2023 - Northern Explorer Tour
2023 - Northern Explorer Tour
2023 - Northern Explorer Tour
13 Days Starting in Istanbul and ending in Gaziantep
Visiting: Istanbul, Trabzon, Erzurum, Dogubayazit, Van, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sanliurfa (Urfa), Adiyaman, Gaziantep
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NEX
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 20
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
8-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
This 13 day tour, starts from Istanbul, Turkey, and ends at Gaziantep, Turkey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Hotel to be advised (4 star)
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
Day 2 : Istanbul Old City, Trabzon
Location: Trabzon
Accommodation: Büyük Sumela Hotel (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene) and the Hippodrome.
This afternoon we will fly to Trabzon, on the Black Sea coast.
Day 3 : Trabzon
Location: Trabzon
Accommodation: Büyük Sumela Hotel (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we tour Trabzon and surrounds, visiting the breathtaking Byzantine Sumela Monastery and Uzungol, a picturesque lake surrounded by thick woods before returning back to the hotel.
Day 4 : Rize, Erzurum
Location: Erzurum
Accommodation: Palan Hotel (5 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we travel along the Black Sea coast towards Artvin before driving through the wild landscapes of Çoruh Valley. We also visit picturesque Ishan village on our way to the scenic heights of Erzurum.
Day 5 : Ani, Dogubayazit
Location: Dogubayazit
Accommodation: Butik Ertur Hotel (Boutique)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we visit the Seljuk monuments of Erzurum before continuing through Kars to Ani, close to the Turkish Armenian border. We continue to Dogubayazit located at the foothill of Mount Ararat, the highest mount in Anatolia and where Noah's Ark is thought to have landed.
Day 6 : Dogubayazit, Van
Location: Van
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Van (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we tour Ishak Pasha Palace before driving through barren landscapes of volcanic stones stopping at Muradiye Waterfalls. We continue to Van, home to Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake.
Day 7 : Van, Hosap, Akdamar
Location: Van
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Van (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning drive to Çavustepe, to explore the ancient Urartian citadel before continuing to the village of Hosap. Early afternoon from the town of Gevas we take a boat excursion to Akdamar Island which is home to the 10th century Holy Cross Church.
Day 8 : Ahlat, Tatvan, Bitlis
Location: Diyarbakir
Accommodation: Class Hotel (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we drive along the north shore of Lake Van to visit Ahlat, Tatvan and the picturesque town of Bitlis. Late afternoon arrival in Diyarbakir.
Day 9 : Hasankeyf, Midyat
Location: Mardin
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Mardin (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning drive to Hasankeyf, to visit the cliff top Roman ruins of ancient Cephe, and the old town of Midyat, an architectural treasure.
Day 10 : Harran, Urfa
Location: Sanliurfa (Urfa)
Accommodation: Hotel Harran (4 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the way to Sanliurfa, we will visit Göbeklitepe which will allow you to discover the region and observe the excavation currently running at the site. Visit the famous 'beehive' village houses of Harran and the ancient city of Urfa, home of Abraham. Discover the "City of the Prophets" as we visit Abraham's Caves, the pool of sacred carp and the busy and colourful bazaar.
Day 11 : Adiyaman
Location: Adiyaman
Accommodation: Euphrat Hotel Nemrut (3 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have an interesting drive today as we pass by Bozova and see Ataturk Dam before arriving in Adiyaman.
Day 12 : Mt Nemrut
Location: Gaziantep
Accommodation: Ibis Gaziantep (3 star)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We set off for Mt. Nemrut before dawn and after a short ascent of the mountain watch the magical sunset over the plateau, and visit the massive ancient rock statues. Visit the ancient Roman city of Zeugma and tour Gaziantep, and the Mosaic Museum where the superb Roman mosaics of Zeugma are displayed.
Day 13 : Gaziantep
Accommodation: ()
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
-
Meals
12 breakfasts, 0lunches, 0dinners -
Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
-
Tips except Driver and Guide
-
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
-
Entrance fees
What's Not Included
-
Domestic flight between Trabzon and Istanbul
-
Suggested optional activities
-
Tips - Driver and Guide
-
Compulsory Travel Insurance
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Fez Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."