From Ardahan
Join our private daily excursion from Ardahan and uncover the fortress-studded landscape of Turkey's far northeast. This relaxed, fully guided day tour is ideal for history lovers who want to explore centuries of Ottoman, Urartian and Hellenistic heritage in a single Ardahan day trip, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included.
Ardahan is a land of castles, and this daily tour brings its most impressive fortresses together in one seamless itinerary. Your first stop, Ardahan Castle, was erected in the Ottoman period on the orders of Sultan Suleyman in the mid-1500s and has survived remarkably intact. Archaeological research around the fortress has even unearthed finds from the Early Bronze Age, revealing just how long this strategic spot has been inhabited.
The journey continues to Seytan Castle, known as the Devil's Castle, which served its many rulers without interruption from the Hellenistic age to Ottoman times, each occupier leaving its own mark. Inside you can see cisterns, a staircase descending toward the water and a small chapel. Kinzi Castle follows, a site thought to predate the Christian era, before you reach Kalecik Castle, linked to the Urartians who ruled this region in the 8th century BC.
Later, the day trip takes you to Kurtkale, the Wolf's Castle, perched next to the Georgian frontier, and then to Kirnav Castle, whose exact origins remain unknown, though its masonry closely mirrors that of Ardahan Castle. The tour finishes on a tranquil note at Lake Cildir, a large freshwater lake in Ardahan Province, where you will admire Akcakale Island before returning to your hotel. Comfortable air-conditioned transport, a professional English-speaking guide and all entrance fees are included, making this the easiest way to experience Ardahan in a single day.
| Tour type | Private · day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | Full Day (approx. 7 Hours) |
| Price | From €212 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 3 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Daily Ardahan City Tour – Castles of Ardahan & Lake Cildir
Your day begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Ardahan, setting off on a fully guided exploration of the region's remarkable fortresses. The first stop is Ardahan Castle, constructed in the Ottoman era under Sultan Suleyman in the mid-16th century and still standing today; excavations in its surroundings have revealed artefacts from the Early Bronze Age. From here, continue to Seytan Castle, the so-called Devil's Castle, a fortress in constant use from the Hellenistic period right through to Ottoman times, repeatedly restored and altered by each successive power. Within its walls you will find cisterns, a stairway leading down toward the water and a chapel. Next comes Kinzi Castle, believed to have origins before the Christian era, followed by Kalecik Castle, which is associated with the Urartian civilization of the 8th century BC. The route then leads to Kurtkale, known as the Wolf's Castle, situated directly beside the border with Georgia, before continuing to Kirnav Castle. Although the precise date of its construction is a mystery, its surviving ruins display the same wall technique seen at Ardahan Castle. To round off the day, visit Lake Cildir, a large freshwater lake in Ardahan Province, and take in views of Akcakale Island. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Ardahan, bringing your memorable day of discovery to a close.
Ardahan → Ardahan Castles → Lake Cildir
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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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!
