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- Iconic GAP Tour | 3 Nights’ Accommodation, Flight-Inclusive, Istanbul Departure, Şanlıurfa Return
Iconic GAP Tour | 3 Nights’ Accommodation, Flight-Inclusive, Istanbul Departure, Şanlıurfa Return
Tour Detail
As you discover Mesopotamia’s most remarkable historic cities and unique culture, an unforgettable travel experience awaits you with its history, flavors, and culture.
Gaziantep - Şanlıurfa - Mardin - Batman - Diyarbakır - Adıyaman 3 Round Trip | FlightTour Program
Gaziantep / Coppersmiths’ Bazaar / Zeugma Mosaic Museum / Gaziantep Castle / Tahmis Coffeehouse / Halfeti / Rumkale / Şanlıurfa / Pool of Sacred Fish / Aynzeliha Lake
FROM GAZIANTEP TO URFA – THE WATERS OF THE EUPHRATES, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANCIENT CITIES
On the first day of our tour, we arrive at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at least two hours before our flight time and, after completing our check-in / baggage procedures, begin our journey that will open the doors of Mesopotamia with a flight to Gaziantep. Our flight time is 06:25, with the scheduled flight of AJet Airlines. As soon as we step off the plane, we are welcomed by lands that make us feel the breath of civilizations thousands of years old. Together with our guide, who will meet us at the airport exit, we proceed to our vehicle and make our first contact with the city. A short breakfast break is provided along the way for guests who wish to have one. In Gaziantep, which has earned the title of “Gastrocity” not only through its flavors but also through its deep-rooted culture, our first stop is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where time has been engraved into stone. In these unique mosaics that have survived from the Roman period to the present day, mythology, humanity and fate intertwine. The Gypsy Girl, who still watches visitors with her gaze, establishes a silent bond between the past and the present. Following our museum visit, we proceed toward the heart of the city. While the centuries-old Gaziantep Castle greets the city from above, the traditional arts taking shape in the hands of craftsmen at the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Artisans, Yemeni Shoe Makers and Elmacı Market reveal Gaziantep’s living memory. During our break at Tahmis Coffeehouse, once a popular stop for caravans, merchants and travelers, the aroma of menengic coffee mingles with conversations from the past. During our free time, you can lose yourself among this historic texture and shop for local products. We set out at the appointed time and arrive at Halfeti, surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Euphrates River, where time flows slowly. In this melancholic town famous for its Black Rose, guests who wish may take an extra boat tour to see the old villages submerged beneath the waters of the Birecik Dam and Rumkale, built atop steep cliffs. As we glide along the Euphrates, traces of the past silently wink at us from beneath the water. Following the boat tour, we take a short extra lunch break. With the final rays of the day, we turn our route toward Şanlıurfa, the city of faiths and legends. Upon arriving in the city, we reach the Balıklıgöl complex, considered the heart of the land of prophets. In this sacred place, where legend says that fire turned into water and wood into fish; the Halil-ür Rahman Mosque, Rızvaniye Mosque, Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake and Prophet Abraham’s Station are visited, allowing us to feel Urfa’s mystical atmosphere. After our tour, we settle into our hotel and surrender to the tranquility of the day. Guests who wish may join the extra-organized Urfa Sıra Night program, an indispensable part of Urfa nights, and get to know the spirit of these lands more closely, accompanied by folk songs, hoyrats and ancient stories.
Important Note: Dinner at the hotel is not included in today’s accommodation. Dinner may be enjoyed as part of the Sıra Night with Dinner program organized as an extra.
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: May be taken as an optional local breakfast in Gaziantep (Extra/optional)
Lunch: May be taken at the designated restaurant in Halfeti during free time (Extra/optional)
Dinner: Guests who wish may join the Sıra Night with Dinner program (Extra/optional)
Accommodation: Şanlıurfa / Middle East Hotel – Vera Hotel – Güven Hotel – Harran Hotel – Grand Urfa Hotel – Gülizar Hotel and similar.
