Five days based in Van leave room for a full guided sightseeing day, a morning in a restaurant kitchen and an unhurried hamam visit, with free time in between. The sightseeing traces the city from the Urartian kingdom to the Ottoman period. From the ancient inscriptions at Meher Gate to the architectural splendor of the Seven Churches at Varagavank, you will traverse centuries of civilization and the Bronze Age to Urartian layers of Van Castle Mound.
Beyond the historical landmarks, this tour offers a hands-on cultural experience. You will participate in an authentic Turkish cooking lesson, preparing local Van dishes, salads and desserts with the chef of a local restaurant, followed by the chance to savor your own creations. The journey also provides a unique opportunity to visit the famous Cat House, home to Van’s iconic multi-colored eyed felines, and explore the extensive archaeological collections housed within the Van Museum.
The guided city day starts at Meher Gate, the rock-cut niche from the reign of the Urartian king Ispuini whose inscription lists the gods of Urartu and the offerings made to them. After the lunch break you meet the Van cats, many with eyes of two different colours, and later finish at Van Museum, where finds cover some 5,000 years of local history.
To ensure a perfect balance of discovery and relaxation, the program includes a rejuvenating visit to a traditional Turkish bath, or hamam. Add a guided walk along Cumhuriyet Street, the Kaya Celebi Mosque begun in 1660 and free time for shopping in the city centre, and, the programme gives a rounded picture of Van with four nights of hotel accommodation, airport transfers and an English-speaking guide.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Days 4 Nights |
| Price | From €902 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 8 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Upon your arrival at Van Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and receiving your room key, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or begin your initial exploration of the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Van.
Your guided exploration begins at the Meher Gate, an ancient Urartian site featuring significant inscriptions regarding the kingdom's religious practices. We continue to the Varagavank complex, known as the Seven Churches. Following a lunch break on the vibrant Cumhuriyet Street, we visit the famous Cat House to see the unique cats of Van. The afternoon includes visits to the Van Castle Mound, the historic Kaya Celebi Mosque, and the comprehensive Van Museum to conclude our historical overview. Return to your hotel for the night.
Today is dedicated to the flavors of the region. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to a local restaurant for a cooking class with the restaurant's chef, while your guide explains each step. You will learn to prepare traditional Van dishes, including salads and desserts, which you will enjoy for lunch. The afternoon is reserved for free time in the city center, offering you the perfect opportunity for local shopping. Overnight in Van.
After breakfast, we will escort you to a traditional Turkish bath (hamam). Bathing in a hamam is practised all over Turkey, and the timing depends on your wishes and the bath's opening hours. Following your bath, you are taken to the city centre to shop at leisure, then back to the hotel; the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Van.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your scheduled transfer to Van Airport. We wish you a pleasant flight home and look forward to welcoming you back to Turkey in the future.
Van → Van City Center → Van
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Van, Van City Center.
Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!
