# Private Lake Van and Akdamar Island Tour

Canonical: https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/private-van-akdamar-island-tour/
Site: Tubos Travel – https://tubostravelturkey.com/
Language: en
Also described in: de, fr, es, it, pt, nl, ru, zh-CN, tr, ar, hi
Categories: Turkey Tours, VAN
Last updated: 2026-11-04
Summary: Two private days around Lake Van: Van Castle, Edremit Castle, the 10th-century church on Akdamar Island and Hoşap Castle, with a licensed guide and lunch.

## Overview

This Van and Akdamar tour runs for two days, with hotel pick-up in Van and one night in a hotel with breakfast. A licensed guide, a minivan with driver, lunch both days and entrance fees are included. Day one covers Van Castle, Edremit Castle and the Lake Van shore. Day two takes a boat to the 10th-century church on Akdamar Island and drives on to Hoşap Castle.

## Tour highlights

**[Van Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/van-castle/):** The Urartian capital of Tushpa on a limestone ridge, with royal rock-cut tombs and a trilingual inscription of Xerxes I.

**[Edremit Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/edremit-castle/):** The Kız Kalesi, a sacred Urartian rock outcrop that now serves as a public terrace with wide sunset views.

**[Lake Van](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/lake-van/):** Turkey's largest lake, a soda lake whose shores preserve Urartian citadels and unusual wildlife such as the pearl mullet.

**[Akdamar Island](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/akdamar-island/):** The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, built between 915 and 921 AD, with biblical reliefs on its exterior walls.

**[Hoşap Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/hosap-castle/):** A 1643 citadel with an original iron gate, a Persian inscription and basalt lion reliefs, viewed from the roadside.

## Itinerary

### Day 1 : Van Castle, Edremit and the lake shore

Your guide collects you from your hotel in Van and drives to [Van Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/van-castle/). The citadel stretches about 1,800 meters along a steep limestone ridge above the eastern shore of Lake Van. King Sarduri I founded it as Tushpa, the Urartian capital, and the guide can show the royal rock-cut tombs and the cuneiform annals. The Ottoman Suleyman Han Mosque stands within the walls.

Lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink follows. In the afternoon the route passes the [Edremit Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/edremit-castle/), known locally as Kız Kalesi, a rock outcrop that the Urartians used for worship. It is now a landscaped terrace on the southeastern shore, and the visit is free.

The guide then stops at the [Lake Van](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/lake-van/) shoreline, where the soda water and the volcanic setting explain the lake's unusual wildlife. Stay on the shore for the evening light if your group wishes, with the hotel return timed to match.

The day ends with your return to the hotel in Van for the night.

### Day 2 : Akdamar Island and Hoşap Castle

After breakfast at your hotel, the guide drives to the Gevaş pier on the lake. A boat carries you across in about 20 minutes to [Akdamar Island](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/akdamar-island/), where the Cathedral of the Holy Cross stands. It was built by King Gagik I of Vaspurakan between 915 and 921 AD, and its exterior is covered with biblical stone reliefs. In spring the almond trees on the island blossom around the church.

Lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink follows after you return to the mainland. Then the guide drives southeast to [Hoşap Castle](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/hosap-castle/), about 60 kilometers from Van, in the village of Güzelsu. The citadel is being restored inside, so you view the walls and the iron gate from the roadside.

The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel in Van.

## Included

Lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink.

Comfortable minivan and experienced driver.

Professional tourist guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Entrance fees to the museums and sites.

Local taxes, parking and fuel.

One night in a hotel with a 4.5 or higher guest score, in a deluxe room, with breakfast.

Highway tolls.

## Not included

Travel insurance.

Dinners.

Optional tours.

Tips.

Flights or other travel to Van.

## Details

Tours start between 9:30 and 10:00 am and finish between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in new comfortable vehicles sized for the group.

This is a private tour, so the guide can adjust stops and pace around your interests.

Price is on request for your dates and group size.

Bring sun protection, a warm layer for the evening lake shore and sturdy shoes for the castle paths.

Cancellation terms are in our [cancellation and refund policy](https://tubostravelturkey.com/cancellation-and-refund-policy/).

## Who this tour suits

This tour suits travelers who want history and lake scenery in one trip, and couples who prefer a quiet pace. Van Castle and Akdamar Island appeal to readers of Urartian and Armenian history, while the lake itself draws people who like wide water views and sunsets. The second day includes a short boat crossing and a drive, so it suits guests who are happy on a small boat and in the car. Most of both days is spent outdoors, so bring layers.

## Best season and getting to Van

Late spring is the best time for Akdamar, when the almond trees blossom on the island, and early autumn brings mild evenings along the lake. Summer days are long and bright, while winter is cold and the lake shore is quieter. Van Ferit Melen Airport serves the city, and the tour starts from your hotel. If you arrive a day early, try a Van breakfast, the city's best-known meal. Flights are not included in the price, so book your arrival before you confirm the dates.

## Frequently asked questions

**How long is the Van and Akdamar tour?**

The tour lasts two days. Day one covers Van Castle, Edremit Castle and the lake shore, and day two covers Akdamar Island and Hoşap Castle. One night in a hotel with breakfast is included.

**How do we reach Akdamar Island?**

A boat leaves from the Gevaş pier and takes about 20 minutes to reach Akdamar Island. Ask your guide about the boat fare when you book, because boat tickets are not listed among the included items.