Sanliurfa / Göbekli Tepe / Harran / Harran University / Conical Domed Houses / Old Mardin / Republic Square / Latifiye Mosque / Grand Mosque / Historic PTT Building / Deyrulzafaran Monastery / Streets of Mardin / Ancient City of Dara
FROM ŞANLIURFA TO MARDİN – THE LANDS WHERE CIVILIZATION WAS BORN
On the second day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Göbeklitepe, one of the oldest known centers of belief in human history. Dating back approximately 12,000 years, this unique archaeological site has fundamentally changed our understanding of world history with its temple structures built before the transition to settled life. During our visit among the enormous T-shaped obelisks, we discover the belief system of Neolithic people and the secrets behind this mysterious structure through our guide’s explanations. Following our visit, we turn our route toward Harran, one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia, whose name means “the place where roads intersect.” In Harran, which has been one of the important centers of science, trade and culture with its 5,000-year history, we see the remains of Harran Grand Mosque and University, considered the first university in the Islamic world, as well as the castle, caravanserai and distinctive Harran Houses with Conical Domes. This unique architecture is a vivid indication of the harmony that the people of the region have established with nature over the centuries. Following our visit to Harran, we follow the Viranşehir – Kızıltepe route and, after approximately a three-hour journey, arrive in Mardin, known as the “Capital of Civilizations.” This ancient city, where stone has been transformed into art, is a unique open-air museum where Syriac, Arab, Kurdish and Turkish cultures have coexisted for centuries. For guests who wish to participate, an optional tour of the ancient city of Dara is organized at this point. (Our visit to the ancient city of Dara is an optional program and will take place provided that there is full participation.) In Dara, one of the important garrison cities of the Eastern Roman period, we have the opportunity to see rock tombs, water cisterns and the remains of city walls. Our first stop in Mardin is the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, which served as the patriarchal center of the Syriac Orthodox Church for centuries. With its golden-yellow stones and mystical atmosphere, this structure carries Mesopotamia’s ancient heritage of faith into the present day. We then visit the Kasımiye Madrasa, which stands out with its commanding position overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, and gain an insight into the intellectual and architectural understanding of the Artuqid period. Continuing our tour, we take a guided walk through the streets of Old Mardin. As we proceed among narrow stone streets, arched passageways and abbaras, we have the opportunity to see the Grand Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, Latifiye Mosque, Historic PTT Building, Republic Square and the historical structures surrounding them. At every step, we will encounter traces left by stone masters from centuries ago to the present day and feel Mardin’s timeless spirit. After free time in the bazaar area, we proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at our hotel in Mardin or Midyat.
NOTE: Guests who wish may join the Mardin Night Tour, known as “a jewel by night and a promenade by day,” and explore the Streets of Old Mardin accompanied by nighttime illumination, or attend the Mardin Reyhani Night. (Optional)
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the tour price)
Lunch: May be taken at a designated restaurant in Mardin (Optional/at an additional cost)
Dinner: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the tour price)
Accommodation: Mardin / Raymar Hotel – Artuklu Kervansaray Hotel - ParkDedeman Mardin – Yay Grand Hotel – Anemon Hotel etc. Midyat / Katori Hotel – Matiat – Asur Hotel etc.
Mardin / Midyat / Midyat Guesthouse / Filigree Workshop / Sıla Mansion / Hasankeyf / Batman / Diyarbakır / Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum House / Ten-Eyed Bridge / Mardin Gate / Four-Legged Minaret / Diyarbakır Grand Mosque / Adıyaman
FROM MİDYAT TO DİYARBAKIR – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF STONE, SILVER AND ANCIENT RIVERS
On the third day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off toward Midyat, one of the most important centers of Syriac culture. This stone city, where different faiths and cultures have coexisted for centuries, takes its visitors on a journey through time with its narrow streets and elegant architecture. Our first stop in Midyat is the Midyat Guesthouse, which has become one of the symbols of the region. This historic building, which has hosted many television series and films such as Sıla, Hercai and Ah Bir Bulut Olsam, reflects the finest examples of Syriac stone craftsmanship. During our visit to the guesthouse, we take photo breaks among the courtyards and arched passageways. Afterwards, we visit a filigree workshop to get a closer look at the tradition of filigree, which Syriac artisans have transformed into an art and an identity over the centuries. We are offered the opportunity to see examples of this elegant art, in which fine silver wires are patiently worked, and to shop for those who wish. Following our visit to the filigree workshop, we have free time among the historic houses of