Ait 2109-Turkish Mesopotamia cultural tour

      IMPORTANT NOTE: This program has been arranged for participants from abroad, and we kindly ask you to contact GoAyas Tour Organization department to get information about the program changes for our domestic guests.

      Day 1: Europe - Diyarbakır

Arrival at Diyarbakır Airport. Welcome and transfer to the hotel for a welcome cocktail, followed by dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Diyarbakır - Mardin - Deir-az-Zafaran - Urfa (140 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we visit the 5.5 km long Roman basalt walls and Hevsel Gardens, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Diyarbakır was colonized by the Romans in the 3rd century, and Christianity and the episcopate came here. It remained so under the Byzantines until the Arab conquests.

Lunch in Diyarbakır. In the afternoon, we move to the white city of Mardin, with its typical Arab character, narrow steep streets, and ornate houses. From the roof of Sultan Isa Bey Medrese (1385), we have a beautiful view of the city and the Mesopotamian plain. After visiting Ulu Mosque, we head to Deir-az-Zafaran, located among vineyards and gardens, where the majority of the Syriac Orthodox patriarchs are buried. The monastery used to be the residence of the patriarch until 1933 when it moved to Damascus.
Dinner and overnight at the Hilton Hotel in ancient Edessa, Urfa.

Day 3: Urfa, UNESCO World Heritage - Urfa Archaeological Museum - Harran - Göbeklitepe - Atatürk Dam - Kahta (147 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we head to Harran, which is known as one of the most picturesque villages due to its well-insulated adobe beehive houses. We visit Urfa, where history began with Abraham. The Archaeology Museum provides more information about this ancient city.

Lunch with Mesopotamian specialties in Göbeklitepe. In the afternoon, we have a comprehensive visit to Göbeklitepe, the archaeological sensation of the last quarter of a century, or perhaps even the last millennium. It is the world's oldest known temple complex, dating back 11,500 years. This part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site has not yet revealed all its secrets, and various interesting hypotheses circulate around it.

After the visit, we travel approximately 100 km to Adıyaman. We stay in NEMRUT boutique hotel in Kahta, at the foot of Mount Nemrut. Depending on local conditions, we will ascend Mount Nemrut at sunset or sunrise.

Dinner and overnight will be in the hotel (4* or 5*).

Day 4: Kahta - Nemrut Mountain - Kahta - Nemrut Mountain, UNESCO World Heritage Site - Gaziantep (186 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we transfer to minibusses and proceed to the last part of the journey on foot. On two gigantic terraces, the entire Commagene pantheon can be admired in the form of colossal sculptures. However, now we continue with our late breakfast and continue the journey towards Gaziantep, a city known for its unique culinary tradition with various specialties and desserts. We will visit the mosaic museum, which exhibits 1700 m² of late antique mosaics, most of them from the sunken Zeugma.

Dinner and overnight at MET GOLD Hotel 4* in Gaziantep.

Day 5: Gaziantep - Antakya - Adana or Tarsus (393 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, We visit Antakya (now Antakya) founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals on the River Orontes. The city expanded rapidly and became the third-largest city of the Roman Empire. Antakya is Turkey's most cosmopolitan city, where many religions and sects coexist. The first mention of Christians was made here. Paul left from here on three of his missionary journeys. Today, numerous Syrian refugees, Sunnis, Turkish Alevis, and Arab Christians make this city a peaceful example of the Middle East.

We will visit some Eastern Orthodox places of worship, as well as the Church of St. Peter, the first church in the Christian world, and the archaeological museum. We will be surprised by Levantine cuisine with lamb and beef dishes. For dessert, we will have künefe.

Dinner and overnight in Adana or Tarsus.

Day 6: Adana or Tarsus - Old Gümüşler - Cappadocia, UNESCO World Heritage Site (276 km)

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we take a break at the house of the Apostle Paul in Tarsus and take a short walking tour of the city. Then, thanks to modern road constructors and tunnel builders, we cross the Taurus Mountains smoothly. In Cappadocia, we visit the Great Seljuk Mosque and the tombs of the princes in Niğde.

We visit the Old Gümüş Monastery, carved into the tuff rock and hidden from looters' eyes. We see the monks' cells, cemeteries, and a church with some beautifully preserved frescoes in the walled courtyard.
Tonight, we stay at our 4* or 5* boutique hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 7: Cappadocia (80 km)

Opportunity for a hot air balloon flight in the morning. After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, like all other groups, we spend the whole day outside for a sightseeing tour, panoramic photos, and short walks in the many valleys of this fairy-tale landscape, which was formed by the lava and tuff of two volcanoes and thousands of years of wind and water effects, at various times of the day; of course, we get to Göreme Valley, see the Fairy Chimneys, have lunch in Uçhisar; and a delicious dinner concludes this trip. Those who wish can attend the folklore evening.

Day 8: Cappadocia - Kayseri - Nevşehir - Europe

After an open buffet breakfast in our hotel, we enjoy free time in Cappadocia until the transfer to the airport for the return flight. Enjoy various delicacies along the way and bid farewell until another cultural tour with AyasİsosTravels.

 Price

Included Services:

• 8 days/7 nights in 4* (or 5*) hotels or boutique hotels.

• Full board from the first evening dinner to breakfast on the last day.

• Transportation in Turkey.

• Local dinner

Not Included in the Price:

• Beverages at hotels and restaurants,

• Optional excursions,

• Drinks at the table and customary tips for drivers and guides (recommended price is 3 to 5 euros per person),

• Europe/Turkey return flight tickets,

• Airport tax,
• All Lunches
• Entrance fees to the listed places and museums.

• Insurance.

Departure dates can be organized upon request (for private groups).

N O T: Departure days can be arranged according to special group requests.