Eastern Anatolia and Mesopotamia tour 10 Days

(Airplane from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) – Kars / THY  06.40 / Pegasus Airline  07.00)
Upon arrival at Kars Airport, your guide will meet and take you to your hotel. Then we visit the Ani ruins, which are 45 km away.

Ani Ruins are the Silent Witness of History on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ani is called the “City of 1001 Churches” and the “Cradle of Civilizations.” It hosted many civilisations, such as the Armenians, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans, and its architecture reflects this rich history.

Structures that stand out in the Ani tour are Tigran Honents Church, famous for its wall frescoes, and Sur Gate. Abu’l Menuçehr Mosque is an elegant example of Seljuk architecture. The Great Cathedral (Fethiye Mosque) is eye-catching with its architecture. Seljuk Caravanserai, Young Girls Church (Virgins Monastery), Abughamrents Church, and Silk Road Bridge are also on the tour. The Church of the Redeemer (St. Prkitch) and the Church of the Holy Savior are also on the tour.

After our visits to Ani, we return to Kars provice. Visit beautiful examples of Russian architecture, such as the Cheltikov Hotel, Catherine Palace, Fethiye Mosque (Alexander Nevski Church), and Kars Castle.
Accommodation in Kars (Dinner)

After breakfast, we Depart from Kars for Van. After seeing the villages and towns of Eastern Anatolia, we arrive in Doğubeyazit. We will visit Noah's Ark from Durupınar Noah's Ark Visitor Centre, located at the foot of Mt. Ararat, 35 km away. American researchers, especially James Irwin, discovered findings claimed to belong to Noah's Ark.
After a lunch break at a local restaurant in Doğubeyazit, visit Ishak Pasha Palace.
Ishak Pasha Palace has 116 rooms, and its construction took 99 years. After visiting this magnificent palace overlooking Mount Ararat, we will set off towards Van, passing Tendürek Mountain, accompanied by beautiful views. We will arrive in Van province. It is one of the largest cities in Eastern Turkey, located on the shores of Lake Van (3,713 km2), the largest lake in Turkey.
Dinner and accommodation in Van.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

We start today's tour in Van Castle, known as Tuspa Castle in the olden days. The castle, which overlooks Lake Van, was built by the Urartu King Sarduri 2800 years ago. It became the capital of the Urartu Kingdom with the name Tuspa. Inside the castle are also rock tombs belonging to the Urartu Kings. Next, we’ll visit the Akdamar Church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, which was built with magnificent stonework and later restored by the Turkish government. We’ll reach the island on boats from the pier in the Edremit district and enjoy the incredible lake and mountain scenery. 
Take a lunch break in a local restaurant and head for Ahlat (180 km away). Here, we’ll see the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world, founded in 1200 by the Seljuks. It has 8,169 tombstones, some of which are 3,5 meters long. What makes the tombstones more remarkable are the unique inscriptions and decorations on them. After seeing the Grand Vault, the Emir Bayındır Mosque, and the tombstones, we will arrive in Tatvan, located near Van Lake. It is a very beautiful town.   
Dinner and accommodation in Tatvan. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, we will have an enjoyable journey by watching the exquisite view of the changing geography.
The first visit is to Uzuntaş village in the Hizan district of Bitlis province.

Experience the natural and rustic beauty of Uzuntaş village, home to ancient stone houses and barns that have been standing for more than 300 years, preserving the authentic texture of Anatolia. Get to know the Anatolian people closely.
Take a lunch break in Batman with delicious dishes. Then, take a boat trip to the Hasankeyf Dam.
Hasankeyf is one of the ancient settlements in the world, and now, some parts are under the dam's waters.

