Itinerary Details

Day 1 (Flight to Gaziantep, city tour, lunch and dinner included)

Starting with an early pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Gaziantep Airport. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will warmly welcome you at the exit holding a sign with your name.

A short drive will bring us to the world-renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum. This museum in Gaziantep houses Turkey’s most impressive and well-preserved mosaics, showcasing exquisite works from the ancient city of Zeugma. Zeugma has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2021. These mosaics date back over 2000 years and stand out for their unique designs, vibrant colors, and remarkable craftsmanship. In addition to 1450 m² of mosaics, the museum displays 140 m² of frescoes, 4 Roman fountains, 20 columns, 4 limestone statues, a bronze statue of Mars, grave steles, and sarcophagi.

Following lunch, we will visit the ancient city castle, the copper bazaar, and a famous baklava shop (as baklava originates from Gaziantep). Afterwards, we will embark on approximately a 1.5-hour drive to Sanliurfa, where you will stay overnight.

Day 2 ( Visit Sanliurfa, Harran and Gobeklitepe, breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the center of Sanliurfa. This city is historically significant as the residence of Old Testament prophets such as Jethro, Job, Elijah, and Abraham. It is also where Prophet Moses spent seven years working as a shepherd before returning to Egypt. Because of this rich prophetic heritage, Sanliurfa is often called the 'City of Prophets.' Our visit includes the Pool of Prophet Abraham, which is linked to the legend that Abraham defied Nimrod’s religion and was thrown into fire to be killed. However, as a devoted follower of God, Abraham survived—the fire turned into water, and the burning wood transformed into carps that now swim in the pool. We will also stroll through streets that showcase a beautiful blend of diverse cultures and ethnic communities.

Next, we will drive for about an hour to Harran, where Prophet Abraham is said to have lived for a time. Despite its location on a dry and arid plain, Harran has been continuously inhabited for over 5000 years. Its strategic position on trade routes between Anatolia and Mesopotamia fostered prosperity and helped maintain a rich, unbroken culture throughout millennia. Harran is renowned for its distinctive adobe beehive-shaped houses, historic castle, and the 8th-century university building. The site has been included in the UNESCO Tentative List since 2000.

Following this, we will take a 30-minute drive to visit one of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Gobeklitepe. Gobeklitepe represents the oldest known example of monumental human-made architecture. Scientific research has established it as the world’s earliest temple, dating back approximately 11,500 years. The site features numerous limestone pillars, many adorned with stylized “T” shapes. Archaeologists and archaeoastronomers also believe these structures were aligned with astronomical phenomena. After this extraordinary visit, we will drive approximately 2 hours to Adiyaman for overnight accommodation.

Day 3 (Visit to Mount Nemrut and transfer to Diyarbakir, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

We will start the day very early, around 03:30 am, to ascend to the peak of Mount Nemrut. After arriving at the national park entrance, we will trek for about 30 minutes to reach the summit. Here, we will witness one of the most spectacular sunrises worldwide alongside the magnificent statues of gods and kings. Mount Nemrut has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Following the sunrise, we will descend to explore the ancient Arsemia city, the historic Cendere Bridge, and the Karakus Tumulus burial mound.

Arsameia Ancient City is located on steep cliffs, accessible via a ceremonial pathway. Along this route, visitors can see relief stelae, rock-carved monuments, Turkey’s largest ancient inscription, a tunnel structure, and the remains of architectural complexes at the summit. The Cendere Bridge dates back to the early third century, constructed after Septimius Severus defeated the Parthians. The Karakus Tumulus serves as a royal tomb for the Commagene dynasty. After touring these remarkable sites, we will head to the hotel for breakfast.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a 2.5-hour drive to Diyarbakir to explore this fascinating city. The Diyarbakir Walls rank as the second widest and longest fully intact defensive walls in the world, surpassed only by the Great Wall of China. We will also visit the Great Mosque of Diyarbakır, known as the oldest and one of the most important mosques in Anatolia. The Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. After spending lunch and the whole afternoon in Diyarbakir, we will take a 1-hour drive to Mardin, where we will stay overnight.

Day 4 (Explore Mardin and return flight to Istanbul, breakfast and lunch included)

Following a traditional Mesopotamian breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our journey to explore Mardin. This unique, multi-ethnic city is perched on a hill in the Mesopotamia region, offering stunning views over the surrounding plains. Due to its strategic location on historic trade routes, Mardin has been ruled by many ancient civilizations including the Hurri-Mitani, Hittites, Surs, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Arabs, and Seljuks. The city thrived particularly during the era of the Artuklu Kingdom, which established its branch here and brought prosperity.

We will tour significant historical landmarks such as the Kasimiye Madrasah, Zinciriye Madrasah, and the Grand Mosque. Additionally, we will visit Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery, an active Syriac Christian monastery dating back to the 8th century.

After sightseeing in Mardin and enjoying lunch, we will transfer to Mardin Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our driver will greet you at the airport and escort you back to your hotel in Istanbul.

Below is the pricing information for this private tour:

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