5 Day Mesopotamian Discovery Tour - Adiyaman, Mt. Nemrut, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Gobeklitepe, Sanliurfa, Harran, Halfeti, Zeugma & Gaziantep

(Lunch and Dinner included)
Your exciting 5-day Southeastern Türkiye tour begins with an early morning flight:

• 07:45 AM departure from Istanbul Airport (IST) or 08:40 AM from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Adıyaman Airport.
• Meet your guide upon arrival and begin the journey towards Mt. Nemrut with a short breakfast stop in Kahta or Adıyaman.

Tour Highlights:

• Arsameia Ancient City – Explore the remains of the Commagene Kingdom’s summer capital.
• Karakuş Tumulus – A burial mound dedicated to the royal women of Commagene.
• Cendere Roman Bridge – One of the world’s oldest bridges, built by Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 AD), spanning 120 meters without mortar.
• Mt. Nemrut Summit – After a 2 km steep trek (35-45 minutes), witness the breathtaking colossal statues of Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, Antiochus, and the Commagene Lion and Eagle. Enjoy the mystical atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accommodation:

• Euphrat Hotel, Nemrut (Dutluca Village) – A charming stay near the summit.
• Dinner and overnight in Mt. Nemrut.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

• After breakfast, depart for Diyarbakır (160 km).

Diyarbakır City Tour:

• Diyarbakır City Walls – A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 2000 BC.
• Four-Legged Minaret & Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) – One of the five Harem-i Sharifs of Islam.
• Hasan Pasha Inn (1575) – A former caravanserai from the Silk Road era.
• Sülüklü Han & Ten-Eyed Bridge – Historical landmarks offering insight into local culture.
• Kaleiçi Bazaar – Experience local shopping and traditions.
• Lunch: Enjoy authentic grilled kebab at a local restaurant.

Zerzevan Castle:

• Visit this 3,000-year-old fortress, home to the Mithras Temple, where secret rituals of the ancient Roman mystery religion were performed.

Mardin City Tour:

• Walking tour through the narrow streets and stone-carved houses of Mesopotamia’s cultural heart.
• Latifiye Mosque, Great Mosque of Mardin, Mardin Museum, and Old Post Office.
• Kasimiye Madrasah – A masterpiece of Seljuk architecture.
• Shopping break for Mardin’s famous almond candy, desserts, and silver jewelry.
• Deyrulzafaran Monastery – A 5th-century Syriac Orthodox Monastery, once the patriarchal seat.

Accommodation:

• Overnight stay in Mardin.
• Dinner and overnight in Mardin.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

• Morning visit to Dara Ancient City, an important trade hub on the Silk Road, with rock-cut tombs, water channels, and cisterns.
• Depart for Şanlıurfa (210 km / 3:20 hrs).

Göbeklitepe:

• Explore the 12,000-year-old site, the world’s oldest known temple.
• Discover the mysteries of Göbeklitepe’s T-shaped megaliths and its advanced construction techniques.

Şanlıurfa City Tour:

• Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, Balıklıgöl (Pool of Abraham) – The legendary site where Prophet Abraham was cast into the fire.
• Urfa Archeology Museum & Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum – Home to artifacts spanning Anatolia’s rich history.
• Bazaar Tour – Visit Sipahi Bazaar, Kazzaz Market, and Gümrük Inn for traditional crafts.
• Traditional Sıra Gecesi Dinner – A music and cultural night in Şanlıurfa.

Accommodation:

• Overnight stay in Şanlıurfa.
• Dinner with a Sıra Gecesi program.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Harran:

• Visit Harran’s beehive houses, Harran Mound, and El Firdevs Mosque.

Halfeti Boat Tour:

• Cruise over the submerged city of Old Halfeti.
• See Rumkale, Savaşan village, and the sunken minaret.
• Lunch break by Halfeti Dam.

Zeugma Ancient City:

• Discover the ruins of this 1st-century BC Roman city, once a key crossing point on the Euphrates River.
• Learn about its history from Alexander the Great’s era to Roman rule.
• Arrive in Gaziantep for an overnight stay.

Accommodation:

• Overnight stay in Gaziantep.
• Dinner in Gaziantep.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

Gaziantep City Tour:

• Visit Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world’s second-largest mosaic museum, home to the famous Gypsy Girl Mosaic.
• Shopping at Bakırcılar Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten.
• Lunch featuring Gaziantep’s world-famous dishes & baklava.
• Transfer to Gaziantep Airport for departure.
• End of tour.