Private Erzurum Tour: Seljuk Madrasas and Tortum Waterfall
The Çifte Minareli, the castle and the Atatürk House in the old city, then the Tortum waterfall in the valley to the north.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Full day (about 9 hours)
- Region
- Eastern Anatolia, Erzurum
- Walking
- Easy
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code EAS-D04
The essence
A private Erzurum tour starts in the old city, at the twin minarets of the Çifte Minareli Madrasa and the castle above it. Your guide also takes you to the Atatürk House and the Taşhan, where Oltu stone is sold. In the afternoon, your driver takes you north to the Tortum waterfall, which falls 48 meters in the Uzundere valley.
Highlights
- The twin minarets of the Çifte Minareli
- Erzurum Castle above the old city
- The Atatürk House of 1919
- Oltu stone in the Taşhan
- The 48-meter Tortum waterfall
Program
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Morning
Pick-up at your hotel
Your guide and driver collect you.
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Morning
The Çifte Minareli on the Erzurum tour
The madrasa and its 26-meter minarets.
Opening hours & dress code -
Morning
Erzurum Castle
The fortress above the old city.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late morning
The Atatürk House
Where Mustafa Kemal worked in 1919.
Opening hours & dress code -
Lunch
The Taşhan and cağ kebabı
Oltu stone, then lunch, paid on the spot.
Opening hours & dress code -
Afternoon
The Tortum waterfall
The falls in the Uzundere valley.
Opening hours & dress code -
Evening
Back to Erzurum
From the Tortum waterfall, the road leads back to your hotel.
In depth
High on the plateau of eastern Turkey, Erzurum keeps Seljuk madrasas of the 13th century. A private Erzurum tour shows you its old city in the morning and a great waterfall in the afternoon.
The Old City on the Erzurum Tour
The Çifte Minareli
First, your guide takes you to the Çifte Minareli Madrasa, generally dated to the end of the 13th century. Two minarets of glazed brick, 26 meters high, rise on either side of its portal. You can also see the Yakutiye Madrasa, now a museum of Turkish and Islamic art. In the old city also stand the Three Tombs; the largest is thought to be that of Emir Saltuk, of the late 12th century.
The castle and the Atatürk House
Then you climb to Erzurum Castle, commonly dated to 415–422. You visit the Atatürk House, where Mustafa Kemal and his colleagues worked for 52 days in 1919.
Oltu Stone and Tortum on the Erzurum Tour
The Taşhan
Before lunch, you browse the shops of the Taşhan, where Oltu stone becomes prayer beads and jewelry. Then you sit down for cağ kebabı, paid on the spot.
From our guides
Our suggestion In the Taşhan, ask your guide to show you how Oltu stone is turned into prayer beads before you sit down to lunch.
The Tortum waterfall
In the afternoon, your driver takes you north to Uzundere. In the same district, at Çamlıyamaç, you can stop at Öşvank, a Georgian church of 963–973 whose apse has partly fallen. In Uzundere, the Tortum waterfall falls 48 meters, where Tortum Lake overflows into the valley. Finally, you drive back to Erzurum.
Good to Know on the Erzurum Tour
Çifte Minareli means “with twin minarets”, and the madrasa is also called the Hatuniye. The Taşhan, where Oltu stone is sold, is also known as the Rüstem Paşa Caravanserai. The Atatürk House closes on Mondays, so we plan the order of the day around it.
Would you like to see Erzurum and its waterfall? Write to us with your date, and we will plan the old city of Erzurum and the drive to the Tortum waterfall.
Before you go
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- Entry
- Ask us to confirm before you visit
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- Entry
- Ask us to confirm before you visit
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- Entry
- Ask us to confirm before you visit
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- Entry
- Ask us to confirm before you visit
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- Entry
- Ask us to confirm before you visit
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the day, with pick-up from your hotel
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“I visited Istanbul with my mother, and I can honestly say that working with Soner and his team was one of the best decisions we made for our trip.”
From your guide
What to wear
Warm layers: Erzurum is high and cool even in summer.
Best time
May and June, when the waterfall is at its fullest.
Photos
At Tortum, the viewpoints above the falls show the whole drop.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
- Ends
- Your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Erzurum, or Erzurum airport
- Walking
- Easy: short walks in the old city and at the falls.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs, and we plan the day around them.
- Cancellation
- The Atatürk House and the Yakutiye museum close on Mondays, so on a Monday we change the order of the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for the Erzurum tour?
May and June, when the Tortum waterfall is fullest. After June, the water gradually falls.
Can we shorten the Erzurum tour?
Yes. Without the waterfall, the old city fills a half day.
What is Oltu stone?
A stone Erzurum is known for, carved into prayer beads and jewelry. You find it in the Taşhan.
Can we add Kars and Ani?
Yes. See our Kars and Ani tour for another day in the east.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
A full day, about 9 hours. Because it is private, we can give the Çifte Minareli more time and move faster through the Tortum waterfall.