Midyat. After experiencing the spirit of Midyat among the stone balconies, narrow streets and covered passageways, we meet our vehicle waiting for us in the bazaar and take a short break to shop for regionally distinctive dry coffee and nuts. We then turn our route toward Hasankeyf, the silent witness of Mesopotamia. Standing on the banks of the Tigris River with a history spanning thousands of years, Hasankeyf is almost an open-air museum with its caves and historic structures. Here, we see Hasankeyf Castle, the hidden water tunnel, the minaret of the El Rızık Mosque and caves carved into the rocks. After a short period of free time, we depart for Batman. After our extra lunch in Batman, an extra tour of the Malabadi Bridge is organized for guests who wish to join. Following lunch, we arrive in Diyarbakır, one of the ancient cities of Mesopotamia. After viewing the Ten-Eyed Bridge over the Tigris River and the fertile Hevsel Gardens panoramically, we begin our tour at Keçi Bastion and Mardin Gate, important points of the Diyarbakır Walls, which are considered among the world’s oldest defensive structures with a history of approximately 9,000 years. We then visit the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia and regarded as the 5th Haram al-Sharif in the Islamic world. Afterwards, we see the Four-Legged Minaret (Şeyh Mutahhar Mosque), built by Kasım Bey in 1500 during the Aq Qoyunlu period and notable for its unique architecture constructed on four columns. After our tour of Diyarbakır, we bid farewell to this ancient city and follow the Diyarbakır–Siverek–Kahta–Adıyaman route. Crossing the Nissibi Bridge, which rises over the Euphrates River and is known as the “Bosphorus Bridge of the East,” we arrive at our hotel in Adıyaman. Dinner and accommodation will be at our hotel. (NOTE: Depending on the end time of our tour program, our accommodation tonight will be in Diyarbakır or Adıyaman.)
Food and Beverage Information
Breakfast: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the tour price)
Lunch: Will be served at a local restaurant in Batman (Extra/optional)
Dinner: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the tour price)
Accommodation: Adıyaman / Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Park Dedeman Hotel, Samos Hotel and similar. Diyarbakır / Sv Business Hotel, Plaza Hotel and similar.
Nissibi Bridge / Kahta / Mount Nemrut / Karakuş Tumulus / Cendere Bridge / Şanlıurfa Shopping / Airport
AT THE SUMMIT OF NEMRUT – THE LEGACY OF GODS AND KINGS
On the last day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off by following the route of Atatürk Dam, one of the landmark structures of the GAP Region. We take a short photo break at Nissibi Bridge, which rises over the Euphrates River and connects the two sides of the region, and continue toward Kahta accompanied by this magnificent view. Upon arriving in Kahta, we begin our extra Nemrut Mountain program with our guests who wish to participate. On this journey, where we will trace the legacy of the Kingdom of Commagene, our first stop is the Karakuş Tumulus, known for its eagle statue and built by King Antiochos I of Commagene in honor of his mother and sister. Constructed on a high terrace, this monumental tomb reflects the kingdom’s magnificent burial tradition. Continuing our tour, we visit the approximately 1,800-year-old Cendere Bridge, which carries the engineering genius of the Roman Empire into the present day. Rising gracefully like an arch between the mountains, this structure is a witness to history that still stands despite the ravages of time. We then reach the Summit of Mount Nemrut, located at an altitude of 2,150 meters and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, we are greeted by the magnificent tumulus built by King Antiochos I for his own tomb and the pantheon of gods. The colossal statues of Zeus (Oromasdes), Apollo, Mithras, Helios, Hermes, Heracles, Ares, Commagene, Tyche and King Antiochos, located on the eastern and western terraces, reveal a unique synthesis of Greek and Persian beliefs. Accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we recall Antiochos’s worldview, in which he regarded himself as equal to the gods, and his famous testament: “Let my birthday be celebrated as a festival every month and every year; on these days, let tables be set for the gods, my nation and me, and let people eat, drink and rejoice.”
With these words, at Nemrut we try to understand not only a monument but also a king’s desire for immortality and world of faith. After our visit to Mount Nemrut, we board our bus and begin our return journey. We proceed toward Şanlıurfa by crossing the Atatürk Dam Bridge. Before completing our tour, depending on our guide’s schedule, we take a shopping break at our store offering local products unique to Urfa. We have the opportunity to purchase regional specialties such as pistachios, isot pepper, red pepper flakes, dried vegetables for stuffing, tomato paste and sun-dried tomatoes. Our guests who wish may use this time as a lunch break where they can experience the local flavors of Urfa cuisine. At the appointed time, we depart for Şanlıurfa Airport and begin our return journey with AJet Airlines’ scheduled 18:35 Şanlıurfa – Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen flight. We complete our tour with the memories we have gathered in this unique geography and bid farewell to you, our valued guests, until we meet again on another cultural journey.
