Cradle of Civilizations Mesopotamia Tour - 8 Days/7 Nights

Arrive at Adana Airport, meet the assistant guide, who will be waiting for you, and transfer to the hotel.
Lunch break with delicious local kebabs in Adana.
Adana city tour;  Our first visit is to the Ulu Mosque, which was built in Seljuk and Mamluk architectural style in 1541, and then we visit the Kazanlar bazaar where you can shop from the local delights, sweets, peas, and sweets produced here. 
The Adana Clock Tower, built with cut stones in 1882 during the Ottoman period, is 32 meters high, and its foundation is 35 meters under sweat. The clock was brought from Germany, and it is still working. We visit Sabancı Mosque and Saint Paul Church (Saint Paul Church) with its 6 minarets and a capacity 28.500. 
Stone Bridge B.C. The Romans built it in the 4th century. It is still in use today, with a length of 310 meters, a width of 11 meters, 14 large arches, and 5 evacuation belts. 
Overnight stay in Adana. (Dinner)

The sightseeing moves to Adana centre and Seyhan dam. Then, drive on to Gaziantep, 220 km. Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep and take a city tour.
The Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the second-largest mosaic museum in the world, featuring 1700 square meters of mosaics. Visitors can marvel at ancient artefacts and mosaics discovered in the ancient city of Zeugma. The museum exhibits 2748 square meters of mosaics, 140 square meters of wall paintings, 4 Roman fountains, 20 columns, 4 limestone statues, bronze statue of Mars, funerary steles, sarcophagi, and architectural pieces of Roman and Late Antique significance. The famous Gypsy Girl Mosaic is exhibited here.
Then, there will be free time for shopping and lunch while visiting Bakırcılar Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten. Don’t forget to sample and buy Gaziantep’s famous baklava and pistachios!
Gaziantep gastronomy is world-famous. On the last day of the tour, we have a lunch break with delicious Gaziantep dishes and pistachio baklava.
Overnight stay in Gaziantep. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, depart for Zeugma ancient city ( Belkis ) Halfeti and Sanliurfa  (250 Km)
Zeugma: Zeugma is an ancient city in the Belkıs village of the Nizip district of Gaziantep. The city was founded by Seleucus I, one of Alexander the Great's generals, and was initially named Nicator Selevkeya Euphrates. It later became a city in the Kingdom of Commagene. In the first quarter of the 1st century BC, it became part of the Roman Empire and was renamed "ZEUGMA."

Throughout history, Zeugma was an essential point for trade caravans and armies crossing the Euphrates River, dating back to the Age of Assyrian Trade Colonies. Unfortunately, most of the ancient city was submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, completed in 2000. Next, visit the Halfeti.
Halfeti district is also known as the hidden paradise of the Southeast for its historical stone houses, black roses, and natural beauty.
Halfeti: Halfeti has a rich history dating back to 855 BC. It was once ruled by cultures such as the Assyrians, Byzantines, Romans, Armenians, and Ottomans. One of its unique features is that it's the only place in the world where black roses grow. We take a boat trip to visit old Halfeti, now submerged by the Euphrates River due to the Birecik Dam. Along the way, you'll see Rumkale, the former centre of the Armenian Bishopric, the half-submerged village of Savaşan, and the sunken minaret, all offering exciting and beautiful views.
We have a lunch break at Halfeti Dam after the boat trip. Drive towards Sanliurfa. (130 KM)

Sanliurfa city tour: Visit Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, the old and new Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, and the Balıklıgöl, Halil-Ür Rahman Lake, where Prophet Abraham is said to have been thrown into the fire. The burning logs turned into fish, whereas the fire turned into water. We will also visit the cave where Prophet Abraham was born.
Visit the Sanlıurfa Archeology Museum and Haleplibahçe Museum before visiting Gobeklitepe. The historical antique artefacts, objects, and sculptures exhibited in museums will help you better understand the archaeological history and narratives.
According to legend, the city of the prophets, including Halil-ur Rahman and Rızvaniye Mosque, Balıklıgöl (fish lake), formed in the place where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, and Ayn-el Zeliha Lake.
Sipahi Bazaar, Kazzaz Market, Hacı Kamil Han, Hüseyiniye Bazaar, Naccar Bazaar, Gümrük Inn, and Ulucami (Grand Mosque).
Dinner and overnight stay in Sanliurfa.   (Breakfast – Dinner )
** Have dinner in Sanliurfa with a traditional musical program called Sira Gecesi.

Şanlıurfa, known as the city of prophets, has changed humanity's history with recent discoveries in the archaeological excavations in Taş Tepeler and Gobeklitepe. Gobeklitepe, dating back 6,000 years before Stonehenge, with its 12,000-year history, overturns standard views on the development of civilisation.

Visit the Gobeklitepe temple in the Tastepeler region. The oldest open-air temple in the world, built 12,000 years ago and dating back to the Neolithic Age, started a new era in world archaeology and even changed human history. As a result of the information provided by our guide about the Gobeklitepe temple, your humanity history information can change.

Karahan Tepe Temple is 40 km away. Since archaeological excavations continue, it can be visited from time to time. If we have enough time, we can also visit Karahan Tepe.

