5 Stars Excellent Service | ★★★★★ | The History Travel Agency

11-Day Private Mesopotamia & Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour

From the world's oldest monumental temples to the giants of Mount Nemrut, the stone city of Mardin and the ruins of Ani: eleven days with your own licensed guide and private vehicle.

11 days / 10 nights Private & guided Daily departures From €3,526 pp
11
Days
20+
Heritage Sites
10
Hotel Nights
1:1
Private Guiding

Where Civilisation Began, and Where the Map Runs Out

Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa: monumental pillars from c. 9500 BCE
Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa: monumental pillars from c. 9500 BCE
Mount Nemrut: the colossal sanctuary of King Antiochos I
Mount Nemrut: the colossal sanctuary of King Antiochos I
Mardin: golden limestone above Mesopotamia
Mardin: golden limestone above Mesopotamia
Akdamar Island: the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Lake Van
Akdamar Island: the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Lake Van
Ani: ruins of the medieval city of a thousand churches
Ani: ruins of the medieval city of a thousand churches

Few journeys in Türkiye cover as much human history as this one. In eleven days you travel from the Cilician plain to the Armenian Highlands, passing the earliest monumental architecture ever found, Roman frontier forts, Syriac monasteries, Urartian citadels and Seljuk schools of stone. Nothing here is rushed into a coach schedule: your guide sets the pace, and your driver handles the long, beautiful roads.

Expect sacred pools in Şanlıurfa, mosaics rescued from the Euphrates at Zeugma, honey-coloured Mardin at sunset, a boat across Lake Van to a church carved like a book of stone, and the silent grass-covered streets of Ani. Between sites you eat the region's real food, from Gaziantep baklava to Erzurum cağ kebab.

A Private Mesopotamia and Eastern Turkey Tour Built Around Real History

This 11-day private Mesopotamia and Eastern Turkey heritage tour is a complete southeastern Anatolia tour and eastern Anatolia cultural tour in one carefully paced itinerary. Instead of a quick checklist, you follow a connected story: the Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe Neolithic sanctuaries, Roman Zeugma mosaics, the royal Mount Nemrut private tour experience, the Syriac and Islamic heritage of Mardin, Midyat and Diyarbakır, the Armenian church on Akdamar Island at Lake Van, Ishak Pasha Palace and the medieval ruins of Ani.

It suits travellers looking for a historical Turkey tour beyond Istanbul and Cappadocia: couples, families with older children, photographers, archaeology and Biblical-heritage enthusiasts, and anyone who wants cultural Turkey at its most authentic. As a private tour, it is built around you, with a licensed local guide, a private air-conditioned vehicle, 3-, 4- or 5-star hotels and entrance fees to the listed sites included, so each day runs at your own pace.

The programme begins in Adana and ends in Erzurum, so there is no backtracking. It can be extended with a Cappadocia or Istanbul stay, or combined with a Turkey group tour elsewhere. Ask us about adding extra days or a different hotel standard when you inquire.

Duration
11 Days
10 nights
Style
Private
own guide & vehicle
Hotels
3★ · 4★ · 5★
as booked
From
€3,526
per person, 2 sharing
Your route

From Cilicia to the Armenian Highlands

One continuous west-to-east journey with no backtracking. Nights are shown after each stop; the Kahta/Adıyaman and Tatvan overnights are confirmed at booking.

Adana · 1
Gaziantep · 1
Şanlıurfa · 2
Adıyaman · 1
Mardin · 1
Tatvan · 1
Van · 1
Kars · 1
Erzurum · 1

Göbeklitepe & Karahantepe

Stand among carved T-shaped pillars raised more than 11,000 years ago, long before pottery or writing. Your guide explains what archaeologists know, what they still debate, and why these Neolithic sites changed world history.

Mount Nemrut

Climb to the royal tumulus of King Antiochos I, where colossal stone heads of gods and a king gaze across the Taurus Mountains. Weather permitting, a sunrise or sunset visit can be arranged with your guide.

Mardin & Midyat

Wander honey-coloured limestone lanes, madrasas and courtyards above the Mesopotamian plain, then meet Syriac Christian heritage at Deyrulzafaran Monastery and watch silver filigree artisans at work in Midyat.

Lake Van & Akdamar

Cross Türkiye’s largest lake by boat to the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, whose outer walls carry Biblical reliefs, then explore the Urartian fortress of Tuspa above the city of Van.

