Eastern Turkey tours

4nights/ 5days from Euro 488 - Departure dates 2010:
Every Wednesday from Gaziantep and Every Monday from Diyarbakir

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ITINERARY A / FROM GAZIANTEP ON WEDNESDAYS :
GAZIANTEP- ADIYAMAN-NEMRUT- ATATÜRK DAM- HARRAN-SANLIURFA- MARDIN- MIDYAT-  HASANKEYF -DIYARBAKIR

 
Day 1 Wednesday Morning flight to Gaziantep from Istanbul. A panoramic city tour. Paying a  visit to the Gaziantep Archeological Museum we will get the chance to see  the spectacular mosaics saved from Zeugma Antique Site. In the
historical Tepebasi district, fine examples of mid-nineteenth-century southeastern Anatolian architecture may seem an incongruous feature of this once-wealthy  trading center in southeastern Turkey, but are only one of many elements in a well-preserved example of cultural and religious integration in the late Ottoman Empire. The missionary hospital and school constructed at the request of Tepebasi's merchants still stand alongside a collection of synagogues, mosques, and Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches in the historical district of Gaziantep. At the center of the district is the Millet Hanı, the largest and grandest of the city's hans, or travel lodges, featuring kitchens, animal stalls, and guestrooms that welcomed both wealthy merchants and refugees. During World War I, Tepebasi was a destination for Armenian refugees, whose craftsmanship is still visible in intricate Ironwork, carved stone arches and columns, basalt ornamentation,  and colorfully tiled courtyard fountains. Sightseeing tour and free time for shopping in the Copper and Mother of Pearl Workshop Bazaar. Dinner at a traditional restaurant ( extra cost). A large , rich ,delicious variety of kebaps and deserts will be served. Overnight .
 
2nd day Thursday After breakfast, depart to Adıyaman. On the way, we will be informed about Karakus Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and Arsemia Antique Settlement. We will visit the Marvelous Mausoleum of Antiochus I, King of Kommagene Kingdom.
This Mausoleum has a very distinguished feature; the sun rises and sets from the foot level of the gigantic sculptures.We will watch the spectacular sunset view. Dinner ( extra) and overnight at the hotel in Adıyaman.

3rd day Friday After breakfast, depart to Sanliurfa.. On the way pay a visit to the Atatürk Dam,which is one of the biggest Dam projects in the world. Depart to Sanlıurfa, the ancient city of Ur. In this land lying between the Euprathes and the Tigris rivers, lived Abraham,the patriarch claimed by three world religions. Drive  to the ancient city of Harran which is mentioned in the Holy Bible.( The river watering the garden flowed from Eden.The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.( Gen 2 :10 -15 NIV ). Sightseeing tour of the ruins of the oldest Islamic University, Castle of Harran, and authentic Harran houses. Back to Sanliurfa ,paying a visit to the cave where Abraham is believed to have been born,visit the sacred fish pool and the fortress that overlooks both these holy sites. Dinner ( extra) and overnight .
 
4th day Saturday After breakfast Drive to Mardin.Walking tour on old brick roads of Mardin to see Monastery of Deyr-ul Zaferan, Mardin Marketplace, Kasimiye Teological school, Kirklar Church . You will admire the marvelous stone mansions of Mardin all day long. Dinner ( extra) and overnight at a traditional Mansion.
 
5th day Sunday After breakfast drive to Midyat, pay a visit to Hasankeyf. Visit marvelous bridge of Hasankeyf, El Rizk Mosque, and the Hasankeyf Castle .Lunch (extra) on the banks of Tigris, drive to Diyarbakir , pay a visit to the gorgious city walls of Diyarbakir , Keldani Church and Ulu mosque. Depart to the airport, end of our tour.

