Licence : TURSAB A4339
The Fire of Mesopotamia Tour is a 9-day journey through the heart of Turkey, where the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia left their mark on history. Beginning and ending in Istanbul, this tour seamlessly blends the cultural richness of the West with the historical depth of the East, taking you through awe-inspiring landscapes, UNESCO-listed sites, and some of the world’s oldest settlements. After exploring the timeless wonders of Istanbul’s Old City, you’ll travel to the breathtaking region of Cappadocia, famed for its fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and underground cities. The journey then shifts toward the cradle of civilization in Southeastern Turkey, beginning with the majestic Mount Nemrut, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe and Gaziantep. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and seamless transportation, the Fire of Mesopotamia Tour is an immersive experience for history lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Day(s) : 9
Countries : Turkey
Start City : Istanbul
End City : Istanbul
Meals : 8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
Welcome to Istanbul. After picking you up from the airport, we'll drop you off at your hotel for a free day in Istanbul to explore the city.
Overnight : Istanbul
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Yasmak Sultan Hotel
Today's itinerary begins with a visit to the Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem) , which was once the home of the Ottoman Empire's sultans. We continue with stops at the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, and Hippodrome.
On an optional, afternoon, 'Half day Bosphorus cruise', you can cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe and Asia.
Overnight : Istanbul
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Yasmak Sultan Hotel
After breakfast, you fly to Cappadocia. As you arrive at the airport, your guide in Cappadocia awaits to show you the highlights of Cappadocia. To marvel at Cappadocia's lunar scenery, we'll visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, as well as tour the various levels of an underground city. Prepare your cameras because photo opportunities abound!
Don't miss tonight's optional Turkish folklore event, which will feature folklore and belly dancers... it'll be a night to remember!
Overnight : Cappadocia
Category : Boutique Cave
Hotel : Gamirasu Hotel
There's more to explore in Cappadocia today. We'll visit Pigeon Valley and Red Valley today, then Cavusin Village, and finally Avanos Town, where we'll learn about hand-made pottery.
Overnight : Cappadocia
Category : Boutique Cave
Hotel : Gamirasu Hotel
Leaving Cappadocia early in the morning, we will drive to Adiyaman, passing through Kahramanmaras. Our day will culminate with a stunning sunset at Mt. Nemrut.
We venture towards the majestic Mount Nemrut, home to the Tombs of Commagene Kingdom and the towering Colossal Statues of Gods. Ascending to the Tumulus of Antiochos, the former capital of Kommagene, we'll await a breathtaking sunset from the summit of Nemrut. This ancient funerary monument, concealed in time for almost two millennia, will be a remarkable backdrop as the sun descends, painting the sky in hues of serenity atop Mt. Nemrut.
Overnight : Adiyaman
Category : 4 star
Hotel : White Star Hotel
Following breakfast, our journey takes us to Sanliurfa (Urfa) via a scenic route, passing the impressive Ataturk Dam and the historic town of Harran, known for its unique mud-brick houses and ancient city walls. In Sanliurfa, we will explore the revered Holy Pools of Abraham and visit the cave believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham.
Overnight : Sanliurfa (Urfa)
Category : Boutique
Hotel : Kasr-ı Hayat Boutique Hotel
Our first destination is Gobekli Tepe, the most significant archaeological site of our time, reshaping our understanding of early human history. This sacred site reveals the earliest-known religious structures, dating back an astonishing 11,000 to 13,000 years, predating pivotal human advancements like pottery, writing, Stonehenge, and even the Pyramids. Following this, we will visit the Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum, Kizilkoyun Nekropolis, and the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum.
Overnight : Sanliurfa (Urfa)
Category : Boutique
Hotel : Kasr-ı Hayat Boutique Hotel
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a scenic drive towards Gaziantep, with a stop in Halfeti en route. Upon arrival in Halfeti, enjoy a captivating boat trip on the tranquil waters of the Euphrates River, where you'll discover the intriguing partially sunken city and learn about its rich history and culture.
After the boat trip, continue to Gaziantep, one of Turkey’s culinary capitals. First, visit the renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to some of the most stunning Roman mosaics ever discovered, offering a fascinating insight into the region’s ancient past.
Following the museum visit, you’ll have free time in Gaziantep’s city center, where you can explore local bazaars, shop for traditional products, or enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring Gaziantep’s world-famous cuisine (such as baklava, kebabs, or beyran soup). Lunch is not included in the tour price, but your guide will be happy to recommend excellent local restaurants. In the late afternoon, transfer to Gaziantep Airport for domestic flight back to Istanbul.
Overnight : Istanbul
Category : 4 star
Hotel : Yasmak Sultan Hotel
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
This is intended to give an idea of the type of accommodation that may be expected. The actual hotels used for any given tour may change due to many reasons such as group size, availability, time of year, hotel standard has dropped or simply we found a better hotel. We update the website immediately if and when any changes take place. If and when we do change hotels it will be to a hotel of equal or higher standard and will be at no extra cost.
Where more than one hotel is shown for a given an overnight stop this means that one of those hotels will be used.
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