All-Inclusive Private Guided 3-Day Tour of Van
Ancient castles, sacred islands, and the vast shores of Turkey's largest lake — all at your own pace.
This 3-day private guided tour of Van takes you deep into one of Turkey's most historically layered regions, from Urartian fortresses built nearly three millennia ago to Armenian churches still standing on a quiet island lake. Every detail is handled for you, so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Van sits at the edge of a vast inland sea and carries the traces of civilizations that rose and fell across thousands of years. The landscape alone — with its volcanic mountains, glittering alkaline lake, and dramatic highland terrain — makes it unlike anywhere else in Turkey.
Over three full days, you will visit two Urartian castles, an Armenian village with multiple church ruins, a striking waterfall, a historic cemetery, a celebrated local museum, and a boat journey to Akdamar Island. The itinerary moves at a comfortable pace, and the tour is rated easy for accessibility.
This is a fully private experience, meaning your schedule, your guide, and your vehicle are dedicated entirely to your group throughout all three days.
Tour Highlights
Explore two Urartian-era castles — Hosap and Cavustepe — with origins stretching back to 840 BCE.
Walk through the 7 Churches Armenian Village, home to multiple church ruins including the Virgin Mary Church built between 1003 and 1021 AD.
Complete a full 360-degree drive around Van Lake, the largest lake in Turkey and a body of water so vast locals call it a sea.
Take a boat to Akdamar Island and visit the Church of the Holy Cross, an Armenian cathedral open for worship once a year in September.
See the Muradiye Waterfall cascading 18 meters, with a suspension bridge and a cafe nearby for a relaxed stop.
Visit the Ahlat cemetery, where graves date back over 2,000 years alongside notable Ottoman-era tombstones.
Discover the Van Museum's collection of Urartian inscriptions and artifacts tracing the ancient Kingdom of Urartu.
Itinerary Overview
Begin with Hosap Castle, built in 1643 on the grounds of an ancient Urartian fortress by Sari Suleiman of the Mahmudi, named after the stream flowing around it. Continue to Cavustepe Castle, a Kingdom of Urartu site constructed between 764 and 734 BCE featuring upper and lower castle sections. End the day at the 7 Churches Armenian Village, which includes two groups of church structures — among them St. Sophia Church from the 8th century and the Virgin Mary Church built between 1003 and 1021 AD.
Spend the day completing a full loop around Van Lake, taking in the scale of Turkey's largest body of water from multiple vantage points along the shore. Stop at the Muradiye Waterfall, which drops 18 meters and is framed by a suspension bridge and a small cafe. In Ahlat, explore an extraordinary cemetery where graves span more than two millennia, then finish with a visit to the Cat Museum of Van, dedicated to the region's distinctive cats known for their white coats and differently colored eyes.
Start with the Van Museum to gain context on Urartian civilization through artifacts and inscriptions before climbing to the Castle of Van, founded by Urartian King Sarduri between 840 and 825 BCE and offering panoramic views of the city below. Board a boat on Van Lake to reach Akdamar Island, where the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross stands as one of the most significant medieval religious monuments in the region.
What Is Included
Included
- Private professional guide for all 3 days
- All entrance fees to sites and museums
- Private vehicle and driver throughout
- Boat tour to Akdamar Island
- Breakfast included
- All transfers between locations
Not Included
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Additional personal purchases
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Tour of Van
Secure your all-inclusive private experience across one of Turkey's most historically rich destinations. Places are limited by the private nature of this tour.
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