Tour Detail
Harran Houses Tour is Included in the Price
Dara Ancient City Tour is Included in the Price
Adana - Adıyaman - Diyarbakır - Batman - Mardin - Şanlıurfa - Gaziantep
- Day 1
- Adana - Stone Bridge - Sabancı Central Mosque – Halfeti – Boat Tour – Rumkale – Sunken Minaret – Şanlıurfa – Balıklı Göl – Aynzeliha Lake
- We meet our valued guests at Adana Airport after our morning flight for our Gap Tour and start the day with a breakfast break by boarding our bus. Then, we will see the Historical Stone Bridge located on the Seyhan River panormically before heading to one of the most important mosques in the region, Adana Sabancı Central Mosque. The main dome with a diameter of 32 meters corresponds to the 32 farz, the 28 domes in the courtyard correspond to the 28 prophets mentioned in the Quran, and the 40 windows in the main dome symbolize the age of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and 40 rakats of prayer. The 6 minarets, with a height of 99 meters, correspond to Allah's 99 beautiful names. After visiting this architectural wonder, we bid farewell to Adana and move to Halfeti.
- After the construction of the Birecik Dam, part of Halfeti submerged underwater. For our guests who wish, we take a boat ride for the Halfeti Boat Tour. (Extra) During our cruise on the Dam Lake, we'll see places submerged by the Euphrates waters like the King’s Daughter Cave, Rumkale and the Mosque and Minaret of Bilesur War Battlefield. After the end of our boat tour, we have a short break in Halfeti. After our break, we head towards Şanlıurfa, the City of Prophets where Prophet Abraham was born and cast into fire, and where Prophet Job endured suffering and Prophet Shu'ayb worshipped.
- We move to Balıklı Göl, one of the first places that come to mind when Şanlıurfa is mentioned. Balıklı Göl is located southwest of Şanlıurfa city center and is known as the place where Prophet Abraham fell when he was cast into fire. It is one of the most visited places in Şanlıurfa with its sacred fish and historical artifacts around it. After seeing Balıklı Göl (Halil-Ür Rahman) where Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire and Aynzeliha Lake, which is said to have been formed from the tears of Nimrod’s daughter Zeliha, and receiving information from our guide, we have a photo break. We then give you free time to purchase local specialties from Şanlıurfa. After our free time, we head to our hotel. Guests can optionally participate in a night program called "Sıra Gecesi" to experience the local culture. (Extra)
- Important: Our accommodation in Şanlıurfa includes bed and breakfast. Those who wish can participate in the dinner program at the Sıra Gecesi. (Extra)
- Breakfast: Will be taken in Adana. (Extra)
- Lunch: Will be taken in Gaziantep. (Extra)
- Dinner: Will be taken at Sıra Gecesi. (Extra)
- Accommodation Hotel: Şanlıurfa / Alahan Hotel, Harran Hotel, VE Hotel, Dedeman Hotel, etc.
- Day 2
- Harran – Harran University – Ulu Mosque – Conical Dome Houses – Göbeklitepe – Mardin - Kasımiye Medrese – Old Mardin - Şeyh Çabuk Mosque – Republic Square – Latifiye Mosque – Ulu Mosque – Arches – Historic PTT Building (Şahtana Mansion) – Şehidiye Mosque
- On the second day of our Gap Tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we leave our hotel and head to Harran, meaning "the crossroads of roads." Harran is protected for its Conical Dome Houses, which only appear in three regions worldwide. We will see Harran University (Ulu Mosque), Harran Mound, Castle, Caravanserai, and the Traditional Conical Dome Harran Houses and visit one of them. During our visit to the guest house, you can dress in traditional costumes and take photos. After Harran, we head towards Göbeklitepe.
- We arrive at Göbeklitepe, home to the first temples in the civilization history of Anatolia and the world, which is located near the village of Örencik in Şanlıurfa and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Göbeklitepe, which dates back 12,000 years, has changed not only the history of the region but also the history of humanity since its discovery. It was featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine worldwide with the slogan "The Place Where Religion Was Born." After receiving information from our guide about Göbeklitepe, of which only a small part has been uncovered, we complete our Şanlıurfa tour and head towards Mardin.
