Southeastern Turkey Ancient Civilizations 9-Day Tour

We pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul and take you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Gaziantep. Your guide meets you on arrival at Gaziantep Airport, and your tour of southeastern Turkey begins.

The first visit is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to mosaics from the Roman and Late Antique periods.

Next you explore the lively Historical Bazaar and the Coppersmiths' Bazaar. After lunch at an authentic local restaurant, the last stop of the day is Gaziantep Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Turkey.

Overnight in Gaziantep.

After breakfast you drive an hour to Zeugma Ancient City, a Roman frontier city on the Euphrates.

You then continue to Halfeti, a town partly submerged by the Birecik Dam. Halfeti is the only place on Earth where black roses grow naturally, and they are seen as a symbol of eternal love and impossible longing.

Here you enjoy a relaxing boat trip on the Euphrates with lovely views of Rumkale. Lunch is the region's famous eggplant kebab, cooked over an open fire and full of smoky flavour.

In the afternoon you visit the Bald Ibis (Kelaynak) Sanctuary, one of the few places protecting this endangered and historically sacred bird.

Overnight in Halfeti, a peaceful town in a unique setting on the river.

After breakfast you set off for Adiyaman to explore the ancient Kingdom of Commagene.

The first stop is Arsameia, the kingdom's former summer capital, with fascinating rock inscriptions and reliefs.

You then see Karakus Tumulus, a burial monument of the Commagene royal family with an eagle on top of its southern column. Before climbing Nemrut you also visit Cendere Bridge, a Roman bridge still standing over the river.

In the late afternoon you go up Mount Nemrut, where colossal stone heads of ancient gods stand at the summit. Watching the sunset over this extraordinary mountain sanctuary is one of the highlights of the trip.

After the visit you drive about 3 hours to Sanliurfa. Overnight in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast you begin the day in Sanliurfa, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The first stop is the Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum, with fascinating finds from prehistoric and early Mesopotamian civilisations.

You then visit Gobeklitepe, known as "the zero point of time". More than 11,000 years old, it is the oldest known temple complex in the world and has changed our understanding of human history.

In the afternoon you explore Balikligol (the Pool of Abraham), a sacred site in Islamic tradition, believed to be where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire.

Overnight in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast you explore the ancient roots of Mesopotamia, starting with Harran, once a major centre of astronomy and learning. Its famous beehive houses and the ruins of its ancient university still stand in the desert landscape.

Next is Karahantepe, a sister site of Gobeklitepe, where newly uncovered structures shed light on early human beliefs.

The last stop is Sogmatar, an ancient sacred city carved into the rock and known for its unique symbols and temples to celestial gods.

Overnight in Sanliurfa.

After breakfast you drive about 3 hours to Mardin, a city famous for its stone architecture and diverse cultural heritage.

The first stop is Kasimiye Madrasa, a beautiful 15th-century school whose design symbolises the stages of life.

You continue to Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an active Syriac Orthodox monastery that has been a spiritual centre for more than 1,500 years.

Later you visit Mardin Grand Mosque, a blend of Artuqid and Islamic styles. The day ends with a walk through Mardin's Old City, where narrow lanes and terraced houses look out over the Mesopotamian plain.

Overnight in Mardin.

After breakfast you begin at the Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum, which gives a clear picture of the city's multicultural history.

You then head to Midyat, a charming town known for its stone mansions, Assyrian churches and traditional filigree silverwork called telkari. The final stop is Mor Gabriel Monastery, the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery, still active and deeply spiritual.

Overnight in Mardin.

The day starts at Zinciriye Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic school with elegant Artuqid architecture.

Next you visit Mor Behnam Church (Kirklar Church), one of the oldest Syriac Christian churches still in use.

In the afternoon you explore Dara Ancient City, a former Roman military settlement carved into the rock, with underground cisterns, tombs and city walls.

Overnight in Mardin.

After breakfast you drive about 2 hours to Diyarbakir, a city known for its long history and black basalt architecture.

The first visit is Zerzevan Castle, a former Roman military base. Inside lies a rare Mithraeum, an underground temple used by followers of the ancient Roman mystery cult of Mithras.

You then walk along the Diyarbakir City Walls, among the longest and best-preserved in the world. The tour ends at the Diyarbakir Archaeological Museum, with finds from prehistoric to Ottoman times.

You are transferred to Diyarbakir Airport for your flight to Istanbul, where our representative meets you and takes you to your hotel.

This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you again.