Iconic Gap Tour | 4 Nights with Flights from Istanbul
Tour Detail
As you discover Mesopotamia’s most special historic cities and unique culture, an unforgettable travel experience awaits you with its history, flavors, and culture.
Gaziantep - Şanlıurfa - Diyarbakır - Batman - Mardin 4 Round Trip | FlightTour Program
Gaziantep – Historic Bazaars – Zeugma Mosaic Museum
A TASTE AND HISTORY ROUTE EXTENDING TO ANTEP
On the first day of our tour, we begin our journey into the thousands-of-years-old story of Southeastern Anatolia by meeting at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport in the early morning. We must be ready at the airport with our identity cards at least two hours before our flight time. As we take off for Gaziantep Airport on AJet Airlines’ scheduled VF3228 flight departing at 06:55, we feel that the geography stretching out before us is not merely a tour, but a journey through time in which we will follow the traces of civilizations. After an approximately 1.5-hour flight, we land in the fertile lands of Gaziantep, meet our guide who is waiting for us, and board our vehicle. To shake off the fatigue of the journey and make a pleasant start to the day, we have an extra breakfast in Gaziantep. After breakfast, we set off toward Gaziantep, considered the heart of Southeastern Anatolia. Along the way, the changing geography, the color of the stone, and the texture of the soil gradually prepare us for Mesopotamian culture. When we arrive in Gaziantep, we take a panoramic view of Gaziantep Castle, rising at a commanding point over the city. Bearing the traces of many civilizations, from Rome to Byzantium and from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, the castle is also a symbol of Antep’s resistant spirit. As we descend from the foothills of the castle, we enter the historic bazaar district, which resembles an open-air museum. Accompanied by the echoes of copper hammering through the narrow streets, we wander among Bakırcılar Bazaar, Zincirli Bedesten, Gümrük Han, Uzun Çarşı and the inns surrounding them. Every shop and every stone wall whispers of a tradition of craftsmanship stretching from the past to the present. We take a short stroll amid the aromas of spices in Almacı Market, one of Gaziantep’s oldest trading areas. Here, we have the opportunity to get to know the products that form the foundation of Antep cuisine more closely. Our route takes us to Tahmis Coffeehouse, where the aroma of coffee has been ever-present since the 17th century. During our break among the historic stone walls, accompanied by menengiç coffee, we feel Antep’s slow and deeply flowing rhythm of life. After completing our shopping for baklava, pistachios, and local products during our free time, we visit the Şahinbey National Struggle Museum, which sheds light on the city’s recent history. In this underground museum, we follow step by step the epic resistance of the people of Antep against the occupation and deeply feel how the title “Gazi” was earned. The final stop of the day is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world’s most important mosaic collections. As we walk among the mosaics that have survived from the ancient city of Zeugma, founded on the banks of the Euphrates River, the scenes adorning the floors of Roman villas take us back two thousand years. In particular, the Gypsy Girl Mosaic, whose gaze seems to follow visitors, remains in our memories as one of the museum’s most impressive works. After this fascinating tour, we proceed to our hotel and retire to rest for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Dining Information:
Breakfast: Will be served at a suitable restaurant in Gaziantep. (Extra/Optional)
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Gaziantep. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at our hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Gaziantep Hotels: Büyük Veliç Hotel, Ugurlu Hotel, Park Dedeman Hotel, Shimall Hotel and similar hotels.
Halfeti – Boat Tour – Rumkale – Adıyaman – Kahta – Mount Nemrut – Diyarbakır
FROM LIVES LOST IN THE WATERS OF THE EUPHRATES TO THE SUMMIT OF THE GODS
On the second day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Halfeti, a fairytale town steeped in silence on the banks of the Euphrates River. Along the way, the fertile lands and ancient settlements of Mesopotamia accompany us. When we arrive in Halfeti, we feel that time has slowed down here. With the construction of the Birecik Dam, a large part of the old settlement was submerged; what remains are unfinished minarets, abandoned houses and sorrowful stories. Together with our guests who wish to do so, we join the additionally organized Halfeti Boat Tour. As we glide along the Euphrates River, the magnificent silhouette of Rumkale on the steep rocks welcomes us. This castle, the subject of legends, has hosted many civilizations throughout history. As we see the Submerged Minaret and villages left underwater along the way, we bear witness to the traces left by nature transformed by human hands. After the boat tour, we take a short break in Halfeti and then head toward the Kahta district of Adıyaman. Here, with the minibuses waiting for us, we begin our ascent toward the sacred lands of the Kingdom of Commagene for the additional Mount Nemrut tour. Our first stop is the Karakuş Tumulus. This monumental tomb, containing the graves of royal women, reveals the grandeur of the Kingdom of Commagene and its understanding of death. We then arrive at the Cendere Bridge, an elegant example of Roman engineering. Standing for approximately 1,800 years, this bridge still stands tall, defying the power of time. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly Mount Nemrut. As we ascend toward the summit of the Eastern Taurus Mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly impressive. At an altitude of 2,150 meters, we encounter the colossal statues with which King Antiochos I positioned himself alongside the gods. Located on the Eastern and Western terraces, these statues are a unique synthesis of Greek and Persian beliefs. Accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we understand that Nemrut is not merely a monumental tomb but a manifesto of faith; as the sun sets, we watch the crimson landscape spreading across Mesopotamia. After these unforgettable moments, we return to our tour vehicle and set off for our hotel in Adıyaman or Diyarbakır, settling into our hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Meals Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for the tour route (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Adıyaman or Diyarbakır Hotels – Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Adıyaman Samos Hotel, Sv Business Hotel, Plaza Hotel, etc.
