Alternative Turkey Tour

Wednesday 28th October – Mardin, Turkey

• Arrival at your convenience into Mardin – which is well connected from flights from Istanbul with daily flights
• YPT can offer travel advice for those travelling onwards from our Iraqi Kurdistan Autumn Tour
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Head out for your first taste of Mardin cuisine! From the top of Mardin, on a clear day you will be able to see North-Eastern Syria.
• Explore the nightlight and overnight in Mardin.

Thursday 29th October – Mardin – Urfa

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Explore Saffron Monastery – also known as Deyrulzafaran Monastery. The monastery was once the ancient centre of the Syriac Christian Patriarchy. It’s built on top of an ancient temple from 1000 BCE which now provides the foundations of the structural support. It is a fascinating landmark as the roof of the temple towards the sun is essentially a 3000 year old flat arch.
• Visit Kasimiye Medrese – one of the oldest and largest former Islamic schools in the city.

Afternoon

• Lunch nearby and continue onwards to the city of Şanlıurfa with a scenic drive.
• Explore Göbeklitepe – although this site is not widely known, it is one of the most important archaeological digs currently being undertaken anywhere in the world. This site marks a significant breakthrough in our understanding of early human history. Here lie the remains of the earliest known religious structures ever built by humanity. Dating back approximately 11,000 to 13,000 years, they predate pottery, writing, Stonehenge, and even the Pyramids!
• Today is Turkey’s national day – (Cumhuriyet Bayramı), celebrated annually. marking the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 and honours the founder of the Turkish republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Expect street parties, music, dancing and many (and we mean many) Turkish flags!
• Dinner and a traditional performance held at Sıra Night which is famous in Urfa
• Overnight in Urfa – a beautiful small city surrounded by limestone hills

Friday 30th October – Urfa – Atatürk Dam – Nemrut

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit to the Urfa Archaeological Museum which has relics from the Assyrian, Neolithic and Babylonian times as well as a 9500-year-old sculpture which is the oldest-known life-size human sculpture!
• Discover the Pool of Abraham, one of Turkey’s most significant religious and pilgrimage sites. According to tradition, this is where the prophet Abraham was miraculously saved from a fire. The pool is surrounded by the Halil-ur Rahman Mosque and forms part of the larger Balıklıgöl Complex, which features beautiful gardens and statues. Visitors can also enjoy feeding the abundant fish in this serene and picturesque setting.

Afternoon

• Lunch break before departing Urfa and heading further north to Nemrut.
• On our journey we’ll stop at the Ataturk Dam which is the third largest dam in the world, named after the beloved former leader and founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk is beloved by many in Turkey and is nicknamed the ‘father of the Turks’.
• We will travel to the top of Mount Nemrut. Here lies a Royal tomb from the 1st century BC with many erected statues surrounding the tomb. Mount Nemrut is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to catch the sunset!
• Arrive in the small local hotel in Nemrut where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Saturday 31st October – Kahta – Diyarbakir

Morning:

• Breakfast at hotel
• Begin our 2.5 hour drive to Diyarbakir (or Amed in Kurdish) which is the de facto capital of the Turkish Kurds.
• On arrival in Diyarbakir, we will check into our hotel before beginning our city tour.
• Visit the 10 Arches Bridge on the Tigris River which was completed in 1065, which was commissioned by Nizam al-Din and Muyyid al-Dawla during the Kurdish dynasty
• Explore the Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) in Diyarbakir, an architectural homage to the renowned Umayyad Mosque of Damascus. Originally constructed in 1091, the mosque suffered destruction in 1115 due to the region’s earthquake-prone geography. It has since been rebuilt and stands today as one of the most iconic and historically significant religious landmarks in the area!