**Can we go inside Hoşap Castle?**

Interior restoration is still in progress, so the castle is viewed from the roadside. The guide explains the iron gate, the Persian inscription and the basalt lion reliefs from the outside.

**Is Edremit Castle worth a stop at sunset?**

Yes. Edremit Castle is a landscaped viewing terrace on the southeastern shore of the lake, with wide views across the water. Entry is free, and the guide can keep the stop open for the evening light.

**How can I get a price?**

The price is on request for your dates and group size. Reach us on WhatsApp +90 544 674 42 28 with your dates and group size, and we will reply with a price.

## Summaries in other languages

- de: Eine private Tour über zwei Tage ab Van mit einer Hotelübernachtung und Frühstück. Am ersten Tag stehen die Burg von Van, die Burg von Edremit und das Ufer des Van Sees auf dem Programm. Am zweiten Tag geht es mit dem Boot zur Kirche aus dem 10. Jahrhundert auf der Akdamar Insel und weiter zur Burg Hoşap.
- fr: Un circuit privé de deux jours au départ de Van, avec une nuit d'hôtel et le petit-déjeuner. Le premier jour couvre le château de Van, le château d'Edremit et les rives du lac de Van. Le second prend un bateau vers l'église du Xe siècle de l'île d'Akdamar, puis poursuit jusqu'au château de Hoşap.
- es: Un tour privado de dos días desde Van, con una noche de hotel y desayuno. El primer día recorre el castillo de Van, el castillo de Edremit y la orilla del lago Van. El segundo toma un barco a la iglesia del siglo X en la isla de Akdamar y sigue hasta el castillo de Hoşap.
- it: Un tour privato di due giorni da Van, con una notte in hotel e colazione. Il primo giorno copre il castello di Van, il castello di Edremit e la riva del lago di Van. Il secondo prende una barca fino alla chiesa del X secolo sull'isola di Akdamar e prosegue verso il castello di Hoşap.
- pt: Um passeio privado de dois dias saindo de Van, com uma noite de hotel e café da manhã. O primeiro dia cobre o castelo de Van, o castelo de Edremit e a margem do lago Van. O segundo pega um barco até a igreja do século X na ilha de Akdamar e segue até o castelo de Hoşap.
- nl: Een privétour van twee dagen vanuit Van, met één hotelnacht en ontbijt. Dag één bezoekt het kasteel van Van, het kasteel van Edremit en de oever van het Vanmeer. Dag twee vaart met een boot naar de kerk uit de 10e eeuw op het eiland Akdamar en rijdt daarna door naar het kasteel van Hoşap.
- ru: Частная экскурсия на два дня из Вана с одной ночью в отеле и завтраком. В первый день крепость Вана, крепость Эдремит и берег озера Ван. Во второй день на лодке к церкви X века на острове Акдамар, затем дорога к крепости Хошап.
- zh-CN: 从凡城出发的为期两天的私人游览，包括一晚酒店住宿和早餐。第一天参观凡城堡、埃德雷米特城堡和凡湖岸边；第二天乘船前往阿克达玛岛上的10世纪教堂，随后驱车前往霍沙普城堡。
- tr: Van'dan başlayan, bir gece otelde konaklamalı ve kahvaltılı iki günlük özel tur. Birinci gün Van Kalesi, Edremit Kalesi ve Van Gölü kıyısı gezilir. İkinci gün tekneyle Akdamar Adası'ndaki 10. yüzyıl kilisesine gidilir ve yol Hoşap Kalesi'ne uzanır.
- ar: جولة خاصة مدتها يومان من وان، مع ليلة في الفندق ووجبة إفطار. يشمل اليوم الأول قلعة وان وقلعة أدريميت وشاطئ بحيرة وان. ويأخذ اليوم الثاني القارب إلى كنيسة القرن العاشر في جزيرة أكداماري، ثم يواصل إلى قلعة هوشاب.
- hi: वान से शुरू होने वाला दो दिन का निजी टूर, जिसमें एक रात होटल और नाश्ता शामिल है। पहले दिन वान किला, एदरेमित किला और वान झील का तट देखे जाते हैं। दूसरे दिन नाव से अकदामार द्वीप के 10वीं सदी के चर्च तक जाया जाता है और फिर होशाप किले की ओर बढ़ा जाता है।

## Images

- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hosap-castle2.jpg — Van Castle – Wide panoramic view of Van Castle atop the rocky ridge with green trees below. Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/van_fortress_21.jpg — van_fortress_21
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/142932.jpg — 142932
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24877.jpg — Edremit Castle – Aerial dusk view of the illuminated snow-covered Edremit Castle hilltop terrace
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/edremit_kiz_kalesi-BQRGKUUV_4341-tr_2.jpg — edremit_kiz_kalesi-BQRGKUUV_4341-tr_2
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hosap_kalesi-98PFPH0U_2958-tr.jpg — hosap_kalesi-98PFPH0U_2958-tr
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Xwesav.jpg — Xweşav
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/lake-van-in-eastern-turkey.jpg — Lake Van – Winter view across Lake Van toward snow-capped mountains from Akdamar Island. Photo: Airtag, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

## Sources

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akdamar_Island
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Van
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Fortress
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C5%9Fap_Castle
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6035/

Markdown twin generated by Tubos Travel for AI agents; the HTML page is canonical.