Eastern Anatolia Tour (Tunceli Region)

Highlights: ELAZIĞ · Lake Hazar · Harput Grand Mosque · Viewing Terrace · Arap Baba Tomb

After the open buffet breakfast at our hotel, we set off for Elazığ. Following a journey of roughly 2 hours, we reach Lake Hazar, known as the "hidden sea of the East" for its clear water and setting at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. After a short walk and a photo stop by the lake, we continue to Harput Ancient City, whose history spans 4,000 years.

Our first stop in Harput is the Harput Grand Mosque, dating from the Artuqid period and recognisable by its leaning minaret; we tour it with commentary from our guide. From there we move to the Harput Viewing Terrace, which offers a panoramic view over Elazığ and Lake Hazar, and take a tea break. Our final stop is the Arap Baba Tomb, one of the more striking examples of Seljuk architecture — after hearing the legend of Arap Baba, whose body is said not to have decayed, we head to our hotel in Elazığ.

Food & Beverage Information: Elazığ

Accommodation Information: Elazığ

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Hotel – Lake Hazar: 136 km (1 hour 45 min)

Lake Hazar – Harput Grand Mosque: 24 km (30 min)

Harput Grand Mosque – Viewing Terrace: 2 km (5 min)

Viewing Terrace – Arap Baba Tomb: 8 km (14 min)

Arap Baba Tomb – Hotel: 5 km (10 min)

TOTAL: 175 KM (2 HOURS 44 MINUTES)

Highlights: TUNCELİ · Seyit Rıza Monument · Ovacık · Munzur Springs · Pertek

Following breakfast at our hotel, we head towards Tunceli. Travelling alongside views of the Keban Dam, we arrive in Tunceli city centre, where we visit the monument and park dedicated to Seyit Rıza, a symbolic figure of Dersim's history. After our guide shares insight into the region's recent history, we continue on towards Ovacık.

On reaching Ovacık, nestled among the Munzur Mountains, we enter Munzur Valley National Park. We arrive at the Munzur Springs — considered the source of the Munzur River and made up of 40 individual springs. Held sacred within the Alevi faith, these springs are a place where visitors make wishes; after free time by the ice-cold water, we continue towards Pertek. We take in panoramic views of Pertek, set on the shores of Lake Keban, and Pertek Castle, which stands in the middle of the lake. We stay overnight at our hotel on the Pertek/Elazığ route.

Food & Beverage Information: Tunceli

Accommodation Information: Pertek / Elazığ

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Hotel – Seyit Rıza Monument: 82 km (1 hour 18 min)

Seyit Rıza Monument – Ovacık: 62 km (1 hour 5 min)

Ovacık – Munzur Springs: 17 km (25 min)

Munzur Springs – Pertek: 132 km (2 hours 10 min)

TOTAL: 293 KM (4 HOURS 58 MINUTES)

Highlights: PERTEK · Kemaliye · Divriği · Kangal

After breakfast at our hotel, we travel towards Kemaliye. Home to the striking Dark Canyon carved by the Euphrates River, Kemaliye is essentially an open-air museum of stone architecture. We take a short walk through the town centre, see the local "lök" dessert, and stop for photos at the Dark Canyon.

From here we continue to Divriği, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Built by the Mengujekids in 1228, the Divriği Grand Mosque and Hospital is regarded as one of the finest achievements of Seljuk stonework. After examining its magnificent portals — known as the "Gates of Paradise" — with commentary from our guide, we head to Kangal. There we visit the farm where the world-famous Kangal dogs are bred, and learn about the Kangal Fish Spring spa. We arrive at our hotel in Sivas in the evening.

