Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe & Karahantepe 3-Day Private Tour
Overview
Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe & Karahantepe 3-Day Private Tour
Explore the cradle of civilisation on this 3-day private tour of Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe, with flights included.
The itinerary does more than show you monuments: it helps you understand how these ancient places connect with each other and with the growth of human spirituality in southeastern Turkey, up to the Kingdom of Commagene and its colossal statues.
Giant Stone Heads of Nemrut
From the giant stone heads of Mount Nemrut to the ancient centres of Arsameia and Harran, every stop is part of Anatolia's cultural legacy.
Neolithic Temples of Southeastern Turkey
Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe are Neolithic sites of great importance for archaeology and for our understanding of humanity's earliest beliefs.
With expert guiding, private transport and well-coordinated flights, you experience 12,000 years of history in a single trip.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mount Nemrut Tour
Your driver meets you at the hotel in the morning and takes you to the airport for your flight to Adiyaman. Your guide meets you on arrival, and you begin exploring the ancient Kingdom of Commagene.
The first stop is Arsameia, the kingdom's former summer capital, with fascinating rock inscriptions and reliefs.
Next is Karakus Tumulus, a burial monument of the Commagene royal family with an eagle on top of its southern column. Before climbing Nemrut you also see 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. 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.
Day 2 - Gobeklitepe Tour
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.
At the end of the tour you are taken back to your hotel. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 3 - Karahantepe Tour
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.
At the end of the tour you are transferred to Sanliurfa 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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Domestic Flights
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✕Hotel Bookings (Available Upon Request)
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe 3-day private tour: what you need to know
This private three-day tour with flights explores the cradle of civilisation in southeastern Turkey. You see the giant stone heads of Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe, the oldest known temple in the world, its sister site Karahantepe, and Harran with its beehive houses, plus Sogmatar, the Cendere Roman Bridge, the Karakus Tumulus and Arsameia. Domestic flights, airport transfers and a professional guide are included. The price depends on your dates and group size, so we quote it on request.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Price | Quoted on request for your dates and group |
| Type | Private, with a professional guide |
| Route | Adiyaman, Mount Nemrut, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe, Harran, Karahantepe, Sogmatar |
| Included | Domestic flights, airport transfers, professional guide |
| Not included | Items not listed above; ask us about hotels, entrance fees and meals for your dates |
What is Karahantepe?
Karahantepe is a prehistoric site east of Sanliurfa, part of the same ancient culture as Gobeklitepe and of a similar age. Excavations have revealed rock-cut rooms, carved pillars and a striking human head emerging from the rock. Seeing both sites together helps you understand how widespread and sophisticated this early monument-building world was.
What does the 3-day itinerary include?
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Flight to Adiyaman; Karakus Tumulus, Cendere Roman Bridge, Arsameia; Mount Nemrut |
| Day 2 | Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum, Gobeklitepe, Pools of Abraham |
| Day 3 | Harran, a historic centre of astronomy and learning, with its beehive houses; Sogmatar; Karahantepe; flight to Istanbul |
Why add a third day?
Two days are enough for Nemrut and Gobeklitepe; the third takes you deeper into ancient Mesopotamia. Harran, mentioned in the Bible in connection with Abraham, has mud-brick beehive houses and the ruins of an early Islamic university, and Sogmatar is an ancient site linked to moon and planet worship. Karahantepe completes the picture of the prehistoric temples.
Which southeastern Turkey tour should you choose?
| Tour from Istanbul | Length | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Private Gobeklitepe day trip | 1 day | On request |
| Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe group tour | 2 days | $1,050 |
| Private Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe | 2 days | On request |
| This tour | 3 days | On request |
| Ancient civilisations of southeastern Turkey | 9 days | On request |
How old are Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe?
Both belong to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, with the oldest structures at Gobeklitepe dated to around the 10th millennium BC, more than 11,000 years ago. That makes them thousands of years older than Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids. Excavations at Karahantepe and other sites in the area are ongoing, so new discoveries are still being made.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are ideal. The Nemrut summit road is usually open from late spring to early autumn and is cold at dawn and dusk; Sanliurfa and Harran are very hot in midsummer.
What should you bring?
Warm layers for Nemrut, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water for the plains around Harran, sturdy walking shoes, modest clothing for religious sites and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do you book?
Send us your preferred dates and the number of travellers through the form on this page or on WhatsApp. We confirm what is included for your dates, the price and the plan in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Gobeklitepe tours, Eastern Turkey tours and Turkey tour packages.
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