Take an Exhilarating 16-day Tour of Eastern Türkiye with Far Horizons
A Region Brimming with Historical Wonders: Castles, Tombs, and Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Göbekli Tepe, Which, Along with Karahan Tepe, is Considered Among the World’s Earliest Sacred Spaces
Eastern Türkiye evokes vivid imagery: women in traditional veils, mustachioed men in turbans wielding sabers, and camel caravans traversing vast, wild landscapes. However, the reality of Eastern Anatolia is strikingly diverse and vastly different from the rest of Türkiye.
This region boasts an eclectic mix of towering mountains, dense forests with waterfalls, green pastures, and the stark contrast of arid deserts in the south. As a historical crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures for millennia, Eastern Türkiye is rich in many historical remnants.
Join Far Horizons on an adventure into this less-travelled part of Türkiye. Explore four UNESCO Heritage Sites: Ani, Diyarbakır & Hevsel Gardens, Göbekli Tepe, and Nemrud Dağ. Delve into the mysteries of Göbekli Tepe, a religious space predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years, and Ayanis, the last capital of Urartu.
Discover Karahan Tepe, a site that might be even older than Göbekli Tepe. Your journey will take you from the mountainous terrains of eastern Anatolia to the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.
This tour offers a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Eastern Türkiye, a true nexus of civilizations. This is an educational tour of Türkiye unlike those found anywhere else.
We also offer a pre-extension in Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many highlights, including Aya Sofya, the Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Sarayı, and a stunning cruise up the Bosphorus.
Why Choose Far Horizons’ Guided Tour of Eastern Türkiye?
- Eastern Türkiye Tour is led by Professor Jennifer Tobin who excavated at Zeugma
- Tour the new Şanlıurfa museum
- Private tour of Ayanis by the director of the archaeological project
- Visit Göbekli Tepe, possibly the world’s oldest temple
- Visit Neolithic Karahan Tepe, possibly older than Göbekli Tepe
- Tour four UNESCO Heritage Sites: Ani, Diyarbakır & Hevsel Gardens, Göbekli Tepe, Nemrud Dağ
- See the Tomb of Antiochus on Mt. Nemrud
- Limited to 14 participants
Historical Turkey Tour Itinerary
Begin in Istanbul before flying to Trabzon, where you can explore its historical sites.
Travel to Erzurum, known for its medieval architecture, and visit Ani, the ancient city famed for its ruins. Discover the impressive İshak Paşa Sarayı, and explore the ancient sites of Ayanis and Tuşpa near Van.
Visit Lake Van, home to Akdamar Island and its beautiful church, as well as Çavuştepe, with its impressive fortress.
Transfer to Ahlat to see the Malabadi Bridge and the Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries.
Continue to Mardin and Dara, both rich in history. Explore Diyarbakır, known for its ancient walls, before heading to Mt. Nemrud, famous for its monumental statues.
Visit Göbekli Tepe, the world’s oldest known temple, before touring Urfa and exploring the ancient city of Harran. Finally, depart from Şanlıurfa Airport back to Istanbul.
OPTIONAL Istanbul Pre-Extension Itinerary
Visit Aya Sofya, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the Basilica Cistern, showcasing the city’s rich history.
Explore the opulence of Dolmabahçe Palace and enjoy a private cruise up the Bosphorus, offering stunning views of historic waterfront palaces.
Experience local flavors on a culinary walking tour of Istanbul. Then, immerse yourself in history at Topkapı Sarayı, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, and visit the Panorama 1453 Historical Museum to learn about the conquest of Constantinople. Finally, join the main tour to continue your exploration of this vibrant city.
