Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir (4 Nights Hotel Accommodation)

On the 1st day of our Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir, our valued guests will arrive at Adnan Menderes Airport at least 2 hours before the flight time for the Sun Express Airlines flight to Adana Mersin Çukurova Airport and complete our Check-In procedures. Note: (Our guide will meet you at Adana Çukurova Airport) After our approximately 1.5-hour flight, we arrive at Çukurova Airport and meet our waiting vehicle and guide, then take a break at our roadside facility for breakfast. After breakfast, we begin our tour of Adana, the distinguished city of the Mediterranean. First, we see the Historical Stone Bridge, one of Adana's symbols, built over the Seyhan River. Afterwards, we visit the Sabancı Central Mosque, built on the banks of the Seyhan River with its six minarets and majestic structure. After our visits, we depart from Adana. On our way, we panoramically see İncirlik Air Base, Yılankale (another place where the Shahmaran Legend is told), Ceyhan, Dörtyol, and İskenderun. Passing through Belen, we photograph the Amik Plain from above and reach Antakya, the heart of Hatay. Here, our first stop is St. Pierre Church, considered the World's First Church due to its central role in the spread of Christianity, and the Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum, which was created after approximately 30,000 artifacts discovered during a hotel construction were transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This museum is also famous for housing the World's Largest Single-Piece Floor Mosaic. After our museum visit, we head to Pöç Kasabı, located in the Historical Uzunçarşı, to taste Hatay's famous delicacies. Here you will have the opportunity to eat Tepsi kebabı, Kağıt Kebabı, and Künefe. (Extra) After the lunch break, an optional Samandağı Titus (Vespasianus) Tunnel Tour will be organized by our guide, depending on time and weather conditions. After our optional tour, we turn our direction towards Gaziantep, known as the Paris of the Southeast. In Gaziantep, which was given the title "Gazi" on February 8, 1921, our first stop will be the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where floor mosaics from the villas of Roman Generals, rescued from the city of Zeugma submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, are exhibited. After seeing the "Gypsy Girl" and all other mosaics, Gaziantep Castle and the 14 Martyrs Monument, built in memory of the children martyred at Dokurcum Mill, will be our first stops. Then we will see the Coppersmiths' Bazaar, Yemeniciler Arastası (Shoemakers' Bazaar), Almacı Market, Mother-of-Pearl Workers' Bazaar, and Tahmis Coffee House. During the free time here, you can drink Menengiç Coffee, and shop for Pistachios, Copper, and Yemeni shoes. After completing our historical bazaar tours in Gaziantep, we offer the opportunity to shop at Ayıntap Baklava, Gaziantep's most famous baklava maker, a city that first comes to mind when baklava is mentioned in Turkey. After free time, we proceed to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel. Breakfast: Will be taken as Extra (Extra) Lunch: Kağıt Kebabı or Tepsi Kebabı Menu at Hatay Pöç Kasabı (Extra) Dinner: Will be served as Set Menu or Open Buffet at our hotel. (Included.) Accommodation: Metgold Hotel, Büyük Veliç, etc...

On the 2nd day of our Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir, after breakfast at our hotel in Gaziantep, our route will first take us to Halfeti, where most of it is submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam and where the TV series "Karagül" was filmed. Here, we first reach Halfeti Port and board our boat. During our approximately 1-hour (Extra) Boat Tour, we will see the King's Daughter Cave, Rumkale where Yohannes, one of Jesus' apostles, settled, and then the Sunken Mosque and its minaret under the waters of the Euphrates in Savaşan Village, before returning to Halfeti, which is rumored to have taken its name from the story of two young people named Halil and Fatma. We move towards Adıyaman Kahta. After our optional lunch, we start our Mount Nemrut Sunset tour with minibuses (Extra) waiting for us here. (Guests who wish can stay at the hotel) Karakuş Tumulus and Cendere Bridge will be the main historical sites we visit on the way. After our joyful journey accompanied by local folk songs, we ascend Mount Nemrut to watch the sunset. The most important elements of the mountain are the Tumulus and other sacred areas belonging to King Antiochos of Commagene and the gods. At the summit, we first see the statues of Antiochos I, Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion located on the East Terrace. Here, while listening to our guide's explanations, you too will be captivated by the magic of Nemrut. After seeing the East Terrace Peace Altar, we move to the West Terrace and first see the West Terrace Peace Altar and the Lion Horoscope. Leaving this magnificent view behind, we return to Kahta, then board our bus, proceed to our hotel, and dinner and accommodation are at our hotel. Note: Depending on seasonal conditions, the Mount Nemrut tour may not be possible. Instead, Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and Arsemia Tour will be conducted. Breakfast: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included.) Lunch: Adıyaman İskender 85 Restaurant (Extra) Dinner: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included.) Accommodation: Samos Hotel, Nemrut Hotel, Perre Hotel etc..

