Gap Tour / 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation / Departing from Istanbul
📌CLASSIC GAP TOUR (3 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION)
🚌 Adana Sabancı Central Mosque, Şanlıurfa Balıklıgöl, Aynzeliha Lake, Harran Cultural Area, Göbeklitepe Archaeological Site, Mardin Kasımiye Madrasa, Old Mardin Streets, Dara Ancient City, Midyat Guesthouse, Hasankeyf, Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, Four-Legged Minaret, Mount Nemrut, Cendere Bridge, Karakuş Tumulus, Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Coppersmiths Bazaar
🔥 DARA ANCIENT CITY AND HARRAN CONICAL-DOME HOUSES TOURS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE PRICE!
ℹ️ For detailed stop departure times and route flow, click the ''TOUR PROGRAM'' tab above.
ℹ️ For sıra gecesi details, Nemrut minibus transfers, hotel lists and cancellation terms, click the ''GENERAL INFORMATION'' tab above.
Prepared with the professionalism and corporate assurance of Epic Tatil, this grand program is the most certified cultural experience, bringing together the faith, gastronomy and archaeology history of the Southeastern Anatolia Region under one roof, and encompassing the lands where human history began. Starting with our comfortable luxury coach journey departing from Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya and Ankara, our program is designed to offer our guests the region’s geographical and local dynamics at the highest standards.
Throughout our journey, from Adana's magnificent mosque architecture to the spiritual atmosphere of Şanlıurfa Balıklıgöl, from 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe that breaks the mold, to the streets of Mardin and Midyat where stone turns into poetry, you will experience every moment with the narrations of our expert guides. In addition to the explorations of Harran Houses and Dara Ancient City, offered as included in the package price; the famous Mount Nemrut sunrise adventure you will experience in the shadow of giant statues at an altitude of 2150 meters, and the Halfeti boat tour where you will glide over the waters of the Euphrates, will take your journey’s energy to the peak.
While sipping your menengiç coffee at Gaziantep’s historic Tahmis Coffee House and spending free time in the certified baklava and copperware bazaars, you will enjoy your half-board trip in which you will feel the quality of Epic Tatil in every detail.
Highlighted Corporate Experiences:
- Included Cultural Routes in the Price: Tours of Dara Ancient City and Harran Conical-Dome Houses, which are among the region’s most special and certified points, are included in the package price at no extra charge,
- Zero Point of Human History: Analysis of the UNESCO-certified Göbeklitepe Mound, accepted as the world’s oldest known center of belief and pilgrimage, accompanied by expert guidance,
- Summit Sunrise Safari: An unforgettable sunrise experience in the company of the giant gods of the Kingdom of Commagene, by climbing to the 2150-meter-high Eastern Taurus Mountains with private minibuses departing from Kahta,
- Mesopotamian Gastronomy and Entertainment: The specially arranged traditional Sıra Gecesi event in Şanlıurfa with music and dinner, regional delicacies as an alternative to the famous Akçaabat meatballs, and the Antep cuisine series.
Day 1: Departure from Istanbul
Meeting Points and Times
19:00 Yenibosna Airport Avm Parking Lot
19:45 Mecidiyeköy Torun Center Front
20:15 In front of Kadıköy Marriage Office
20:20 Under the Bostancı Bridge
20:30 Under the Kartal Bridge
20:40 Under the Pendik Bridge
20:50 In front of Çayırova Mc Donalds
21:00 In front of Gebze Center
21:20 İzmit Halkevi Stop (Across from Asya Hotel)
21:40 In front of Sakarya Alpet (Next to the Bus Terminal)
23:45 Next to Bolu Bus Terminal
02:00 Ankara Söğütözü Ulusoy Facilities (Across from Armada Mall)
07:30 Adana Airport
After picking up our valued guests from the specified points, we begin our night journey for the Classic Gap tour with Epic Travel.
Day 2: Adana, Taş Köprü, Sabancı Central Mosque, Şanlıurfa, Balıklıgöl, Aynzeliha Lake
After our overnight journey, we start the day with a breakfast break on the Epic Holiday Gap Tour. Then, after seeing the Historic Stone Bridge, located over the Seyhan River, in a panoramic view, we head to the Adana Sabancı Central Mosque, one of the most important mosques in the region. The main dome, 32 meters in diameter, corresponds to the 32 obligatory acts; the 28 domes in the courtyard correspond to the 28 prophets mentioned in the Quran; the 40 windows in the main dome correspond to the age at which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) became a prophet and the 40 rak'ahs of prayer; and the 99-meter 6 minarets correspond to Allah’s 99 beautiful names. After visiting this architectural marvel of a mosque, we bid farewell to Adana and travel to Şanlıurfa.
