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Duration
4 days
Max Group Size
30
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 4-day journey through Turkey's ancient heartland where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes converge. This tour takes you deep into the Mesopotamian and Anatolian regions, beginning in the mystical city of Mardin and the storied ruins of Dara. You'll explore the urban heritage of Diyarbakır, marvel at the enigmatic Göbeklitepe—the world's oldest temple—and trace the footsteps of ancient civilizations in Sanlıurfa. Your adventure continues as you venture through Harran's legendary beehive houses, the surreal landscapes of Halfeti, and the archaeological marvels of Zeugma and Gaziantep, culminating in an immersive experience at the renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum. This tour promises an unforgettable glimpse into the cradle of civilization.
Highlights
Itinerary
(Lunch, and
Dinner included)
Arrive
early at Madrid Airport on your morning flight and meet your guide at the exit.
If necessary, have a decadent breakfast of local delicacies in a restaurant.
We
start the Mardin tour by walking through the narrow streets of Mardin, the
cradle of Mesopotamian Civilization. Where people from different religions and
sects live together in peace, you’ll see many door knockers and beautifully
carved old doors, each with a history of their own. The small passages built
under the houses to create narrow streets are called Abbara, and they are the
characteristic features of the city. Next, we will visit the Mardin Museum,
Latifiye Mosque, the Great Mosque of Mardin, and the old Post Office Building,
which reflects the best examples of the region’s stonework.
Afterwards,
you’ll have free time for shopping in the city. You may visit the local market,
where you can find the famous almond candy of Mardin, local desserts, and
jewellery made of silver, gold, and precious stones. Finally, we will visit the
Kasimiye Madrasah (Mosque Kebir), which had extraordinary architecture and
provided university-level education in the Seljuk period.
Visit
the Deyrul-Zafaran Monastery, 10 km from the centre of Mardin. Built in the 5th
century, it was one of the important religious centres of the Assyrians. Within
the monastery complex are structures such as the Mor Hanonya Church, the Sun
Temple, the Virgin Mary Church, and the House of Saints, which are built with
the best examples of Mardin stonemasonry. Deyrul-Zafaran Monastery was the
official seat of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church until 1932.
Afterwards, visit Dara's ancient city.
Dara,
also known as Anastasiopolis, is one of Mesopotamia's ancient cities and the
most important trade centres on the Silk Road. Its ruins consist of structures
carved into the rock, including water channels, cisterns, rock tombs, Arasta,
and many others. Dinner and accommodation in Mardin.
(Breakfast,
Lunch, and Dinner included)
After
breakfast, we depart towards Diyarbakır. First, visit the 3,000-year-old
Zerzevan Castle, a candidate for the Unesco World Heritage list, in the Çınar
district of Diyarbakır.
Zerzevan
Castel: Visit the 3,000-year-old Zerzevan Castle, a candidate for the Unesco
World Heritage list, in the Çınar district of Diyarbakır. In Zerzevan Castle,
which was used as a "military settlement" during the Roman Empire,
there is the Temple of Mithras, the mystery religion of Rome. Mithras is the
Sun God who controls the entire universe. Rites in the temple were always held
in secret. Thousands of people come here every year and perform rituals
secretly.
Our
tour will kick off with a visit to the Diyarbakir city walls, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site believed to have been built around 2000 BC. One of the most
captivating structures we will explore is the four-legged minaret. We will also
visit the Diyarbakir Great Mosque, which is recognised as one of the five
Harem-i Sharifs of Islam. Martom Church was built in 639 AD after being
converted into a mosque. It is highly recommended that you see the sundial the
scholar Al-Jazari created in the Ulu Mosque garden.
We
will take a coffee and tea break at the historical Hasan Pasha Inn, constructed
in 1575. Caravans coming from the Silk Road used to stay there. Additionally,
we will visit Sülüklü Han and the Bridge with Ten Eyes.
Diyarbakir
Kaleici Bazaar is the local people's shopping centre, so you will have the
opportunity to get a closer look at the people and lifestyle of Diyarbakir.
Take
lunch at a local restaurant with a grilled kebab. Afterwards, drive towards
Sanliurfa.
Our
first stop in Sanliurfa will be Göbeklitepe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the
oldest temple in the world, with a history of 12,000 years, dating back to the
Stone Age. One of the most important archaeological discoveries of our time,
Göbeklitepe is thought to be the first pilgrimage centre of the world, as it
rewrites history. During our tour here, our guide will answer the following
questions surrounding the area: Who built Göbeklitepe 12,000 years ago and why?
Why was Göbeklitepe, the oldest temple in the world, abandoned and buried with
soil on purpose? The technology and mathematical knowledge used to build the
Temple with rock megaliths weighing 16 tons is still a mystery.
Karahantepe:
Excavations are going on. It is not open to official visits
Karahantepe
is located in the Taştepeler region, 38 km from Göbeklitepe. It is one of the
most important settlements of the Neolithic period and the oldest ritualistic
area. In April 2024, a pig statue with a red mouth was found in Karahantepe's
excavations. We’ll go to our hotel and check in at the end of the tour. Accommodation
in Sanliurfa.
Traditional Sıra Night: On our Urfa trips, we attend Sıra Nights (Sıra Gecesi), which is a dinnertime entertainment with music and dances that is synonymous with Şanliurfa
(Breakfast,
Lunch, and Dinner included)
Sanliurfa
is known as the "city of prophets" in Southeastern Turkey. After
breakfast, we will visit Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, Rızvaniye Mosque, and the Balıklıgöl, Halil-Ür Rahman Lake.
