9 Day Ancient Mesopotamia & Southeastern Turkey Cultural Heritage Tour

Pick up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Gaziantep. Upon your arrival at Gaziantep Airport, you will meet with your guide and begin your Southeastern Turkey tour.

You will start the day with a visit to Zeugma Mosaic Museum, housing mosaics from the Roman and Late Antique period.

Next, you explore the bustling Historical Bazaar and Coppersmiths’ Bazaar. After a lunch break in a local authentic restaurant, your final stop of the day is Gaziantep Castle, one of the best examples of surviving castles in Turkey.

Overnight stay in Gaziantep.

After breakfast, drive one hour to Zeugma Ancient City, Roman frontier city along the Euphrates.

Then you will continue to Halfeti, partially submerged due to the construction of the Birecik Dam. Halfeti is the only place on Earth where black roses bloom naturally, symbols of eternal love and impossible longing.

Here, you will enjoy a relaxing boat tour along the Euphrates River, offering picturesque views of Rumkale. You will take a lunch break to taste the region’s famous eggplant kebab, a local specialty cooked over open fire and rich in smoky flavor.

In the afternoon, you visit the Bald Ibis (Kelaynak) Sanctuary, one of the few sanctuaries preserving this endangered and historically sacred bird.

Overnight stay in Halfeti, a town known for its peaceful atmosphere and unique setting along the river.

After breakfast, depart for Adiyaman and begin our exploration of the ancient Commagene Kingdom.

Your first stop is Arsameia, the former summer capital of the kingdom, with intriguing rock inscriptions and reliefs.

Then you will see Karakus Tumulus, a funerary monument of Commagene Royal Family, with the eagle on top of the south column. Before you climb to Nemrut you will see Cendere Bridge, a Roman structure still standing over the river.

In the late afternoon, you will ascend Mount Nemrut, where colossal stone heads of ancient gods await at the summit. Watching the sunset over this surreal mountain sanctuary is an unforgettable highlight of the journey.

Following visit, you will drive 3 hours to Sanliurfa.

Overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast, you will begin your day in Sanliurfa, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Your first stop is Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum, home to fascinating artifacts from prehistoric and early Mesopotamian civilizations.

Then you will visit Gobeklitepe, known as "the zero point of time." Dating back over 11,000 years, this extraordinary site rewrites human history as the world's oldest known temple complex.

In the afternoon, you will explore Balikligol (The Pool of Abraham), a sacred site in Islamic tradition believed to be where Prophet Abraham was cast into the fire.

Overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast, you will explore the ancient roots of Mesopotamia, starting with Harran, once a major center of astronomy and learning. Its iconic beehive houses and ancient university ruins still stand in the desert landscape.

Next, you will visit Karahantepe, a sister site to Gobeklitepe, where newly uncovered structures shed light on early human belief systems.

Your final stop is Sogmatar, an ancient sacred city carved into rock, known for its unique symbols and temples dedicated to celestial gods.

Overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast, drive to Mardin (approx. 3 hours), a city known for its stone architecture and diverse cultural heritage.

Your first stop is Kasimiye Madrasa, a beautiful 15th-century school with symbolic design reflecting the stages of life.

You continue to Deir-Al-zafaran Monastery, an active Syriac Orthodox monastery that has served as a spiritual center for over 1,500 years.

Later, visit Mardin Grand Mosque, an architectural blend of Artuqid and Islamic styles. The day will end with a walk through Mardin Old City, where narrow alleys and terrace houses overlook the Mesopotamian plains.

Overnight stay in Mardin.

After breakfast, begin the day with Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum, offering a clear look into the city's multicultural history.

Then you will head to Midyat, a charming town famous for its stone mansions, Assyrian churches, and traditional silverwork known as telkari. Your final stop is the Monastery of Mor Gabriel, the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery, still active and deeply spiritual.

Overnight stay in Mardin.

You will start the day at the Zinciriye Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic school with elegant Artuqid architecture.

Next, you will visit the Mor Behnam Church (Kirklar Church), one of the oldest Syriac Christian churches still in use today.

In the afternoon, you will explore Dara Ancient City, a former Roman military settlement carved into the rock, featuring underground cisterns, tombs, and city walls.

Overnight stay in Mardin.

After breakfast, drive to Diyarbakir (approx. 2 hours), a city known for its deep history and basalt architecture.

Your first visit is to Zerzevan Castle, a former Roman military base. Inside the site lies a rare Mithraeum, an underground temple used by the followers of the ancient Roman mystery cult of Mithras.

Next, you will walk along the Diyarbakir City Walls, among the longest and best-preserved in the world. The tour will conclude with Diyarbakir Archaeological Museum, featuring artifacts from prehistoric to Ottoman times.

Transfer to Diyarbakir Airport for flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.

This is the end of our service. We sincerely hope to welcome you as our guest again!