Ishak Pasha Palace

See the hilltop palace of Doğubayazıt rise beneath Mount Ararat, with its carved portal, courtyards and a blend of Ottoman, Persian and regional styles set in one of Türkiye’s most dramatic landscapes.

Ani Ancient City

Walk the silent, grass-covered ruins of a medieval Armenian capital, with its cathedral, Church of the Apostles, Virgins Monastery and Manucehr Mosque standing beside the deep Arpaçay gorge.

Best for:

Couples Archaeology lovers Photographers Families with older children Biblical-heritage travellers

Day-by-Day Journey

Over eleven days, this itinerary links the great chapters of the region in one logical west-to-east sweep: Cilicia and Hatay, the Euphrates valley and Gaziantep, the Neolithic hills of Şanlıurfa, the mountain sanctuary of Commagene, the Tigris basin and Mardin, the Armenian and Urartian monuments of Lake Van, and finally the Armenian Highlands at Kars and Erzurum. Every day lists the places you will visit, the meals included and the overnight town, so you can plan with confidence and see exactly what a private guide adds to each stop.

Tap a day to open it. Sequence and timings are finalised with your guide according to opening hours, road conditions and weather.

1

Day 1: Arrival in Adana: Gateway to Cilicia

Adana · Dinner

Places you will visit today:

Great Clock Tower Kazancılar Bazaar Adana Ulu Mosque Taşköprü Stone Bridge Sabancı Central Mosque

Welcome to the Çukurova plain

Your guide meets you at Adana Airport and takes you to your hotel. Adana sits where the Mediterranean meets the road to Mesopotamia, and for centuries its farmers, merchants and armies have shaped the story you are about to follow. If you arrive early, the city makes a gentle first lesson in Anatolian layers.

Büyük Saat and Kazancılar Bazaar – Arrival in Adana: Gateway to Cilicia

Büyük Saat and Kazancılar Bazaar

The Great Clock Tower rises above the old commercial district, a late-Ottoman landmark that still anchors the streets around it. Nearby, Kazancılar Bazaar keeps alive the coppersmith and food trades of the south: spice sacks, kitchenware and the smell of grilling kebab.

Taşköprü, Ulu Mosque and Sabancı Mosque – Arrival in Adana: Gateway to Cilicia

Taşköprü, Ulu Mosque and Sabancı Mosque

The Roman-origin Stone Bridge still crosses the Seyhan River, proof that this crossing mattered long before modern roads. The Ulu Mosque recalls the Ramazanoğlu dynasty, while the six-minaret Sabancı Central Mosque shows how the city sees itself today.

2

Day 2: Hatay & Gaziantep: Early Christianity and Culinary Heritage

Adana → Hatay → Gaziantep · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

St Pierre Church Antakya old town Gaziantep old quarter Gaziantep baklava & pistachio tasting

The road to Antioch

After breakfast you drive to Hatay, the old Antioch region, where Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic worlds met. The area suffered badly in the February 2023 earthquakes, and your guide will explain what has been restored and what is still closed, including the Archaeological Museum, whose status we reconfirm before departure.

St Pierre Church, Antakya – Hatay & Gaziantep: Early Christianity and Culinary Heritage

St Pierre Church, Antakya

Carved into the rock of Mount Starius, this cave church is linked to the early Christian community of Antioch, where followers of Jesus were first called Christians. The bare rock walls and hush make it one of the most moving small sanctuaries in Türkiye.

Arrival in Gaziantep – Hatay & Gaziantep: Early Christianity and Culinary Heritage

Arrival in Gaziantep

By evening you reach Gaziantep, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy with a long Mesopotamian trading history. Pistachios, baklava and kebab are not clichés here but a craft tradition; your dinner is chosen to show why.

3

Day 3: Zeugma, Halfeti & Şanlıurfa: Rescued Mosaics and a Drowned Village

Gaziantep → Halfeti → Şanlıurfa · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Zeugma Mosaic Museum Bakırcılar Bazaar Almacı Bazaar Zincirli Bedesten Halfeti Savaşan Village boat trip
Zeugma Mosaic Museum – Zeugma, Halfeti & Şanlıurfa: Rescued Mosaics and a Drowned Village

Zeugma Mosaic Museum

One of the largest mosaic collections in the world, saved from the Euphrates before the Birecik Dam flooded Zeugma. The Gypsy Girl, her wide eyes made from tiny stone tesserae, is the star, but look also at the mythological scenes, bathhouse floors and the way Roman villa owners decorated their private worlds.