 

ITINERARY B / FROM DIYARBAKIR ON MONDAYS:
DIYARBAKIR- HASANKEYF - MIDYAT - MARDIN-SANLIURFA- HARRAN- ATATÜRK DAM -NEMRUT -ADIYAMAN- GAZIANTEP

1st day Monday Morning flight to Diyarbakir from Istanbul. Pay a visit to the gorgeous city walls of Diyarbakir , Keldani Church and Ulu mosque. Drive to Hasankeyf. Visit Ilisu Dam, marvelous bridge of Hasankeyf, El Rizk Mosque and the Hasankeyf Castle . Lunch ( extra) on the banks of Tigris, Sightseeing tours in Midyat and Mardin.Walking tour on old brick roads of Mardin to see Temple of Deyr-ul Zaferan, Mardin Marketplace, and Ulu Mosque. You will admire the marvelous stone mansions of Mardin all day long. Dinner ( extra) and overnight at a traditional mansion.
 
2nd day Tuesday After breakfast at the hotel Depart to Sanliurfa, the ancient city of Ur. In this land lying between the Euprathes and the Tigris rivers, lived Abraham, the patriarch claimed by three world religions. Drive to the ancient city of Harran which is mentioned in the Holy Bible.( The river watering the garden flowed from Eden.The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.( Gen 2 :10 -15 NIV), Sightseeing tour of the ruins of the oldest Islamic University, Castle of Harran, and authentic Harran houses. Back to Sanliurfa, paying a visit to the cave where Abraham is believed to have been born, visit the sacred fish pool and the fortress that overlooks both these holy sites. Dinner (extra) and overnight at the hotel.
 
3rd day Wednesday After breakfast depart to Atatürk Dam, which is one of the biggest projects in the world and depart to Mount Nemrut. On the way, we will be informed about Karakus Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and Arsemia Antique Settlement. We will visit the Marvelous Mausoleum of Antiochus I, King of Kommagene Kingdom. This mausoleum has a very distinguished feature; sun rises and sets from the foot level of the gigantic sculptures. After getting information about the mausoleum , we will watch the spectacular sunset view. Dinner ( extra) and overnight at the hotel.
 
4th day Thursday After breakfast at the hotel , depart to Gaziantep "The oldest living settlement on earth!". After a panoramic city tour, we will have lunch (extra) at an authentic restaurant. A large , rich , delicious variety of kebaps and desserts will be served . In the afternoon we will visit the Gaziantep Archeological Museum and get the chance to see the spectacular mosaics saved from Zeugma Antique Site. Dinner ( extra) and overnight at the hotel.

5th day Friday After breakfast , visit to the historical Tepebasi district, fine examples of mid-nineteenth century southeastern Anatolian architecture may seem an incongruous feature of this once-wealthy trading center in southeastern Turkey, but are only one of many elements in a well-preserved example of cultural and religious integration in the late Ottoman Empire. The missionary hospital and school constructed at the request of Tepebasi's merchants still stand alongside a collection of synagogues, mosques, and Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches in the historical district of Gaziantep. At the center of the district is the Millet Hani, the largest and grandest of the city's hans, or travel lodges, featuring kitchens, animal stalls, and guestrooms that welcomed both wealthy merchants and refugees. During World War I, Tepebasi was a destination for Armenian refugees, whose craftsmanship is still visible in intricate Ironwork, carved stone arches and columns, basalt ornamentation, and colorfully tiled courtyard fountains. Sightseeing tour and free time for shopping in the Copper and Mother of Pearl Workshop Bazaar. Depart to the airport, end of our tour.

Price : Euro 488.- Per person sharing twin / Euro 119- Single supplement
 
Child reductions : 00 - 02 years free of charge, 03 - 11 years pays Euro 213
 
Child reductions are valid only when child shares the room with the parents.
 
Price includes:
* Air conditioned coach Transportation
* All the entrance fees to the historical sites and museums mentioned in the itinerary
* 4 nights of accomodation in Tugcan Hotel (5 star hotel -Gaziantep), Zeus Hotel (4 star hotel -Adıyaman), Harran Hotel
(4 star hotel - Sanlıurfa), Erdoba Houses (Special type butique hotel - Mardin) or similar
*Breakfasts in the program
*Professional guidance services
 
Price excludes:
* VAT 18 %
* to/from Gaziantep or Diyarbakir domestic flights
* Travel insuarance
* Lunches and dinners
* Drinks during the meals
* Tips