Explore Mardin, Midyat, Cizre, İdil, Hasankeyf, Batman, Siirt, Bitlis, Tatvan, Hakkari and Van, with visits to historic towns, monasteries, lakes and mountain landscapes. This seven-day journey begins and ends with a flight from Istanbul.
Price
$2,050 per person, double occupancy
Single supplement: $820
Tour Highlights
- Historic Mardin, Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Dara Ancient City
- Cizre Castle and the Tomb of Prophet Noah
- Syriac churches and Yazidi villages around İdil
- Old Midyat and Hasankeyf
- Siirt and the Mount Raman viewpoint
- Malabadi Bridge, Bitlis Castle and Nemrut Crater Lake
- Valleys, lakes and plateaus of the Hakkari region
- Akdamar Island on Lake Van
- Van Castle and Van Museum
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul, Diyarbakır and Mardin
Meet at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport two hours before departure for the 06:45 Pegasus Airlines flight to Diyarbakır. On arrival, meet our vehicle and stop for breakfast before travelling to Mardin.
Visit Kasımiye Madrasa, Kırklar Church, traditional Mardin houses and historic streets, the covered passageways known as abbaras, Mardin Grand Mosque and Zinciriye Madrasa. After a lunch break, visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Dara Ancient City, then transfer to the hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Nus Grand Hotel, Nusaybin, Mardin (night 1)
Day 2: Nusaybin, Cizre and İdil
After breakfast at the hotel, explore Nusaybin and visit Beyazsu and the Red Madrasa. After a lunch break, visit the Tomb of Prophet Noah, Abdaliye Madrasa, Mem û Zîn Tomb, Cizre Grand Mosque, Hamidiye Barracks and Cizre Castle.
Continue to İdil to visit the Church of the Virgin Mary, Syriac churches, and Yazidi villages and temples before travelling to the hotel in Midyat.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Matiat Hotel, Midyat, Mardin (night 2)
Day 3: Midyat, Hasankeyf, Batman and Siirt
After breakfast, visit the Midyat State Guesthouse and explore the streets of Old Midyat. Continue to Hasankeyf, then travel towards Batman for a lunch break.
Enjoy panoramic views of the oil wells on Mount Raman before continuing to Siirt. Visit Siirt Grand Mosque, the Clock Tower and the Resul Hacar (Deliklitaş) viewpoint. After sightseeing, return to Batman and transfer to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Mesa Hotel, Batman (night 3)
Day 4: Malabadi, Bitlis and Nemrut Crater Lake
After breakfast, visit Malabadi Bridge and the Tomb of Veysel Karani before travelling to Bitlis. Explore Bitlis, including Bitlis Castle and the city’s Five Minarets. Continue to Nemrut Crater Lake, then transfer to the hotel in Tatvan.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Kardelen Hotel, Tatvan (night 4)
Day 5: Başkale, Vanadokya, Yüksekova and Hakkari
After breakfast, set out for a day exploring the landscapes and heritage of the Hakkari region. Visit Başkale, Vanadokya, Yüksekova, Cennet-Cehennem Valley (Heaven and Hell Valley), Kayme Palace, Beytan Lake, Berçelan Plateau and Meydan Madrasa. At the end of the day, transfer to the hotel in Hakkari.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Sibar Hotel, Hakkari (night 5)
Day 6: Van and Akdamar Island
After breakfast, travel towards Van, visiting Hoşap Castle and Çavuştepe Castle along the way. After a lunch break, continue to Akdamar Island and the Van Cat House. After sightseeing, transfer to the hotel in Van.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Tamara Hotel, Van (night 6)
Day 7: Van and Return to Istanbul
Visit Van Castle and Van Museum, followed by free time to explore Van’s market area and do some shopping.
Transfer to Van Airport two and a half hours before departure for the 19:50 Pegasus Airlines flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The tour ends on arrival in Istanbul.
Enquire About This Tour
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