Food & Beverage Information: Kemaliye

Accommodation Information: Sivas

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Pertek – Kemaliye: 168 km (2 hours 55 min)

Kemaliye – Divriği: 82 km (1 hour 28 min)

Divriği – Kangal: 118 km (1 hour 42 min)

Kangal – Sivas Hotel: 92 km (1 hour 15 min)

TOTAL: 460 KM (7 HOURS 20 MINUTES)

Highlights: SİVAS · Sivas City Centre

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin exploring Sivas, once the capital of the Seljuks. Our first stop is Sivas Square, also known as Seljuk Square, where we view the Twin Minaret Madrasah, Buruciye Madrasah and Şifaiye Madrasah both from outside and within. Our guide walks us through some of the finest examples of Seljuk stone ornamentation.

We then continue to the Sivas Congress Building and the Atatürk and Ethnography Museum. After touring the historic building where the Sivas Congress was held on 4 September 1919, we have free time around Taşhan and the Castle Mosque. Following time set aside by our guide for shopping — Sivas knives and local handicrafts among the highlights — we return to our hotel.

Food & Beverage Information: Sivas

Accommodation Information: Sivas

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Hotel – Sivas Square: 3 km (8 min)

Square – Congress Building: 1 km (4 min)

Congress Building – Taşhan: 2 km (6 min)

Taşhan – Hotel: 4 km (10 min)

TOTAL: 10 KM (28 MINUTES)

Highlights: MALATYA · Gürün Gökpınar Lake · Gürpınar Waterfall · Fikri Çalışkan Art House · Darende · Somuncu Baba Tomb

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for Malatya. Along the way, we stop at Gürün Gökpınar Lake, often described as Anatolia's evil-eye bead. With its turquoise colour, clarity, and fish visible right down to the lakebed, our photo stop here is one of the most peaceful moments of the tour.

From there we continue to Darende, descending into Tohma Canyon to reach the hidden Gürpınar Waterfall. We take a short walk around the base of the roughly 40-metre falls. We then visit the Somuncu Baba Complex, dedicated to Şeyh Hamid-i Veli — known as Somuncu Baba and tutor to Ottoman Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid — touring his retreat, tomb, and the Stone Bridge over the Tohma River. In central Darende, we visit the Fikri Çalışkan Art House and Museum, known for its woodcarving, before free time to browse local products. We arrive at our hotel in Malatya in the evening.

Food & Beverage Information: Gürün Gökpınar Lake

Accommodation Information: Malatya

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Sivas Hotel – Gürün Gökpınar Lake: 138 km (1 hour 55 min)

Gökpınar Lake – Gürpınar Waterfall: 68 km (1 hour 5 min)

Gürpınar Waterfall – Somuncu Baba Complex: 4 km (8 min)

Somuncu Baba – Malatya Hotel: 110 km (1 hour 32 min)

TOTAL: 320 KM (4 HOURS 40 MINUTES)

Highlights: DİYARBAKIR · Battal Gazi · Arslantepe Mound

After breakfast at our hotel, we travel to Battalgazi, known as Old Malatya. We see the Seljuk-era Grand Mosque and the Silahtar Mustafa Paşa Caravanserai. From there we continue to Arslantepe Mound, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. With a history reaching back to 5000 BC, this mound is home to the world's earliest known city-state and mudbrick palace, and is renowned for its Hittite reliefs.

Following our visit here, we set off for Diyarbakır. After a journey of roughly 3 hours, we arrive at our hotel in Diyarbakır, where dinner and accommodation are provided.

Food & Beverage Information: Malatya

Accommodation Information: Diyarbakır

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Hotel – Battalgazi: 12 km (18 min)

Battalgazi – Arslantepe Mound: 6 km (10 min)

Arslantepe Mound – Diyarbakır Hotel: 198 km (2 hours 50 min)

TOTAL: 216 KM (3 HOURS 18 MINUTES)

Highlights: TRANSFER · AIRPORT

After the open buffet breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the airport. We say goodbye, hoping to see you again on another AlaTourqo tour.

Daily Total Distance & Duration:

Hotel – Airport: 8 km (12 min)

TOTAL: 8 KM (12 MINUTES)