Eastern Turkey Explorer





Explore Neolithic ruins and trace the origins of baklava in Eastern Turkey
Journey from Istanbul to Antalya on this 11-day adventure, where you’ll see ancient ruins, bustling villages and sunken cities. Visit the historical towns of Sanliurfa and Mardin, take in golden hour on top of Mt. Nemrut and set off on a tasting trail in baklava's birthplace. Cruise through Euphrates, sit down to a home-cooked meal at Nahil Guesthouse and learn about the dawn of human civilization as you walk through the archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe and Catalhoyuk.
Start: Istanbul, Turkey
End: Antalya, Turkey
- Duration
- 11 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Visit Gobekli Tepe, Catalhoyuk and Mt Nemrut. Learn about the layered history and evolving civilization of the region as you wander through these archaeological sites.
- Indulge in a home-cooked meal at Nahil Guesthouse – an organisation committed to providing fair work and support for local women. Then, try some local dishes on a street food tour in Gaziantep – the birthplace of baklava!
- Travel through the rugged Mesopotamian landscape to Mardin. Walk past the historic madrasahs and lively bazaars, visit the Living Museum and meet local copper workers and telkari artists.
- Walk through the Halfeti countryside, then cruise along the Euphrates River on a boat tour and see the sunken city up close, where minarets and rooftops rise above the water.
- Take part in the Sanliurfa tradition of Sira Gecesi. Explore the city’s nightlife, which is brought alive by music and dance to celebrate human connection and the beauty of life.
Itinerary
Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Istanbul – the only city in the world to straddle two continents. If you arrive early, maybe wander through the streets in the Sultanahmet District, head to a local hangout for panoramic views of the Marmara Sea or visit the ancient hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Tonight, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner and dig into an authentic Turkish kebab.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, you’ll board a train and travel to Sivas – the heart of Anatolia. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcast. When you arrive, take an orientation walk through the city’s old quarters, known for its impressive Seljuk architecture. Along the way, visit the Cifte Minare and Buruciye Madrasahs and learn about the region’s history before returning to Sivas for a free evening.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Sivas - Old city walking tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Depart Sivas this morning and travel southeast to Adiyaman. When you arrive, visit one of Turkey’s most iconic sites, Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO site that dates back to the 1st century BC. Stop at the ancient Roman Cendere Bridge before reaching the summit for sunset. Unwind as the giant stone heads start to glow in the golden evening light and learn about the story and history layered into this magnificent site.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Adiyaman - Cendere Bridge
- Adiyaman - Sunset at Mt. Nemrut
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Set off early this morning to the ancient city of Mardin. On the way, you'll stop in Diyarbakır – known for its black basalt walls, rich Kurdish culture and tasty local food. If you're hungry, be sure to try a liver kebab (a true local favourite). Then, continue through the rugged Mesopotamian landscape to Mardin – a hilltop city with golden stone buildings and sweeping views all the way to Syria. After checking into your accommodation, join your leader on a short walk around the area to help you get your bearings. Then you’re free to explore the city’s winding streets – maybe with a glass of local Syriac wine to end the day.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Mardin - Leader-led orientation walk
- Diyarbakir - Diyarbakir Castle
After breakfast, take a guided walk through Mardin’s old streets. Explore the city’s main sights with your local leader, walk past the historic madrasahs and lively bazaars. After, visit the Living Museum and meet local artisans, including copper workers and telkari (fine silver filigree) artists, who are keeping the centuries-old tradition alive. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the beautiful Deyrulzafaran Monastery and the historic Kasımiye Medrese just outside the city.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Mardin - City walking tour
- Mardin - Living Museum
Start your day with one of the most significant sites of human civilization - Gobekli Tepe – an archaeological site over 11,600 years old which features the oldest known megaliths! As you walk through the site, see the tall T-shaped stone pillars, decorated with animals and symbols, and learn about the religious rituals that existed long before farming began. After, head to Sanliurfa, also known as the City of Prophets. When you arrive, listen to the inspiring story of Nahil Guesthouse, an organisation that's committed to supporting the livelihood of local women, and enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is free. Maybe visit the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum, which displays artifacts from Gobekli Tepe and the region or stroll through the bazaars. Tonight, maybe join Sira Gecesi Night – a tradition in Sanliurfa that's now been revived with music and dances to celebrate human connections and the beauty of life.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Sanliurfa - Sira Gecesi Night Entertainment
- Sanliurfa - Home-cooked lunch
- Sanliurfa - Gobeklitepe guided tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Before heading to Gaziantep this morning, you’ll stop in Halfeti – a small town that's part of the global Cittaslow (slow city) network. Located by the Euphrates River, Halfeti is famous for the old village of Savasan, partially submerged after the Birecik Dam was built. The sunken mosque and abandoned stone houses tell a quiet story of the past. Then, set off on a scenic hike along the Degirmendere Trail. This lesser-known path winds through wild landscapes of rocks and lakes. After the hike, take a boat tour on the Euphrates to see the sunken city up close, where minarets and rooftops rise above the water. Later this afternoon, you’ll arrive in Gaziantep. Maybe find a local restaurant for dinner or try some of the city’s famous pistachios and baklava.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Halfeti - Countryside hike
- Halfeti - Boat tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your hiking time will be approximately 2 hours.
