The Great Gap & Mesopotamia Tour
Tour Detail
We are embarking on a journey to the heart of history, culture, and unique flavors! A tiered pricing system is applied to our tour. You can reserve your place at the best prices by taking advantage of early booking opportunities.
Comfortable transportation and quality hotel accommodations await you on this unique tour, where we will follow the traces of ancient civilizations in places such as Gaziantep, Diyarbakır, Hasankeyf, Midyat, Mardin, the ancient city of Dara, Harran, Göbeklitepe, Balıklıgöl, Halfeti, and Adana.
What's Included
- Transportation: Round-trip transportation departing from İznik, Orhangazi, and Yenişehir in luxury vehicles, along with all intercity excursions.
- Accommodation: 5 nights of hotel accommodation (1 night in Gaziantep, 1 night in Diyarbakır, 1 night in Mardin, 1 night in Şanlıurfa, 1 night in Adana).
- Meals: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners served at the hotels.
- Guiding Service: Professional licensed guiding service throughout the tour.
- Travel Insurance: Professional liability and mandatory travel insurance.
- Onboard Refreshments: Complimentary water throughout the journey.
Not Included
- First Day Breakfast: The first morning breakfast to be taken on the morning of Day 1 en route to/upon arrival in Adana/Gaziantep.
- Lunches: All lunches during the tour (Adana Kebab, Beyran, Urfa Liver, etc.).
- Archaeological Site and Museum Entrances: Entrance fees for museums, archaeological sites, monasteries and mansions.
- Halfeti Boat Tour: Participation fee for the boat tour on Birecik Dam Lake.
- Şanlıurfa Sıra Night: Optional traditional Sıra Night event with dinner and live music.
- Drinks Ordered with Meals: All extra drinks ordered with meals at hotels or restaurants.
- Personal Expenses: Bazaar shopping and all personal expenses.
Tour Program
Day 1 | Tuesday: Gaziantep
Departure: Departing from İznik, Orhangazi, and Yenişehir on Monday night.
Morning: Arrival in Gaziantep and breakfast break (Extra).
Museums & Bazaars: Visit to the world-famous Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Explore the area around Gaziantep Castle, the historic Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, and Almacı Bazaar.
Break: Enjoy the famous menengiç coffee at the historic Tahmis Coffeehouse and shop for baklava.
Accommodation: Gaziantep Hotel (1st Night – Dinner Included at the Hotel)
Day 2 | Wednesday: Diyarbakır
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the ancient city of Diyarbakır.
Diyarbakır Tour: Visit the Ten-Eyed Bridge over the Tigris River, the Hevsel Gardens, and the UNESCO-listed Diyarbakır Walls.
Cultural Tour: Visit the Great Mosque of Diyarbakır, the authentic Hasan Pasha Inn, and the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House/Museum, a magnificent example of civil architecture where our renowned poet was born and raised.
Accommodation: Diyarbakır Hotel (2nd Night – Dinner at the Hotel Included)
Day 3 | Thursday: Hasankeyf, Midyat & Mardin
Morning: Arrival at Hasankeyf via Batman, with a photo stop overlooking the Ilısu Dam.
Afternoon: Visit to Midyat. Shopping stops at the Midyat State Guesthouse, known as Sıla Mansion, and at world-famous Telkari (silver filigree) workshops.
Toward evening, transfer to the fairy-tale city of Mardin.
Accommodation: Mardin Hotel (3rd night – dinner at the hotel included)
Day 4 | Friday: Mardin, Dara Ancient City & Harran
Morning: Visit to Deyrulzafaran Monastery, the symbol of Syriac culture.
Old Mardin: Kasımiye Madrasa, Mardin Grand Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, the historic Old PTT Building (Şahtana Mansion), and the narrow stone streets (abbaras).
Lunch: Visit to the ancient city of Dara, known as the Ephesus of Mesopotamia, famous for its enormous cisterns and rock tombs.
Afternoon: Departure for Şanlıurfa. Visit to Harran, famous for its conical-domed houses.
Evening: Traditional dinner and music-filled Sıra Night event for guests who wish to attend (Optional Extra).
Accommodation: Şanlıurfa Hotel (4th night)
Day 5 | Saturday: Göbeklitepe, Balıklıgöl, Halfeti & Adana
Morning: Visit to the Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site, rewriting the history of humanity.
City Tour: Visit to Balıklıgöl (Halil-ür Rahman) and a coffee break at the historic Gümrük Hanı.
Afternoon: Visit to the Birecik Bald Ibis Breeding Station, where endangered birds are protected.
Halfeti: Enjoyable boat tour on the Euphrates River (Optional Extra).
Evening: Departure for and arrival in Adana.
Accommodation: Adana Hotel (5th Night – Dinner at the Hotel Included)
Day 6 | Sunday: Adana City Tour & Return Journey
Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, a city tour of Adana. Visit the Sabancı Central Mosque and the historic Taşköprü Bridge over the Seyhan River.
Lunch: Explore the historic Kazancılar Bazaar. Before departure, stop for the famous Adana kebab (optional extra).
Afternoon: Begin the return journey to İznik by bus.
Evening: Thanks to the comfortable journey via Adana, arrive in the İznik, Orhangazi, and Yenişehir areas without staying out too late.
Departure Points
- Iznik
- Orhangazi
- New City