Istanbul - Gaziantep - Nemrud - Sanliurfa - Mardin - Istanbul
6 nights 7 days
1 day - WELCOME
Arrival in Istanbul - the capital of three empires
Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel, meeting with the guide.
A walking walk through the historical center of Istanbul, the first acquaintance with the city..
We are sure that already at this moment you will appreciate how beautiful it is!
What we'll see:
Sultanahmet Square & Ancient Hippodrome
This square contains ancient monuments and the most important sights of Istanbul.
Such as the Egyptian Column, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column, Ibrahim Pasha Palace, German Fountain...
Sultanahmet Mosque
One of the most magnificent architectural monuments of Istanbul in the 17th century in terms of beauty and grandeur, built by a student of the architect Sinan, Sedefkar Mehmet Agha.
The young Ottoman ruler Sultan Ahmet ordered the construction of this true work of art. Later, residents of European countries gave the religious shrine a different name - “Blue Mosque” and today it is on everyone’s lips even more than the main name.
Return to the hotel, free time.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 - Istanbul – Gaziantep (flight 1.5 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the airport. Flight to Gaziantep.
The city lies at the crossroads of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a meeting point of different civilizations, cultures and religions. The Silk Road made it an important cultural and commercial center.
Arrival in Gaziantep and departure for the excursion.
What we'll see:
Zeugma Mosaic Museum
The indoor part of the museum occupies an area of 25 thousand square meters, the open part - 30 thousand. The museum has many exhibits from the Roman era. But the main symbol of the museum is a fragment of one of the mosaics - “Gypsy”. The girl’s eyes are positioned in such a way that they seem to be looking at every viewer.
Copper Market - Bakyrzhylar
This oriental market is one of the five largest historical bazaars in Turkey. Unforgettable taste, a mix of modernity and history. The copper business, with a history of more than 500 years, continues today in Gaziantep and is still produced by copper craftsmen...
Almadzhi Bazaar
Oriental market for spices, local products and souvenirs, known as the oldest bazaar in Gaziantep. The Almadzhi market will enchant you with Gaziantep walnut sausages on the stalls, Antep pistachios, dried vegetables, delicious teas and a variety of spices.
Cafe Tahmis
This historic cafe, open since 1635, is called the highlight of the city, where you can taste the famous Menengich coffee.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel, free time.
Overnight in Gaziantep.
Day 3 - Gaziantep - Nemrut (240 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Adiyaman / Nemrut.
What we'll see:
Halfeti and the Euphrates River
An hour and a half boat trip along the Euphrates River. Inspection of the sunken city of Halfeti. You've never seen anything like it! A modern city under water! Houses, schools, a mosque... Part of the city was flooded due to the construction of a dam in 1999.
Rumkale Fortress
A well-preserved Roman fortress and its buildings from the late Roman and medieval periods. It is located on the right bank of the Euphrates River.
Chendere Historical Bridge
The historic bridge, located on the Chander stream in Adiyaman, is known as one of the oldest bridges in the world that is still in use today. This is the second largest arch bridge built by the Romans.
Mount Nemrud
An exceptionally magical place! The sanctuary of Mount Nemrud is the tomb of Antiochus I Comegenes, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Altitude 2150 meters above sea level.
Arrival at the hotel, check-in, dinner, free time.
Overnight in Nemrut
Day 4 - Nemrut - Sanliurfa (215 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Sanliurfa.
Sanliurfa has an extremely rich ancient history. Some scholars suggest that Adam and Eve lived nearby in Göbekli Tepe. According to Jewish and Muslim traditions, Urfa is considered the birthplace of the prophet Abraham.
What we'll see:
Gobekli Tepe. Temple complex.
Temple complex of Gobekli Tepe 10,000 BC. A unique find of archaeologists in 1994 - the oldest temple in the world, which was called the “Turkish Stonehenge”. Although Gobekli Tepe is older than Stonehenge by as much as 7000 years (!), as are the Egyptian pyramids and all other traces of ancient civilizations found on the planet!
Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum
The museum occupies an important place among the world's museums in terms of Neolithic artifacts. Artifacts and sculptures from Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple in the world, are on display here. By visiting this section, you will be able to see an impressive replica of the Gobekli Tepe Temple and walk between the unique figures
Sacred pond with fish “Balyklygol”
This sacred pond is associated with the legend of the prophet Abraham. It is located in the courtyard of an old 12th century mosque. Here is the cave where the prophet Abraham was born.
Harran - “Beehive Houses”.
