Bike & Hike the UNESCO Sites of Eastern Turkey

Explore the most diverse and undiscovered corners of Turkey. Traverse the deep canyons of the Ephrates on an epic train journey, cycle through diverse landscapes of rock, river, and the vital, fertile plains of Mesopotamia, visit world-renowned sites like Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe in addition to lesser known gems like the Divrigi Mosque, Neolithic Sayburc, and ancient city of Dara, and breathe in the tastes and smells of the region’s vibrant bazaars and back streets. This unforgettable journey showcases the unbelievable variety of the Turkish historical, cultural, and natural landscape. 

Highlights

  • UNESCO Sites of Divriği, Arslantepe Mound, Mount Nemrut, Göbeklitepe 
  • Neolithic sites of  Karahantepe, Sayburc
  • ‘Eastern Express’ train journey
  • Spice and Flavor of Eastern Turkish cuisine
  • Hiking in Kemaliye
  • Picturesque streets of the cultural hub of Mardin

Bike & Hike the UNESCO Sites of Eastern Turkey

Dates: October 4th – 10th 2026

Region: Eastern Turkey

Trip Length: 7 days

Activities: Hiking, Biking, Cuisine

Arrival Airport: Erzincan ERC

Departure Airport: Mardin MQM 

Price: Starting from €4650 per person

COME EXPLORE WITH US
DSCF3609
_MG_68601
DSCF3514
DSCF8275
DSCF3215
IMG_9795
DSCF3226
DSCF3650
DSCF3639
DSC_1608
default
DSCF3617
_MG_7025-2
DSCF8329

Travel through the cradle of mankind, the birthplace of civilization, a land of world firsts.

BOOK

Tour Details

Arrive in the Erzincan Airport. You’ll get to know your guide and the other guests during a welcome dinner before settling in for the night. 

After an early start to the day, we’ll board the ‘Eastern Express’, it’s train cars chugging along through the canyon formed by the legendary Euphrates River. We’ll take the train all the way to Divrigi for a visit to the Divrigi Great Mosque and Hospital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we head towards Kemaliye, hopping off at Calti for an easy bike ride through the hand-carved ‘Tas Yolu’ a tunnel built by locals to provide transport through the narrow walls of the Euphrates canyon. Our afternoon will be spent resting and roaming Kemaliye’s stone streets, marveling at the wooden detail in their traditional houses. 

We start the day with a morning hike through the stark landscape to a nearby village before setting out for the day. On our drive towards Elazig, we’ll stop in the village of Onar to visit its unique Roman tombs and peek into the traditions of the Alawites with a visit to its ‘cemevi’ (Alawite house of worship). Tonight’s accommodation is in a local vineyard hotel for some extra peace and quiet in nature. 

Two more UNESCO sites await us today: the Arslantepe Mound, the site of the first emergence of an upper class and a bureaucratic system that predates writing, and Mount Nemrut, The mausoleum of Antiochus I, ruler of the Commagene Kingdom, and famous for its stone heads of both Greek and Persian mythological origin. From Nemrut, we’ll cycle down the mountain, whizzing past the ancient city of Arsemia, the Roman-period Cendere Bridge and Karakus Tumulus before heading to Adiyaman for the evening. 

Heading even further into Mesopotamia, today we venture to the legendary city of Edessa, today’s city of Urfa. Along the way we’ll visit one of the newer Neolithic sites to be discovered: Sayburc. This site is unique as it is located within a still inhabited village. Continuing to the city, we’ll explore the color and chaos of Urfa’s extensive bazaar, learning about the cuisine, clothing, and customs of the region in the process. Near sunset, we’ll head to the (also UNESCO heritage) site of Gobeklitepe for an archeologist-lead tour of the monumental structures. This Pre-Pottery Neolithic Sanctuary shocked the world and brought into question what we know about the course of human history; did religion predate or even serve as the catalyst for settlement and the Neolithic revolution? 

Today begins with a visit to the Urfa Museum to see the sculptures of Gobeklitepe and other mounds up close. As we depart from Urfa to the Syriac stronghold of Mardin, we’ll stop at one more noteworthy Neolithic site: Karahantepe. We’ll then head to the start of our ride in Derik, a town known for its olives and traditional clothing style. From here, we’ll ride through local’s groves of pistachio and fruit, over fields of golden wheat and past young shepherds in pursuit of their flocks, all the way to Mardin. In the evening, we’ll explore the narrow pedestrian streets of Mardin’s old town, where the smell of sweet spices mingles with the sounds of Arabic, Kurdish, Syriac, and Turkish all mingling in the warm air. 

Today, after breakfast overlooking the plains of Mesopotamia, we’ll bike through the barren landscape, stopping in Deyrulzafaran Monastery for a peek into the ancient traditions of the Syriac Christians. One of the first groups of people to convert to Christianity in the 1st century, they still speak the language of Christ and work hard to preserve their traditional religious beliefs and way of life in this tumultuous cultural landscape. Back on the bike, we’ll continue to the ancient city of Dara, named after Persian King Darius, this ‘miniature Petra’ is situated in an active village, ancient stones interspersed with modern structures. After a guided tour of the site, you’ll be transferred back to the Mardin airport for an evening flight to Istanbul. 

Level 2: General Fitness Level

– Easy asphalt riding, short mildly technical hikes

All transfers, bike rental and maintenance, refreshments during activities, professional guide, accommodation, all meals, entry fees to sites, train tickets.

Orbea Kemen e-bikes.


Istanbul – Spend a couple exciting days before or after this trip in the legendary crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Bodrum – Balance the East with a few days by the sea in Turkey’s Aegean paradise.

Cappadocia – don’t miss out on one of Turkey’s most popular destinations; this tour can be extended to include a few magical days in Cappadocia.

Accommodation

Erzincan – Hilton Garden Inn

Kemaliye – Egin Konaklari

Eski Baglari Boutique Hotel

Adiyaman – Dedeman Hotel

Urfa – Stone House by Cevahir

Mardin – Arura Hotel

 

Starry Nights

Experience the vastness of nature like never before —a one-of-a-kind private hiking and glamping journey that will take you deep into the heart of Turkey’s most breathtaking landscapes. This unforgettable adventure combines the thrill of exploration with the comfort and tranquility of glamping, offering the best of both worlds.

Endangered Recipes Culinary Adventure

This immersive experience blends history, culture, and culinary exploration, taking you deep into Turkey’s rich food heritage.

On this unique expedition, you’ll not only savor unforgettable flavors, but also gain insight into how Turkey’s regional diversity converges in the kitchen. With each meal, you’ll discover the stories, ingredients, and techniques that have been passed down through generations, making Turkish cuisine one of the most dynamic and rich in the world.

Helibiking: The Ultimate Ride

An unforgettable journey combining helicopter transfers, epic mountain biking, and serene boat cruises. Explore the breathtaking islands of Rhodes, Karpathos, and Crete by land and sea, immersing yourself in awe-inspiring landscapes, authentic local culture, and luxurious accommodations.

Why travel with Roots

Embark on an unforgettable adventure travel journey through the ancient wonders of Turkey, Greece, and beyond with our travel experiences that seamlessly blend historical marvels with modern delights.

LEARN MORE

BOOK YOUR
ADVENTURE