8 Days Mesopotamia and Eastern Anatolia Tour with Accommodations

Overview

Are you ready to explore Mesopotamia, which hosted a period when ancient civilizations lived in caves and adopted a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, transitioned to an agricultural and cultural society, small settlements emerged, and animals were domesticated and tamed to serve humanity?

What's included

• Compulsory seat Insurance in Van
• 6 nights H/B, 1 Night B&B 7 Nights Accommodations,
• English Speaking Guide
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast
• Extra room or bed
• Meals
• Entrance fees

Meeting and pickup

Meet at the start point

What to expect

1. Day 1

   Meeting Point 12.30 Gaziantep Met Gold Hotel

   Zeugma Mosaic Museum: in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey, is the biggest mosaic museum in the world, containing 1700 m² of mosaics. It opened to the public on 9 September 2011. The 30,000 m² museum features 2,448 m² of mosaic and replaces the Bardo National Museum in Tunis as the world's largest mosaic museum.

   1h 30m

2. 3-hour walking tour encompassing the copper artisans' bazaar, Gaziantep Castle, Gaziantep water cisterns, Gaziantep baths, and Silk Road caravanserais offers a therapeutic experience of understanding the soul of Gaziantep.

   3h

3. Day 2

   Halfeti / Kahta / Mount Nemrut

   Halfeti Boat Tour: The Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which we visited in Gaziantep and which houses the remains of the ancient city of Zeugma, actually owes its existence to the Birecik Hydroelectric Power Plant. This historical waterway, including Nevali Çörü, has enabled the excavation of many ancient settlements. When the dam began to hold water in 1999, dozens of villages and houses, including Savaşan Village, were submerged. Today, the Savaşan Village Mosque, with half of its minaret still underwater and the mosque itself completely submerged, still beckons to you.

   1h

4. an ancient tumulus belongs to mother, sister and wife of Mithridates.

   20 min

5. Cendere (Septimus Severus Bridge) Historical Bridge from The Period of Septimus Severus over Chabines River.

   20 min

6. Mount Nemrut:

   1h 30m

7. Day 3

   Göbeklitepe / Şanlıurfa / Harran

   Lake with the fishes

   1h 30m

8. Göbeklitepe: Oldest Known Religious Structure: Göbekli Tepe is widely regarded as the world's oldest known temple complex, dating back to around 12,000 years ago (10th–8th millennium BCE). It predates other major ancient sites like the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by thousands of years. Its age makes it a critical discovery in understanding the origins of religious and ceremonial practices in human history. Today, Göbekli Tepe is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its discovery continues to inspire both scientific inquiry and public fascination with the ancient past.

   1h 30m

9. Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum: About 10.000 artifacts are being exhibited at Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum. This figure is much above Turkish standards. Those who visit the Museum will be able to see the oldest statue of the world, imitation of Göbeklitepe D Temple, original Nevali Çori Temple, numerous periodical animations, Prophet Abraham Animation, about 10.000 artifacts and most esthetical mosaics in the world at the New Şanlıurfa Museum.

   1h 30m

10. Harran Ruins and Conic Houses

    45 min

11. Day 4

    Dara / Beyazsu / Midyat

    Dara, one of the most important settlements in Upper Mesopotamia, was founded in 505 by the initiative of Emperor Anastasius (491-518) as a military garrison city to protect the eastern border of the Eastern Roman Empire against the Sassanids. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the city lost its importance over time.

    1hAdmission included

12. Lunch Break

    1h 15m

13. Midyat City Tour

    1h 30m

14. Day 5

    Artuklu-Mardin / Kasımiye / Deyrulzaferan

    Half day city tour

    4h

15. After the 15th century, the monastery began to be called Deyrulzafaran (Saffron Monastery) because of the zafaran (saffron) plant that grew around it. Today, the monastery is one of the important religious centers of the Syriac Church.

    1hAdmission included

16. Kasimiye Medresesi:

    30 minAdmission included

17. Day 6

    Diyarbakır / Tigris Bridge / Fortress / Mound Amida

    10 Arched Bridge

    30 min

18. One of the greatest, and most well-maintained, set of ancient walls in Diyarbakir city. The Diyarbakir city walls have an ancient history dating back to the Romans. Today, the walls are largely intact, and form a ring around the old city that is over 5km (3miles) in circumference. The walls are over 10 meters (about 33 feet) high and are 3-5 meters (about 10-16 feet) thick.

    30 minAdmission included

19. Sheikh Mutahhar Mosque in Diyarbakır was built in 1500 by Kasım Bey, one of the Akkoyunlu rulers. It is one of the most important monumental works of the Akkoyunlu. It was built on the land where Sheikh Mutahhar's tomb is located. It is popularly known as Sheikh Matar Mosque, but in historical sources it is also referred to as Kasım Bey Mosque or Kasım Padişah Mosque.

    15 min

20. The Great Mosque

    30 min

21. Day 7

    Akdamar Church / Castle of Van / Cat House

    Akdamar Church:

    1h 30mAdmission included

22. Urartu Castle

    1h 30m

23. Day 8

    Ishakpasha Palace / Noah’s Ark / Salt Cave / Ani Ruins

    Ishakpasha palace 17th century Ottoman Palace constructed in Seljuken style

    1h 15m

24. Salt Cave

    45 min

25. Ani Ruins:

    2h

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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