Tale of the East: Mysterious Mesopotamia

Dates of the tour: April 29, 2024, May 15, 2024, June 2, 2024, June 15, 2024

1 day. Diyarbakir, Hasankeyf, Midyat, Mardin

Meeting at Diyarbakir Airport. (early arrival)

Upon arrival, we will have breakfast and go on a tour. You will look at the powerful basalt walls of the old city, inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List - Diyarbakir is considered one of the largest fortresses in the world. Behind it lies an ancient eastern city with high minarets and lively caravanserai. We walk through its narrow streets and visit the Ulu Mosque, one of the oldest in Anatolia.

After that, we will move to the ancient Hasankeyf, which is under threat of flooding, where we will stop to see the traces of history that have not yet been erased.

The next point of the route is Midyat. Visit the guest governor's house, an important example of the architecture of the region, where many famous television series were filmed. Look at the old hotel, on the street Telkarijiler we can buy souvenirs and sweets. After walking, we will stay in the hotel, have dinner and rest.

2 days. City of Dara, acquaintance with Mardin

After breakfast we will visit the abandoned early Byzantine city of Dara near the border with Syria.

Then we go back to Mardin and walk through the square of the old town, the main street, and see the barns, the vaults between the walls in the old alleys.

We will visit the Church and Patriarchate of the Virgin Mary (Mardin Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography), Zinjiriye Madrasah and Shehidiye Mosque, we will look at the Deirulzafaran Monastery.

After that, we will go to Kasimiye Madrasah and admire the sunset overlooking Mesopotamia. We'll have dinner at the hotel tonight.

3 days. Göbekli Tepe complex, Harran, Şanlıurfa

In the morning, we go to the temple megalithic complex of Gobekli Tepe in the province of Şanlıurfa, the oldest architectural monument in the world, erected 12,000 years ago. You will learn about its difficult fate and see the first temples located here, reflecting the beliefs of prehistoric people.

Then we move to Harran, which is more than 10 thousand years old. It is also home to the world’s first Islamic university. Visit the ruins of the Grand Mosque, the mound and the city walls, the castle and one of the most beautiful traditional Harran houses.

Then we get to Şanlıurfa. We will visit the cave of the prophet Abraham, in which, according to legend, he hid for 15 years from the evil Nimrod, who ordered to kill all the babies born in the year of Abraham’s birth. Let’s look at the castle and the mosque of Khalil-ur Rahman. We will walk near the lakes Einselikha and Balyklıgol. Before accommodation in the hotel you will have free time to walk through the picturesque old bazaars. And before going to bed, you will have a special evening - Sira evening - a traditional entertainment with authentic folk dances and playing regional musical instruments.

4 days. Halfeti and Savashan Village, Adyyaman and Sunset on Mount Nemrut

On this day, we will be the first to visit the city of Birejik, located on the banks of the Euphrates, here we will visit the famous reserve, where the endangered bald Ibis live.

In the reserve, we will listen to this valuable bird species and then move to Halfeti (about an hour by bus). This city is also on the banks of the Euphrates and almost abandoned by residents, as a significant part of it was flooded during the construction of the reservoir. After seeing its main attractions, we will visit the village of Savashan, part of which is under water. Then by boat we return to the pier, have lunch and go to Adiyaman, which was an important trading city, because of the location on the Silk Road between Anatolia and Persia.

On the way to Mount Nemrut, we will explore the Sendere Bridge and the Kurgan of Karakush. By minibus we will reach the foot, from where we will make a simple half-hour climb to the top, known for unique stone statues of the Hellenistic period. They say that on Nemrut you can see the most beautiful sunsets in the world - check it out! Then we will move to Adyyaman, stay in a hotel and have dinner.

5 days. gaziantep

After breakfast, we go to Gaziantep. Upon arrival, we will visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, one of the richest such museums in the world. In his collection we will trace the mythology and explore other archaeological exhibits. Then we'll go through the bazaars and buy local goodies if we want. In the afternoon - accommodation in the hotel, dinner.

6 days. Antakya, Hatay

Today we go to the province of Hatay, where first of all we will visit the first Christian cave church and at the same time the Museum of St. Peter in Antakya. It is one of the first Christian temples in the world, where pilgrims from all over the world flock annually. Then we look at the hotel-museum, which preserved the largest monolithic floor mosaic, discovered during excavations during the construction of the hotel in 2009. Then we will visit the picturesque gorge, where you will admire many small waterfalls Harbie.

7 days. adana

After breakfast we go to Adana. You will see a 32-meter-high historical clock tower made of hewn stones. We will visit the Sabanji Mosque with 6 minarets, which became a symbolic building of the city and which can be seen from any point of it. Take a look at the 4th century Stone Bridge, formerly known as Justinian Bridge. Then you will have free time for dinner (we recommend trying adana kebab) and shopping. Departure to Adana Airport (late departure).

The tour price includes:

• Hotel accommodation.
• 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners.
• Participation in the Syr night show.
• Take a minibus to Mount Nemrut.
• Boat tour to Halfeti.
• Transportation services.
• Services of a licensed guide.
• Compulsory travel insurance.

The tour price does not include:

• Flights.
• Drinks during dinner.
• Lunch.
• Personal expenses.
• Entrance tickets. The Museum Map is valid.