Diyarbakır – Batman – Hasankeyf – Midyat – Dara – Mardin
THE MEMORY OF STONE, THE SORROW OF WATER, LANDS WHERE LANGUAGES AND RELIGIONS MEET
On the third day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we begin exploring Diyarbakır, one of the most ancient cities of Mesopotamia. This city, defying time with its walls built of black basalt stone, is the shared memory of civilizations that have breathed on the same land for thousands of years. Our first stop is Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. Referred to as the “fifth Haram al-Sharif” in the Islamic world, this structure brings together the architectural traces of different periods in a single courtyard. As we walk through its courtyard, the prayers echoing among the stones and the historical silence deeply affect visitors. We then proceed to Hasan Paşa Inn, the heart of Diyarbakır’s social life. Once a resting place for caravans, this inn welcomes visitors today with its cafés and stone architecture. Afterwards, we visit the house where Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, one of the important poets raised by Diyarbakır, was born and grew up, tracing the story of a life woven with verses. We continue our tour with the Four-Legged Minaret, Goat Tower and Mardin Gate; our guide tells us the thousand-year-old defensive story of the Diyarbakır Walls. After leaving this ancient city, we travel via Batman and arrive at Hasankeyf, one of the saddest stops in history. Having hosted countless civilizations throughout its twelve-thousand-year history, this ancient settlement continues to tell its story in a profound silence, even though it has been submerged beneath the waters of the Ilısu Dam. We bear witness to the sorrow of this ancient city by seeing Hasankeyf Castle, the solitary minaret of the El Rızık Mosque reaching toward the sky, and the rock-carved caves. During free time, guests who wish may join an optional boat tour on the reservoir lake and view old Hasankeyf from the water. Leaving Hasankeyf, we make our way toward Midyat, regarded as the center of Syriac culture. As we walk through the streets of Midyat, adorned with the elegance of stonework, we visit Midyat Guesthouse, which has hosted television series and films. Afterwards, we stop at a workshop to observe the intricacies of the filigree art shaped by Syriac masters over centuries. After free time, we visit the ancient city of Dara as an optional excursion with guests who wish to join. (Our visit to the Ancient City of Dara is organized as an optional excursion and will take place provided that full participation is achieved.) In Dara, one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia, structures carved into the rock, water cisterns and necropolis areas await us. Here, we feel step by step what it meant to be a frontier city during the Byzantine period. At the end of the day, we arrive in Mardin, which has a fascinating atmosphere with its terraces overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, and settle into our hotel for dinner and accommodation.
NOTE: Guests who wish may join the Mardin Night Tour, known as “a necklace at night and a celebration 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: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for the tour route (Optional/At an Additional Cost)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Mardin Hotels: Raymar Hotel, Yay Grand Hotel, Park Dedeman Hotel, Artuklu Kervansaray Hotel, Mardiva Hotel and similar hotels
Deyrulzafaran – Kasımiye Madrasa – Old Mardin – Göbeklitepe – Şanlıurfa – Sıra Gecesi
MONASTERIES, MADRASAS AND THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN HISTORY
On the fourth day of our tour, after breakfast, we depart from Mardin and set off for Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the most important centers of the Syriac Orthodox world. Rising in a commanding position over the plain with its golden-yellow stones, the monastery hosted Syriac Patriarchs for centuries. As we explore the Mor Hananyo Church, the House of Saints and the Temple of the Sun, we see how layers of pre-Christian and post-Christian beliefs became intertwined in the same space. Afterwards, we return to Mardin and visit the Kasımiye Madrasa, one of the most important educational buildings of the Artuqid and Aq Qoyunlu periods. The pool and water channels in its courtyard symbolize life’s journey from birth to death. During our break overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, time seems to stand still amid the tranquility of the landscape. We then set out for a walk through the streets of Old Mardin. We pass beneath the abbaras and wander among mosques, churches, inns and historic mansions. Through our visits to Mardin Grand Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, Şahtana Mansion, known as the old PTT Building, and Cumhuriyet Square, we get to know the spirit of this stone city up close. Bidding farewell to Mardin, we set off for Şanlıurfa, the land of prophets. The most striking stop of the day is Göbeklitepe, which rewrote human history. Dating back approximately 12,000 years, this sacred site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries proving that belief existed before agriculture. As we walk among the T-shaped pillars, we experience the excitement of being in humanity’s first place of worship. In the evening, we settle into our hotel in Şanlıurfa. Guests who wish may join the specially arranged Sıra Night and experience the region’s culture accompanied by music and food.