Bakırcılar, Almacı and Zincirli Bedesten – Zeugma, Halfeti & Şanlıurfa: Rescued Mosaics and a Drowned Village

Bakırcılar, Almacı and Zincirli Bedesten

Walk the copper-beaters' lane, where hammers ring from open workshops, then pass through the food market and the covered Zincirli Bedesten. This is the living heritage that explains why Gaziantep has been a trade hub since antiquity.

Halfeti and Savaşan village – Zeugma, Halfeti & Şanlıurfa: Rescued Mosaics and a Drowned Village

Halfeti and Savaşan village

The old stone town of Halfeti is half under the Euphrates. Weather and water level permitting, a boat takes you past the drowned mosque minaret and the ruins of Savaşan, a quiet, haunting scene where archaeology and modern engineering meet. Continue to Şanlıurfa for the night.

4

Day 4: Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe & Harran: The Dawn of Monumental Ritual

Şanlıurfa · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Balıklıgöl Halil-ur Rahman Mosque Rizvaniye Mosque Old city tour: Bedesten, Gümrük Hanı & Grand Bazaar Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum Göbeklitepe Karahantepe Harran
Balıklıgöl: the Pool of Sacred Fish – Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe & Harran: The Dawn of Monumental Ritual

Balıklıgöl: the Pool of Sacred Fish

According to local tradition, Abraham was cast into a fire that turned into water, and the burning wood became carp. Whatever your own beliefs, the pool, gardens and the Halil-ur Rahman and Rizvaniye mosques form one of southeast Türkiye's most atmospheric sacred landscapes. The nearby Ayn Zeliha lake adds to the scene.

Bedesten, Gümrük Hanı and the museums

Take the old city tour through the Bedesten, Gümrük Hanı and the Grand Bazaar, then visit the Archaeology Museum and Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum. Seeing the statues and mosaics first prepares you for what lies outside the city. Lunch is Urfa kebab.

Göbeklitepe – Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe & Harran: The Dawn of Monumental Ritual

Göbeklitepe

More than 11,000 years old, its T-shaped limestone pillars were raised before farming or pottery. Carved foxes, snakes and birds suggest a shared symbolic world that overturns old ideas about early societies. Archaeologists still debate its purpose, and your guide separates evidence from legend.

Karahantepe – Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe & Harran: The Dawn of Monumental Ritual

Karahantepe

A sister site in the Taş Tepeler region, with carved enclosures and striking human figures. Together the two sites show this was a landscape of monuments, not a single wonder.

Harran

Finish among the conical beehive houses of one of Mesopotamia's oldest settlements, then return to Şanlıurfa for dinner. The day is full, so your guide sets the order by opening hours and heat.

5

Day 5: Mount Nemrut & Commagene

Şanlıurfa → Kahta → Nemrut → Adıyaman · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Mount Nemrut Arsemia Karakuş Tumulus Cendere Bridge
Mount Nemrut – Mount Nemrut & Commagene

Mount Nemrut

Reach the tumulus where King Antiochos I placed colossal gods and his own portrait in the 1st century BCE, a blend of Greek and Persian ideas high above the Taurus. Sunrise or sunset visits depend on weather and are arranged separately.

Arsemia, Karakuş Tumulus & Cendere Bridge – Mount Nemrut & Commagene

Arsemia, Karakuş Tumulus & Cendere Bridge

Rock reliefs and inscriptions at the Commagene summer capital, the columned royal women's tomb, and a Roman bridge still crossing its valley.

6

Day 6: Diyarbakır, Zerzevan, Dara & Mardin

Adıyaman → Diyarbakır → Mardin · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Diyarbakır City Walls Diyarbakır Grand Mosque Hasan Pasha Inn Four-Legged Minaret Zerzevan Castle Dara Ancient City Mardin Great Mosque Kasımiye Madrasa
Diyarbakır – Diyarbakır, Zerzevan, Dara & Mardin

Diyarbakır

Walk the UNESCO-listed basalt walls, then the Grand Mosque, Hasan Pasha Inn, the Four-Legged Minaret and the Prophet Suleiman Mosque, with Diyarbakır kebab for lunch.

