East Türkiye evokes vivid imagery: women in traditional veils, mustachioed men in turbans wielding sabers, and camel caravans traversing vast, wild landscapes. However, the reality of Eastern Anatolia is strikingly diverse and vastly different from the rest of Türkiye.
This region boasts an eclectic mix of towering mountains, dense forests with waterfalls, green pastures, and the stark contrast of arid deserts in the south. As a historical crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures for millennia, East Türkiye is rich in a wide array of historical remnants.
Join Far Horizons and a small group of just 13 others for a 16-day adventure into this less-traveled part of Türkiye. Explore four UNESCO Heritage Sites: Ani, Diyarbakır & Hevsel Gardens, Göbekli Tepe, and Nemrud Dağ. Delve into the mysteries of Göbekli Tepe, a temple predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years, and Ayanis, the last capital of Urartu.
Discover Karahan Tepe, a site that might be even older than Göbekli Tepe. Your journey will take you from the mountainous terrains of eastern Anatolia to the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates and onto the Cilician plain.
This tour offers a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Eastern Türkiye, a true nexus of civilizations. This is an educational tour of Türkiye unlike those found anywhere else.
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We also offer a pre OR post-extension in Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many highlights, including Aya Sofya, Dolmabache Palace, Topkapi Sarai, and a stunning cruise up the Bosphorus.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Greek and Roman Art & Archaeology
Fly to Istanbul, Türkiye.
Arrive Istanbul. Transfer to our flight to Trabzon. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon at Zorlu Grand Hotel. (D)
This morning we begin at the church of Hagia Sophia, beautifully situated in the western suburb outside the city walls and overlooking the Black Sea. In the afternoon we drive to Erzurum with a stop en route at the cliff-side monastery of the Virgin Mary at Sumela in the Altindere National Park. Overnight for one night at the Zade Boutique Hotel in Erzurum. (B/L/D)
Erzurum has longed played a significant role in the history of Anatolia, witnessing the rise and fall of various empires including the Urartians, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. We begin today with a tour of its iconic monuments, including the Great Mosque, the Çifte Minareli Medrese (with its double minaret), Yakutiye Medrese, and the bazaar. After lunch we transfer to Kars with a stop at the Cobandede Bridge. Overnight for one night at the Beylerbeyi Palace Hotel. (B/L/D)
Just outside Kars is the ancient Armenian capital of Ani. Clearly the greatest achievement of medieval architecture to be seen anywhere in Turkey, this 11th century metropolis once was home for 100,000 people. Consequently, in 2016 Ani was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the extraordinary walled city still contains splendid frescos that proclaim the richness of the city’s inhabitants and the excellence of the designers. After exploring the site, drive on to Dogubeyazit. This town is on the border with Armenia. And from here we will witness stunning views of sacred Mount Ararat. Overnight in the Ertur Boutique Hotel. (B/L/D)
İshak Paşa Saray is a dazzling array of pointed domes and striped minaret invoking images from “A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.” Notably, a local feudal lord built this citadel in the 17th century. This lovely palace is one of the most memorable monuments in Turkey. And, for this reason, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The edifice is noteworthy not only for its beautiful classical style but also for its internal central heating system.
After a brief stop at Muradiye Waterfall, continue through breathtaking scenery to rarely visited Ayanis, the last castle complex of the Urartians. Here, we meet Professor Mehmet Isikli, the director of the archaeological project who will give us a private tour of excavations.
Then it’s on to Van. This city is handsomely positioned on the edge of Turkey’s largest lake within a lush green oasis encircled by stunning mountain peaks. Interestingly, it is also famous for the Van Cat, a pure white, longhair feline with one blue eye and the other green.
Van is the location of the 9th century BC former Urartian capital of Tuşpa. This 3,000-year-old citadel is among the world’s most magnificent architectural monuments as observed by its royal tomb chambers and cuneiform inscriptions. Additionally, it is a superb example of the skills of Urartian stone masons. Overnight for two nights in the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Van. (B/L/D)
The Urartian fortress of Çavuştepe perches on a mountaintop with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Clearly a very old stronghold, a cuneiform inscription on a temple here proclaims King Sardui II, who ruled between 764 and 735 BC, as the builder.
