Today, embark on a journey from Istanbul to Adıyaman, where you will explore ancient ruins, Roman structures, and the awe-inspiring summit of Mount Nemrut. Witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world, surrounded by the colossal statues of King Antiochus and the gods of the Commagene Kingdom.
📍 Explore the Black Bird Burial Mound, Roman Bridge at Cendere, the castles of Kahta, and the UNESCO-listed Mount Nemrut.

✈️ Morning: Flight from Istanbul to Adıyaman
🚖 Hotel pick-up in Istanbul & transfer to the airport
✈️ Flight to Adıyaman (Approx. 1.5 hours)
🚖 Meet your guide upon arrival & begin the tour

🏺 Mid-Morning: Exploring Ancient Sites en Route to Mount Nemrut

🕊️ Karakus Tumulus (Black Bird Burial Mound)
A royal burial site for the women of the Commagene Kingdom.
Features standing columns topped with eagle and lion carvings.

🌉 Roman Bridge at Cendere
A 2nd-century Roman bridge, still in use today!
Built during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus.

🏰 Arsemia & Kahta Castles
Visit the ruins of Arsemia, once the summer capital of the Commagene Kingdom.
See Hellenistic rock reliefs and inscriptions depicting King Antiochus shaking hands with Hercules.
Explore Kahta Castle, built by the Mamluks and later expanded by the Ottomans.

📸 Photo opportunity: Spectacular landscapes and historical sites along the way.

🌄 Evening: Sunset at Mount Nemrut
🚍 Drive to the summit of Mount Nemrut (30-40 min hike to the peak).
🌅 Mount Nemrut at Sunset – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Admire the colossal statues of Greek and Persian gods, including Zeus, Apollo, Hercules, and King Antiochus.
Marvel at the massive Tumulus, a 145m-wide burial mound built for King Antiochus.
See one of the oldest depictions of a human handshake carved into stone.
Watch the sky transform into hues of gold and red as the sun sets over the Anatolian plateau.
📸 Photo opportunity: Capture the mystical atmosphere of the statues silhouetted against the sunset.

🌙 Night: Transfer to Hotel & Overnight Stay in Kahta or Adıyaman
🚍 Drive back to Kahta or Adıyaman
🏨 Check into your hotel & enjoy a relaxing evening
📌 Tomorrow, continue exploring the region or return to Istanbul.

📌 Important Notes
✔ Domestic flight from Istanbul to Adıyaman included
✔ All private transportation and transfers included
✔ Professional English-speaking guide included
✔ Accommodation in Kahta or Adıyaman included
✔ Moderate hiking required to reach Mount Nemrut summit (30-40 min walk)
✔ Warm clothing recommended for early morning/evening visits

Today will be an action-packed journey through some of the most historically significant sites in the world, including:
📍 Ataturk Dam – A monumental feat of modern engineering
📍 Sanliurfa – The sacred city of prophets
📍 Gobekli Tepe – The world’s oldest known temple (12,000 years old!)
📍 Harran – The ancient city of Mesopotamian trade & beehive houses
📌 This is your final tour day before returning to Istanbul.

🌄 Morning: Ataturk Dam & Sanliurfa – The City of Prophets
🚖 Pick-up from your hotel in Adıyaman or Kahta
🚍 Drive towards Sanliurfa, stopping at the Ataturk Dam along the way
🌊 Ataturk Dam – The Largest in Turkey
One of the most impressive engineering projects in the country, part of the GAP project.
Panoramic view of the Euphrates River, one of the most historically significant rivers in human civilization.
Photo stop & short break before continuing to Sanliurfa.

🏛️ Sanliurfa – A City Steeped in Religious History
Known as “The City of Prophets”, Sanliurfa is sacred to both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.
Visit the Cave of Abraham, believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham.
See Balıklıgol (Pool of Abraham), where, according to tradition, God saved Abraham from King Nimrod by turning fire into water and burning logs into fish.
Walk through Sanliurfa’s bustling bazaar, filled with traditional crafts, local delicacies, and vibrant colors.
📸 Photo opportunity: The sacred pool with its famous fish & the stunning Sanliurfa cityscape.

🏺 Mid-Day: Gobekli Tepe – The World’s Oldest Known Temple (12,000 Years Old!)
🚍 Drive to Gobekli Tepe (Approx. 30 mins from Sanliurfa).
🌎 Gobekli Tepe – A Discovery That Rewrote History
Explore the world’s oldest megalithic religious site, predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years!
See massive T-shaped stone pillars, each covered in intricate carvings of animals and symbols.
Learn about the groundbreaking discoveries, including evidence of complex religious rituals and astronomical alignments.
Understand why archaeologists call it the ‘Cradle of Civilization’, as it challenges everything we thought about early human societies.
📸 Photo opportunity: The ancient monoliths & breathtaking views of the excavation site.

🏰 Afternoon: Harran – Ancient Mesopotamian Trade City & Beehive Houses
🚍 Drive to Harran (Approx. 1 hour from Gobekli Tepe).
🏡 Harran – A Living Testament to History
Walk through the ancient city of Harran, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places.
Explore the famous beehive houses, a unique architectural style dating back thousands of years.
Visit the ruins of the world’s first Islamic university.
See the remnants of ancient fortifications, once occupied by the Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Muslim Arabs.
Learn about Harran’s role as a major Mesopotamian trade hub and its connection to Alexander the Great and the Crusades.

📸 Photo opportunity: The iconic beehive houses & the vast Mesopotamian plains.

✈️ Evening: Flight to Istanbul & End of Tour
🚖 Transfer to Sanliurfa Airport
✈️ Flight back to Istanbul (Approx. 1.5 hours)
🚖 Drop-off at your accommodation in Istanbul
📌 Tour officially ends upon arrival in Istanbul.

📌 Important Notes
✔ Domestic flight from Sanliurfa to Istanbul included
✔ All private transportation and transfers included
✔ Professional English-speaking guide included
✔ Moderate walking required at Gobekli Tepe & Harran
✔ Comfortable clothing & walking shoes recommended