We head to Balıklı Göl, one of the first places that comes to mind when Şanlıurfa is mentioned. Balıklı Göl is located southwest of the Şanlıurfa city center and is known as the place where Prophet Abraham fell when he was thrown into the fire. With its sacred fish and the historical artifacts around it, it is one of the most visited places in Şanlıurfa. After seeing Balıklı Göl (Halil-Ür Rahman), formed at the place where Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, and Aynzeliha Lake, said to have formed from the tears of Nemrut’s daughter Zeliha, and receiving information from our guide, we take a photo break. Then we give free time so you can buy local products unique to Şanlıurfa. After the free time, we head to our hotel. Guests who wish may join the “sıra gecesi” to be organized as an extra activity, where we can get to know the regional culture.
Important: Our Şanlıurfa hotel accommodation is bed and breakfast. For dinner, guests who wish may join the dinner-inclusive sıra gecesi program. (Extra)
Breakfast: Will be taken in Adana. (Extra)
Lunch: Will be taken in Şanlıurfa. (Extra)
Dinner: Will be taken at the sıra gecesi. (Extra)
Accommodation Hotel: Şanlıurfa/ Alahan Hotel, Harran Hotel, VE Hotel, Anemon Hotel etc. hotels
Day 3: Harran, Harran University, Ulu Mosque, Conical Dome Houses, Göbeklitepe, Mardin, Kasımiye Madrasa, Old Mardin, Şeyh Çabuk Mosque, Republic Square, Latifiye Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Abbaras, Historic PTT Building (Şahtana Mansion), Şehidiye Mosque
On the 3rd day of the Gap Tour with Epic Holiday, after the breakfast we will have at the hotel in the morning, we leave our hotel and head to Harran, which means “the place where roads intersect.” Harran has been protected with its Cone-Cupola Houses, found in only 3 regions in the world. In Harran, which has a history of 5000 years and also includes the first Islamic university, we see Harran University (Grand Mosque), Harran Mound, the Castle, the Caravanserai, and the Traditional Cone-Cupola Harran Houses, and we visit one of them. During our guesthouse visit, you can take photos by wearing local traditional clothing. After our Harran tour, we get into our vehicle and head towards Göbeklitepe. We arrive at the Göbeklitepe Mound, which is near Örencik Village in Şanlıurfa and hosts the first temples in the history of civilization in Anatolia and the world, and is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Göbeklitepe, which changed not only the history of the region but also the history of humanity with its discovery, and whose history dates back 12,000 years, was featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine worldwide in recent years with the slogan “The Birthplace of Religion.” After receiving information from our guide about Göbeklitepe, of which only a very small part has been uncovered and which is considered the Pilgrimage Center of the Neolithic Age, we complete our Şanlıurfa tour and head towards Mardin.
We start touring Mardin with Kasımiye Madrasah. After learning from our guide, touring, and photographing the madrasah, whose construction began during the Artuqid Period and was completed in the late 15th century during the reign of Akkoyunlu Sultan Kasım Ibn Cihangir, we move on to Old Mardin. We get off our vehicle at Diyarbakır Gate and begin walking through the streets of Old Mardin. On our walk that starts at Republic Square, we will see Şeyh Çabuk Mosque, Mardin Protestant Church, Latifiye Mosque, Sokulbar (Cows Bazaar), and the Coppersmiths Bazaar. During our walk, we tour the Mardin Grand Mosque, one of the architectural examples of the Artuqid Period, together with our guide. The Mardin Grand Mosque, with its segmented dome and minaret, is the symbol of Mardin and, according to records, was built with two minarets. The inscription on the square base of the mosque’s only surviving minaret today gives the construction date as 1176. However, the current minaret was built in 1888/1889 in a new and eclectic style. Some Syriac writers say it was converted from a church. Even if the structure was not converted from a church, it is likely that there was an old church on the site. After the information we will receive from our guide here, we continue our walk by passing under the small tunnels that connect the streets, known as Abbara. We see the Şahtana Mansion, an old mansion once used as the PTT Building and known in this way. Then, after seeing Şehidiye Mosque, built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Artuqid Sultan Melik Nasreddin Artuk Arslan, we take a short break to drink our tea against the Mesopotamian Plain and to take magnificent photos. Then we head to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
* Guests who wish can join the Mardin Night Tour, where the night is a necklace, and tour the streets of Old Mardin with night illumination or join the Mardin Reyhani Night. (Extra)
Breakfast: Will be served at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be served in Mardin. (Extra)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
Accommodation Hotel: Mardin or Midyat Hotels/ Anemon Hotel, Rest By Dedeman Hotel, Raymar Hotel, Büyük Mardin Hotel, etc. hotels - Midyat/ Assyra Hotel, Milena Hotel, Mariad Hotel, Baypark Hotel etc. hotels
