Mysteries of Eastern Anatolia - 11 Days

Arrive at Adana Airport, meet the assistant guide, and transfer to the hotel.
Early Arrival the main sights we will see in Adana are the Clock Tower built by Ziya Pasha, Kazancılar Bazaar, Adana Ulu Mosque, the Stone Bridge (Taş köprü) on the Seyhan River, and Sabancı Mosque, which has six minarets.
Overnight stay in Adana. (Dinner)

After breakfast drive to Hatay (240 Km) Hatay Archaeological Museum is closed for an indefinite period in the city that was destroyed (% 80 of the city)in the earthquake of February 6, 2024. We will have the chance to see it when it is opened to visitors. Only St. in Hatay. Pierre Church is visited.
St. Pierre Church is known as one of the oldest churches of Christianity, carved into the rocks on Mount Stairus in Antakya. The first Christians in Antakya held their secret meetings here. St. Paul, who came to Antakya with Barnabas, taught Christianity to people in Hatay, and those who believed in the new religion were called "Christians" for the first time in this cave.
At the end of the Hatay tour, Drive to Gaziantep (200 Km) 
Overnight in Gaziantep     ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Note: If it is not possible to visit Hatay due to adverse conditions, a trip to Tarsus is made as an alternative instead of Hatay.

Today, visit the Gaziantep province, Mesopotamia's modern industrial and agricultural product centre.
Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the second-largest mosaic museum in the world. 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!
Then we will go to Halfeti. (100 km, 1.5 hours) Halfeti district is also known as the hidden paradise of the Southeast for its historical stone houses, black roses, and natural beauty. We will visit Savaşan Village, a large part of which is underwater and called a "sunken city," on a boat tour. We will see the Sunken Mosque, the Greek Castle, and the Halfeti Neck bridge, take photos, and have a Lunch break on the way. We will arrive at Harran.
Harran is an ancient city. The 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. Conical 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.
Overnight stay in Sanliurfa. ( Breakfast – Dinner )
** We have dinner, a traditional Sira night party with local music. 

Today, you will experience the excitement of discovering the fascinating heritage of the world's oldest civilisation in Turkey. Firstly, stroll through ancient Sanliurfa.

Sanliurfa is the city of the prophets; visit Halil-ur Rahman and Rızvaniye Mosque, Balıklıgol (fish lake), which, according to legend, was formed in the place where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, and Ayn-el Zeliha Lake. After shopping at Bedesten and Gümrük Inn, we will have lunch at a local restaurant featuring Urfa's famous kebab and other regional dishes. We will also visit the Urfa Archeology Museum and Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum. Lunch break in Sanliurfa, and visit Göbeklitepe Temple.
Gobeklitepe temple ( located in Taş Tepeler region ), the oldest open-air temple in the world, was built 12,000 years ago and dates back to the Neolithic Age, which started a new era in the history of 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.
Visit Karahantepe due to Archaeological Excavations 40 km from Göbeklitepe in the Taştepeler region.
Karahantepe is one of the most important and oldest settlements of the Neolithic period, with a history of 13,000 years. The 2,30-meter human statue found in the Karahantepe Archaeological Site in 2024 amazes us.
 Accommodation in Şanlıurfa. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, depart from Sanliurfa and travel through Nemrut Mountain., where the tumulus of Antiochos of Commagene King and giant statues are located. This might be the part that will remain in your memories as the most unique place on this tour. With the narration of our guide, we will admire the rich history. On the way to Mount Nemrut via Kahta, visit Arsemia Ancient city, the summer capital of the Commegena Kings. Karakuş Tumulus for Kommegene king Sister and wife.  Roman Cendere Bridge. Arrive at the summit by minibus (large buses and minibuses cannot travel this route). After a tiring climb, we will see the Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, I Antiochhos, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion sculptures on the eastern terrace of the Nemrut summit. We will visit the tumulus of Antiochos of Commagene King at the top and 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 at the top of Mount Nemrut. Sunrise and sunset each have a different beauty in the endless horizon. We will depart for Adıyaman after the Mt. Nemrut tour.
Dinner and overnight stay in Adiyaman or Kahta. ( Breakfast – Dinner ) 

After breakfast, depart for Diyarbakır. Via Nissip Bridge on the Atatürk Dam from the beautiful geography.
Diyarbakır has been one of the most important cities of Northern Mesopotamia throughout history. It is the cradle of civilisations, where many religions, languages, and cultures have been integrated. 
We will visit the 5th Harem-i Sharif of Islam and Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, one of the first mosques in Anatolia.
Diyarbakır City Walls are on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. Take a coffee break at the historical Hasan Pasha Inn.
Sheikh Muhattar Mosque is famous for its Four-Legged Minaret. The minaret's architecture, built on four pillars, will amaze you. Prophet Suleiman Mosque Builded 1160. Visit Mar Petyun Chaldean Church.
Lunch break in a local restaurant with grilled kebabs. Afterwards, drive towards Mardin. Visit Zerzevan Castle. Zerzevan Castle is 3,000 years old and 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. Thousands of people come here every year and perform rituals. 
Arrive in Mardin and visit the ancient Dara Ruins.
Mardin is the cradle of Mesopotamian Civilization. Where people from different religions and sects live together in peace, you’ll see many door knockers and beautifully carved old doors, each with a history of their own. Stroll the Mardin narrow streets by walk. Visit Latifiye Mosque, the Great Mosque of Mardin, and the old Post Office Building, the best examples of the region’s stonework.
You may visit the local market, where you can find the famous almond candy of Mardin, local desserts, and jewellery made of silver, gold, and precious stones. Finally, we will visit the Kasimiye Madrasah (Mosque Kebir), which had extraordinary architecture and provided university-level education in the Seljuk period.
Dinner and Accommodation in Mardin. ( Breakfast – Dinner ) 

