FLIGHT INCLUDED MARDIN–GAP TOUR

THE LAND WHERE HISTORY BEGAN, THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATIONS AND THE CENTER OF FAITH: MYSTICAL MESOPOTAMIA

When you step into the Mardin–GAP tour, a journey where history and nature intertwine begins. Extending from the mysterious streets of ancient cities to sacred sites, this route invites you to a unique experience in the heart of Mesopotamia. Rediscovered in recent years with its stone mansions that have hosted popular TV series and its distinctive atmosphere, Midyat stands out as one of the most impressive stops of this journey. Enriched by the captivating stone architecture of Mardin, the fertile lands of Harran, the magnificent statues of Mount Nemrut and the underwater stories of Halfeti, this adventure carries you into different eras at every step with the legends of Balıklıgöl, the art of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum and the mysteries of Göbeklitepe. If you are ready, let us discover this historical and cultural richness together.

TOUR PROGRAM:

DAY 1 | MARMARIS – TRANSFER TO IZMIR – DIYARBAKIR FLIGHT – DIYARBAKIR GRAND MOSQUE – TEN-EYED BRIDGE – MARDIN – OLD MARDIN – DEYR-UL ZAFERAN MONASTERY – HOTEL

We meet you, our valued guests, at 23:45 on Saturday night, May 23, at Eşref Girginç Park (opposite LC Waikiki). After meeting our representative, we depart with our comfortable vehicle to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. Following check-in and baggage procedures, we begin our journey with SunExpress flight XQ9192 at 05:40 from Izmir to Diyarbakır. After approximately a two-hour flight, we arrive in Diyarbakır.

We board our waiting vehicle at the airport, take a free breakfast break, and then start our Diyarbakır city tour. Our first visit is Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, one of the most important historical structures not only of Diyarbakır but also of Anatolia. Considered the 5th Haram al-Sharif in the Islamic world, this remarkable structure stands out with its architecture, stone craftsmanship and atmosphere, reflecting the city’s multicultural past. We visit the Grand Mosque accompanied by our guide’s explanations.

After the Grand Mosque, we proceed to the Ten-Eyed Bridge, one of Diyarbakır’s symbols. Located over the Tigris River, we take a short walk on this historic bridge and capture unforgettable photographs with the magnificent river view. Guests who wish may enjoy free time on the bridge.

After completing our visits in Diyarbakır, we head toward Mardin, the pearl of Mesopotamia. With its 12,000-year history, Mardin is like an open-air museum, enchanting visitors with its mosques, churches, monasteries and unique stone architecture. During our Old Mardin walking tour with our guide, we closely explore the works of the Artuqid period; we visit the Grand Mosque and the Zinciriye Madrasa, which stands out with its commanding view over the Mesopotamian Plain. During free time in the historic bazaar, you will have the opportunity to feel Mardin’s unique atmosphere and shop.

In the final part of our tour, we visit Deyr-ül Zaferan Monastery, one of the most important centers of the ancient Syriac Church. Built in the 5th century, this special structure was previously used as a Sun Temple and later as a Roman fortress. Accompanied by our guide’s narration, we explore the monastery and gain valuable insights into the history of faith.

After completing our visits, we transfer to our hotel in Mardin, check into our rooms, have dinner at the hotel and rest after a long day.

Accommodation and dinner: Mardin – 4★ Park Dedeman Mardin Hotel

DAY 2 | DARA ANCIENT CITY – MIDYAT – FILIGREE ART – HASANKEYF – MIDYAT HOTEL

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart to visit Dara Ancient City, known as the Ephesus of Mesopotamia. Spread over a vast area, this impressive ancient settlement includes churches, a marketplace, agora, bridges, arsenal, dungeons, cisterns and tomb structures carved into stone by Roman soldiers who believed they would be resurrected. Founded by the Persians in 300 BC, we explore Dara Ancient City in detail with our guide and closely discover the layers of Mesopotamian history.

After Dara, we head to Midyat, surrounded by vineyards, blended with Syriac culture and home to centuries of peaceful coexistence of different faiths. During our guided walking tour among its century-old stone houses, mansions featured in TV series and narrow streets, we feel as if we are on a movie set.

During our Midyat visit, we also observe the ancient art of filigree, a delicate silver craftsmanship with thousands of years of history. We receive information about this unique art shaped by master hands and provide shopping opportunities for those who wish. After Midyat, we head to Hasankeyf, one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia.

Hasankeyf, holding a very special place in the memory of Mesopotamian civilizations, maintained strategic importance for centuries with its location on the Tigris River, thousands of caves and naturally defensive structure. During our visit to the new settlement area after it was partially submerged by dam waters, our guide provides detailed information about Hasankeyf’s past, its place in Mesopotamian history and its transformation process.

After Hasankeyf, we travel back to Midyat. Upon arrival at the hotel, we check into our rooms, have dinner at the hotel and rest.

Accommodation and dinner: Midyat – Asur Imperial Hotel / Elite World Hotel / Milena Hotel etc.