Midyat is famous for its unique architectural structures, stone houses, and handcrafted gold and silver jewellery called filigree. After shopping, we will see the beautiful view from the terrace of Midyat Guest House.  Midyat resembles a fairy tale city.
Accommodation in Mardin ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Mardin's tour offers an exciting experience filled with rich history and culture. The narrow 'Abbara' passages connect Mardin's parallel streets and have inspired art.
Visit Kasimiye Madrasah (Mosque Kebir), an architectural marvel reflecting Muslim, Syriac, Turkish, and Arabian influences. Our visit includes the Ulu Mosque, Minaret, the Şehidiye Madrasa, and the Old Post Office Building. Afterwards, enjoy free time for lunch at a local restaurant and shopping for unique products like natural soaps, nuts, almond candies, and handmade souvenirs.
While sipping coffee in a café, take in the stunning Mesopotamian landscape framed by beautiful stone buildings.
Deyrul Zafaran Monastery has served as the patriarchate centre of Assyrians for more than 1,000 years.
Dara is a Roman-Persian city with a 3,500-year history. Alexander the Great and Darius III fought the Battle of Gaugamela in the Dara region, and Darius lost. Dara has an impressive Roman water cistern and interesting rock tombs.
Accommodation in Mardin.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, depart toward Mt. Nemrut via Diyarbakir. Fist stop in Zerzavan Castle.
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 Temple of Mithras, the mystery religion of Rome. Mithras is the Sun God who controls the entire universe. Rites in the temple were always held in secret.

We will see the Diyarbakir walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Diyarbakir Grand Mosque, considered one of the five Haram-i Sharifs of Islam, the sundial made by the scholar El-Cezeri in the Grand Mosque's garden, and the Historical Hasan Pasha Inn.

After having lunch in Diyarbakir, we depart for Mt. Nemrut.

We see the ancient city of Arsameia, the Karakuş Tumulus, which is the tomb of the women of the Commagene Royal Family, and the Roman Bridge (Cendere Bridge) built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211) and arrive at Mount Nemrut.
After a challenging climb, we reach the giant god statues and King Antiochus Tumulus at the summit of the magnificent Mount Nemrut. On the east and west terraces of the summit, there are Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, Antiochus, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion statues and altars. The tumulus of King Antiochus I of Commagene is at the summit. Watch the impressive and magnificent view of the sunset on the horizon at Mount Nemrut with fascination and make a wish.
Accommodation is at the Auphrat Hotel, 8 km away from the god statues on the hill and close to the stars on the slopes of Mount Nemrut (Dutluca Village) or in Adıyaman, depending on your request. 
Accommodation Nemrut Euphrat Hotel or Adıyaman (Breakfast - Dinner)

After breakfast, a two-hour journey and arrival in Şanlıurfa, known as the city of the prophets.

Sanliurfa visits: 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. Visit the cave where Prophet Abraham was born. Have a lunch break at a local restaurant.
Next, we will visit the Urfa Archeology Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, which exhibits many historical artefacts from Anatolian civilisations.
Göbeklitepe, located near Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey, is a groundbreaking archaeological site rewriting human history. Dating back 11,000 years, Göbeklitepe offers a unique insight into the birth of civilisation.  It is recognised as the oldest known temple complex in the world, predating Stonehenge thousands of years ago.
The massive T-shaped limestone Megalith pillars, decorated with intricate animal carvings, reveal the spiritual and artistic talents of the first hunter-gatherers.
Accommodation in Sanliurfa. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

*** Dinner is in the Sıra Gecesi musical program with traditional music.

Today's departure towards Gaziantep First visits to Ancient Harran.
Harran: Harran is an ancient city continuously inhabited since the 6th millennium BC. It was once the capital of the Assyrian and Umayyad civilisations. We will be welcomed by its conical domed houses and historical sights, such as the Konik Harran Houses, Harran Mound, and El Firdevs Mosque. Umayyad Caliph Mervan built the mosque, also known as Cennet Mosque, after the Harran's trip and arrived at the Halfeti dam.
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.  Arrive Gaziantep.

Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the second-largest mosaic museum in the world, featuring 1700 square meters of mosaics. The museum exhibits mosaics, wall paintings, statues, the bronze statue of Mars, sarcophagi, and architectural pieces of Roman and Late Antique significance.
Accommodation in Gaziantep.  (Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, you transferred to Gaziantep Airport Flight to Istanbul. Transfer hotel Free time for shopping.
You can book any optional Istanbul Tour.

Accommodation in Istanbul.  ( Breakfast )

Private transfer to Istanbul Airport depends on your flight, where you can connect to your onward flight to your next destination. 
Hope to see you on the other Turkiye holiday. ( Breakfast )