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the tour price)
Lunch: Will be taken optionally in Şanlıurfa (Extra/optional)
Dinner: As it is the return day, dinner is not scheduled due to the flight time
General Information
Child Discount and Circular Rules
The child discount is valid for the 7–12 age range.
The tour circular is valid as of the publication date, 19.01.2026. Circulars published at later dates for the same tour invalidate the previous circular.
Mandatory additional services are included in the tour price.
Important Information About Tours with Flights
- For tours with flights, all flight-related procedures are subject to the provisions of the airline agreement.
- Cancellation insurance does not cover air transportation.
- A graduated pricing system is applied; the advertised prices start from the lowest class.
- Economy class flights are used in tour programs with flights.
- Air tickets are issued as round-trip tickets together. If the outbound flight is not used, the return flight also becomes invalid in accordance with the airlines’ “sequential use” rule. Therefore, participation in only the return flight is not possible.
Museum – Archaeological Site – National Park Entrance Fees
All museum, archaeological site and national park entrance fees are the responsibility of our guests. To benefit from the advantages offered at museums and archaeological sites where the Müzekart is valid, our guests may obtain a card from Müzekart sales points before or during the tour.
Package Price Includes
Our package tour prices include hotel accommodation, transportation and the excursions specified in the program.
Rest Stops
Breaks are taken at rest facilities along the route. Due to high occupancy, renovation or similar force majeure reasons, rest stops may be changed provided that they are equivalent in terms of service quality and location.
Extra Tours and Program Flow
Night tours and extra excursions included in the tour program are organized depending on the number of participants and the availability of the assigned staff. Extra tours conducted en route may take place even if not all guests participate. Guests who do not wish to join the extra tour will be directed by our guide to rest areas before the city entrances or to the city centers. In this case, guests who agree to wait at the rest area are considered to have participated in the tour.
Due to weather conditions, road conditions or similar reasons, the guide may make changes to the program sequence (daily points of visit or between days) if deemed necessary.
Go-Turkey cannot be held responsible for points that cannot be visited despite being included in the program due to force majeure (weather conditions, road conditions, crowding at points of visit, etc.) or because guests fail to comply with the schedules provided by the guide.
Health Notification
Our guests are required to carry with them reports and information regarding any health problems they may experience during the tour, pregnancy status or medications they regularly use.
Accommodation Information
The hotel names specified in the program are the primary accommodation facilities. Hotels may be changed depending on availability. Upon request, information about the hotel where guests will stay is shared with them no later than 48 hours before the tour departure. If the hotel is changed due to high occupancy or force majeure reasons, provided that the standards remain the same, our guests will be informed by Go-Turkey representatives.
Important Notes
- On tours with flights, flight delays may occur due to high occupancy.
- Night tours are extra and are organized depending on participation.
Vehicles Used
Tour vehicles are planned as follows according to the number of participants:
Bus (28–46 people):
Mercedes Travego / Tourismo, Neoplan Cityliner / Tourliner, Mitsubishi Safir
(ABS, ASR, air conditioning, monitor, refrigerator, kitchen unit, reading lamps, announcement system, CD/DVD)
Midibus (17–27 people):
Isuzu Turkuaz
(ABS, ASR, air conditioning, monitor, refrigerator, announcement system)
Minibus (up to 16 people):
VW Volt, VW Volt EL, Mercedes Sprinter, Mercedes Sprinter EL
(Specially designed reclining seats, ABS, ASR, air conditioning, refrigerator, announcement system)
Recommendations
- Clothing and footwear suitable for the geographical characteristics and weather conditions of the tour region should be chosen.
- It is recommended that you bring the necessary charging equipment for taking photographs and videos.
- Regularly used medications should not be forgotten; allergic, chronic or hereditary conditions should be reported to the guide.
- Personal care products, a backpack and personal items that will make the journey more enjoyable should be kept with you.
- For programs that include boat tours and swimming breaks, it is recommended that you bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and similar beach equipment.
The tour program and explanations above have been originally prepared by Go-Turkey. They may not be copied, reproduced or published without permission. The program has been arranged in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and should be evaluated as a whole.
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