Situated between Euphrates and Tigris rivers, Northern Mesopotamia is actual South East Turkey. Mardin is one of the oldest cities of Upper Mesopotamia, which is one of the most poetic cities in the Southeast with its architectural, ethnographic, archaeological, historical, touristic and visual values giving the impression of time having stopped there.
The prophet Abraham, who is the father of three different religions, is believed to have lived in Sanliurfa and Harran and so are considered to be sacred places. The tomb of Job is also near Urfa. The Ataturk Dam, built in Bozova near Sanliurfa, is the biggest in Turkey and the fourth largest in the world, and the area around Harran will be the most productive agricultural region of the country.
Northeast of Adiyaman, on top of Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dag) is the mausoleum made for the Commagene King, Antiochus I. On the east and west of the memorial grave site are the terraces where rituals were carried out, and of course the world famous huge statues of the gods, which are best experienced at sunrise or sunset. ask for more details.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Istanbul - Mardin. Take a flight from Istanbul to Mardin. Arrival and meeting at the airport transfer to Hotel. The city of Mardin, with its golden stone houses that blend into the hills. The houses are often decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading center with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia. Visit the Syriac-Jacobite Monastery of Deyrulzaferan.
Day 2: Mardin - Urfa. Our drive today takes us to Sanliurfa. We pass the Euphrates River and stop at Birecik, which is famous for the nearly extinct Bald Ibis. We will have lunch in Sanliurfa and visit the Mevlid Halil Mosque, the Cave of Prophet Abraham, then the sacred fish pool. You will have a chance to wander in the Old Bazaar. Drive to Harran - city of the prophet Abraham. See the fortress, Islamic school and curious beehive-shaped adobe houses. Overnight Urfa.
Day 3: Urfa - Kahta. Complete visits in Urfa and drive to Kahta. Check-in Hotel. Rise very early for the drive and the walk up to the summit of Mount Nemrut, which is the highest mountain (2150 m) in Northern Mesopotamia. View a fantastic sunrise from the East Terrace. Visit the East and West terraces, fire altar, statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Tyche and Antiochus Epiphanes I, tumulus, reliefs and the world's first horoscope. Dinner and overnight in Kahta.
Day 4: Kahta - Cappadocia. Descend down the mountain through small villages and beautiful scenery. Cross the Cendere Roman Bridge - built by Septimus Severus in the 2nd century AD and still in use! See Karakus, a tumulus of the royal Commagene women. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Cappadocia. It is possible to see the huge Ataturk Dam and visit Kahramanmaraş on the way.
Day 5: Cappadocia. After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Zelve Open Air Museum: a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses; visit to Pasabag "fairy chimneys" where the voice of wind mixes with the "songs of fairies".
Lunch in Avanos, center of Terra gotta work of art since 3000 BC. and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century). Climb on top of the Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.
Day 6: Cappadocia. Tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia. Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style Rock-Cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the "table top" mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and Visit to Sahinefendi- Sobessos, newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses and Archaeological excavation site.
Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a very thin smoke layer which we can only see by torch light. The Medrese (Theological School) from Seljuk Turks in Taşkınpaşa is the witness of an early and rich Turkish settlement in the town. Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; very fine examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.
Day 7: Cappadocia - Istanbul. Transfer to the airport in Kayseri and take a flight to Istanbul and leave Cappadocia.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Domestic flights.
- Airport transfers in Mardin and Kayseri.
- Transportation by a comfortable AC Luxurious non smoking car/Van with professional driver.
- Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours.
- Edoba Konaklarior similar, including breakfast in Mardin.
- Edessa Hotel or similar, including breakfast in Urfa.
- Zeus Hotel or similar, including breakfast in Kahta.
- Gamirasu Cave Hotel or similar, including breakfast in Cappadocia.
- Entry fees to the museums including Dark Church in Göreme.
- Parking fees.
Price Excludes:
- Lunch.
- Dinner.
- Drinks.
- Tips to guide, driver and hotel personnel.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Turkey
Birdwatching
Archeology/History
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