Zerzevan & Dara – Diyarbakır, Zerzevan, Dara & Mardin

Zerzevan & Dara

Explore a Roman frontier garrison with an underground Mithraic temple, then the Byzantine fortress city of Dara and its vast cisterns.

Mardin – Diyarbakır, Zerzevan, Dara & Mardin

Mardin

Arrive as the honey-coloured limestone town glows above the Mesopotamian plain; see the Great Mosque, Latifiye Mosque and Kasımiye Madrasa.

7

Day 7: Tur Abdin, Hasankeyf & Ahlat

Mardin → Midyat → Hasankeyf → Ahlat → Tatvan · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Deyrulzafaran Monastery Midyat old town Hasankeyf Ahlat Seljuk cemetery Emir Bayındır Mosque
Deyrulzafaran & Midyat – Tur Abdin, Hasankeyf & Ahlat

Deyrulzafaran & Midyat

A living Syriac Orthodox monastery, then Midyat's carved-stone houses and telkari silver filigree workshops.

Hasankeyf & Ahlat – Tur Abdin, Hasankeyf & Ahlat

Hasankeyf & Ahlat

See monuments rescued from the Ilısu reservoir, then Ahlat's towering Seljuk tombstones on the shore of Lake Van. Overnight near Tatvan (to be confirmed).

8

Day 8: Akdamar Island & Van

Tatvan → Lake Van → Van · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Lake Van Akdamar Island Church Van Castle (Tuspa) Van Archaeology & Ethnography Museum
Church of the Holy Cross – Akdamar Island & Van

Church of the Holy Cross

Cross by boat (weather permitting) to the 10th-century Armenian church of King Gagik, whose exterior is covered in Biblical reliefs.

Van Castle (Tuspa) & Museum – Akdamar Island & Van

Van Castle (Tuspa) & Museum

The Urartian capital's rock citadel with royal tombs and inscriptions, plus the Van Archaeology and Ethnography Museum.

9

Day 9: Ishak Pasha Palace & Kars

Van → Muradiye → Doğubayazıt → Kars · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Muradiye Waterfall Doğubayazıt Ishak Pasha Palace Mount Ararat viewpoint Kars old town
Muradiye Waterfall – Ishak Pasha Palace & Kars

Muradiye Waterfall

A scenic stop before crossing the highlands towards Mount Ararat.

Ishak Pasha Palace – Ishak Pasha Palace & Kars

Ishak Pasha Palace

A hilltop palace of about 116 rooms blending Ottoman, Persian and Armenian-Georgian details beneath Ararat.

Kars

Russian-era stone streets, Kars cheese and goose dishes at dinner.

10

Day 10: Ani & Erzurum

Kars → Ani → Erzurum · Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Places you will visit today:

Ani Cathedral Church of the Apostles Virgins Monastery Manucehr Mosque Çifte Minareli Madrasa Yakutiye Madrasa Erzurum Great Mosque
Ani, the city of a thousand churches – Ani & Erzurum

Ani, the city of a thousand churches

Walk the grassy ruins of a medieval Armenian capital: the Cathedral, Church of the Apostles, Virgins Monastery and Manucehr Mosque above the Arpaçay gorge.

Erzurum – Ani & Erzurum

Erzurum

Çifte Minareli and Yakutiye Madrasas, the Great Mosque and a lunch of cağ kebab and stuffed kadayıf.

11

Day 11: Departure from Erzurum

Erzurum · Breakfast

Farewell

Breakfast and transfer to Erzurum Airport for your flight to Istanbul or onward. Our services end here.

Four Places You Will Remember

These four experiences are the heart of the journey and the reason many travellers choose this eastern Turkey itinerary over a more familiar route. Each is a landmark of world heritage in its own right: a Neolithic sanctuary older than farming, a royal mountain tomb guarded by stone gods, a limestone city above the Mesopotamian plain, and a medieval capital left to the wind. Your licensed guide supplies the history, the legends and the practical tips that make every site easier to read and far more enjoyable to visit.

