back to your hotel in Van. Enjoy a free evening to end the day.
Accommodation: Van Life Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Walking Tour Akdamar Island: Explore Akdamar on foot with the help of your CEO. Witness the 10th century Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, then wander around with free time.
- Boat: Travel by boat and on foot to your hotel in Van.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore.
- Akdamar Island Boat Trip: Come aboard for a memorable boat trip to Akdamar Island on beautiful Lake Van. Tour the island's historic sites, and see the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross, built between AD 915-921.
Visit the Van Citadel this morning, built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu. From there transfer to the previous capital of the Republic of Ararat, Dogubeyazit. Explore Ishak Pasha Palace then take in views of Mt. Ararat and across the mountains where the possible resting place of Noah's Ark is said to be located. Continue on to Kars for a brief orientation walk, then settle in for the evening with free time.
Accommodation: Sim-er Hotel - Kars
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Orientation Walk Kars: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main landmarks, and ATMs.
- Van Castle: Explore the Citidel, a massive stone fortification, housing a "royal stable" carved from rock, where oxen and sheep were held prior to acting as sacrifice to the Gods.
- Ishak Pasha Palace: This stunning 18th century palace located on the silk road is situated an imposing platform, boasting a mix of Anatolian, Iranian, and North Mesopotamian architectural styles. Explore this historical Turkish palace and take in breathtaking views of Mt. Ararat.
Drive to Ani this morning, known as the city of 1001 churches,. Explore the Ani complex with your CEO, seeing the many religious buildings, palaces and forts before heading back to Kars for a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group.
Accommodation: Sim-er Hotel - Kars
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Ani Visit: Be transported to centuries past visiting historical Ani. Once the capital of the Armenian Empire, Ani was located at the crossroads of many important trade routes. When the medieval city was flourishing, the buildings were some of the most complex and beautiful around. Walk among hundreds of churches that rest in ruin today – the abandoned city creates a dramatic setting against the surrounding landscape.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is the time to explore.
Optional Experiences
- Kars Museum: Explore the 18 showcases housed in the museum's archaeology halls, offering a glimpse at fossils, spearheads, jewellery, and etc. Artifacts range from the Paleolithic and Periods all the way to the Principalities Period. In the ethnography hall, you'll find another 16 showcases displaying woven carpets, silver belts, kitchen utensils, etc. dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Round out your experience in the garden where ram and sheep tombstones from the 13th and 14th centuries are exhibited.
Depart at any time.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Trip Inclusions
- Marvel at the ancient site of Gobekli Tepi.
- Wander the UNESCO-listed open-air museum town of Mardin.
- Gaze across the mountains towards Mount Ararat.
- Discover the historic ruins of Ani—the legendary “City of 1,001 Churches”.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family, Karahan
- Istanbul orientation walk
- Visit the Karakus Tumulous Monument
- Sunset from the summit of Mt Nemrut
- Gobekli Tepi archaeological site visit
- Walking tour of Mardin
- Boat ride on Lake Van
- Walking exploration of Akdamar Island
- Visit Van Castle
- Ishak Pasha Palace Tour in Doğubeyazıt
- Tour the Ani archaeological complex
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Plane, private vehicle, boat, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Hotels (7 Nights)
- On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Friday
08 May 2026
08 May 26
Istanbul
Friday
15 May 2026
15 May 26
Kars
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,949
US$1,462
Save $487
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Friday
15 May 2026
15 May 26
Istanbul
Friday
22 May 2026
22 May 26
Kars
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,949
US$1,462
Save $487
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Friday
22 May 2026
22 May 26
Istanbul
Friday
29 May 2026
29 May 26
Kars
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,949
US$1,462
Save $487
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Friday
29 May 2026
29 May 26
Istanbul
Friday
05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 26
Kars
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $1,949
US$1,462
Save $487
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