Prophet Abraham is said to have been thrown into the fire, and the burning logs
turned into fish, whereas the fire turned into water. You will visit the cave
where Prophet Abraham was born. The Sipahi Bazaar, Kazzaz Market, Naccar
Bazaar, Gumruk Inn, and Ulucami (Grand Mosque) are other historical places.
The
Urfa Archeology Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum have an indoor area
of 29,000 square meters and exhibit many historical artefacts from Anatolian
civilisations.
Harran:
We will take a road trip to Harran, passing through one of Mesopotamia's most
fertile agricultural lands. The 3000-year-old Harran houses with conical roofs,
designed specially to keep cool in the extreme heat in summer months, were
built with adobe and stone masonry techniques. We will visit a Harran house in
the village. The first university in the world, Harran University, was also
established here.
We
arrive in Halfeti after a pleasant journey through pistachio gardens with a
delightful view.
Lunch
break is in a local restaurant on the road or in Halfeti.
Halfeti,
currently situated in Rumkale, was built in 2000 BC by the Assyrian King III.
It was founded by Salmanassar and was called Şitamrat at that time. Due to the
Birecik dam, many parts of the city, including the Savaşan village, are
submerged underwater. We will take a boat cruise tour around Halfeti Dam Lake,
where we will see the Sunken Mosque and Roman Castle, mostly submerged and
described as a "sunken city." After that, we will visit the ancient
city of Zeugma.
Zeugma
was founded by Alexander the Great's general, Seleukos Nikator I, in 300 BC. At
that time, it was called Selevkeia and Euphrates. It was a city of great wealth
and splendour during the Roman and Commagene Kingdom eras. However, in 256 AD,
the Sassanid King Shapur I invaded, burned, and destroyed it. The world's
richest and most beautiful original mosaics, including the world-famous Gypsy
girl mosaic, were found in the ancient city of Zeugma. Arrival and overnight
stay in Gaziantep.
Breakfast
And Lunch included)
After
breakfast, we will visit the second largest mosaic museum in the world, Zeugma
Mosaic Museum, where the mosaics unearthed in the ancient city of Zeugma on the
Euphrates, the world-famous Gypsy Girl mosaic, and the statue of the god of
war, Ares, are exhibited. The Sassanid completely destroyed the ancient city of
Zeugma on the Euphrates, which lived its heyday around 256 AD during the Roman
period.
Gaziantep
is the largest and most modern city in the Southeast, and the Gaziantep City
tour is hectic and shopping-focused. We will visit the Naib Bath, the Monument
to the 14 Martyrs, the replica of the Orkun Inscriptions (with Turkish and
Göktürk writings), and the Gaziantep Castle.
Then, we will take a shopping break at Zincirli Bedesten, Almacı Bazaar, and Bakırcılar Bazaar to buy handicrafts made of mother-of-pearl inlay, wire crushed and copper, spices, pistachios, baklava, and other handicrafts known for Gaziantep. At the end of the Gaziantep tour, you’ll be transferred to Gaziantep Airport
Trip includes
Included
1 Nights of accommodation Mardin - Raymar Hotel 5* / Ramada Plaza Mardin 5*
1 Nights of accommodation Sanliurfa - Nevali Hotel 5* / El Ruha Hotel 5*
1 Nights of accommodation Gaziantep - Sirehan Hotel 5* / Tugcan Hotel 5*
PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange similar other hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost.
Professional English-speaking guide
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Meals as per itinerary
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Airport transfers as per itinerary
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned,
non-smoking coach
All tours as per itinerary
Entrance fees to museums and historical sites
VAT & City Tax
Hotel room taxes
Destinations: Mardin – Diyarbakır – Şanlıurfa – Gaziantep
General Travel Tips
✔ Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-May) & Autumn (September-November) for pleasant weather
✔ Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) – Carry cash for local markets
✔ Language: Turkish (Arabic & Kurdish spoken in some regions) – English is limited in rural areas
✔ Dress Code: Modest attire recommended, especially in religious sites
Cultural & Historical Insights
Mardin: Known for its stone houses, Syriac monasteries, and rich Assyrian heritage
Diyarbakır: Famous for black basalt city walls (UNESCO site) and Hevsel Gardens
Şanlıurfa: Birthplace of Prophet Abraham and home to Göbeklitepe (oldest known temple)
Gaziantep: Culinary capital of Turkey, famous for baklava, Zeugma mosaics, and Ottoman-era bazaars
Must-Try Local Dishes
Mardin: Kaburga Dolması (Stuffed Lamb Ribs), Süryani Wine
Diyarbakır: Ciğer Kebabı (Liver Kebab), Mehir Cheese
Şanlıurfa: Urfa Kebab, Lahmacun, Balıklıgöl Fish
Gaziantep: World-famous Baklava, Katmer, Ali Nazik Kebab
Shopping & Souvenirs
Mardin: Silver filigree jewelry, spices, handmade soaps
Diyarbakır: Handwoven carpets, copperware
Şanlıurfa: Traditional scarves, natural rose water
Gaziantep: Pistachios, baklava, copper kitchenware
This 4-Day Mesopotamian Marvels Tour offers an immersive experience in Turkey’s ancient history, diverse cultures, and legendary cuisine. Let me know if you need more details!
Excluded
Domestic flight tickets
Travel Insurance
Guide &
driver tips
Türkiye entry visa
Alcoholic drinks & beverages
Any expenses not mentioned in the inclusions
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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