Overnight in Gaziantep
Fly from Istanbul to Gaziantep and meet your guide at the airport to begin your journey into southeastern Anatolia.
Gaziantep is one of Turkey’s most dynamic cities and is often referred to as the cultural capital of the region. Your first visit is the world-famous Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to the largest mosaic collection on earth. These masterpieces were uncovered from the ancient Roman city of Zeugma, once a prosperous trading hub on the banks of the Euphrates River. The extraordinary quality of the mosaics reflects the wealth and refinement of the city’s elite nearly two thousand years ago.
After this journey from the 21st century back to Roman times, continue to Gaziantep’s historic old city. Stroll through traditional bazaars, where the sound of copper craftsmen at work still fills the air. Gaziantep’s cuisine is celebrated throughout Turkey, especially its legendary pistachio baklava.
Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight near Mount Nemrut
After breakfast, drive toward Kahta, gateway to Mount Nemrut National Park. Today you enter the ancient land of the Kingdom of Commagene, ruled by Antiochus I Theos.
Begin with a visit to Karakuş Tumulus, the burial site of royal women of the Commagene dynasty. Continue to the Severan Bridge, built in the 2nd century AD and still standing gracefully over the valley. A tea break here, overlooking the landscape, is a local tradition.
In the afternoon, ascend Mount Nemrut to reach the sanctuary of Antiochus I Theos at 2,250 meters above sea level. Colossal statues of gods and kings surround the massive burial mound, offering breathtaking views over southeastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean hinterland.
As the sun sets behind the mountains, witness one of the most iconic experiences in Turkey — often listed among the “1,000 things to do before you die.”
After sunset, descend to your hotel within the national park for the night.
Overnight in Sanlıurfa
After breakfast, drive eastward, stopping briefly at the Ataturk Dam, one of the largest reservoirs in the Middle East, built on the Euphrates River.
Continue to Gobeklitepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex, dating back nearly 12,000 years. Built by hunter-gatherer societies long before the invention of pottery or metal tools, this revolutionary site has transformed our understanding of human history and religious life. Excavations are ongoing, and its mysteries continue to unfold year by year.
After lunch in Şanlıurfa, drive to Harran, famous for its beehive-shaped mud-brick houses. Enjoy Arabic coffee overlooking the ruins of what is considered one of the earliest Islamic centers of learning.
Return to Şanlıurfa in the afternoon to visit the Pool of Sacred Fish, associated with the story of the Prophet Abraham. After a traditional kebab dinner, return to your hotel.
Overnight in Mardin
A scenic drive brings you to Mardin, often described as the jewel of southeastern Anatolia. Begin with a visit to Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an active Syriac Orthodox monastery founded in 493 AD and once the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate. Located in the Tur Abdin region, it is a spiritual heartland for the Syriac community and features 365 rooms, one for each day of the year.
Return to Mardin for lunch, then explore the old bazaar and narrow stone streets that feel frozen in time. Visit the Grand Mosque of Mardin, admired for its elegant minaret and stone craftsmanship.
Later, drive to Kasımıye Madrasa, offering sweeping views over the Mesopotamian plains. Near sunset, check in to your boutique hotel in Mardin’s old city.
Overnight in Diyarbakır
After breakfast on your hotel terrace, drive to Midyat, a smaller yet equally atmospheric cousin of Mardin. Visit Mor Gabriel Monastery, founded in 397 AD and the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world. It remains a vital religious center for the Syriac community today.
Continue to Hasankeyf, dramatically set along the banks of the Tigris River. Carved into limestone cliffs, this ancient settlement has witnessed countless civilizations over thousands of years. After a walk through the site, continue to Diyarbakır for the night.
End of Tour
After breakfast, explore Diyarbakir, one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey. Begin at the city walls, the second-longest defensive walls in the world after the Great Wall of China.
Visit the Grand Mosque of Diyarbakir, built in 1091 and among the most important Islamic structures in Anatolia. Walk through the historic old city to see traditional basalt-stone houses built around inner courtyards, preserving their original character.
Continue to a historic caravanserai that once served as a social and commercial hub, then visit the famous Four-Legged Minaret, standing uniquely on four stone columns.
After lunch, explore the inner citadel and museum before transferring to Diyarbakır Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul or onward destination.
End of our services.
This journey offers an in-depth exploration of Mesopotamia’s ancient civilizations and living cultures, guided by local expertise and designed for curious travelers.