Göbeklitepe carved pillars near ŞanlıurfaDay 4
Neolithic Sanctuary

Göbeklitepe: Where Monumental Architecture Began

More than 11,000 years old, its carved T-shaped pillars pre-date farming, pottery and writing. Foxes, snakes, boars and birds stalk the limestone, and the site keeps overturning what we thought we knew about early communities. Walk between the enclosures with a guide who explains what is proven and what is still debated, then continue to Karahantepe, where carved rooms and human figures show that this was an entire landscape of monuments, not a single wonder.

PeriodEarly Neolithic, c. 9500 BCE
TipVisit Şanlıurfa Museum first for context
Mount Nemrut colossal statuesDay 5
Royal Sanctuary

Mount Nemrut: The Giants of Commagene

King Antiochos I raised an artificial summit tomb ringed by colossal heads of gods and of himself, a monument to a small kingdom with a vast imagination. Greek faces meet Persian dress in a blend of two worlds, and the weathered stone against the Taurus sky is unforgettable. Arsemia, the Karakuş Tumulus and the Roman Cendere Bridge complete the picture of Commagene on the same day.

Period1st century BCE
TipBring warm layers; weather changes fast
Mardin old town terracesDay 6
Stone City

Mardin: Terraces of Golden Limestone

Mardin tumbles down its hill above the Mesopotamian plain, with madrasas, mosques, courtyards and church spires side by side. Carved doorways, vaulted bazaars and tea gardens reward slow walking, and the evening light on the stone is something photographers travel far for. Midyat and Deyrulzafaran Monastery follow the next morning and deepen the Syriac story of the region.

HighlightKasımiye Madrasa
TipWander the lanes at dusk
Ani Cathedral ruins near KarsDay 10
Medieval Capital

Ani: The City of a Thousand Churches

On a windswept plateau beside the Armenian border, the red-and-black stone ruins of a medieval trading capital still stand: a great cathedral, churches, a mosque and walls above the gorge. At its height Ani rivalled the great cities of its age, and today its silence and open sky make it one of the most atmospheric places on the tour. Your guide brings the empty streets back to life.

StatusUNESCO World Heritage Site
TipLittle shade; bring sun cover and water

What Is Included and Not Included

Included in the price

  • 10 nights in 3★, 4★ or 5★ hotels (as booked)
  • Daily breakfast plus the lunches and dinners listed in the itinerary
  • Licensed professional guide in your language
  • Private air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
  • Airport transfers as per the programme
  • Entrance fees to the listed museums and sites
  • VAT, city tax and hotel room taxes

Not included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flight tickets (about €80–€90 per segment)
  • Travel insurance and Turkish visa
  • Alcoholic drinks and other beverages
  • Gratuities for guide and driver
  • Personal expenses and anything not listed as included

Flights note: domestic flights are not part of the price. We can book them for you, and confirm every hotel night in writing before any deposit.

AI-Powered Travel Recommendations

Smart Tips for Your 11 Days in Eastern Türkiye

Practical suggestions based on the route, the season and the pace of the itinerary.

Photographers

Ask for extra time in Mardin’s evening light, on the shore at Akdamar and among the ruins of Ani. Late-afternoon light is kindest on stone, so your guide can reorder stops where opening hours allow.

History lovers

Visit Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum before you reach Göbeklitepe. Seeing the statues and mosaics first makes the pillars far richer, and gives your guide a chance to explain how the sites connect.

Gentler pace

Days 6, 7 and 9 are the longest driving days. Request a lighter plan with fewer stops on those days, so the walking at Zerzevan, Ahlat and Ishak Pasha Palace stays comfortable and unhurried.

Flights & extensions

Book your Erzurum to Istanbul return early, as seats are limited. We can arrange domestic flights for you, and add a Cappadocia or Istanbul extension before or after the tour.

Best time to go

Spring (Apr–May)

Green plains and mild days. Best for walking.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Hot in the south; ideal in the highlands.

Autumn (Sep–Oct)

Clear skies and gentle heat. Excellent.

Winter

Snow in the east; Nemrut may be closed.

What to pack

Comfortable walking shoes
Warm layers for Nemrut and Ani
Sun hat and sun cream
Refillable water bottle
Modest clothing for mosques and monasteries
Camera and spare battery

Local tip: Mount Nemrut and Ani are cold and windy even in spring, so keep a warm layer in your day bag.