Nearby Lake Van is sprinkled with islands, several containing thousand-year-old monasteries and churches. We will board a cruiser to cross the lake to Akdamar to view a breathtaking 10th-century church constructed by an Armenian king. Built of carved red stone blocks, the walls of the chapel are adorned with exquisite friezes depicting stories from the Old Testament. (B/L/D)
Begin today at the Van Archaeological Museum to view remarkable artifacts found in the area before departing driving along the southern short of Lake Van to Tatvan. As we traverse spectacular scenery, we will stop at Ahlat, an historic town located on the northwestern edge of Lake Van. Here, the town’s small museum contains an interesting selection of artifacts including beautifully glazed pots and fine Urartian bronze-work.
Nearby is the Ulu Kümbet, or Great Tomb, built between 1273 and 1275 for a Mongol chieftain. Almost sixty feet high and topped by a conical stone roof, the 12-sided building is embellished with exquisitely carved decorations. However, Ahlat is primarily known for its fascinating cemeteries. Forests of elaborately decorated Seljuk tombstones still stand. Created in the 12th and 13th centuries, most stand seven or eight feet tall adorned with rich, ornate carvings. Overnight for one night at The Crater Hotel in Tatvan. (B/L/D)
En route to Mardin today we stop at three interesting sites. Afterward, see the 10th century Malabadi Bridge. When built it was one of the longest spanned stone arch spans in the world. Thus, UNESCO has placed it on the World Heritage Tentative List. Dayro d-Mor Gabriel, also known as Deyrulumur, is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world.
Our final stop is Anitli village to see The Church of the Mother of God, arguably the most beautiful of the many churches of Tur Abdin. The church is part of a large monastic complex on the southern edge of the town of Hah and is thought to have been built around 450 AD and expanded by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, with additions being made right down into the modern period. Overnight in Mardin for two nights at the Gazi Konagi Boutique Hotel. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
This morning we tour Mardin, beginning with Deir-Al-Zafaran (the Saffron Monastery), center of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchy and still an active monastery. The site of the Saffron monastery has been a sacred place for thousands of years.
Continue to visit Dara, the remains of a Roman city built in the 6th century to protect the Roman border with Sassanian Persia. In the afternoon, we will have time to walk in the old city of Mardin to see the Great Mosque, bazaar and beautiful houses of Mardin. (B/L/D)
Today we depart for Diyarbakır, at least 5,000 years old and one of the oldest cities in the world. Diyarbakır is encircled by a massive parapet built of jet-black blocks of basalt more than three miles long. It is a perfect example of medieval military architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the top there are magnificent vistas overlooking the Tigris River valley including the Hevsel Gardens, also with UNESCO World Heritage status.
Part of the Fertile Crescent, this landscape linked the city with the Tigris River. This huge green space has played a vital role in keeping the city provisioned and watered since the ninth century BC. This evening’s walking tour will take us along the walls, and to Ulu Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. Dinner and overnight at the Dies Hotel in Diyarbakir. (B/L/D)
The Kingdom of Commagene emerged as a Roman puppet state in the first century BC. The most renowned ruler was King Antiochus I, an Armenian king whose lineage connected him to the Seleucids, Ptolemies, and Macedonians. He ruled the territory in the 1st century B.C. and built his extraordinary mausoleum on the summit of Mt. Nemrud, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Certainly, it is one of the most extraordinary tombs in the world. From this imposing sanctuary we can see for almost fifty miles across the Mesopotamian Plain. Our climb takes us to both the East and West Terraces to see the huge statues of Hellenistic gods – Apollo, Zeus, Fortuna – with the king prominently seated among them.
The western terrace contains a large slab with a lion, showing the arrangement of stars and the planets Jupiter, Mercury and Mars, and due to the astronomical alignments, it is believed to have been a place for religious ceremonies. Overnight at the nearby Euphrat Hotel. (B/L/D)
Today’s destination is Göbekli Tepe, perhaps the world’s oldest temple dating back to 11,000 years ago and predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years. Excavations have uncovered several circles of standing stones and inside each are two 16-foot-tall T-shaped pillars towering over the ring of shorter stones. Furthermore, many of these are richly garnished with carvings of foxes, vultures, lions and other wild animals. Understandably, Göbekli Tepe has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. If available, we will meet with the director of excavations who will give us a private tour of the latest discoveries. After our tour, drive to Şanlıurfa with origins that are rooted in the Bronze Age. Renamed Edessa in the 4th century BC, it became a famous religious and intellectual center during the Byzantine period. Overnight for three nights in the El Ruha in Şanlıurfa. (B/L/D)
In Şanlıurfa, our walk through the old quarter takes us to the bazaar with its interesting display of local goods. Afterwards, we will visit two museums – The Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum and the Halepli Bahce Mozaic Museum, home to the famous “warrior Amazon queen” mosaics.
