Istanbul to Mount Nemrut – A Journey into Ancient History

✈️ Istanbul Pickup & Domestic Flight
Your adventure begins with a transfer from your accommodation in Istanbul to the airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Adıyaman. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and taken directly to begin your Mount Nemrut tour, stepping back in time to explore the remnants of one of history’s most fascinating kingdoms.

🏛 Mount Nemrut Tour – Exploring the Land of the Commagene Kingdom
As you travel toward Mount Nemrut, you will visit several remarkable historical sites that offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of the region:

🦅 Karakus Tumulus (Black Bird Burial Mound)
An ancient royal burial site, built by the Commagene Kingdom as a resting place for female members of the royal family.
Named after the eagle statue that once adorned the site, this tumulus stands as a silent witness to the kingdom’s unique burial traditions.

🌉 Cendere Bridge (Roman Bridge)
A remarkably well-preserved Roman bridge, built during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus in the 2nd century CE.
Still in use today, this architectural marvel spans the Cendere River, showcasing the engineering brilliance of the ancient Romans.

🏰 Arsemia & Kahta Castles
Explore the ruins of Arsemia, the ancient summer capital of the Commagene Kingdom, where you’ll find inscriptions detailing the dynasty’s history and mythology.
Discover Kahta Castle, an Ottoman-era fortress that once stood as a strategic stronghold overlooking the region.

🌅 Sunset at Mount Nemrut – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Your journey culminates with an ascent to the summit of Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world.
From this panoramic vantage point, you will explore:

🗿 The Tomb of King Antiochus I
A monumental burial complex, built over 2,000 years ago, blending Greek, Persian, and Anatolian influences.
The site is flanked by colossal stone statues representing Greek and Persian gods, as well as King Antiochus himself, in a symbolic display of divine kingship.

🤝 Ancient Reliefs & the Handshake of Kings
Marvel at the intricate stone reliefs, including one of the earliest known depictions of a handshake—symbolizing the king’s sacred bond with the gods.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the statues cast long, dramatic shadows over the ancient landscape, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable scene.

🏨 Transfer to Accommodation – Rest for the Night
After sunset, you will descend from Mount Nemrut and transfer to Adıyaman or Kahta, where you will check in to your hotel and spend the night. Rest and recharge for the adventure ahead, as you continue your exploration of Turkey’s most legendary historical sites.

Halfeti’s Sunken Beauty & The Sacred City of Sanliurfa

🚢 Ataturk Dam – A Monument of Modern Engineering
On your way to Halfeti, you will make a stop at the Ataturk Dam, one of the largest dams in the world. This colossal engineering marvel spans the Euphrates River, providing vital irrigation and hydroelectric power to the region. From the dam, enjoy spectacular panoramic views, where the vast expanse of water meets the rugged Anatolian landscape—a perfect spot for breathtaking photographs.

🌊 Halfeti Ancient City & Scenic Boat Cruise
Arriving in Halfeti, a picturesque riverside town, you will step into a world where history and nature intertwine. Known as “The Hidden City,” Halfeti was partially submerged due to dam construction, creating an eerie yet beautiful landscape of ruins peeking out from the water.

🚤 Euphrates River Boat Cruise
Embark on a scenic boat tour along the legendary Euphrates River, passing by:
🏚️ The Half-Sunken Village of Old Halfeti – A town frozen in time, where remnants of its past still whisper through the calm waters.

🕌 The Submerged Minaret of Savasan Koyu – An iconic and hauntingly beautiful landmark, with its minaret emerging eerily from the depths—a solemn reminder of a town once thriving above land.

🏺 Ancient Structures & Hidden Caves – Along the shores, discover ruins and mysterious caves that hint at the civilizations that flourished here long before the water rose.
Take in the serene beauty of Halfeti’s turquoise waters, surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery, making this one of Turkey’s most unique landscapes.

🐦 Kelaynak Bird Sanctuary (Birecik Ibis Sanctuary)
After your cruise, continue to the Kelaynak Bird Sanctuary, located in Birecik, where you will encounter one of the world’s rarest bird species—the Northern Bald Ibis (Kelaynak).

🏞️ A Crucial Conservation Effort
These remarkable birds, once on the brink of extinction, are now carefully protected in this sanctuary, one of the only places in the world where they can still be found. As you observe these majestic creatures, learn about their symbolic significance and the conservation efforts that aim to secure their future.