Tour Price and Booking Terms

The price below reflects a fully private journey: your own licensed guide, your own air-conditioned vehicle and ten nights in hotels matched to your preferred standard, with listed entrance fees and meals included. There are no shared departures, no waiting for other travellers and no fixed pace. Because every booking is quoted individually, you can adjust the hotel category, travel dates or party size, and we will confirm availability and the final price in writing before any deposit is requested.

Payment & cancellation

Reservation

Send an inquiry or reserve online. We confirm availability, hotels and the final price in writing before any deposit is taken.

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date, as set out in the booking terms below.

Payment methods

Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer and PayPal.

How does this compare? In our estimate, comparable private multi-day Eastern Türkiye tours are commonly marketed at about US$330–$480 per person per day. This tour averages roughly €320 per day including guide, vehicle, hotels and entrances. Domestic flights (about €80–€90 per segment), hotel category, season and single-room supplements affect the final quotation.

5 Stars Excellent Service · The History Travel Agency

Travellers who book with The History Travel Agency consistently praise the same things: detailed personal planning, knowledgeable guides, well-chosen hotels and a team that stays in touch from the first message to the final transfer. The reviews below are drawn from the agency’s public Tripadvisor page, where it holds a 5.0 rating from 33 reviews. They relate mainly to our Istanbul and Cappadocia tours, and they show the standard of service you can expect on this eastern Turkey journey.

5.0
★★★★★
33 reviews on TripAdvisor

Barnita De

Bengaluru, India · Jan 2026
★★★★★

Family tour to Turkey

Planned a family holiday with the owner, who knows Turkey well and prepared a detailed itinerary, unlike other agents. All domestic bookings, transfers, guides and day trips were organised for them, and he kept in touch throughout the journey with updates. Highly recommends him for any travel to Turkey.

Hevra G

Jul 2025
★★★★★

Top Tour Operator in Turkey

Bought a 7-day Cappadocia package as a thank-you gift for a girlfriend and her family. The tour was entertaining and enjoyable, and the owner and his team delivered what the guest called absolutely amazing service. Sincere thanks to the whole staff, a wish to return, and advice to everyone to book with The History Travel.

Sedat Y

Jul 2025
★★★★★

Excellence holiday in Turkey with family

Friends who had visited Turkey recommended the agency, so the family booked a 10-day package tour with the owner himself. He was friendly and very knowledgeable, and every service was well organised from start to finish. The family liked the tour very much and recommends the agency to everybody.

Nida S

Nov 2023
★★★★★

A thrilling visit to a glorious country

The owner was helpful throughout planning and created a personalised itinerary that fitted the family's needs. In Turkey he stayed prompt and professional, helping them move through the trip effortlessly. The English-speaking guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the transport and hotels were of top quality.

Irwan & Shikin

Singapore · Jun 2023
★★★★★

Perfect customised Istanbul itinerary

The itinerary was meticulously planned, and the order of attractions simply made sense. When a family member fell unwell, the plan was changed at once to allow more rest, yet every attraction was still covered. They also enjoyed conversations over Turkish tea at the office, and are planning an encore trip.

DN Sahu

Jun 2023
★★★★★

Explore Istanbul through History Travel

Found the agency professional, with an exemplary itinerary and constant contact from departure in India until landing back home. Small details were handled, including a vegetarian lunch for guests who had worried about food. The guide was calm and exceptional; the reviewer adds that the city tour involves plenty of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Summaries of verified reviews on The History Travel's Tripadvisor page. Reviews relate to our Istanbul and Cappadocia tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

The tour includes ten nights of hotel accommodation, a licensed professional guide in the confirmed language, private air-conditioned transportation, specified airport transfers, meals according to the itinerary, entrance fees to the listed museums and historical sites, and applicable taxes as stated in the package. International flights, domestic flight tickets, travel insurance, visa expenses, personal purchases, drinks not included in the meal plan, and gratuities are excluded.

The supplied starting price is €3,526 per person, based on two travellers sharing a double room. The listed total for two travellers is €7,052. The final price depends on travel dates, accommodation arrangements, room category, group size, and availability.

The route includes Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, Halfeti, Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Harran, Mount Nemrut, Arsemia, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Zerzevan Castle, Dara, Mardin, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Midyat, Hasankeyf, Ahlat, the Tatvan area, Akdamar Island, Van, Muradiye Waterfall, Doğubayazıt, Ishak Pasha Palace, Kars, Ani, and Erzurum.