Harran district, which has been continuously inhabited since the 6th millennium BC and was once the capital of the Assyrian and Umayyad civilisations, will welcome us with its conical domed houses and historical sights, Konik Harran Houses, Harran Mound, and El Firdevs Mosque, built by Umayyad Caliph Mervan (Cennet Mosque) will be among the places we will see after our Harran trip.
Accommodation in Sanliurfa ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Early departure from Sanliurfa to Mardin, 250 km. First, visit  Dara ancient city.
Dara, also known as Anastasiopolis, is one of Mesopotamia's ancient cities and the most important trade centres on the Silk Road. Dara ancient city has a history of 3500-4000 years. Its ruins consist of structures carved into the rock, including water channels, cisterns, rock tombs, Arasta, and many others.

Deyrul Zafaran Monastery has been the centre of the Patriarchate for over 1,000 years. There, you can see the 4,000-year-old Sun Temple hospital, church, and baptistery. Then, you arrive at Mardin.
Mardin has been the shining city of Mesopotamia for centuries. Mardin, whose architectural heritage adorns the slopes in steps with fairy-tale houses elegantly built of stone structures, guides the rich cultural and religious diversity that spreads to every corner.
We designed the tour program so well that we would experience Mardin like the locals. After breakfast, we will visit We will start our tour of Old Mardin with the Kasimiye Madrasah in Mardin, which has a rich cultural mosaic with architectural structures that give a mystical Muslim, Syriac, Turkish, and Arabian atmosphere to this city where religions and languages ​​meet and continue to the Ulu Mosque and minaret. Mosque Kebir, Şehidiye Madrasa, and PTT House are among the places we will see. During our free time in Mardin, don’t forget to buy extra luggage to take home local products, natural soaps (from Sabuncu Mehmet), nuts, almonds, and Mardin-specific almond candies, dried fruits, sweets, rosaries, and similar handmade accessories, and souvenirs.
Dinner and accommodation in Mardin. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we are moving towards Diyarbakır via Midyat (230 Km)
Midyat, founded in the 9th century BC, is famous for its local craftsmanship, stone buildings, and handcrafted silver filigree jewellery local people. It is an Assyrian Christian town consisting of Muslims, Assyrian Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants. For many years, it was considered the capital of the Tur Abdin region, which was the centre of Assyrian Christianity.
While visiting the Syriac-Muslim common neighbourhoods, you will find the best examples of filigree art and all kinds of handcrafted silver jewellery, which Syriac masters created with their centuries of experience. Drive to Diyarbakir, approximately 2 hours.
Visit on the Mardin Way the 3,000-year-old Zerzevan Castle, a candidate for the Unesco World Heritage list, in the Çınar district of Diyarbakır.
Zerzevan Castle: Visit the 3,000-year-old Zerzevan Castle, a candidate for the Unesco World Heritage list, in the Çınar district of Diyarbakır. In Zerzevan Castle, which was used as a "military settlement" during the Roman Empire, there is the Mithras Temple, the mystery religion of Rome. Mithras is the Sun God who controls the entire universe. Rites in the temple were always held in secret. Thousands of people come here every year and perform rituals secretly. We leave the mysterious temple of Mithra, the temple of the chosen powerful rulers.
Arrive and a lunch break at a local restaurant in Diyarbakir.
Diyarbakir is one of the most significant cultural cities in southeastern Anatolia. Our tour will kick off with a visit to the Diyarbakir city walls and a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to have been built around 2000 BC. One of the most captivating structures we will explore is the four-legged minaret. We will also visit the Diyarbakir Great Mosque, which is recognised as one of the five Harem-i Sharifs of Islam. Martom Church was built in 639 AD after being converted into a mosque. It is highly recommended that you see the sundial the scholar Al-Jazari created in the Ulu Mosque garden.
We will take a coffee and tea break at the historical Hasan Pasha Inn, constructed in 1575. Caravans coming from the Silk Road used to stay there. Additionally, we will visit Sülüklü Han and the Bridge with Ten Eyes.
Diyarbakir Kaleici Bazaar is the local people's shopping centre, so you will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the people and lifestyle of Diyarbakir.
Dinner and accommodation in Diyarbakir. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, early departure for Nemrut Mountain ( 180 Km) city by crossing the Nissip Bridge on the Atatürk Dam from a beautiful geography panorama (2,5 hours).
First, visit the Arsameia ancient city excavation area, Karakus Tumulus, the burial mound of the women of the Commagene Royal family, and the Roman Bridge (Cendere Bridge), one of the oldest bridges in the world. It was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211) in the name of his two sons and his wife. This 120-meter-long, 30-meter bridge was built with cut stones without mortar.
After parking the car on Mount Nemrut, you can reach the summit by climbing a challenging 2 km steep road (35 - 45 Minutes). It is recommended that you take comfortable, non-slip shoes and warm clothes.
After an arduous climb, we will reach the house of gods on the summit of the mysterious and magnificent Mt. Nemrut. On the eastern terrace of the Nemrut summit, we will see the Zeus, Apollon, Heracles, Antiochus, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion sculptures. The tumulus of the Commagene King Antiochus I is at the top. We will also see the altars and sculptures on the western terrace. It is impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent view and the beauty of the colossal statues. Sunrise and sunset each have a different beauty.
After the Nemrut Mountain tour, drive 80 km to Adiyaman.  
Overnight in Adiyaman.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, free time until departure.  We can visit Perre ancient City, depending on your flight time.  Transfer to Adiyaman Airport or GAP Sanliurfa Airport for your return flight via connection to Istanbul Airport. ( Breakfast )

Customised Tours
We can create a tour program on your request and offer an itinerary that suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Don't hesitate to contact us with your requests.