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Hasan Pasha Inn – the city’s busiest caravanserai filled with shops and cafes. This Hasan Pasha Inn is located in Sur, the beating heart of Diyarbakir. We can walk around the busy streets and taste ‘Kurdish coffee’ made from pistachios.
• We’ll tour Yenikapı Sokak which is hub particularly special for its volume of religious structures – places of worship of all kinds fill the street, displaying the cultural and religious diversity in the city.
• Explore the Great Wall of Diyarbakir, constructed in 297 CE by the Romans using volcanic rock to fortify the city against invaders. Visitors can climb the wall (with caution) to enjoy stunning panoramic views of Diyarbakir and the surrounding countryside from its summit.
• We will enjoy a local dinner of Diyarbakir cuisine namely şiş, kebab, bread and grilled vegetables.
• Optionally, we can try some delicious local wine (şarap) in the Sülüklü Han. This courtyard is a beating heart of activity at night with locals drinking chai, coffee and wine. After, we can explore more of the winding streets of the Old City in Diyarbakir and visit some Kurdish cafes for drinks, live music and of course, Kurdish dancing!
• Overnight in Diyarbakir

Sunday 1st November – Diyarbakir – Van

Morning:

• Breakfast at hotel
• Bid goodbye to the Kurdish capital and drive towards Van.. in a van.
• En route to Van, we will stop by Malabadi Bridge. Malabadi Bridge is a 12th-century stone arch bridge near Batman, Türkiye, known for its large main span, solid design, and long history of use by traders and travelers.In 2016 it was inscribed in the Tentative list of World Heritage Sites in Turkey.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we will continue our journey northward, stopping at Tatvan, a charming city situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Van. Here, we will explore the historic tombs of the Seljuk Kings, remarkable stone monuments with the largest standing at an impressive 3 meters tall. This site, originally established as a Hurrian settlement around 4,000 years ago, offers a glimpse into the region’s ancient past.
• We will conclude our day with a scenic two-hour drive along the southern shore of Lake Van, arriving in Van City. Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey and the second-largest in the Middle East, is a stunning natural landmark that adds to the beauty of your journey.
• Dinner and drinks on arrival
• Overnight in Van

Monday 2nd November – Van – Akdamar Island – Van

Morning

• After breakfast, we will visit the Van Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of Urartian artifacts, including jewelry and weapons.
• We’ll then embark on a scenic 40-minute drive to Akdamar.

Afternoon

• We’ll take a boat ride to Akdamar Island, home to the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. This architectural masterpiece, built between 915 and 921 by Armenian King Gagik Ardzruni, was originally part of a palace complex.
• You’ll have time to explore the island, which features churches, a mosque, a café, and breathtaking scenery.
• Upon our return to Van, we’ll head directly to the Citadel of Van to witness a stunning sunset. This historic fortress offers panoramic views of Van City, Lake Van, and Mount Suphan.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Van.

Tuesday 3rd November – Van – Dogubeyazit – Ishakpasa Palace – Van

Morning

• After breakfast, we’ll depart Van and head to Muradiye, a picturesque destination renowned for its stunning 50-meter waterfalls surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery.
• Continuing our journey north, we’ll make our way to Doğubeyazıt, a charming town with spectacular views of Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat).
• We will also stop by the Durupinar Noah’s Ark Visit Centre, the site where it is believed Noah’s Arc landed!
• Standing as Turkey’s tallest mountain, Mount Ararat is steeped in legend as the resting place of Noah’s Ark. The area’s proximity to Iran (16 km) and Armenia (32 km) adds to its unique geographical significance.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Doğubeyazıt, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before visiting the iconic Ishak Pasha Palace. This extraordinary architectural masterpiece combines elements from Seljuk, Ottoman, Georgian, Armenian, and Persian styles.
• Nestled in rugged mountains near the Turkish-Iranian border, the palace offers not only a glimpse into history but also awe-inspiring views of the surrounding landscape.
• In the late afternoon, we’ll return to Van for a special farewell dinner and drinks, reflecting on the memorable journey.
• Overnight in Van

Wednesday 4th November – Van – Istanbul

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Tour concludes – YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.