We will see the city’s 10th century Great Mosque that was constructed on what was thought to be the birthplace of Abraham, and an ancient castle that crowns the citadel. The current walls were constructed by the Abbasids in 814 AD. After returning to the hotel, enjoy our farewell dinner. (B/L/D)
Numerous historical ruins are located around Şanlıurfa. Karahan Tepe, along with world-famous Göbekli Tepe, is part of a cluster of Neolithic settlements. These are spread over 125 miles of southeastern Turkey between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The monumental structures carved out of the bedrock at Karahan Tepe contain T-shaped pillars and carved representations of animals, serpents, and other enigmatic figures similar to the ones in Göbekli Tepe.
In addition, Karahan Tepe is believed to be considerably larger than Göbekli Tepe, covering an area of about 33 acres. Sited along the road that ran from Nineveh to Carchemish, Harran was a major commercial, cultural, and religious center first inhabited in the 6th millennium BC. It was mentioned in the bible as the place where Abraham brought his family after they left Ur. Today, it is known for the curious beehive shaped homes scattered through the village. Return to Şanlıurfa with the rest of the afternoon and dinner on our own. (B/L)
Depart from Hatay Airport to Istanbul and our international flights home. (B) Or fly back to Istanbul to join Far Horizons’ Western Turkey tour.
Arrive Istanbul and transfer to the historic area of the city. After a light lunch, visit Aya Sofya, the first church of Christianity, begun in the 2nd century AD by Constantine the Great. One of the great buildings of the world, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople and was the center of the Byzantine Empire for almost a thousand years.
Walk to the Hippodrome, scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations and executions. Nearby, enter the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. Housed within a 16th-century palace built by the brother-in-law of Sultan Suleyman, the museum contains the world’s richest collection of 13th-20th century hand-knotted Turkish carpets and an ethnographic section depicting objects used in everyday Turkish life.
We end today at the Basilica Cistern, the largest and most magnificently covered cistern in Istanbul. Built in the 6th century in the reign of Justinian, it supplied water to the Byzantine Great Palace nearby.
Overnight for the next four nights at the Ottoman Imperial Hotel, ideally located within walking distance of the important sites within the Old City. Enjoy a rooftop welcome dinner with views of the historic quarter. (L/D)
This morning we begin at Dolmabahce Palace, an impressive and elaborate landmark sitting on the European side of the city. Home to the last six sultans of the Ottoman Empire, this palace complex has 365 rooms and 22 salons, all lavishly adorned with a collection of European antiquities, furniture and one 4.5-tons chandelier. In the 17th and 18th centuries it became fashionable for high-ranking people of Istanbul to own a summer home on the Bosphorus, the sinuous straits separating Europe from Asia.
This afternoon, we travel by chartered boat to view these lovely wooden villas and elegant marble palaces along the shore. Afterwards, we leave our vessel to dine at one of the excellent seafood restaurants nearby. (B/L/D)
Today we enjoy a culinary walking tour of Istanbul’s historic Old City that will transport our taste buds back in time! With the iconic Grand Bazaar as our starting point, we embark on a journey to discover the best eateries that still utilize generations-old recipes in their creations. As we dine where locals do, we will immerse ourselves in their culture and habits to truly understand why Turkish cuisine is one of the world’s most famous. After our extensive exploration, we return to the hotel with a free afternoon and dinner on our own. (B/L)
Begin today by exploring Topkapi Sarai, built in 1468 as a summer palace for Mehmet the Conqueror. Within the estate are exquisite gardens, the council chambers of government, and the harem, the home of the sultan’s family.
After a delicious lunch we visit the Panorama 1453 Historical Museum, housing a panorama painting of the conquest of Constantinople.
Our farewell dinner will be at one of Istanbul’s fine local restaurants. (B/L/D)
Transfer to the airport for our flight home OR, if you have chosen to visit Istanbul before the main trip, join the group to begin your Eastern Türkiye trip. (B)