🏙️ Sanliurfa – The Sacred City of Prophets
Following your visit to the bird sanctuary, journey to Sanliurfa, a city deeply rooted in religious and cultural history. Upon arrival, you will explore the vibrant city center in the evening, where history blends seamlessly with modern life.

🏛️ Explore Sanliurfa’s Bustling Streets & Markets
Wander through the narrow alleys and lively bazaars, where the scent of spices, fresh-baked bread, and sizzling kebabs fills the air. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the rich local culture, interact with friendly locals, and discover handcrafted goods and traditional textiles.

🍽️ Savor Traditional Urfa Cuisine
If you wish, treat yourself to an authentic Sanliurfa dining experience, sampling famous dishes such as:
Urfa Kebab – A milder yet flavorful version of the region’s famous kebabs.
Cig Kofte – A delicious blend of spiced raw bulgur and herbs, traditionally served with lettuce wraps.
Lahmacun – A thin, crispy flatbread topped with a flavorful mixture of minced meat, tomatoes, and spices.

🏨 Overnight Stay in Sanliurfa
After a day filled with stunning landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant cultural encounters, you will check in to your accommodation in Sanliurfa for a well-earned rest. Let the echoes of the past and the beauty of the present lull you into a peaceful sleep, as you prepare for another extraordinary day ahead.

Journey Through the Oldest Temples & Ancient Cities
Today, you will explore some of the world’s most ancient and historically significant sites, including the oldest temple ever discovered—Gobekli Tepe. This day is a deep dive into the origins of civilization, uncovering sacred sites, thriving ancient cities, and lost worlds that shaped human history.

🏙️ Sanliurfa Historical Bazaar & Abraham’s Pool
Begin your day in Şanlıurfa, a city steeped in religious traditions and ancient heritage.

🛍️ Sanliurfa Bazaar
Stroll through this vibrant, historic market, where local artisans sell handmade textiles, spices, and traditional crafts.
A chance to immerse yourself in local culture, interacting with merchants and tasting authentic Turkish delights.

🐟 Abraham’s Pool (Baliklıgol)
According to legend, this sacred pool is where God saved Abraham from being burned alive by a jealous king.
As the flames turned into water, the burning logs became sacred fish, which still swim in the pool today.
A spiritual and serene setting, surrounded by mosques and historic sites.

⛰️ The Cave of Abraham
Believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, this cave has been preserved as a museum.
A site of pilgrimage and reflection, where visitors can experience the humble beginnings of one of history’s most revered figures.

🏺 Gobekli Tepe – The World’s Oldest Temple
Next, you will visit Gobekli Tepe, a site that has rewritten the history of civilization. Discovered in 1996, this staggering archaeological wonder dates back between 6,000 and 12,000 years, making it:

🛕 Older than the pyramids of Egypt by over 6,000 years.
🔎 A spiritual sanctuary rather than a settlement, featuring massive stone pillars, intricate carvings, and ancient reliefs.

📜 A discovery that challenges the idea that agriculture preceded temple-building, reshaping how we understand the development of early societies.
As you walk among its towering T-shaped pillars, depicting mystical animals and abstract symbols, you will stand at the very dawn of human spirituality—a place where ancient peoples gathered long before written history.

🏛️ Harran – The Ancient Mesopotamian City
Your journey continues to Harran, an ancient city dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. Once a thriving trade hub, Harran connected the Mediterranean to Mesopotamia and was ruled by numerous powerful empires, including:
🏛 The Persian Empire
⚔️ Alexander the Great
👑 The Seleucid Empire
🦅 The Roman Empire
☪️ The Muslim Arabs
Throughout history, Harran played a pivotal role in conquests, trade, and religious movements, witnessing battles during the Crusades and Mongol invasions.

🏡 Beehive Houses – A Living Link to the Past
One of Harran’s most famous landmarks is its beehive houses, an ancient architectural style that has survived for thousands of years.
These conical, self-supporting mud-brick homes have been inhabited continuously for centuries, offering a glimpse into traditional Mesopotamian living.

✈️ Flight Back to Istanbul
After a day filled with awe-inspiring ancient sites and remarkable history, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul.
As your journey comes to an end, you leave with unforgettable memories of civilizations lost to time, stories of ancient kings and prophets, and the profound sense of having walked through the birthplace of human history.

📅 Book your adventure today and step into the past!