4th Day: Dara Ancient City, Midyat, Midyat Guesthouse, Telkari Workshop, Hasankeyf, Batman, Diyarbakır, On Gözlü Bridge, Hevsel Gardens, Goat Bastion, Mardin Gate, Four-Legged Minaret, Grand Mosque, Adıyaman
On the 4th day of the Gap Tour with Epic Tatil, after the breakfast we will have at the hotel in the morning, we leave our hotel and carry out our visit to the Ancient City of Dara. Located 30 km southeast of Mardin, in Oğuz Village, the Ancient City of Dara is one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia. We tour the Ancient City of Dara, which consists of structures carved into rock and spreads over a wide area, accompanied by our guide. After the Ancient City of Dara, we head to Midyat, the meeting point of religions and languages. In Midyat, we visit the Midyat Guest House, where series such as Sıla, Hercai, and Ah Bir Bulut Olsam were filmed. After our visit to the Guest House, where you can take wonderful photos, we visit the filigree workshop, where we can see and buy examples of the art of filigree, developed for years by Assyrian masters and turned into a culture, and we do our shopping. After our filigree shopping, we give free time so you can stroll among the Historic Midyat Houses. After our free time, we meet our bus waiting for us in the bazaar and take a break for shopping for local dry coffee and nuts. After our shopping, we head to Hasankeyf.
In Hasankeyf, whose history dates back 12 thousand years, with the construction of the Ilısu Dam finalized, a new settlement was established 3 km away. In this trip, where we will share the sorrow of Hasankeyf, which was submerged as of February 2020, we give free time by seeing the Hasankeyf Castle, which still retains its splendor, the minaret of El Rızık Mosque, and the caves. After the free time, we head to Diyarbakır, the oldest and most established city of Southeastern Anatolia, passing through Batman, where Turkey's first oil wells are located, and seeing the horse-headed oil pumps panoramically.
After seeing the On Gözlü Bridge and the Hevsel Gardens panoramically on the banks of the Tigris River, we get off our vehicle by seeing the Keçi Burcu and Mardin Gate, the oldest of the Diyarbakır walls, whose construction date and the civilization that built them are unknown, but are known to have a history of 9000 years. Then we will visit the Ulu Mosque, the first in Anatolia and the 5th Haram al-Sharif of the Islamic World, and we will see the Four-Legged Minaret (Şeyh Mutahhar Mosque), built in 1500 by Akkoyunlu Kasım Bey. After completing our Diyarbakır tour, we bid farewell to Diyarbakır and head toward our hotel in Adıyaman via the Nissibi Bridge, the Bosphorus Bridge of the East, which connects Diyarbakır-Siverek-Kahta-Adıyaman. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken in Batman. (Extra)
Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
Accommodation Hotel: Adıyaman / Samos Hotel, White Star Hotel, Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Euphrat Hotel, etc. hotels
Day 5: Mount Nemrut, Sunrise, Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, Gaziantep, Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Antep Castle, Hz. Yusha Tomb, Coppersmiths' Bazaar, Tahmis Coffee House
On the 5th day of the Gap Tour with Epic Tatil, we wake up early in the morning with our guests who wish to join and carry out our Mount Nemrut Sunrise program. (Extra)
Waking up in the early hours of the morning, we set off from our hotel by minibuses to the Kahta district of Adıyaman and begin the ascent to Mount Nemrut, 2150 meters high on the Eastern Taurus mountain range. As the sun begins to rise, the magnificent view will wake you up and leave you in awe. In this magnificent scenery, you can take wonderful photos accompanied by the sunrise. As the sky begins to brighten, the giant god statues will appear and our guide will begin their explanations. At the summit at 2150 m stands the Tumulus of King Antiochos I. On the eastern and western terraces there are giant statues of Zeus (Oromasdes), Apollo, Mithras, Helios, Hermes, Herakles, Artagnes, Ares, Commagene, Tiche, and himself, made by King Antiochos I. King Antiochos I clearly reinforced the Greek-Persian religion and culture and traditions he brought together in these works. After receiving the necessary information from our guide, we enjoy the unique sunrise view by remembering Antiochos' following testament; “My birthday shall be celebrated every month and year, and it shall be a feast day; on these days, the high priest, for the gods and for me, shall put on the Persian dress which he has generously been given by me and by the laws, and shall place golden wreaths upon all of us. He shall burn many fragrances for all of us and offer sacrifices as appropriate, and shall furnish the sacred tables with the finest foods and wines. My nation gathered here shall eat abundantly and feast” After our guide's explanations, we get on our minibuses and descend from Mount Nemrut. After descending, we arrive at the 1800-year-old Cendere Bridge, one of the most magnificent bridges of the Roman period, and take a photo break. Then we move on to Karakuş Tumulus, where the tombs of King Mithridates of Commagene and his family are located. After listening to our guide's explanations against a magnificent view, we get on our minibuses and head back to our hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we leave our hotel and head to Halfeti.
