The Soul of Mesopotamia -2- (7 Nights)

Day 1 : Cappadocia

Upon your arrival at Cappadocia airport, transfer to the region of historical center with your guide. We first visit the "Imagination Valley" where we begin to contemplate the lunar landscape of Cappadocia. Next, we continue to "Zelve Open Air Museum" which is an ancient troglodyte abandoned village. And then we pass to an another valley known as the "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys" that has the most famous Fairy Chimneys of the region, which are natural volcanic formations with two different layers. One of the main visits of the day will be the "Göreme Open Air Museum" where we get to know the best preserved monastic cave chapels in the region. In the Cappadocia region, Saint Basil and Saint George were born. With the cave chapels of the museum with the beautiful wall paintings and frescos we also see many caves that were used as cellars, kitchens, dining rooms, houses and etc. Lunch. In "Avanos", we pass over the red river "Kizilirmak", the longest river of Turkey (1355 km).Avanos is an important center of the handcrafts. First, we visit a workshop of the famous Turkish carpets and kilims, and then we pass a pottery factory of a local family of the town. We head on to the hotel. Dinner. The possibility of taking the "Turkish Night Show" in a huge cave that lasts about 3 hours.(optional). Accommodation.

Day 2 : Cappadocia

The possibility of taking the "Hot Air Balloon Trip" (optional). Breakfast. The second day of the region starts with the underground city of "Kaymakli". The underground cities in Cappadocia were used for the first time by the Hittites. After them, many civilizations used them for different needs such as storing food, wine, water and etc. until the Christians of the 7th century, used them as shelters making huge tunnels. Afterwards, we continue towards the "Uçhisar Castle" which is the highest volcanic formation in Cappadocia to see the best panoramic view of the Uchisar Castle first from the "Pigeon Valley" and then from the "Karlık Sokak". Afterwards, we visit another famous handcraft of the region which is a workshop of Onyx, Meerschaum, Turquoise and the traditional jewelry of gold and plate. Lunch. After the lunch we have two more beautiful panoramic views of region. First we stop for the best view of "Göreme Valley" and then the final fantastic view of Cappadocia we stop at "Love Valley". The possibility of taking the "Whirling Dervish Dance Show" that lasts about an hour. (optional). Dinner and accommodation

Day 3 : Cappadocia–Nemrut–Adiyaman (490 km)

After the breakfast your guide will pick you up with your luggages, Early departure for "Adiyaman". On the way we stop for the lunch in "Kahramanmaras" which has famous ice creams that is made of goat milk. Then we continue to Adiyaman. When we arrive at "Kahta", our first stop is the famous "Severan Bridge" ( Cendere ), which is the best preserved Roman bridge of Mesopotamia built in the 2nd century AD. Then we have a second short stop in "Arsemia", ruins of an ancient Hellenistic-Persian city. Later, we have the most important visit of the day: we will climb to "Mount Nemrut" to visit a tomb-sanctuary flanked by huge statues that was built by King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene which is unique in the world. We stay there till the sunset for a fantastic experience. After the sunset we head on to the hotel in Kahta or in Adiyaman. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4 : Adiyaman–Gaziantep (150 km)

After the breakfast departure for "Gaziantep". When we arrive first we visit the "Zeugma Mosaic Museum" that has very beautiful Roman mosaics excavated from Zeugma Antique Site. Afterwards we pass to the historical part of the city for the lunch at a traditional restaurant in which we have the opportunity of taste the famous and delicious variety of kebaps  and deserts of the region. In the afternoon we make a sightseeing tour and have a free time for shopping in the Copper and Mother of Pearl Workshop Bazaar. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5 : Gaziantep–Halfeti–Sanliurfa (250 km)

After the breakfast departure for "Sanliurfa". On the way to Sanliurfa first we stop in "Halfeti", a majority of which lies under the waters of Birecik Dam, used to be called as ''Hidden Paradise'' with the orchards at the hillside of the Euphrates, yard-type stone houses, and flower gardens. At "Holly River Euphrates" we take a boat trip to see the ruins of the old houses and "Rumkale". After that marvelous experience we take the lunch at the same magical place. After the lunch we continue to Sanliurfa. We head on to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6 : Sanliurfa–Gobeklitepe–Harran–Mardin (250 km)

After the breakfast the first visit of the day is the "Urfa Archeological Museum", a huge, modern museum with excellent exhibitions, especially the sections about "Göbeklitepe" and the Neolithic Age. Then we visit to the cave where Abraham is believed to have been born. At the same place also we have the opportunity of visiting the "Sacred Fish Pool" & the fortress that overlooks both these holy sites. ( Balikligol ). Lunch. After the lunch first we pass to "Harran". We take a sightseeing tour of the ruins of the oldest "Islamic University" and the "Castle of Harran" and then we visit the authentic "Harran houses". Afterwards we visit "Gobeklitepe", which is perhaps the most important archaeological site in the world today. It is almost 12 thousand years old. We still don’t know exactly what the purpose of its construction was. One theory tells us that it was the first sanctuary in history; it is the place where the “sacred” was born.Then we continue to "Mardin". Arrival. Dinner and accommodation. 

Day 7 : Mardin–Midyat–Mardin

After the breakfast on the way to "Midyat" first we stop for visit  the Syriac-Orthodox monastery of "Mor Gabriel", also known as "Deyrulumur", is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox Monastery in the world. Assyrians (Süryanis in Turkish) are people who have very ancient traditions; they still speak a variation of the language of Jesus Christ, Aramaic, and still celebrate their masses in this language. Our second stop is Midyat, which is a very famous historical typical town of the Historical Silk Road with it’s marvelous examples of historical typical stone architecture. After the walking tour of the old town we return back to Mardin for lunch. After the lunch we walk through the typical streets of the old city. We visit the "Great Mosque" ( Ulucami ), which is one of the most important monuments of the city that was built in 12th century by Artuqids ( Artuklu ). And then also we visit one of the most impressive Islamic monuments in the city, dated to 1385; called Zinciriye Medrese which was an important theological school. We head on to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 8 : Mardin–Airport

After the breakfast we visit "Deyr-ul Zafaran Monastry", one of the oldest monasteries in the world and the largest in Southern Turkey, alongside Mor Gabriel Monastery. The site of the monastery itself is said to have been used as a temple by sun worshipers as long ago as 2000 BC. Finally we head on to the Mardin Airport.

What is included in the tour package ?

*Private Airport transfer ( 2 ways ) *7 nights half board accommodation *7 lunches *7 days professional tour guidance in your language with air conditioned van or bus *Entrance fees to the museums *The domestic flight tickets ( 2 ways ) ( optional ) *Tips for the hotels and restaurants *Taxes

What is excluded ?

*All optional activities *All personal expenses *All beverages *All customary tips to guides and to drivers *The international flight tickets