After breakfast, visit Deyrul-Zafaran Monastery, 10 km from the centre of Mardin. Built in the 5th century, it was one of the important religious centres of the Assyrians. Within the monastery complex are structures such as the Mor Hanonya Church, the Sun Temple, the Virgin Mary Church, and the House of Saints, which are built with the best examples of Mardin stonemasonry. Deyrul-Zafaran Monastery was the official seat of the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church until 1932.
Midyat is a town famous for its stone architectural structures, where Assyrians, Muslims, and people from different sects live together. Specially designed silver jewellery called Telkari, handcrafted by Assyrian masters, is produced in Midyat.
Hasankeyf is an ancient settlement submerged under the waters of the Ilısu dam in 2020. El Rızk Mosque, the Süleyman Pasha mosque minarets, and Zeynel Bey’s tomb are among the historical artefacts that have been moved to the Yeni Hasankeyf. Take a lunch break at Batman with delicious local dishes. Arrive in Ahlat after a pleasant journey through the mountains, plateaus, villages, and towns of Eastern Anatolia, which offer magnificent views.
Ahlat district is located near Lake Van and has the largest Turkish-Islamic cemetery in the world. Visit the Ahlat Seljuk Mausoleums, the Great Cellar, the Emir Bayindir Mosque and the tombstones, among the most exquisite examples of Turkish-Islamic art. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, these tombs are a treasure trove of Anatolia's cultural heritage with their fine stonework and fascinating motifs.
Arrive and Accommodation in Tatvan. ( Breakfast – Dinner ) 

Today's provincial tour will begin with travel to Akdamar Island in Lake Van's Edremit district.
Akdamar Church is a 10th-century Armenian church located on Akdamar Island in Lake Van. Built by King Gagik I between 915 and 921, it was restored by the Republic of Turkey in 2020. The church is especially famous for its stone reliefs depicting scenes from the Bible and the Torah on the facade. Akdamar Church, one of the most beautiful examples of medieval Armenian architecture, fascinates visitors with its historical and artistic value.
Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, attracts attention with its natural beauty. Akdamar Island is in the lake's centre, and the historical Akdamar Church offers visitors a unique view. Enjoy the mesmerising atmosphere integrated with the calm waters of Lake Van and the surrounding mountains.
Lunch Break in the Van. Continue our tour.
Tuspa Castle was built by Urartu King Sarduri 2800 years ago. The castle, located near Van Lake, became the capital of the Urartu Kingdom under the name Tuspa. We will explore the castle's rock tombs, which belonged to Urartu Kings. Following our visit to the Van Archeology and Ethnography Museum,
Dinner and accommodation in Van. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we will visit Muradiye Waterfall, 90 km away. After taking beautiful pictures there, we will move on to Doğubeyazıt.
Doğu Beyazit after crossing Tendürek mountain and its stunning views. We will have a short lunch break and visit the famous İshak Pasha Palace. It is said that the construction of the 116-room palace took 99 years. We will arrive in Kars province after a tour of this magnificent palace overlooking Mount Ararat.
Kars is a city in northeastern Turkey known for its cold climate and historical and cultural richness. It is also famous for its buildings bearing traces of Ottoman and Russian architecture, delicious gruyere cheese, and delicious goose dishes. Kars is home to the Sarıkamış Ski Centre, a popular destination for winter tourism.
Check into our hotel, stroll through the streets of Kars, and experience a new culture and climate. You can taste local foods such as goose meat, honey, Kars cheese, Kars gruyere cheese, yellow fish, Hengel, and kit, which are unique to Kars, and you can buy them to take home. You can see Russian architecture in Kars and experience the climate, geography, and culture, which is the basis of this fusion.
Accommodation in Kars. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Today, visit Ani Ruins and Erzurum province.
Ani Ruins is an important ancient city on the UNESCO World Heritage List, known as the ‘City of 1001 Churches’.
Historical artefacts such as Manuçehr Mosque, Ani Cathedral, Virgins Monastery, and Apostles Church in the ruins of Ani.
Arrive in Erzurum and take a lunch break featuring Çağ Kebab and stuffed Kadayıf, which are local flavours of Erzurum.

Erzurum is an Eastern Anatolian city that attracts attention with its historical and natural beauties. The Double Minaret Madrasa from the Seljuk period is one of the city's symbols. Yakutiye Madrasa and the Great Mosque are unique examples of Islamic architecture. Palandoken Ski Centre is one of Turkey's most popular winter tourism destinations. In addition, Aziziye Bastions and Erzurum Castle are among the essential buildings reflecting the city's historical texture. Erzurum's famous cağ kebab and kadayıf dolma offer visitors an unforgettable flavour experience. Ornaments and jewellery made of Oltu Stone and Oltu stone rosaries are art values unique to the city.
Accommodation in Erzurum.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, transfer to Erzurum Airport and fly to Istanbul for your international flight connection.
(Breakfast)