- We start our Mardin tour with Kasımiye Medrese. Started during the Artuqid era and completed in the late 15th century under the Akkoyunlu Sultan Kasım Ibn Cihangir, we learn about this medrese from our guide and take photos before moving to Old Mardin. After getting off our vehicle at Diyarbakır Gate, we begin a walking tour through the streets of Old Mardin. We will see Şeyh Çabuk Mosque, Mardin Protestant Church, Latifiye Mosque, Sokulbar (Cattle Market), and Copper Bazaar during our walk. We will explore the Mardin Ulu Mosque, an architectural example from the Artuqid period, with our guide. According to records, Mardin Ulu Mosque was constructed with two minarets. The inscription on the remaining single minaret today indicates the construction date as 1176. However, the current minaret was rebuilt in the years 1888/1889 in a new eclectic style. Some Syriac writers claim that it was converted from a church. Even if the structure was not converted from a church, it is likely that an old church existed on the site. After receiving information from our guide here, we continue our walk under the small tunnels connecting the streets, known as Arches. We see Şahtana Mansion, an old mansion known as the former PTT building. Then we visit the Şehidiye Mosque, which was built in the early 13th century by Artuqid Sultan Melik Nasreddin Artuk Aslan, and have a short break to enjoy tea and take magnificent photos overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain. We then proceed to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
- * Guests wishing can join the Mardin Night Tour "Gerdanlık" to explore the streets of Old Mardin illuminated at night or participate in Mardin Reyhani Night. (Extra)
- Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken in Mardin. (Extra)
- Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
- Accommodation Hotel: Mardin or Midyat Hotels
- Mardin/ Anemon Hotel, Rest By Dedeman Hotel, Raymar Hotel, Yay Grand Hotel, etc. - Midyat/ Dayman Hotel, Royal Hotel, Asur Imperial Hotel, Baypark Hotel, etc.
- Day 3
- Dara Ancient City - Midyat – Midyat Guest House – Telkari Workshop - Hasankeyf – Batman – Diyarbakır – On Gözlü Bridge – Hevsel Gardens – Keçi Fort – Mardin Gate – Four-Legged Minaret - Ulu Mosque – Adıyaman
- On the third day of our Gap Tour, we start with breakfast at the hotel before departing for our visit to Dara Ancient City. Dara Ancient City, located in Oğuz Village, 30 km southeast of Mardin, is one of the most important settlements in Upper Mesopotamia. We will explore Dara Ancient City, which consists of rock-carved buildings and spreads over a large area, accompanied by our guide. After Dara Ancient City, we head to Midyat, where languages and religions converge. In Midyat, we will visit the Midyat Guest House, where popular TV series like Sıla, Hercai, and Ah Bir Bulut Olsam were filmed. After our visit to the guest house, we will visit the Telkari workshop where we can see the examples of the Telkari art developed by Syriac masters over the years and can make purchases. After shopping for Telkari, we will have free time to walk among the Historic Midyat Houses. After free time, we will have a break for local dry coffee and nuts before heading to Hasankeyf.
- Hasankeyf, dating back 12,000 years, has been relocated about 3 km away due to the construction of the Ilısu Dam. We will share the sorrow of the submerged Hasankeyf after February 2020 during this tour, observing the still majestic Hasankeyf Castle, the minaret of El Rızık Mosque, and the caves before having free time. After free time, we will pass through Batman, home to Turkey’s first oil wells, before driving through the city known as the oldest and most rooted in Southeast Turkey, Diyarbakır.
- We will see the On Gözlü Bridge along the banks of the Tigris River and enjoy a panoramic view of the Hevsel Gardens, and then we will visit the oldest of the Diyarbakır walls, which are known to have a history of 9,000 years, including Keçi Fort and Mardin Gate. We will disembark from our vehicle. Then we will visit the Ulu Mosque, the first in Anatolia and the 5th Harem-i Sharif in Islamic World, and we will see the Four-Legged Minaret (Şeyh Mutahhar Mosque), built in 1500 by the Akkoyunlu Kasım Bey. After finishing our tour of Diyarbakır, we bid farewell to Diyarbakır and move towards our hotel in Adıyaman via the Nissibi Bridge, known as the "Bosporus Bridge of the East," connecting Diyarbakır, Siverek, Kahta, and Adıyaman. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
- Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken in Batman. (Extra)
- Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
- Accommodation Hotel: Adıyaman / Dedeman Hotel, White Star Hotel, Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Euphrat Hotel, etc.
