Eastern Turkey Adventure Added with new experiences

Day 2: Istanbul/Adıyaman Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman.Local lunch will be served in the city and than continuing on to the Mt. Nemrut area. Visit the funerary monument, Karakus, the Cendere bridge, and make a special stop at Arsameia, the ancient summer capital of the Commagene Kingdom. Here, you will stand before a magnificent, uncrowded relief depicting King Antiochus shaking hands with the mythological hero Hercules. 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.

Day 3: Adıyaman/Sanliurfa After an early breakfast, transfer to Ataturk Dam to enjoy the viewpoint, then continue to Karahantepe. En route to Sanliurfa, we will make a profound cultural stop at Kısas village to witness a special ‘Semah’ ceremony. Here, you will experience the mystical Anatolian ‘Aşık’ (minstrel) tradition. These ‘poets in love’—who have carried the region’s oral history and spiritual poetry for centuries—will gather in the courtyard of a grand traditional house to play the ‘saz’ (a traditional stringed instrument) and share their folk ballads. You’ll be welcomed into a local home for lunch before continuing on to the ancient and impressive archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe. In the afternoon, take a magical excursion to Harran, known for its unique conical “beehive” houses and the atmospheric ruins of one of the world’s oldest Islamic universities. Afterwards, transfer to the nearby town of Urfa for the night and immerse yourself in the local culture with a traditional “Sıra Gecesi.” This vibrant Mesopotamian evening features live folk music, storytelling, and communal dining, highlighted by the theatrical kneading of raw meatballs (çiğ köfte) right in front of the guests.

Day 4: Sanliurfa/Mardin 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. Explore Kasimiya Madrassa and the Deyrulzafaran Monastery. Just a short drive away, discover Dara Ancient City, one of the most magnificent Roman garrison cities in the East, featuring massive rock-carved underground cisterns and a fascinating necropolis. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration. During your free time, we invite you to visit a local Women’s Cooperative (ÇATOM). Participate in a short, hands-on workshop, such as traditional soap-making or intricate silver filigree work (telkari), directly supporting the local female artisans and their families.

Day 5: Mardin/Van 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.

Day 6: Van/Kars Visit the Van Citadel this morning, built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu. Before leaving the Van region, we will visit a unique village in Erciş. Here, a Central Asian community will host the group in a magnificent traditional ‘otağ’ (nomadic tent), offering a rare and interactive look into their culture, traditions, and heritage. 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.

Day-7 : Kars   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. Afterward, take a detour to Boğatepe village. This village has a fascinating history tied to the Malakans—a pacifist, Amish-like community who refused military service and taxes, and were subsequently relocated to this region. You will attend a hands-on workshop to learn how they make their world-famous gruyere-style cheese using traditional Malakan techniques, and conclude the visit with a tour of the village’s unique Cheese Museum. During our time in the Kars-Ardahan region, we will also visit a local women’s workshop dedicated to crafting traditional ‘Bezbek’ (cloth dolls). Here, you will have the privilege of meeting the renowned local artisan Mrs. Fidan Atmaca, who keeps this vibrant cultural heritage alive. This visit offers a meaningful opportunity to interact with and directly support local female artisans. Head back to Kars for a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group. Elevate this final dinner with an exclusive feast featuring Kars’ famous roasted goose (kaz eti), accompanied by a high-energy Caucasian folk dance performance, providing a dramatic and unforgettable finale to your journey.

Day 8: Kars Depart at any time.