DAY 3 | MIDYAT – ADIYAMAN – MOUNT NEMRUT NATIONAL PARK – SANLIURFA – SIRA NIGHT (OPTIONAL)

After breakfast, we depart from our Midyat hotel and head toward the mysterious and magnificent Mount Nemrut National Park. Located within the borders of Adıyaman province and rising 2,150 meters above sea level, Mount Nemrut dominates Mesopotamia and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

What makes Mount Nemrut unique is its ancient tomb sanctuary at the summit, monumental statues, architectural remains and breathtaking panorama. King Antiochus I of the Commagene Kingdom built these grand Hellenistic monuments on the summit to express gratitude to the gods and his ancestors. During our guided visit, we experience the impressive atmosphere where mythology, history and nature merge and take unforgettable photographs.

After Mount Nemrut, we transfer to our hotel in Şanlıurfa and check into our rooms. In the evening, an optional Urfa Sira Night is organized for guests who wish to join. Accompanied by Mesopotamian melodies, folk songs and local dances, this special evening offers a delightful atmosphere. Guests who prefer not to attend may enjoy free time and taste Urfa’s famous kebabs.

Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Şanlıurfa – 5★ Nevali Hotel & Convention Center

DAY 4 | BALIKLIGÖL – HALIL-UR RAHMAN MOSQUE – GOBEKLITEPE – HALFETI (OPTIONAL BOAT TOUR) – GAZIANTEP

After breakfast, we begin our visits in Şanlıurfa city center. First, we visit the sacred Balıklıgöl, also known as Halil-ur Rahman Lake and Aynzeliha. According to legend, when Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, a miracle occurred and the fire turned into water, the logs into fish and the surroundings into a rose garden. Today, Balıklıgöl is considered one of the most spiritual places in Şanlıurfa.

After Balıklıgöl, we visit Halil-ur Rahman Mosque and listen to our guide’s explanations about the region’s significance in the history of faith. We then proceed to Göbeklitepe, one of the most special stops of our tour.

Göbeklitepe, beyond being the oldest known monumental structure of its kind, has changed our understanding of human history and is referred to as the “zero point of history.” With our guide’s detailed narration, we explore this mysterious world dating back thousands of years.

After Göbeklitepe, we head to Halfeti, formerly known as Rumkale, located on the banks of the Euphrates River. With its old settlement partially submerged by dam waters, Halfeti hosts one of the most striking stories of Mesopotamia. After a lunch break with a view of the Euphrates, an optional Halfeti Boat Tour is available. During this enjoyable tour, we see the partially submerged Savaşan Village and the historic Rumkale Fortress on the Euphrates.

After Halfeti, we travel to Gaziantep. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel, have dinner and rest.

Accommodation and dinner: Gaziantep – 4★ Gaziantep Safir Hotel

DAY 5 | ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM – COPPERSMITHS’ BAZAAR – GOURMET TASTINGS – GAZIANTEP – TRANSFER TO AIRPORT – GAZIANTEP–IZMIR FLIGHT – MARMARIS TRANSFER

After breakfast, we check out and start our Gaziantep visits, known as the capital of gastronomy with 51 geographically registered delicacies. Our first stop is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, famous for the Gypsy Girl Mosaic and reflecting the elite life of Mesopotamia. As the world’s second-largest mosaic museum, we examine its unique works in detail with our guide.

After the museum, we enjoy gourmet discoveries of Gaziantep cuisine. During our flavor break, we taste the highlights of Antep cuisine. We then walk through the historic streets to the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, where the traditional craft of copper workmanship is still alive. Passing through Zincirli Bedesten Bazaar, visiting the Hamam Museum and reaching a panoramic point overlooking Gaziantep Castle, we complete our tour.

At the designated time, we depart for Gaziantep Airport to catch the 22:55 Gaziantep–Izmir SunExpress flight XQ9229. After landing in Izmir and collecting our luggage, we transfer back to Marmaris and drop you off at our meeting points, bidding farewell until another Koral Tourism journey.

NOTE: Our company cannot be held responsible for flight time changes made by airlines. In such cases, we reserve the right to modify the tour program.

GENERAL TERMS AND INFORMATION

**Child discounts apply only when sharing a room with two adults.

**Seat numbers on the bus are assigned automatically after the first payment. If you have a specific request regarding seat numbers, please contact us.

**The type of vehicle (minibus, midibus or coach) is determined according to the final number of participants.

**Seat numbers are not valid for Marmaris–airport and airport–Marmaris transfers. There is no fixed seating arrangement during transfers.

**The guide reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary while ensuring all visits are completed, considering weather and road conditions.

**If physical conditions (weather, road conditions, natural disasters, etc.) make a visit impossible, our agency cannot be held responsible.

**Our company is not responsible for additional costs arising from airline schedule changes.

**Guests are kindly requested to take care of their personal belongings during the tour. Our agency is not responsible for lost or forgotten items. It is recommended to keep valuables in hotel safes.

**A tour is shaped not only by destinations but also by the people who make the journey enjoyable. Tipping is not mandatory and is not included in the price, but it is a gracious way to express satisfaction.

**Child discounts apply only when sharing a room with two adults.

**You may secure your reservation with a deposit of 9,950.00 TL per person at the time of booking and benefit from these prices.

Days : 5 | Nights : 5