- Day 4
- Mount Nemrut – Sunrise – Karakuş Tumulus – Cendere Bridge – Gaziantep - Zeugma Mosaic Museum - Antep Castle – Hz. Yuşa Tomb – Copper Bazaar – Tahmis Coffee
- On the last day of our Gap Tour, our guests will optionally rise early for the Sunrise program at Mount Nemrut. (Extra)
- We will leave the hotel early in the morning and take minibuses to ascend Mount Nemrut, which is 2,150 meters high on the Eastern Taurus mountains, to experience one of the most spectacular sunrises. As the sun begins to rise, the magnificent scenery will awaken you and captivate your attention. You can take wonderful photos in this breathtaking landscape. After daylight starts breaking and revealing the giant god statues, our guide will start providing information. At the summit, at 2,150m, is the Tumulus of King I. Antiochos, where the giant statues of Zeus (Oromasdes), Apollo, Mithras, Helios, Hermes, Heracles, Artagnes, Ares, Kommagene, Tiche, and the King himself are located, built by King I. Antiochos. King I. Antiochos clearly emphasizes the fusion of Greek and Persian culture and traditions in these works. After listening to our guide's detailed narration, we enjoy the unique sunrise view, remembering Antiochos’ will to celebrate his birthday every month and year with offerings. After the tour at Nemrut Mountain, we descend and arrive at the 18-hundred-year-old Cendere Bridge, one of the most magnificent bridges of the Roman period, and take a photo break. Afterward, we head to the Karakuş Tumulus, where the graves of the King of Commagene Mithridates and his family are located. After receiving information from our guide in this stunning setting, we return to our minibuses and head back to the hotel for breakfast.
- After having breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Gaziantep. Upon arrival in Gaziantep, our first visit will be the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
- Zeugma, named for the meaning of bridging the two banks in Roman language, was submerged under the Birecik Dam. We will visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the mosaics of Roman generals’ villas have been excavated and displayed, one of the world’s largest mosaic museums, opened on September 9, 2011. In the museum, we will explore the world-famous "Gypsy Girl" mosaic, along with mosaics themed on Greek mythology, with explanations from our guide. After our tour of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, we will ride to the city center. We will have a panoramic view of Gaziantep Castle, built on a hill and historically used for observation during the Roman period. The castle has been restored many times and received its final form with a restoration carried out in the early 2000s. After a short photo break, we will see Sedefçiler, Spice Sellers, Vegetable Market, Historical Paşa Inn, Tahtani Mosque, Long Bazaar, Historical Customs Inn, Zincirli Bedesten, and reach the Copper Bazaar. We will visit the tomb of Pirsefa Hazretleri and Prophet Yuşa at the entrance of the bazaar. Then we will explore the 250-year-old Almacı Bazaar, the oldest in Gaziantep. Afterward, we will reach Tahmis Coffee, built between 1635-1638 by Turkish Ağa and District Governor Mustafa Ağa Bin Yusuf for the Mevlevi House to generate income. We will have free time to enjoy Menengiç Coffee and to go shopping at the bazaars. After our free time, we will have a brief stop for shopping for Gaziantep’s famous baklava and Antep pistachios. After shopping, we conclude the Gap Tour and around 18:00, we will take our esteemed guests to the airport for their flight, bidding farewell until we meet again in another Turdan Tura organization. (The return flight route can be either Gaziantep or Adana Airport. Any adjustments to flight times due to possible changes or operational reasons will be applied without disrupting the tour program.)
- Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
- Lunch: Will be taken in Halfeti. (Extra)
- Dinner: Will be taken in Gaziantep or Adana. (Extra)
- Accommodation Hotel: There will be no hotel accommodation this night.