11-Day Eastern Anatolia and Southern Turkey Birding
Travel from Lake Van and eastern Anatolian uplands to Euphrates birding sites and Mediterranean lagoons, finishing at Goksu on an eleven-day journey.
About this tour
This eleven-day journey links the lakes and volcanic uplands of eastern Anatolia with the Euphrates region and Turkey’s Mediterranean wetlands. It begins at Van and finishes in the Adana region. Birding drives are combined with selected archaeological visits, creating a route that moves steadily west through varied landscapes rather than returning to a single base.
Ercek Lake and the Bendimahi Marshes introduce the waterbirds around Van. The next stages explore the Caldiran Plain and Mount Tendurek’s foothills, continue toward Dogubeyazit, and return along Lake Van’s northern side through Sodaligol and Ahlat. A visit to the Nemrut crater lake near Tatvan is followed by the journey toward Diyarbakir, with short stops along streams connected to the Tigris.
Farther west, the route visits the separate Mount Nemrut archaeological site near Kahta before reaching Sanliurfa. Kizilkuyu’s dry habitats and the Euphrates landscapes around Birecik and Halfeti bring a different bird community into focus. Dry oak scrub near Durnalik and Isikli then precedes a visit to Kirmitli on the way to Adana.
The final stages concentrate on the coast: Tuzla, Akyatan, Yumurtalik and the Lamos Valley lead toward Tasucu and a full Goksu Delta day. April and May are the suggested months. Ten hotel nights, listed private-vehicle transfers, an English-speaking leader and the specified meals are included. Several travel days cover substantial distances, with birding stops along the way; migration timing and local conditions affect what is seen.
Dinner service at the accommodation is normally available until 20:30–21:00. Lunches are packed or taken at local restaurants where available.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Turkey.
Itinerary
Day 1
Van, Ercek and Bendimahi
Meet the representative at Van airport and transfer to the city hotel. Afternoon birding visits Ercek Lake and the Bendimahi Marshes for ducks, gulls, terns and other wetland species. Overnight: Van hotel stay. Meals: dinner.
Day 2
Caldiran and Tendurek to Dogubeyazit
Explore the plain and volcanic foothills north of Lake Van, then continue via Muradiye Waterfalls toward Dogubeyazit. Visit Ishak Pasha Palace and bird nearby rocky terrain, with an additional Mount Ararat foothill or marsh stop possible if time permits. Overnight: Dogubeyazit hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3
Sodaligol and Ahlat to Tatvan
Watch the water, muddy margins and marshes of Lake Sodaligol for ducks, terns and waders. Continue via the historic monuments at Ahlat to an overnight stay in Tatvan. Overnight: Tatvan hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4
Nemrut crater lake and the Tigris
Visit the crater lake near Tatvan, looking for birds in the surrounding volcanic uplands. Later travel toward Diyarbakir, using short streamside stops to search for birds along the Tigris drainage. Overnight: Diyarbakir hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5
Kahta's Mount Nemrut to Sanliurfa
Cross the Euphrates by the Nissibi Bridge and visit the Mount Nemrut statues via Karadut. Bird the mountain terrain and continue past the Ataturk Dam toward Sanliurfa, looking for raptors and other open-country species. Overnight: Sanliurfa hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6
Kizilkuyu, Birecik and Halfeti
Begin in the semi-desert around Kizilkuyu, then visit the Euphrates habitats near Birecik and Halfeti. Orchards, riverside woods and wadis offer searches for specialist birds, including a visit to an Iraq Babbler colony site, before Gaziantep overnight. Overnight: Gaziantep hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7
Dry scrub and Kirmitli
Bird the rocky oak-scrub country near Durnalik and Isikli during the morning. Visit Kirmitli to search for kingfishers before continuing to Adana for the next two nights. Overnight: Adana hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8
Tuzla and Akyatan wetlands
Explore the coastal wetlands around Tuzla and Akyatan. Watch lagoons and their margins for flamingos, ducks, waders and other waterbirds before returning to Adana. Overnight: Adana hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9
Yumurtalik and Lamos to Tasucu
Visit Yumurtalik's lagoon habitats before a passerine search in the Lamos Valley. Continue to Tasucu for the overnight stay near the next day's birding area. Overnight: Mersin Tasucu hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10
Goksu Delta and return to Adana
Spend the day exploring Goksu for wetland birds and migrating waders. After the field outing, travel back to Adana for the final hotel night. Overnight: Adana hotel stay. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11
Departure from the Adana region
Take breakfast at the hotel before the departure transfer. This completes the east-to-west journey through Anatolia. Meals: breakfast.
Locations & map
- Van - Turkey
- Ercek Lake - Turkey
- Bendimahi Marshes - Turkey
- Caldiran Plain - Turkey
- Mount Tendurek - Turkey
- Dogubeyazit - Turkey
- Lake Sodaligol - Turkey
- Ahlat - Turkey
- Tatvan - Turkey
- Nemrut Crater Lake - Turkey
- Diyarbakir - Turkey
- Kahta - Turkey
- Mount Nemrut - Turkey
- Sanliurfa - Turkey
- Birecik - Turkey
- Halfeti - Turkey
- Gaziantep - Turkey
- Durnalik - Turkey
- Isikli - Turkey
- Kirmitli - Turkey
- Adana - Turkey
- Tuzla Lagoon - Turkey
- Akyatan Lagoon - Turkey
- Yumurtalik Lagoon - Turkey
- Lamos Valley - Turkey
- Tasucu - Turkey
- Goksu Delta - Turkey
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Included
- Private-vehicle travel between the places in the itinerary
- One arrival transfer and one departure transfer
- English-speaking Demavend tour leader
- Standard hotel rooms shared as a double or twin
- 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
- Lunches as packed meals or at local restaurants where available
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Extra transport and additional airport transfers
- Site entry charges except those specifically included
- Optional activities
- Meals outside the stated allowance
- Drinks, including bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, tea and coffee
- Personal spending and equipment
- Extra nights, single-room supplements and room upgrades
- Gratuities
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.