Mesopotamia Journey 8 Days 7 Nights

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Tour Description

Included/Excluded

Tour Plan

Reviews

Our Mesopotamia Tour takes place in Southeastern Turkey—a captivating journey where you will explore ancient religious centers, visit mysterious and majestic temples, and experience the coexistence of diverse faiths and mystical cultures. Most importantly, you will savor some of the most delicious and diverse cuisines in the world.

This program offers a profound immersion into the history of ancient civilizations, the heritage of the Eastern Church, Assyrian culture, and much more.

Included/Excluded

Licensed Russian-speaking guide services for 8 days
Lunches during the 6 days of excursions (+ 1 soft drink + tea)
Hotel breakfasts included
Full transportation throughout the tour, including hotel transfers
7 nights of accommodation in 3-4* hotels
Dinners during the 7 days of excursions (+ 1 soft drink + tea)
Entrance tickets to all museums and historical sites

Personal expenses
Flights

Tour Plan

Day 1. Arrival and Adaptation

Arrival: Flight to Gaziantep Airport.
Transfer: Private airport pick-up and hotel check-in.
Leisure Time: A free day to rest. Depending on the group’s arrival time, additional local sightseeing can be arranged.
Overnight: Gaziantep.

Day 2. From Mosaics to Monuments

Departure: Check-out from the hotel with luggage after breakfast.
Zeugma Mosaic Museum: Visit one of the world’s largest and most significant mosaic museums, home to the famous “Gypsy Girl.”
Gaziantep Fortress: Explore the historic citadel situated on a central hill in the city.
Historical Bedesten: Experience the atmosphere of a traditional Ottoman-era covered bazaar, offering spices, textiles, and local handicrafts.
Cendere Bridge: A stunning Roman arched bridge built in the 1st century AD, an exceptional example of ancient engineering.
Karakus Tumulus: A royal burial mound of the Commagene dynasty, surrounded by symbolic columns.
Sunset at Mount Nemrut: Ascent to the summit to witness the sunset amidst the colossal statues and the mausoleum of King Antiochus I (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Dinner & Overnight: Hotel check-in and dinner in Adıyaman.

Day 3. The Euphrates and Biblical Legends

Departure: Check-out from the hotel with luggage after breakfast.
Euphrates River Boat Trip: A scenic boat tour on the legendary river. You will see the submerged village of Halfeti and the Rumkale (Greek Fortress) from the water.
Harran: Explore one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, famous for its unique “beehive” mud houses and its deep biblical history.
Cave of Abraham’s Birth: A sacred site in Sanliurfa believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham.
Pool of Sacred Fish (Balıklıgöl): A religious and historical site where, according to legend, Abraham was thrown into a fire that turned into water.
Optional: Evening “Sira Night” in Sanliurfa—enjoy traditional Turkish food, local music, and cultural performances.
Dinner & Overnight: Sanliurfa.

Day 4. Ancient Mysteries and Life by the Tigris

Departure: Check-out from the hotel with luggage after breakfast.
Göbekli Tepe: Visit the world’s oldest known temple complex (12,000 years old), a site that has fundamentally changed the history of human civilization.
St. Petyun Chaldean Church: A historic sanctuary in Diyarbakir belonging to the local Chaldean community.
Diyarbakir Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami): One of the largest and oldest mosques in Anatolia, characterized by its grand basalt architecture.
Ten-Eyed Bridge: A historic 11th-century bridge spanning the legendary Tigris River.
Dinner & Overnight: Diyarbakir.

Day 5. Traces of Mithras and Syriac Heritage

Departure: Check-out from the hotel with luggage after breakfast.
Zerzevan Castle: A strategic Roman military garrison that guarded the borders of the Byzantine Empire.
Temple of Mithras: Explore a rare underground sanctuary dedicated to the mysterious Roman cult of the god Mithras.
Midyat Guest House: A stunning traditional stone mansion famous for its architecture and often featured in Turkish cinematography.
Telkari Workshop: Visit a workshop specializing in “Telkari”—the ancient Mesopotamian art of silver filigree jewelry.
Mor Gabriel Monastery: One of the world’s oldest functioning monasteries, founded in 397 AD, and a vital center for the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Dinner & Overnight: Midyat.

Day 6. Mardin: City of Stone and Faith

Departure: Check-out from the hotel with luggage after breakfast.
Ancient City of Dara: Explore the impressive ruins of a Roman-era city, featuring an ancient necropolis, cisterns, and aqueducts.
Deyrulzafaran Monastery: A 6th-century spiritual center of the Syriac Orthodox Church, renowned for its unique history and architecture.
Church of the Forty Martyrs (Mor Behnam): A 4th-century church with immense historical and religious value, housing priceless icons.
Mardin Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami): The 12th-century icon of Mardin, showcasing magnificent Artuqid stonework.
Zinciriye & Kasimiye Madrasahs: Explore these 14th and 15th-century Islamic schools, masterpieces of medieval architecture with breathtaking views of the plains.
Dinner & Overnight: Mardin.

Day 7. A Day in the Atmosphere of Mardin

Leisure Day: Enjoy a full day to explore the narrow streets and golden stone architecture of Old Mardin at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; lunch and dinner included at local restaurants.
Overnight: Mardin.

Day 8. Farewell to Mesopotamia

Breakfast: Final morning in the heart of Upper Mesopotamia.
Departure: Check-out and private transfer to Mardin Airport for your return flight.
End of Tour.