The programme is described as a private tour. The itinerary is intended for individual travellers, couples, families, or private parties travelling with their own arrangements. Group-size limits, vehicle category, and guide arrangements should be confirmed at booking.

Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe are major Neolithic archaeological sites in southeastern Türkiye. Their monumental stone architecture and sculptural remains provide important evidence for understanding early communities, collective activity, symbolic expression, and the development of monumental construction during the Neolithic period.

Yes. Mount Nemrut is a principal highlight of the programme. The visit focuses on the monumental statues and royal sanctuary associated with King Antiochos I of Commagene. Weather, seasonal access, and the final approach to the summit should be checked before departure.

Yes. The itinerary includes St Pierre Church in Antakya, Deyrulzafaran Monastery near Mardin, the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island, and historic churches in Ani. Together, these sites introduce different periods and traditions of Christian heritage in the region.

Yes. The itinerary includes Lake Van, a boat transfer to Akdamar Island, and a visit to the Church of the Holy Cross, subject to weather, boat operations, and site access. Van Castle and the Van Archaeology and Ethnography Museum are also included in the supplied programme, subject to opening times.

International flights and domestic flight tickets are listed as excluded. The source document estimates domestic flights at approximately €80–€90 per segment, but this is not a guaranteed fare. The agency should confirm which flight segments are required and whether tickets can be arranged as an additional service.

The supplied programme lists 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotel options. The specific hotels and room categories should be confirmed according to your preferred comfort level, travel dates, availability, and final quotation.

It may be suitable for active senior travellers who are comfortable with long driving days and walking over uneven terrain. Mount Nemrut, Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Ani, and Van Castle may present mobility challenges. Travellers with accessibility requirements should discuss the itinerary with the agency before confirming their reservation.

Spring and autumn are generally attractive seasons for archaeological and cultural sightseeing. However, the highlands around Mount Nemrut, Lake Van, Ani, and Erzurum can experience much cooler conditions and rapidly changing weather. The best departure dates depend on your priorities, tolerance for cold, and the opening schedules of individual attractions.

The supplied itinerary includes daily breakfasts, together with lunches and dinners on the days indicated. The exact meal arrangements and any exceptions should be confirmed in the final booking document.

The programme is presented as a private tour, making it reasonable to inquire about adjustments to the pace, hotel category, guide language, or special interests. Any requested change must be reviewed for driving times, availability, additional costs, and the feasibility of the revised route.

Contact The History Travel Agency with your preferred departure date, number of travellers, accommodation category, guide-language preference, and any dietary or accessibility requirements. The agency can then confirm the route, availability, flight arrangements, final price, and booking conditions.

Reservations

Book Your 11-Day Private Mesopotamia & Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour

TOUR CODE: KNY-566
€3,526
per person, 2 sharing a double room
  • Licensed professional guide in your language
  • 10 nights in 3★, 4★ or 5★ hotels
  • Daily breakfast plus listed lunches & dinners
  • Listed entrance fees included
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle & airport transfers
  • Secure payment options
  • Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
Prefer to talk? Call or WhatsApp:
0090 536 560 10 38

Have questions, or not ready to reserve yet? Send us a message and we'll reply within a few hours.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.

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Plan More of Turkey

Eastern Türkiye pairs naturally with other regions. Many guests extend this tour with a few days in Cappadocia, add an Istanbul city stay before the flight home, or compare it with our small-group and family departures across Turkey. Explore the related tours below, or send us a message and we will design a combined itinerary with one guide team, one booking and seamless transfers between regions.

Turkey Group Tours

Small-group departures across Turkey.

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Istanbul Private City Tours

Private guided experiences in Istanbul.

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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon

Sunrise flights over the valleys.

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Ephesus Package Tours

Ancient Ephesus and the Aegean.

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Pamukkale Package Tours

White terraces and Hierapolis.

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Family Holiday Package Tours

Holidays designed for families.

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Honeymoon Package Tours

Romantic journeys for couples.

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Turkey Professional Tour Guides

Licensed local guides.

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Ready to Explore Eastern Türkiye in 11 Days?

★★★★★ 5 Stars Excellent Service. WhatsApp us for availability, hotel options and a personalised quote for your private departure.

€3,526per person
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