Day 1 – Trabzon

Transfer to the hotel in Trabzon. After meeting your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail, enjoy a walk through the town center.

Day 2 – Trabzon

Today we drive to the magnificent Sumela Monastery, dramatically perched on the cliffs of Mt. Karadağ like an eagle’s nest. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the monastery is reached by a steep trail with several switchbacks through forested slopes. After lunch, visit the 13th-century Hagia Sophia Church of Trabzon.

Day 3 – Erzurum

This morning we leave the Black Sea coast and drive over the Zigana Pass through the Pontic Mountains before arriving in Erzurum. Visits include important medieval monuments such as the 14th-century Yakutiye Medrese, the Double Minaret Medrese, conical Seljuk tombs, and the Grand Mosque. These monuments reflect the rich architectural heritage of the early Turkish and Mongol periods in Eastern Anatolia.

Day 4 – Kars

As usual, we begin the day early and drive to Ani at Turkey’s northeastern border near Armenia. Once a flourishing medieval Armenian capital, Ani contains an extraordinary collection of Armenian and Seljuk monuments including cathedrals, churches, mosques, and the remains of Seljuk baths dating from the 11th to 14th centuries.

Day 5 – Van

Drive to Doğubeyazıt to visit one of Eastern Anatolia’s architectural treasures, the magnificent İshak Paşa Palace completed in 1784. Part palace and part fortress, it is one of the most remarkable sites in the region. Weather permitting, enjoy views of Mt. Ararat, Turkey’s highest peak at 16,853 feet, traditionally believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark.

Day 6 – Van

Enjoy a full day exploring Van and its surroundings. Begin with a visit to Van Castle, capital of the Urartian Kingdom in the 9th century B.C. Continue to the remains of Çavuştepe, an important Urartian fortress located along ancient trade routes.

Drive along the shores of Lake Van, whose striking blue waters are rich in soda minerals. Covering nearly 1,400 square miles, it is Turkey’s largest lake. From Gevaş, take a boat to Akdamar Island to visit the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, famous for its intricate exterior stone reliefs depicting Biblical scenes. The church, medieval cemetery, almond trees, and bird-filled rocky island create a truly magical atmosphere.

Overnight: Urartu Hotel

Day 7 – Diyarbakır

A scenic drive awaits as we travel along the remote southern shores of Lake Van. If time permits, visit the volcanic crater of Nemrut, one of Eastern Anatolia’s most impressive natural landscapes.

Gradually descend from the high eastern plateau into Upper Mesopotamia, arriving in Diyarbakır, famed for its massive black basalt city walls overlooking the Tigris River — among the best-preserved medieval fortifications in the world.

Day 8 – Urfa

On the way to Urfa, stop to view the enormous Atatürk Dam, one of the largest dams in the world and part of Turkey’s major southeastern development project. Continue to Urfa and visit Balıklıgöl, the sacred Pool of Abraham, and hear the legends associated with the prophet Abraham. Also visit the cave believed to be his birthplace beneath the ancient citadel of Urfa.

Overnight in Urfa.

Day 9 – Urfa

Drive to Harran, famous for its distinctive beehive-shaped houses and ancient history dating back to the Hittites. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Sin, dedicated to the Mesopotamian moon god, along with the stone fortress, watchtower, remains of the Abbasid-period university, and ancient city walls. The site offers a remarkable journey through thousands of years of history.

Return to Urfa for the night.

Day 10–11 – Nemrut

Today we visit one of the great highlights of the journey — Mt. Nemrut, rising 7,052 feet above sea level. Weather permitting, you may find yourself above the clouds as you approach the summit.

Explore the famous colossal stone heads of gods and kings surrounding the tumulus believed to contain the tomb of King Antiochus I of the Commagene Kingdom, dating from the 1st century B.C.

There will also be time to visit nearby sites in the valley including the Roman bridge at Cendere and burial monuments belonging to the Commagene dynasty, which once controlled this strategic crossroads between East and West.

Tonight, stay at a modest hotel near the base of Mt. Nemrut in Kahta.

Day 12 – Cappadocia

Today features one of the most scenic drives of the journey as we travel from Adıyaman through the Taurus Mountains, passing forests of Cedar of Lebanon before emerging onto the Central Anatolian plateau.

Arrive in Cappadocia for a three-night stay.

Days 13–14 – Cappadocia

After all the extraordinary places visited on this journey, Cappadocia still feels unlike anywhere else on earth. Its surreal landscapes, fairy chimneys, and rock-cut churches create one of Turkey’s most unforgettable regions.

Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, Paşabağ Valley, underground cities, and many of the area’s spectacular valleys and villages shaped by volcanic activity and centuries of human habitation.

Day 15 – Kayseri / Istanbul

Drive to Kayseri Airport and fly to Istanbul.