From : Ask a Price
8 days / 7 nights
From Apr. to Oct.
15 Person
5 Min
Explore the mystical lands of Eastern Anatolia, where ancient civilizations meet dramatic natural beauty. From Urartian citadels and Armenian cathedrals to Ottoman palaces and Seljuk tombs, this immersive 8-day cultural journey unveils the rich layers of history nestled among volcanoes, crater lakes, castles, and Silk Road cities.
Timeless heritage of Eastern Anatolia’s ancient civilizations
Hosap Castle, Cavustepe Ruins & Van Citadel
Akdamar Island and the 10th-century Holy Cross Church
Ishak Pasha Palace and the plains of Dogubeyazit
The ghost city of Ani and the medieval charm of Kars
Nemrut Crater Lake and Seljuk tombs of Ahlat
Erzurum’s twin minarets and ancient fortresses
Upon arrival at Van Airport, you will be welcomed by your Nature and Sea Travel guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Often referred to as “the Pearl of the East,” Van is surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery and is rich in history dating back to 5000 BC. Once the capital of the Urartian Kingdom under the ancient name Tushpa, Van offers the perfect starting point for exploring Eastern Anatolia. You’ll have time to relax at the hotel and enjoy your first evening in this ancient city.
Transfer time: 15 min
Distance: 10 km (Van Airport to city center)
Overnight: Hotel in Van
Meals: – / – / Dinner
Today begins with a journey into the highlands to visit Hosap Castle, dramatically perched on a rocky bluff. Originally founded in Urartian times, much of its current structure dates to the 17th century and includes mosques, baths, and underground chambers. Continuing on, we visit Cavustepe, a fortress with roots in the 3rd millennium BC, later used by Urartians and Armenians. In the afternoon, we explore the impressive Van Castle, built by King Sardur I of Urartu. Its massive fortifications overlook the ruins of ancient Tushpa, and the nearby rock tomb of Argishti I holds inscriptions from his reign.
Transfer time: 1–2 hours
Distance: 65 km round trip
Overnight: Hotel in Van
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, we head to Gevaş town to board a ferry across Lake Van to Akdamar Island. Here we visit the beautifully preserved Holy Cross Cathedral, built in the 10th century and famous for its ornate bas-relief carvings of biblical scenes. After soaking in the serene atmosphere and stunning lake views, we return to the mainland and drive to Tatvan, a peaceful lakeside town at the western edge of Lake Van.
Transfer time: 2 hours
Distance: 140 km
Ferry: 25 min (one way)
Overnight: Hotel in Tatvan
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today’s journey is filled with natural wonders and historic landmarks. We begin with Mount Nemrut Crater Lake, a dormant volcano rising above Lake Van, with an enormous caldera formed thousands of years ago. The views here are spectacular. We continue to Ahlat, where the monumental Seljuk-era tombs and cemeteries display unique architecture and symbolism. This open-air museum contains over 8,000 gravestones, domed mausoleums, and medieval structures. On our way to Dogubeyazit, we stop at the Muradiye Waterfalls, a refreshing natural haven set in a forested area. In the shadow of Mount Ararat, Dogubeyazit awaits us with its rich historical past.
Transfer time: 4 hours
Distance: 265 km
Overnight: Hotel in Dogubeyazit
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Our day starts with a visit to the iconic Ishak Pasha Palace, an 18th-century architectural marvel perched above the Dogubeyazit plain. This fusion of Ottoman, Persian, and Armenian styles once served as an administrative center controlling Silk Road trade routes. After our visit, we drive to Kars, once the capital of the Armenian Vanand kingdom. Depending on arrival time, we explore Kars Castle, the Church of the Holy Apostles, and unique Russian-era basalt buildings that reflect a rare style of neo-classical architecture found only in this region.
Transfer time: 3 hours
Distance: 190 km
Overnight: Hotel in Kars
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning we explore the ruins of Ani, a once-thriving medieval Armenian capital dubbed “The City of 1001 Churches.” Located near the Turkish-Armenian border, Ani’s ruins are dramatically set along deep gorges, offering a haunting and evocative landscape of domes, walls, and cathedrals. Later, we drive to Erzurum, a city known for its strategic Silk Road position and wealth of historical architecture. The city’s old town features caravanserais, mosques, and madrassas that reveal its rich heritage.
Transfer time: 4 hours
Distance: 295 km
Overnight: Hotel in Erzurum
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
We spend the day discovering the historical treasures of Erzurum. We begin with a visit to Erzurum Castle, originally built by Roman Emperor Theodosius. From the castle hill, you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the old city. We also visit the famous Twin Minaret Madrasa, a striking example of Seljuk architecture and Anatolia’s largest theological school. A stroll through the old bazaar brings us to Rustem Pasha Caravanserai, now a market known for Oltu stone jewelry.
Overnight: Hotel in Erzurum
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, we transfer to Erzurum Airport where our cultural journey through Eastern Anatolia concludes.
Transfer time: 20–25 min
Distance: 15 km
Meals: Breakfast / – / –