NOTE: Our hotel accommodation in Şanlıurfa includes bed and breakfast. Guests who wish may join the dinner-included Sıra Night program. (Extra)
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for the tour route (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Not included in the tour price; guests who wish may join the local Urfa Sıra Night program as an extra.
Accommodation: Şanlıurfa Hotels: Orta Doğu Hotel, Gülizar Hotel, Grand Urfa Hotel, Vera Hotel, Anemon Hotel and similar hotels.
Şanlıurfa – Pool of Fish – Harran – Prophet Job’s Patience Shrine – Gaziantep – Istanbul
FAREWELL FROM THE LANDS WHERE HISTORY BEGAN, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PROPHETS
On the final day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off toward the city center of Şanlıurfa, one of the oldest centers of faith in human history. These lands have been the homeland not only of stone and soil, but also of faith, patience, and submission. Our first stop is Balıklıgöl, one of the most important sacred sites that comes to mind when Şanlıurfa is mentioned. According to legend, the place where Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod took on its present sacred appearance when, by the command of Allah, the fire turned into water and the wood turned into fish. As we walk around Lake Halil-ür Rahman and Lake Aynzeliha, the sacred fish slowly gliding through the water give visitors a feeling of deep peace and tranquility. Accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we gain a better understanding of why this area has been a place of pilgrimage and prayer for centuries. After our photo break, we have some free time. During our free time, we shop for handmade spices and tomato paste unique to Şanlıurfa. Following our visit to Balıklıgöl, we set off toward Harran, one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia, meaning “the place where roads intersect.” Dating back approximately five thousand years, Harran has been not only a settlement but also one of the centers of science, education, and faith. Here, we see the remains of Harran University (Ulu Mosque), considered one of the first universities in the Islamic world, as well as Harran Mound and the fortress. We get to know up close the conical-domed houses associated with Harran and found in only a few regions around the world, and we visit one of these houses. Guests who wish may wear traditional clothing and take souvenir photos amid this unique architectural texture. Following our tour of Harran, we head to the Place of Patience of Prophet Job, one of the prophets known for his patience and submission. According to legend, the cave where Prophet Job patiently endured hardship during his illness, which lasted for years, now offers visitors a profound spiritual atmosphere. Here, we visit the well whose water is believed to have brought healing to Prophet Job, the stone of patience, and the cave; through our guide’s explanations, we listen to the place of this story in human history. With this meaningful visit, we bid farewell to Şanlıurfa, the land of the prophets. We set off toward Gaziantep and, depending on our flight time, have a short shopping and free-time break. We then proceed to Gaziantep Airport and, after completing our baggage and ticket procedures, return to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport on AJet Airlines’ scheduled VF3231 flight, departing at 21:25. We conclude this unforgettable journey through Southeastern Anatolia, where we witnessed thousands of years of civilizations, faiths, and cultures, with the hope of meeting again on another trip.
Meals Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be taken at a suitable restaurant along the tour route (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be taken during free time in Gaziantep (Extra/Optional)
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 its 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 Including Flights
- On tours including flights, all procedures related to flights are subject to the provisions of the airline agreement.
- Cancellation insurance does not cover air transportation.
- A tiered pricing system is applied; the advertised prices are those starting from the lowest class.
- Economy class flights are used in tour programs including flights.
- Airline tickets are issued as a round trip together. If the outbound flight is not used, the return flight also becomes invalid in accordance with the airlines’ “sequential use” rule. Therefore, participation only in 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. Our guests may obtain a Müzekart from Müzekart sales points before or during the tour in order to benefit from advantages at museums and archaeological sites where the Müzekart is valid.
Package Price Includes
Our package tour prices include hotel accommodation, transportation and the local excursions specified in the program.
Rest Stops
Rest stops are provided at rest facilities along the route. Due to density, renovation or similar force majeure circumstances, 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 personnel. Extra tours conducted along the route may take place even if not all guests participate. Our guests who do not wish to participate in the extra tour are directed by our guide to rest areas before the city entrances or to 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 (the visiting points within a day or between days) when deemed necessary.
Go-Turkey cannot be held responsible for points that cannot be visited despite being included in the program due to force majeure circumstances (weather conditions, road conditions, congestion at visiting points, etc.) or because guests fail to comply with the timings provided by the guide.
Health Declaration
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 priority accommodation facilities. Hotels may be changed depending on availability. The information about the hotel where guests will stay is shared with our guests, upon request, no later than 48 hours before the tour departure. If the hotel is changed due to density or force majeure circumstances, provided that the standards remain the same, our guests are informed by Go-Turkey representatives.
Important Notes
- On tours including flights, flight delays may occur due to congestion.
- 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 shoes suitable for the geographical structure and weather conditions of the tour region should be preferred.
- It is recommended that you bring the necessary charging equipment for taking photos 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 belongings that will make the journey enjoyable should be kept with you.
- For programs including 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.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport