6 Day Mesopotamia Tour in Turkey: Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, Gaziantep, Mardin & Diyarbakir

Dinner included.

Your journey begins with an early pickup from your hotel in Istanbul and a transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Gaziantep. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver at the arrivals exit, where they will be holding a sign with your name.

Begin exploring Gaziantep at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to intricate Roman mosaics recovered from the ancient city of Zeugma. Admire their detailed designs and colourful scenes, alongside frescoes, sculptures and other archaeological finds that offer insight into life in the ancient world.

After a lunch break, continue to Gaziantep Castle and explore the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, where traditional metalworking remains part of the city’s character. Stop at a local baklava shop to discover one of Gaziantep’s most celebrated specialities.

At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Gaziantep.

Breakfast and dinner included.

After breakfast at your hotel in Gaziantep, depart for Sanliurfa, often called the City of Prophets, and visit Göbeklitepe, part of the Taş Tepeler region. Explore this remarkable Neolithic archaeological site, where monumental stone pillars and carved animal reliefs offer insight into early communities. Your guide will explain how its discoveries have reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life.

Continue to Harran, known for its distinctive conical-domed houses and archaeological heritage. Discover the traditional Harran houses, Harran Mound and the historic mosque site listed in the programme, learning about the settlement’s place in the region’s history.

After your visits, transfer to your hotel in Sanliurfa. In the evening, experience a traditional Sira Night, featuring local music and regional cultural traditions.

Dinner included. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

Breakfast and dinner included.

After breakfast, depart from Sanliurfa towards Mount Nemrut, travelling via Kahta. Along the way, explore Arsameia Ancient City, discover the royal funerary monument of Karakus Tumulus, and stop at the Roman-era Cendere Bridge. Your guide will introduce the history of the Kingdom of Commagene and its remarkable monuments.

Continue towards Mount Nemrut, using a smaller vehicle for the mountain approach where required. From the vehicle access point, follow an uphill walking route to the summit monuments.

Explore the eastern and western terraces, where colossal statues represent King Antiochus I, deities including Zeus, Apollo and Heracles, and symbolic eagle and lion figures. Admire the monumental heads and the royal tumulus while taking in panoramic views across the surrounding mountains.

After your visit, continue to Adiyaman for dinner and an overnight stay.

The summit visit involves uphill walking over uneven ground. Comfortable walking shoes and warm layers are recommended. Access is subject to weather and road conditions.

Breakfast and dinner included.

After breakfast, depart from Adiyaman for Diyarbakir, crossing the Nissibi Bridge over the Ataturk Dam reservoir. Allow approximately three hours for the journey, depending on road conditions.

Explore Diyarbakir’s historic centre, including the Grand Mosque, the impressive City Walls, and Sheikh Mutahhar Mosque, known for its distinctive Four-Legged Minaret. Visit Prophet Suleiman Mosque and the nearby companions’ tombs before taking a coffee and shopping break at Suluklu Han.

Continue to Batman for a lunch break and a brief introduction to the city. Then travel to New Hasankeyf to see relocated monuments, including Zeynel Bey’s Tomb and historic mosque structures.

In Midyat, stroll through historic neighbourhoods and browse shops displaying telkari, the region’s intricate silver filigree craftsmanship. Visit the Midyat Guest House terrace for views over the town before continuing to Mor Gabriel Monastery.

The planned route also includes sightseeing in Nusaybin, a tea break at Beyazsu, and a visit to Dara Ancient City to explore its rock-cut tombs, cisterns and archaeological remains.

Continue to Mardin for dinner and an overnight stay.

Breakfast and dinner included.

After breakfast, discover Mardin’s cultural and architectural heritage, from its Syriac religious traditions to the stone-built streets of the old town.

Begin at Deyrulzafaran Monastery, a historic centre of Syriac Christianity. Explore its religious spaces and learn about the monastery’s spiritual significance and the earlier sanctuary beneath the complex.

Continue to Kasimiye Madrasah to admire its stonework and courtyard before exploring Old Mardin. Visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Mosque) and see Sehidiye Madrasah and the historic PTT House, discovering the architectural details that give the city its distinctive character.

Enjoy free time to browse Mardin’s shops and bazaars. Look for traditional soaps, almond sweets, dried fruits, prayer beads and handcrafted souvenirs, or simply take in the atmosphere of the old streets.

Dinner is included, followed by another overnight stay in Mardin.

Breakfast included.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Mardin Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul Airport. Upon arrival, continue with your onward travel arrangements.

Thank you for travelling with TravelShopBooking. We look forward to welcoming you on another journey through Türkiye.