On the 3rd day of our Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir, after breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Diyarbakır. We reach Diyarbakır by crossing the Nissibi Bridge, built in 2015 over the Atatürk Dam Lake. We proceed to Diyarbakır, known as the oldest city in the Southeast. In Diyarbakır, we first visit the house where Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, one of the important figures of our literary world and known for his "35 Years Old" poem, was born and which now serves as a museum. This house is also one of the finest examples of Diyarbakır's civil architecture. Inside the city walls, we visit Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, believed to be one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history, established in Anatolia and considered a Haram al-Sharif. We see Keçi Burcu (Goat Bastion), the oldest of Diyarbakır's city walls, which has a history of 9000 years, with its construction date and the civilization that built it unknown. From here, looking towards the Tigris River, we see and photograph the 10-Arched Bridge built over the Tigris River and the Hevsel Gardens. After panoramically seeing Mardin Gate and New Gate, we move towards Hasankeyf via Batman. An optional Malabadi Bridge tour will be organized if our guide ensures sufficient participation and allocates time. We panoramically see Batman, our province where the first oil well in Turkey was found, and have a very delicious lunch in this modern city. (Extra) After lunch, we arrive at Hasankeyf, which was submerged under the waters of the Ilısu Dam. After the dam construction, we will have the opportunity to visit both parts of this unique city, which is divided into New Hasankeyf and Old Hasankeyf. First, we will visit El Rızık Mosque, Sultan Süleyman Mosque, and Zeynel Bey Tomb, which were moved from Old Hasankeyf and relocated in New Hasankeyf. After our visits here, an indescribable experience awaits us. With our optional Hasankeyf Boat Tour, which we will undertake with our guests who wish, we delve into the depths of Old Hasankeyf. During our approximately 45-minute tour, we will commemorate the memories of old Hasankeyf. After completing our Hasankeyf tour, we move to Midyat, which offers us a visual feast. We start our Midyat tour by visiting the Midyat Guest House, where the TV series Sıla and Hercai were filmed, and which has hosted many other series. After taking plenty of photos here for our social media accounts, we spend pleasant moments walking among the Historical Midyat Houses. In the city center, which we will reach at the end of our walk, you will have the opportunity to taste and purchase Midyat's world-famous handcrafted Silver and Filigree products, Blue Almond Candy dyed with the root of the Lahor Tree, and Syriac Wines, and we will give free time in the bazaar. We set off towards our hotel in Mardin, proceed to our hotel, and dinner and accommodation are at our hotel. Breakfast: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included.) Lunch: Batman Ali Usta - Free Menu (Extra) Dinner: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included.) Accommodation: Bilen Hotel, Ladinos Hotel, Avesis Hotel, etc.

