16 Day Istanbul, Mesopotamia & Aegean Discovery Tour – From Nemrut to Cappadocia & Ephesus

No meal included
Today marks the beginning of your journey with us. Upon arrival at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, you will be greeted warmly at the exit by our representative.
From there, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in the heart of Istanbul, the city where East meets West. Take the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace.
Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast & Lunch included
08:30 – After breakfast, meet your guide for a full-day walking tour through the historic heart of Istanbul, a city where empires rose and cultures intertwined.

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque): Admire the elegance of its domes and minarets, and step inside to see the shimmering blue İznik tiles that gave the mosque its name.

Hagia Sophia: A marvel of world architecture, where layers of history meet—once a cathedral, later a mosque, now a symbol of Istanbul’s enduring spirit.

Hippodrome Square: Wander the grounds of the ancient Byzantine arena, where chariots once raced and emperors addressed the people.

Topkapı Palace & Harem Section: Enter the lavish residence of the Ottoman sultans. The ornate halls, royal chambers, and the hidden Harem reveal the secrets of courtly life.

Grand Bazaar: Lose yourself in the labyrinth of one of the world’s oldest covered markets, alive with colors, scents, and treasures—from spices and jewelry to carpets and ceramics.

17:00 – At the end of the tour, you are comfortably transferred back to your hotel to rest.
Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast & Lunch included
05:00 – Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul and transferred to the airport. (Pick-up time may vary depending on flight schedule and season.)
09:30 – Board your flight from Istanbul to Adıyaman.
11:00 – Upon arrival, meet your professional tour guide and begin the day’s adventure.

Karakus Tumulus: Step into history at this royal burial site, crowned with eagle-topped columns and ancient stone reliefs.

Lunch in Kahta: Savor traditional Anatolian flavors at a local restaurant in the Kahta region.

Arsameia & Cendere Bridge: Wander through the ancient ruins of Arsameia, decorated with inscriptions and sculptures. Then, marvel at the Cendere Bridge, one of the oldest Roman bridges still in use today.

Nemrut Mountain: In the late afternoon, ascend the sacred slopes of Mount Nemrut. At the summit, witness a breathtaking sunset over the colossal stone heads and the tumulus of King Antiochus I—an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As evening falls, your journey continues with a transfer to Diyarbakır, where history and culture converge on the banks of the Tigris.
Overnight in Diyarbakır

Breakfast & Lunch included

09:00 – After breakfast, your guide meets you at the hotel and the journey into the heart of Diyarbakır begins, a city whose basalt walls and timeless streets carry the echoes of countless civilizations.

Four-Legged Minaret: Admire this unique 16th-century minaret balanced on four slim pillars, a graceful architectural wonder.

Archaeological Museum: Discover artifacts spanning from the Neolithic era to the Ottoman period, telling the deep history of Mesopotamia.

Hazrat Suleiman Mosque: Step into its serene courtyard, where spirituality and history meet.

Inner Castle (Içkale): Explore the ancient citadel, offering sweeping views over the Tigris River.

Surp Giragos Church: Visit the beautifully restored Armenian church, a symbol of cultural diversity and resilience.

Telegraph Street: Walk down this historic street lined with Ottoman-era charm.

Great Mosque (Ulu Cami): Behold one of Anatolia’s oldest mosques, built in black basalt stone in the 11th century.

Mesudiye Madrasa: Wander the elegant halls of this Artuqid-era Islamic school.

Hasan Pasha Caravanserai: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of this Ottoman inn, now a lively bazaar.

Suluklu Inn: Pause for coffee or wine in its charming courtyard.

10 Arches Bridge (Dicle Bridge): End the day at this 11th-century bridge spanning the Tigris, where history and landscape unite.

17:00 – At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Diyarbakır

Breakfast & Lunch included
09:00 – After breakfast, depart from your hotel in Diyarbakır and drive toward Mardin, a journey of about 2.5 hours across the Mesopotamian plains.

Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning your exploration of this enchanting city, where golden stone houses cascade down the hillside like a living museum:

Midyat Old Town: Wander through narrow Assyrian streets lined with ornate stone mansions and artisan workshops.

Mardin Castle (Eagle’s Nest): Admire the commanding hilltop fortress from the outside, watching over the city for centuries.

Deyrulzafaran Monastery: Step into one of the world’s oldest Syriac monasteries, a spiritual sanctuary with 1,500 years of history.

Great Mosque of Mardin (Ulu Cami): Visit this architectural jewel, with its elegant minaret rising over the city.

Local Bazaar: Browse colorful stalls filled with fragrant spices, handmade soaps, and exquisite silver filigree.

Abbara Passages: Walk beneath the iconic stone archways connecting traditional homes, a hallmark of Mardin’s charm.

After the tour, continue your journey to Şanlıurfa, a drive of about 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Şanlıurfa

Breakfast & Lunch included
After breakfast at your hotel, begin a full-day guided journey through the ancient wonders of Şanlıurfa, a city where faith, myth, and history intertwine.

Göbeklitepe: Start the day at the world’s oldest known temple complex, dating back more than 11,000 years. Walk among the enigmatic T-shaped pillars, carved with animal figures, and uncover the mystery of a site that reshaped our understanding of human civilization.

Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum & Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum: Continue with a visit to two of Turkey’s most significant museums. Marvel at prehistoric artifacts—including finds from Göbeklitepe—and admire the delicate mosaics of Haleplibahçe, celebrated for their artistry and storytelling.

Balıklıgöl (Pool of Sacred Fish): Return to Şanlıurfa to visit this sacred site, where legend tells of Prophet Abraham. The shimmering pool, its mosques, gardens, and bustling bazaars, offers both tranquility and devotion.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Şanlıurfa

Breakfast & Lunch included
After breakfast at your hotel, depart from Şanlıurfa and begin a cultural journey blending history, nature, and art.

Halfeti Boat Tour: Drive to Halfeti, a picturesque village partly submerged along the banks of the Euphrates. Take a serene boat tour across its waters, gliding past the haunting sight of a submerged minaret rising from the river. The calm beauty of this hidden gem offers a glimpse of life preserved beneath the waves.

Drive to Gaziantep & Zeugma Mosaic Museum: Continue to Gaziantep, Turkey’s culinary and cultural treasure. Upon arrival, visit the magnificent Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Roman mosaics. Here, vibrant masterpieces tell timeless stories—none more famous than the enigmatic “Gypsy Girl” mosaic.

After the museum visit, transfer to your hotel in Gaziantep and check in.
Overnight in Gaziantep

Breakfast & Lunch included
After breakfast, your driver will meet you at the hotel to begin the day.

Gaziantep City Center & Bazaars: Before leaving, explore the vibrant heart of Gaziantep, wandering through bustling bazaars filled with spices, copperware, and handmade treasures. Sample the city’s rich culinary culture—renowned for pistachios, baklava, and kebabs.

Free Time: Enjoy time for lunch and local shopping, immersing yourself in the flavors and colors of this gastronomic capital.

By midday, begin the scenic drive to Cappadocia, a journey of around 5 hours, depending on traffic and rest stops. Along the way, the Anatolian landscape unfolds, preparing you for the otherworldly beauty that awaits.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Breakfast & Lunch included

09:30 – After breakfast and hotel check-out, begin your Northern Cappadocia Tour (Yellow Tour), where surreal landscapes and ancient history meet.

Red Valley: Start the day surrounded by striking red rock formations, their colors shifting with the sunlight—a natural masterpiece shaped by wind and time.

Güllüdere (Rose) Valley: Wander through this tranquil valley, dotted with hidden rock-cut churches, where the scenery changes hues with every step.

Çavuşin Village: Visit this ancient settlement, once home to Romans and early Christians. Explore its rock-cut dwellings and enjoy panoramic views of Paşabağ, famous for its fairy chimneys.