After the construction of the Birecik Dam, in Halfeti, part of which remained under the dam lake, we board the boat waiting for us with our guests who wish and begin the Halfeti Boat Tour. (Extra) During our cruise on the Dam Lake, we will see the King’s Daughter Cave, which is also largely under the dam lake, Rumkale, and the Mosque and Minaret in Bilesur Savaşan Village that remain under the waters of the Euphrates. At the end of our boat tour, we take a short break in Halfeti. After our break, we head to Gaziantep.
Upon our arrival in Gaziantep, our first sightseeing point will be the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. After the city of Zeugma, founded by the Seleucids and later named in the sense of bringing the two banks together in Roman, was submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, we head to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the floor mosaics of Roman generals' villas were removed and displayed. Opened in Gaziantep on September 9, 2011, and featuring 1700 square meters of mosaics, making it the third largest mosaic museum in the world, we tour the museum accompanied by our guide’s explanations, including the world-famous “Gypsy Girl” mosaic as well as mosaics inspired by Greek Mythology. After our visit to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, we board our bus and head to the city center. In the city center, we see Gaziantep Castle, built on a hill, panoramically. Although it is not known when the castle was built, it is known to have been used for observation during the Roman period. The castle has been restored many times throughout history and took its final form with a restoration carried out in the early 2000s. After a short photo break, we reach the Coppermakers Bazaar by seeing the Mother-of-Pearl Sellers, Spice Sellers, Vegetable Market, Historic Pasha Inn, Tahtani Mosque, Uzun Bazaar, Historic Customs Inn, Zincirli Bedesten, and Shoemakers Bazaar. At the entrance of the bazaar, we visit the tombs of Pirsefa Hazretleri and Prophet Yusha. Then we tour the 250-year-old Almacı Market, known as the oldest bazaar in Gaziantep. Afterwards, we arrive at Tahmis Coffeehouse. Built between 1635 and 1638 by Turkmen Agha and Sanjak Bey Mustafa Ağa Bin Yusuf in order to provide income to the Mevlevihane Lodge, we give free time at Tahmis Coffeehouse to drink Menengiç Coffee and do our shopping in the bazaars. After our free time, we take a short break to shop for Antep’s famous baklava and pistachios. After our shopping, we board our bus and reach the end of our Gap Tour with Epic Tatil and begin our return journey.
Breakfast: Will be served at the hotel. Included in the tour price.
Lunch: Will be taken in Halfeti. (Extra)
Dinner: Will be taken in Gaziantep or Adana. (Extra)
Accommodation Hotel: There is no hotel accommodation tonight.
Day 6: Ankara, Istanbul
Dear guests, in the late hours of the night we arrive in Ankara, and after bidding farewell to our guests joining from Ankara, we continue our journey toward Istanbul. When we arrive in Istanbul, we drop off our valued guests at the points where we picked them up in the morning and say goodbye, hoping to meet again in another Epic Tatil organization.
What's Included
- 3 nights accommodation in hotels
- 3 buffet breakfasts at the hotel
- 2 buffet or set menu dinners at the hotel
- Transportation with luxury vehicles (Vehicles are provided according to the number of people.)
- Sightseeing tours specified in the program
- Professional guiding service
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Epic Tatil assurance
- Mandatory Travel Insurance according to Tourism Law No. 1618
Not Included
- Breakfast on the first day specified in the program
- Dinner on the last day specified in the program
- Beverages taken with all meals
- Lunches
- All extra specified activities
- All personal expenses
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees (Valid for municipality and private businesses.)