On the 4th day of our Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir, after breakfast at our hotel, we begin our tour of Mardin, a city described as “a necklace by night, a spectacle by day.” Our first stop will be Kasımiye Madrasah. After enjoying this magnificent structure and listening to our guide's explanations, we will get off our bus at Diyarbakır Gate and take minibuses (extra) to Cumhuriyet Square, from where we will explore Mardin on foot. We will complete our Mardin City Tour by seeing the Grand Mosque famous for its minaret, Latifiye Mosque, Revaklı Bazaar, Old Government Mansion, Abbaras (arched passages), Şahtana Mansion, Şehidiye Mosque, and the Old Post Office Building. After the given free time, we will meet our vehicle at Savur Gate and head to Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery, built on a Sun Temple in the 5th century. Here we will visit the House of Saints, where the tombs of 52 Patriarchs and Metropolitans are located, St. Hananyo Church, and the Church of Virgin Mary. After the monastery visit, we will take a break for lunch (Extra). After the break, we will depart from Mardin and head to Dara Ancient City, which we will organize as an optional tour, located in Oğuz Village, 30 kilometers southeast of Mardin. Dara, one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia in history, was founded in 505 by the initiatives of Emperor Anastasius (491-518) as a military garrison city to protect the eastern border of the Eastern Roman Empire against the Sasanids. Remains of a church, palace, bazaar, dungeon, arsenal, and water dam can still be seen within the city. After our optional tour, we move towards Şanlıurfa for evening entertainment. Accommodation is at our hotel. With our guests who wish, we participate in the Sıra Night, an indispensable part of all our GAP tours organized by SSCTUR, where we can get to know the regional culture and taste local dishes. Dinner is not included in the tour price for this evening's accommodation. Guests who do not wish to participate in the Sıra Night can have dinner at their own expense. Sıra Night: Lebeni Soup, İçliköfte, Hazelnut Lahmacun, Eggplant Kebab-Tomato Kebab-Urfa Kebab, Salad, Urfa Spicy Ezme, Çiğköfte, Cold Baklava with Pistachio and Clotted Cream, Ayran, Water, Tea, Mırra Sıra Night Program (Extra) Breakfast: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included.) Lunch: Mardin – Adana Dostlar Restaurant / Mardin Plate Menu. (Extra) Dinner: Şanlıurfa / Urfa Kebab Menu. (Extra) Accommodation: Akgöl Hotel, Newton Hotel, My Life Hotel etc...

On the 5th day of our Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Departing from Izmir, after breakfast at our hotel, we head towards Harran (Extra), famous for its domed houses and unique culture. Here, we will see Harran Grand Mosque, which holds the distinction of being the oldest mosque established in Turkey during the Islamic period, the First Islamic Madrasah (Harran University), the Inner Castle, and the Historical Walls, and then visit one of the Conical Domed Houses. During this pleasant visit, you can wear local costumes and take photos. We will reach Göbeklitepe, which bears the distinction of being the first place of worship and settlement, and the starting point of world history. Here, we will see temples and reliefs such as cranes, snakes, and pigs dating back 12,000 years, and then head towards Şanlıurfa city center. After our (Extra) lunch break, we will arrive in Şanlıurfa, known as the City of Prophets, believed to be where Prophets Adam, Job, Abraham, Jethro, and Elisha lived. We will visit Balıklıgöl (Lake Halil-Ül Rahman), Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake, which is also said to be formed from the tears of King Nimrod's daughter Zeliha, and the Cave where Prophet Abraham was born. After the free time, we will shop for products such as İsot Pepper Paste, Tomato Paste, Flaked Pepper, Pomegranate Molasses, etc., and then board our vehicle to complete our Urfa tour and head towards Adana. We complete our shopping in Gaziantep city center and conclude our tour, enjoying the pleasure of bringing the culture and cuisine of Southeastern Anatolia to you. We return with Sun Express Airlines' Çukurova - Adnan Menderes Airport flight and bid farewell to our valued guests, hoping to meet again in another SSC TUR organization. As the SSCTUR Operations and Sales team, we thank you for choosing us. Sincerely. Breakfast: Will be served as Open Buffet or Set Menu at our hotel. (Included) Lunch: Urfa Ciğerhan Free Menu (Extra) Accommodation: Attention: No Accommodation Tonight! The Flight-Inclusive Northern Mesopotamia GAP Tour Itinerary Departing from Izmir is valid as of its publication date, 15.11.2025. A tour itinerary published at a later date for the same tour will supersede the previous one.