Pigeon Valley: Pause to admire the view across a valley filled with pigeon houses carved into the cliffs, a unique harmony between people and nature.

Özkonak Underground City: End the day descending into the fascinating underground world of Özkonak, where narrow tunnels, storage rooms, and ingenious ventilation shafts reveal how entire communities once lived in safety beneath the earth.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Breakfast & Lunch included
09:30 – After breakfast and hotel check-out, set out on your Southern Cappadocia Tour (Red Tour), where surreal landscapes and timeless traditions await.

Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley): Begin the day in a valley where nature plays sculptor—rocks shaped like animals and everyday objects ignite the imagination.

Paşabağ (Monks Valley): Wander among the famous fairy chimneys, once used by monks as dwellings and places of retreat.

Avanos Pottery Workshop: Visit the pottery capital of Cappadocia, where artisans have shaped the red clay of the Kızılırmak River for generations. Watch the craft in action and try your hand at the wheel.

Göreme Panoramic Viewpoint: Pause to take in sweeping views of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, valleys, and villages—an unforgettable landscape stretching to the horizon.

Zelve Open Air Museum: Explore this remarkable cave village, once a thriving community with homes, chapels, and schools carved into the rock.

Uçhisar Castle: Conclude the day with stunning views from the highest point in Cappadocia, a natural fortress overlooking the dreamlike terrain.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia

Breakfast included
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir.
Note: Your flight may be direct or with a connection via Istanbul, depending on airline schedules and availability.

Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, you will be greeted by your driver holding a name sign and transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası or Selçuk, gateway to the wonders of Ephesus.
Overnight in Kuşadası

Breakfast & Lunch included
07:00 – After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day excursion to Pamukkale, one of Turkey’s most extraordinary natural wonders.

Pamukkale Travertines: Walk along the dazzling white terraces, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside like frozen waterfalls.

Ancient City of Hierapolis: Explore the ruins of this Greco-Roman spa city, including its grand Roman theatre, sprawling necropolis, and ancient temples.

Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool (optional): Take the chance to swim in warm, mineral-rich waters among sunken marble columns, a truly unique experience. (Entrance fee extra)

16:00 – At the end of the tour, drive back to Kuşadası and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Kuşadası

Breakfast & Lunch included

08:30 – After breakfast and hotel check-out, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the greatest ancient cities in the world.

Temple of Artemis: Begin with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only fragments remain, its history and significance still inspire awe.

Ephesus Ancient City: Step into history as you explore the highlights of this once-thriving metropolis:

Celsus Library: Once housing more than 14,000 scrolls, it was the third-largest library of the ancient world.

Marble Streets: Walk through beautifully preserved streets lined with columns, statues, and ancient facades.

House of the Virgin Mary: Visit this sacred shrine, believed to be the final residence of the Virgin Mary, a site of pilgrimage and peace.

After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport for your evening flight.

19:30 – Flight to Istanbul. (Flight time may vary depending on availability.)
20:50 – Arrival in Istanbul, where your driver will meet you at the airport exit and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast included
Today is left free for you to enjoy Istanbul at your own pace. You may choose to wander through the bustling Grand Bazaar, relax along the Bosphorus , or simply unwind at your hotel and reflect on the journey you’ve taken across Turkey. Optional tours and activities can be arranged upon request.
Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast included
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before setting out for an afternoon on the waters of the Bosphorus Strait.
14:00 – Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the pier for your scenic cruise. Glide between two continents as you admire Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks from the water: opulent Ottoman palaces, elegant mosques, modern bridges, and picturesque seaside neighborhoods.
16:00 – The cruise concludes, and you are transferred back to your hotel to relax and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul

Breakfast included
According to your international flight schedule, our staff will meet you at your hotel for your transfer to either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
As your journey comes to an end, we thank you for traveling with us and hope the memories of Turkey’s timeless cities, landscapes, and cultures stay with you forever. We look forward to welcoming you again on another unforgettable TravelShopBooking experience.
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