- Museum Pass (Valid for museums affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.)
- Şanlıurfa Sıra Gecesi Dinner Included 1750₺
- Mount Nemrut Tour 850₺
- Halfeti Boat Tour 600₺
- Mardin Night Tour 450₺
- Mardin Reyhani Night (Fixed Menu Without Dinner) 1650₺
- Mardin Reyhani Night (Fixed Menu With Dinner) 3250₺
**Extra tour fees may vary according to periods. The specified fees are the current fees on the reservation date. Epic Tatil is not responsible for fee changes that may occur on or before the tour date.
From the majestic arches of Adana Stone Bridge to the spiritual atmosphere of Balıklıgöl, from the shadowless vast archaeological fields of Göbeklitepe to the dusty adobe plains of Harran, from the steep stone streets of Old Mardin and Midyat to the rocky cistern structures of Dara Ancient City, and from the summit of Mount Nemrut at 2150 meters altitude with its freezing breeze to the historical bazaars of Gaziantep, your comfort is the most essential factor in the quality of this comprehensive 6-day Great GAP journey. Taking into account the region’s continental climate characteristics, mountain climbs, and ancient city conditions, our baggage guide recommendations prepared by the Epic Tatil operations team are as follows:
1. Shoe Selection for Ancient Cities, Steep Stone Stairs, and Mountain Climbs In Southeastern Anatolia tours, your choice of shoes directly determines the health of your feet. The uneven dirt terrain of Göbeklitepe and Dara Ancient City, the steep stone steps of Old Mardin streets, and most importantly the steep trail climb to the summit of Mount Nemrut require high ground safety. Therefore, you should обязательно bring a walking/mountain shoe or a quality outdoor sneaker with a thick sole, deep tread, high grip, and ankle support. For comfort on the bus and for hotel use, our operations team also recommends keeping a light spare pair of sneakers with you.
2. Continental GAP Climate, Scorching Heat, and the Polar Cold of Mount Nemrut In the geography of Southeastern Anatolia, there is a very significant temperature difference between night and day (continental balance). While touring the ruins during the day in shadowless areas, high-protection-factor (SPF 50+) sunscreens, quality UV-filtered sunglasses, thin hats, or light cotton scarves are indispensable items in your bag for protection from the scorching heat. However, you should not forget that there will be wind and freezing cold on the summit of Mount Nemrut at 2150 meters altitude, which we will ascend by minibus before dawn. In order not to suffer during the Nemrut sunrise program, you should definitely add a thick windbreaker, fleece jacket, scarf, and even a light beanie with a thick winter sweatshirt to your suitcase. Carrying plenty of light cotton, light-colored T-shirts and spare socks is critical for your comfort in case of sweating during daytime tours.
3. Technology, Digital Archive Management, and Uninterrupted Power Sources From the enchanting Gypsy Girl mosaic of the Zeugma Museum to the sunrise silhouette of the giant statues on Mount Nemrut, from the local clothing you will wear in the cone houses of Harran to the windows of Midyat stone mansions opening onto the Mesopotamian plain, every moment is a documented frame of a documentary. Intense video/photo shooting and network searches in continental areas will drain your phone battery three times faster than normal. In order to stay in uninterrupted communication at meeting times with our guide and to immortalize these moments without interruption, it is vital that you add a high-capacity (at least 20,000 mAh) quality Powerbank to your backpack.
4. Financial Planning and Preparations for Local Shopping Apart from the hotel concepts specified in our tour package; the first-day breakfast, museum entrance fees for the ruins, the Sıra Gecesi organization (dinner alternative), the Mount Nemrut minibus safari fee, the Halfeti boat crossing, and all lunches are paid in cash. To make things easier at Şanlıurfa’s registered isot and spice stalls, Mardin’s Syriac wine houses and silver filigree workshops, Midyat’s nuts and dibek coffee markets, Gaziantep’s coppersmiths bazaar, and famous baklava shops, you should carry with you sufficient Turkish Lira (TL) in cash in small denominations (20, 50, 100, 200 TL). Although credit cards are accepted in major city centers, cash will greatly speed up your transactions at local authentic stalls.
As the Epic Tatil family, we wish you pleasant travels in advance on this distinguished journey to the noble lands of Mesopotamia, where history, flavor, and civilizations were born!