Journey through Türkiye's ancient heartland on this nine-day private tour of Eastern Anatolia, planned in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed operator, and led by your own English-speaking guide. It begins in the highland city of Erzurum and the awe-inspiring ruins of Ani near Kars, continues to Doğubeyazıt and the İshak Paşa Palace beneath Mount Ararat, then to Van with its fortress and the island church of Akdamar.
From there the route crosses to Diyarbakır and Mardin, the monasteries and ancient city of Dara, the sacred sites of Göbeklitepe and Şanlıurfa, the mountaintop sanctuary of Mount Nemrut, and finishes amid the mosaics and cuisine of Gaziantep. It is a deep cultural journey through empires, faiths and dramatic landscapes for travellers who want the real east of Türkiye. Prices are per person and fall as your group grows.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Erzurum sits on the slopes of Mount Palandöken in Eastern Anatolia, known for winter sports, historic buildings and its famous Çağ kebab. On arrival your guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel; the rest of the day is free to explore, with a Çağ kebab dinner in the evening. Overnight in Erzurum.
You tour Erzurum's landmarks — the Nene Hatun bastion, the Double Minaret Madrasa, the Ulu Mosque, the Üç Kümbetler, the Yakutiye Madrasa and the Congress Museum — then drive to Kars for lunch and the ruins of Ani, capital of the Armenian kingdom from 953, now a UNESCO World Heritage site with its Gate of Lions, Church of the Redeemer, stone bridge and Seljuk palace. Overnight in Kars.
You travel south through the striking landscapes of Eastern Anatolia via Iğdır to Doğubeyazıt, where you visit the magnificent 116-room İshak Paşa Palace overlooking Mount Ararat. Continuing past Tendürek Mountain, you reach Van on the shores of its great lake. Overnight in Van.
You visit Van Castle (ancient Tushpa), built by the Urartian king Sarduri 2,800 years ago, with its royal rock tombs, then take a boat to Akdamar Island to see its beautifully carved church. After lunch you drive via Ahlat — with its great Seljuk cemetery — Tatvan and Bitlis to Diyarbakır. Overnight in Diyarbakır.
You explore the UNESCO-listed Diyarbakır city walls, the four-legged minaret and the Great Mosque — one of Islam's important early mosques — with a tea break at the historic Hasan Paşa Inn and the Kaleiçi bazaar. You then continue via Zerzevan Castle to Mardin. Overnight in Mardin.
On the way to Şanlıurfa you visit the Deyrulzafaran Monastery near Mardin, a spiritual centre of the Syriac Church with beautiful stonework, and the ancient city of Dara with its cave tombs and cisterns. You then reach Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple. Overnight in Şanlıurfa.
You tour Şanlıurfa, the City of the Prophets — the Halil-ür Rahman and Rızvaniye mosques, Balıklıgöl and the cave where Abraham is said to have been born — plus the archaeology and mosaic museums, then visit Harran and Perre before reaching Adıyaman. Overnight in Adıyaman.
After an early breakfast you ascend Mount Nemrut for the Commagene tumulus and giant stone heads, then see Arsameia, the Karakuş tumulus and the Roman Cendere Bridge. Continuing via Halfeti on the Euphrates, you reach Gaziantep. Overnight in Gaziantep.
You visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum — one of the world's largest, home to the famous Gypsy Girl mosaic — with a city tour and the Bakırcılar (coppersmiths) bazaar, then free time before your departure transfer. End of the tour.
Erzurum → Kars, Ani → Doğubeyazıt, Van → Van, Diyarbakır → Diyarbakır, Mardin → Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa → Harran, Adıyaman → Mount Nemrut, Gaziantep → Gaziantep
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Erzurum, Kars, Ani, Doğubeyazıt, Van, Van, Diyarbakır, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Göbeklitepe, Şanlıurfa, Harran, Adıyaman, Mount Nemrut, Gaziantep, Gaziantep.
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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!