Harran is one of the oldest cities in the world where biblical events took place. Abraham lived here. Here in Haran, he received a calling from God and at the age of 75 he went to the land of Canaan (Palestine). To this day, the local population of Harran lives in strange beehive houses, the architecture of which has been preserved for 3,000 years.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Free time.
Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 5 – Sanliurfa - Mardin (190 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Mardin.
Mardin... The ruins of ancient cities, mosques, churches and monasteries, sung in the songs of peoples. Higher community of religions: Muslims, Assyrians, Christians and Yazidis. From the first turn of the wheel of Mesopotamia, the circle of life begins here.
The whole world is amazed by his love, respect and patience.
Hotel accommodation and walking tour of Mardin.
What we'll see:
Kasymye Madrasah XIII - XIV century
A very popular religious Islamic school, the institution operated for almost 500 years, until 1924. The architecture of the buildings is perfectly preserved. The main attractions are the Sufi Fountain, symbolizing the flow of human life from birth to death and after death, and the impressive doorway, with amazingly intricate stone carvings.
Zinjiriye Madrasah
The madrasah was built in 1385 by the last Artukid Sultan Melik Nejmeddin Isa, who ruled in Mardin.
Ulu Mardin Mosque
The Mardin Ulu Mosque, one of the architectural examples of the Artukid period, is the symbol of Mardin, with a carved dome and minaret. The mosque was built in 1176.
Mor Behnam Church
The church which was built in the name of Mor Behnam and his sister Saro and is now known as Kirklar Church. It takes its name from early Christian legends and is a building from the mid-6th century.
Shatan's family house
The building was built by the Armenian architect Lole, from the Shatana family, in 1890 and is one of the most beautiful examples of civil architecture in Mardin. Since 1950, the building has been used as a hotel for Artuklu University.
Free time in Mardin
Mardin, the land of fairy tales...History is literally everywhere! Did you know that in 1960, UNESCO placed the entire city under protection! Before Mardin, only Venice was awarded such an honor!
Return to the hotel, free time.
Overnight in Mardin(1).
Day 6 - Mardin - Midyat (250 km)
Breakfast at the hotel, departure for the excursion.
Although Mardin has gone through different historical processes, with very different linguistic, religious and cultural mosaics, it demonstrates the great unity and solidarity that can be seen especially in Mesopotamia. Throughout the history of civilization, each era gave birth to a new one and the next.
What we'll see:
Deyuril Zafaran Monastery
Deyuril Zafaran Monastery (Saffron Monastery) 5th century. It is famous not only for its rich history, but also for its caves in the rocks, carved by monks.
Ancient city of Dara
The ancient city of Dara, a 6th century early Byzantine city of Dara, was founded just 30 years after the fall of Ancient Rome.
Mor Gabriel Monastery
It was founded in 397 by Syrian Orthodox monks. Since then, it has been working non-stop, receiving up to 20 thousand pilgrims annually...
Old town Midyat
Stroll through the streets of this ancient city and admire its beautiful oriental architecture, where majestic golden houses with carved windows and doors rise above the high walls.
Konukevi
The most famous landmark of Midiat. The stone guest house of the governor, which occupied the highest point of the old city. Konukevi starred in the popular series “Syla” and many others.
Return to the hotel. Free time.
Overnight in Mardin(2)
Day 7 - Mardin - Istanbul. Flight home
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the airport
This is our last day in Mesopotamia.
After breakfast, we'll start packing our things, preparing for the flight, and making wishes...
After all, good dreams made in magical places have the ability to come true.
As they say in Turkey, “GÖRÜŞMEK ÜZERE”! or SEE YOU AGAIN!
Tour duration: 6 nights 7 days
Price: €1150
Dates 2024: 08.10 - 14.10 and 09.11 - 15.11 and 08.12 - 14.12.
Important information
What's included in the price?
Accommodation in boutique hotels and 3*/4* hotels on a BB basis (with breakfast)
Transfer airport/hotel/airport
Flight Istanbul-Gaziantep / Mardin-Istanbul
Comfortable minibus (including fuel) with air conditioning, only for our group (up to 12 people)
All excursions and entrance tickets stated in the program
Professional guide with a license in Russian
***Price per person, in a double room. For single occupancy, an additional payment of EUR 180 will be charged for the entire stay.
Price does not include:
Flights from your city to Istanbul and back
Meals outside the program
All drinks
Insurance - highly recommended
Additional excursions upon request
Personal expenses
***Tips for guides and drivers (5€ person/day)