Discover Eastern Turkey

Our 11-day Eastern Turkey Explorer tour includes 10 nights accommodation in handpicked boutique hotels, 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 7 dinners, private air-conditioned transportation, scenic train journey from Istanbul to Sivas, Euphrates River boat excursion, English-speaking tour leader, local specialist guides at major sites, all entrance fees to Göbekli Tepe, Mount Nemrut, Mardin Living Museum, Gaziantep baklava workshop, and all 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Airport transfers on arrival and departure days are also included.

The Eastern Turkey Explorer tour starts at $2,295 per person based on double occupancy. Prices vary by season: Spring departures (April-May) are $2,295, Summer (June-August) $2,495, Fall (September-November) $2,395, and Winter (December-February) $1,995. Single room supplement is $450. Early booking discount of $150 per person is available for bookings made 90+ days in advance. Group discounts available for 4+ travelers booking together.

Yes, Eastern Turkey is very safe for tourists. We have been operating tours in this region for over 8 years without any security incidents. The areas we visit (Göbekli Tepe, Mount Nemrut, Mardin, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa) are politically stable and locals are extraordinarily welcoming to visitors. Our expert guides are familiar with the region and we maintain 24/7 emergency support. Travel insurance is required for all participants. The Turkish government actively promotes tourism in Eastern Turkey and maintains strong security presence at major archaeological sites.

The best times to visit Göbekli Tepe and Mount Nemrut are Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-November) when temperatures are comfortable (15-25°C / 59-77°F) and crowds are minimal. Summer (June-August) offers the best photography light but can be hot (35-40°C / 95-104°F). Winter (December-February) is cold at altitude and Mount Nemrut may have snow, but you'll have sites to yourself. Spring brings wildflowers while Fall offers harvest season experiences. All our departures are carefully timed for optimal weather and cultural experiences.

This tour has a moderate activity level suitable for most fitness levels. Daily walking tours range from 2-4 hours with regular breaks. Mount Nemrut requires a 15-minute uphill walk at 2,134 meters altitude. Some archaeological sites have uneven terrain and steps. Most days include 3-6 hours of comfortable driving in air-conditioned vehicles. No technical hiking or strenuous activities are required. Travelers should be able to walk at a leisurely pace, climb stairs, and sit comfortably during transportation. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss specific requirements.

Göbekli Tepe is the world's oldest known temple complex, dating back 11,600 years (circa 9600 BCE) — 6,000 years older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Located near Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey, this UNESCO World Heritage Site completely rewrote our understanding of human civilization. The T-shaped limestone pillars carved with animals suggest that hunter-gatherers organized large-scale construction projects before developing agriculture or settled communities. It's considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and is a highlight of our Eastern Turkey tour.

Absolutely! Solo travelers are welcome on our Eastern Turkey Explorer tour. Approximately 40% of our guests travel alone. You can choose to pay the single room supplement ($450) for your own room, or opt for shared accommodation to save costs (subject to availability and same-gender pairing). Solo travelers appreciate our small group size (maximum 12 people) which makes it easy to connect with fellow travelers. Our tour leader facilitates introductions and ensures everyone feels included. Many solo travelers form lasting friendships during this journey.

Gaziantep, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, features a full-day culinary immersion including: traditional beyran soup breakfast at dawn, guided walk through Almacı Bazaar and Spice Market with tastings, hands-on baklava-making workshop at a renowned family atelier (you make your own to take home), multi-course lunch featuring ali nazik, lahmacun, içli köfte and regional specialties, Turkish coffee house experience with fortune reading, and multiple street food tastings throughout the day. You'll also enjoy home-cooked meals with local families and women's cooperatives in Şanlıurfa. All dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal) are accommodated.

This 11-day Eastern Turkey tour visits 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: (1) Göbekli Tepe — world's oldest temple complex, (2) Mount Nemrut — monumental tomb sanctuary with colossal stone heads, (3) Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape — 5.5km black basalt walls, and (4) Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — one of humanity's first urban settlements (9,000 years old). These four sites represent 12,000 years of continuous human habitation and cultural development, making this one of the most archaeologically significant tours in the world.

Our Eastern Turkey Explorer tour is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers with a minimum of 4 required to operate. Average group size is 8-10 people. This intimate group size allows for: personalized attention from your expert tour leader, flexibility to adjust pace based on group interests, access to smaller local restaurants and artisan workshops that cannot accommodate large tour buses, genuine cultural interactions with local families, easy communication and questions during guided tours, and a more immersive, less touristy experience. Private departures are available for groups of 4+ with custom dates (30% supplement).

Visa requirements for Turkey depend on your nationality. Many countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations require an e-Visa which can be obtained online at www.evisa.gov.tr for approximately $50-60 USD. The process takes about 5 minutes and e-Visas are typically valid for 90 days. Some nationalities receive visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival. We recommend checking current visa requirements at least 30 days before your departure as policies can change. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. We provide detailed visa guidance in your pre-departure travel pack.

We use carefully selected boutique hotels and restored heritage properties throughout the tour, including: Ottoman-style boutique hotel in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, heritage hotel in Sivas, mountain lodge near Mount Nemrut with panoramic views, restored stone mansion in Mardin's old town (featuring traditional architecture and rooftop terraces), converted caravanserai hotel in Şanlıurfa, central boutique property in Gaziantep, traditional hotel near Mevlana Museum in Konya, and boutique hotel in Antalya's historic Kaleiçi district. All rooms include private bathrooms, WiFi, and air conditioning. We avoid generic chain hotels in favor of properties with character and local charm. Single room upgrades available for $450.