Tunceli sits deep in Turkey's eastern highlands, and the real drawcard here isn't a skyline, it's the wild scenery right on the doorstep. The Munzur River cuts a turquoise path through steep limestone canyons, feeding Munzur Valley National Park, one of Turkey's largest and least-disturbed nature reserves at roughly 420 square kilometres. It's home to around 2,000 plant species, dozens found nowhere else on earth, plus a native trout that only lives in these waters. If you love getting well off the beaten track, this is about as far off it as Turkey gets.

Accommodation here is modest and genuinely limited, so it pays to know exactly where to look before you book. Wherever you base yourself, you'll be within easy reach of the river, the mountains and the national park entrance.

Where to stay in Tunceli

• Merkez: the town centre, sitting right on the Munzur River. The most practical base, with the shortest run out to the park. See stays in Merkez.
• Ovacık: a quiet highland village close to the Munzur Gözeleri springs, where the river's turquoise water bubbles up from the ground. Handy if the upper valley trails are the plan. See stays in Ovacık.
• Pertek: a lakeside town on Keban Dam Lake, with a hilltop castle visible from the water. A good pick if you want lake views alongside mountain ones. See stays in Pertek.
• Pülümür: a mountain district on the northern approach, ringed by high ridgelines. Suits a slower, scenery-first trip. See stays in Pülümür.
• Çemişgezek: a small riverside town with old stone streets and orchards. A calmer alternative to staying in the centre. See stays in Çemişgezek.

How much is Tunceli accommodation?

Tunceli only has a small number of listed properties, so don't expect the wide tiered range you'd see in a bigger destination. Nightly rates currently sit from around AU$195 up to about AU$265, and rooms are limited enough that prices can shift quickly as they fill up.

• Guesthouse-style stays: from AU$195 per night. Simple, family-run properties, often with a farmhouse or countryside feel.
• Standard hotels: from around AU$260 per night. A step up in room size and facilities, though still modest by city standards.
• Speciality stays: pricing varies. A couple of properties in the outlying districts add a thermal pool or a lakeside setting to the mix.

Because supply is so tight, book as early as you can, especially between June and late August, when the national park is at its best and the handful of rooms in the region go fast.

Top-rated hotels in Tunceli

• Askireg Hotel, Pülümür: perched on a mountainside with sweeping valley views from the terrace. View Askireg Hotel.
• Ayrık Vadi Otel & Restoran, Merkez: a farmhouse-style stay close to the town centre, with its own restaurant on site. View Ayrık Vadi Otel & Restoran.
• Pertek Thermal Hotel, Pertek: a lakeside property with a thermal pool, handy after a day on the trails. View Pertek Thermal Hotel.
• Imperial House, Hozat: a small guesthouse in the mountains west of the park.
• Apartamentos Biarritz, Çemişgezek: apartment-style rooms if you'd rather self-cater.

A few of these go in and out of availability quickly given how small the region's total room count is, so if your first choice is booked out, check back closer to your travel dates or look at a neighbouring district instead.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Tunceli

• Book well ahead. With only a handful of properties across the whole region, popular dates sell out early, especially over summer.
• Base yourself in Merkez for the shortest drive to the national park entrance and the most facilities nearby.
• If Tunceli itself is fully booked, Elazığ and Erzincan are both a couple of hours away and have far more hotel choice.
• Pack for genuine mountain weather. Even in summer, evenings up in the high valleys turn cold fast.
• Sort a fishing permit before you arrive if it's on your list. The park's native trout are protected and fishing is regulated.