Turkey Mesopotamia Cultural Tour 9 Days
4.8
607 reviews
🏆 Travelers' Choice 2026
/ 10
Duration
9 days
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical Level
Easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Highlights
- ✓Gaziantep: Visit the renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum and taste the city’s world-famous baklava.
- ✓Sanliurfa: Explore Gobekli Tepe, the world’s oldest temple, and visit Abraham’s Lake and Harran’s beehive houses.
- ✓Mardin: Discover the beautiful stone architecture of the Old Town, visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery, and enjoy live music at Cersis Restaurant.
- ✓Diyarbakir: Walk along the historic Diyarbakir Walls, explore the Great Mosque, and experience a local dinner at a Caravanserai.
- ✓Adıyaman & Mount Nemrut: Witness the magnificent sunrise over the colossal statues on Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- ✓Halfeti: Take a relaxing boat ride on the Euphrates River and experience the sunken village.
Overview
Discover
the cultural and historical treasures of Southeast Turkey with our 9 Day 8
Night Southeast Turkey Tour Program. This immersive journey will take you
through ancient cities, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. From the
flavors of Gaziantep to the mystical charm of Mardin and the grandeur of Mount
Nemrut, this tour offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure. A
journey through this lesser-explored region promises to be unforgettable.
Route
Starts from
Gaziantep
Ends in
Gaziantep
Pickup Location
Gaziantep International Airport
Dropoff Location
Gaziantep International Airport
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Itinerary
- Meet at Gaziantep Airport.
Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
- Overnight in Gaziantep at Sirehan
Hotel (double rooms).
- After breakfast, begin
exploring Gaziantep, the industrial and agricultural center of
Mesopotamia.
- Visit Zeugma Mosaic Museum,
the second-largest mosaic museum in the world, home to the renowned Gypsy
Girl Mosaic.
- Stroll through Bakırcılar
Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten, where you
will have free time for shopping and lunch. Don't miss tasting Gaziantep's
famous baklava and pistachios!
- Depart for Halfeti (100
km, approx. 1.5 hours). Known as the "hidden paradise of the
Southeast," Halfeti features historical stone houses, black roses,
and serene natural beauty.
- Enjoy a boat tour of
Savaşan Village, often referred to as the "sunken city" due to
its partially submerged structures.
- See the Sunken Mosque, Greek
Castle, and Halfeti Bridge, followed by a photo stop and a
lunch break en route.
- Continue to Harran, an
ancient city continuously inhabited since the 6th millennium BC and once
the capital of Assyrian and Umayyad civilizations. Visit:
- Conical Harran Houses
- Harran Mound
- El Firdevs Mosque (Cennet Mosque), built by
Umayyad Caliph Mervan.
- Drive to Şanlıurfa.
- Dinner at a traditional Sıra
Night Party with live local music.
- Overnight in Şanlıurfa.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- After breakfast, explore the
ancient streets of Şanlıurfa, known as the "City of Prophets."
Visit:
- Halil-ur Rahman Mosque and Rızvaniye Mosque
- Balıklıgöl (Fish Lake), where
Prophet Abraham was believed to have been thrown into the fire.
- Ayn-el Zeliha Lake
- Visit Bedesten and Gümrük
Han for shopping. Enjoy lunch featuring the region’s famous kebabs and
dishes.
- Stop by the Şanlıurfa
Archaeological Museum and Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum.
- Proceed to Göbeklitepe,
the oldest known open-air temple in the world, built 12,000 years ago
during the Neolithic Age. Learn how this site changed the understanding of
human history.
- Visit Karahantepe (40 km
from Göbeklitepe), one of the oldest settlements of the Neolithic period.
Explore the 2.3-meter human statue recently unearthed in 2024.
- Return to Şanlıurfa.
- Overnight in Şanlıurfa.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- After breakfast, depart for Diyarbakır
via Nissip Bridge, crossing the Atatürk Dam.
- Explore Diyarbakır, a
key city of Northern Mesopotamia:
- Diyarbakır Grand Mosque (5th Harem-i Sharif in Islam)
- Diyarbakır City Walls (UNESCO Cultural Heritage
Site)
- Coffee break at the historical
Hasan Paşa Inn.
- Sheikh Muhattar Mosque with its iconic Four-Legged
Minaret.
- Prophet Suleiman Mosque (built in 1160).
- Mar Petyun Chaldean Church.
- Enjoy lunch featuring Diyarbakır's
local kebabs.
- Visit Zerzevan Castle, a
3,000-year-old Roman military settlement and home to the secret Mithras
Temple.
- Arrive in Mardin and
explore the Ancient Dara Ruins.
- Dinner and overnight in Mardin.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Discover the charm of Mardin,
known for its old-Arabic-style stone houses and narrow streets. Highlights
include:
- Latifiye Mosque and Great Mosque of Mardin
- The beautifully restored Old
Post Office Building
- Kasimiye Madrasah, a masterpiece of Seljuk
architecture
- Explore the bustling bazaars
and sample Mardin’s famous almond candy and local desserts.
- Visit the Deyr-az-Zaferan
Monastery, established in 762 AD, a former seat of the Syrian Orthodox
Patriarchate.
- Overnight in Mardin.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Early morning departure for Mount
Nemrut. Explore the ancient tumulus of King Antiochos I and the
colossal statues of Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, and others at the
summit.
- Visit the Arsemia Ancient
City, Karakuş Tumulus, and Cendere Roman Bridge.
- Dinner and overnight in
Adıyaman or Kahta.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Witness the sunrise at Mount
Nemrut for breathtaking views.
- Stop at Halfeti for a boat
tour of the "sunken city." Visit the Sunken Mosque
and Greek Castle.
- Drive to Gaziantep for
dinner and overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Visit Zeugma Mosaic Museum
and shop at local markets: Bakırcılar Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar,
and Zincirli Bedesten.
- Lunch break at a local
restaurant to sample Gaziantep’s tray kebab and pistachio
baklava.
- Transfer to Gaziantep Airport
for your domestic flight to Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
- ✓Accommodation
- ✓Guide
- ✓Meals
- ✓Transport
- ✓Other included
- ✓Hygiene protocol
Not included
- ✕Flights
- ✕Insurance
- ✕Other not included
Need help or have a question about this tour?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
Availability
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