Gaziantep is Turkey’s undisputed culinary capital and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy – which is why today is all about tasting the local flavours! You’ll start the day like the locals do with a hot bowl of Beyran soup (a mix of meat, rice, garlic and spices). Then, set off through the streets on a food crawl, sampling some of the city’s signature dishes including ali nazik (smoked mashed eggplant topped with spiced beef), katmer (flaky pastry with clotted cream and pistachios) and Turkish coffee (sometimes infused with pistachio for a local twist). You’ll then discover the birthplace of baklava, where layers of golden pastry are made with great care. See the spice markets and coppersmith bazaar, where you can buy handmade souvenirs or fragrant local spices.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Gaziantep - Local Street Food crawling
- Gaziantep - Baklava making demonstration
After breakfast, you’ll travel into the heart of Anatolia to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Catalhoyuk – one of the world’s oldest and best preserved Neolithic settlements. Explore the closely packed mudbrick houses and learn about daily life in this early community. After, drive to Konya, passing through wide plains and beautiful Anatolian landscapes. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Konya - Catalhoyuk guided tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
This morning, head south toward the Mediterranean coast, stopping for lunch in Ormana Village – an old Yoruk settlement tucked in the Taurus Mountains. Located near the streams that feed the Manavgat River, Ormana is part of the Ibradi District, whose ancient name means 'land of abundant waters’. Stroll through cobbled streets lined with stone and timber houses, some restored and others still holding stories of the past. Then continue to Antalya – a lively coastal city blending Roman history with beach-town vibes. The rest of the day is free – maybe explore the Old Town’s Ottoman mansions and Roman harbour or relax at a seaside café as the sun sets over the Mediterranean. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your fellow travellers – a great chance to reflect on the week, share stories and celebrate the memories made across Turkey.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Antalya - Ormana Village visit
- Antalya - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
As there are no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to stay in Antalya longer, just chat to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
10 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Private Bus, Boat, Train
Hotel (10 nights)
- Sivas - Old city walking tour
- Adiyaman - Cendere Bridge
- Adiyaman - Sunset at Mt. Nemrut
- Mardin - Leader-led orientation walk
- Diyarbakir - Diyarbakir Castle
- Mardin - City walking tour
- Mardin - Living Museum
- Sanliurfa - Sira Gecesi Night Entertainment
- Sanliurfa - Home-cooked lunch
- Sanliurfa - Gobeklitepe guided tour
- Halfeti - Countryside hike
- Halfeti - Boat tour
- Gaziantep - Local Street Food crawling
- Gaziantep - Baklava making demonstration
- Konya - Catalhoyuk guided tour
- Antalya - Ormana Village visit
- Antalya - Leader-led Orientation Walk
This trip generates 36 kg of CO2-e per person per day
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Before you book you should know
- There are some long travel days on this trip, but there will be plenty to see, breaking up the journey along the way.
- There is limited time in Istanbul and Antalya, so it’s highly recommended to speak with your booking agent if you are interested in staying longer.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Weingart Hotel
Hacımimi, Necatibey Cd. No:69
Istanbul
TURKEY
Phone: +90 212 945 60 20
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure.
There are two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approximately TRY 1500-2300.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
For your confirmed arrival transfer, please collect your luggage and proceed to Gate 8 in the arrival hall. Exit through Gate 8 and on the lefthand side you’ll see our representative holding an Intrepid sign. Our representative will then advise the driver to come upon meeting you. Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down).
In case you have trouble locating our airport representative, please call our local emergency number listed in the Essential Trip Information document.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour.
Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
For your confirmed arrival transfer, you will need to exit from the international terminal and cross the road between Column 9 and Column 10 to “Simit Sarayı” bakery. Once there you will our representer holding an Intrepid sign Our representative will then advise the driver to come upon meeting you. Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area.
In case you have trouble locating our airport representative, please call our local emergency number listed in the Essential Trip Information document.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour."
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability. Please consult your booking agent if you are interested.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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