From Fairy Chimneys to Mesopotamia
- # History & Archaeology
- # Food & Wine
- # Adventure & Ballooning
About this trip
6 Nights | 3 Cappadocia · 1 Gaziantep · 1 Şanlıurfa · 1 Diyarbakır — surreal landscapes and the cradle of civilization.
Trace the arc of human history across two of Turkey's most extraordinary regions on this seven-day private journey. Begin in Cappadocia, where volcanic rock has been sculpted by wind and time into a surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, hidden valleys, and underground cities. Continue southeast to the ancient Mesopotamian heartland — home to Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple complex; Mount Nemrut's colossal stone heads; and the historic cities of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakır, where successive civilizations have left their mark for thousands of years. With your own private guide and driver throughout, this itinerary offers an immersive passage from one of nature's most fantastical landscapes to the very origins of human civilization.
Itinerary
Day 1 September 22 — Flight to Cappadocia
Upon your arrival at Cappadocia Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your boutique cave hotel.
The remainder of the day is yours to relax and settle into one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. Surrounded by volcanic rock formations and centuries-old cave dwellings, Cappadocia offers a truly unique atmosphere unlike anywhere else on Earth.
In the evening, guests who wish may attend an optional Whirling Dervishes Ceremony, held inside a beautifully restored historic Seljuk caravanserai. This spiritual performance offers a fascinating glimpse into the mystical traditions of Sufism and provides one of the region's most authentic cultural experiences.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Optional activities
- Whirling Dervishes Ceremony – EUR85
Day 2 September 23 — Cappadocia Highlights
- Cappadocia
- Göreme Open Air Museum
- Love Valley
- Paşabağ (Monks Valley)
- Avanos
- Özkonak Underground City
Early risers may choose to join an optional hot air balloon flight, widely considered one of the world's most spectacular ballooning experiences. Watching hundreds of colorful balloons drift above Cappadocia's surreal volcanic landscape at sunrise is truly unforgettable.
After breakfast and some time to relax, meet your private guide to begin exploring the region.
Your first visit is the remarkable Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring beautifully preserved rock-cut churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes dating back more than a thousand years.
Continue to the scenic Love Valley, famous for its dramatic fairy chimneys sculpted naturally by volcanic erosion over millions of years.
Explore the unique rock formations of Paşabağ (Monks Valley), where some of Cappadocia's most iconic fairy chimneys can be found.
Later, visit the charming riverside town of Avanos, renowned for its pottery tradition that dates back thousands of years thanks to the rich red clay collected from the nearby Red River (Kızılırmak).
Conclude the day with a fascinating visit to Özkonak Underground City, an impressive multi-level underground settlement where early Christians sought refuge during times of invasion.
Return to your hotel.
Optional activities
- Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise – EUR280
Day 3 September 24 — Hidden Valleys of Cappadocia
Meet your guide after breakfast for another full day exploring Cappadocia's breathtaking scenery.
Begin at Uçhisar Castle, the highest natural rock fortress in the region, offering spectacular panoramic views across Cappadocia's volcanic landscape.
Continue through the picturesque Pigeon Valley, named after the thousands of dovecotes carved into its cliffs that once supported local agriculture.
Visit the charming village of Ortahisar, dominated by its impressive rock castle that rises dramatically above traditional stone houses.
Enjoy a scenic walk through the colorful Red Valley, where vibrant mineral-rich rock formations create one of Cappadocia's most beautiful hiking areas.
Finish the day in the elegant town of Ürgüp, known for its beautifully restored stone mansions, boutique wineries, and relaxed atmosphere.
Return to your hotel for your final evening in Cappadocia.
Day 4 September 25 — Cappadocia to Gaziantep
After checking out of your hotel in Cappadocia, meet your private guide and begin your scenic drive toward Gaziantep, one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities and its undisputed culinary capital.
Along the way, stop in Kahramanmaraş, the birthplace of Turkey's world-famous ice cream. Here you'll enjoy a tasting of the city's legendary Maraş Dondurması, celebrated for its uniquely rich texture and remarkable elasticity.
Upon arrival in Gaziantep, check into your hotel and enjoy a short period of rest.
Later in the afternoon, visit the extraordinary Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics, including the internationally renowned "Gypsy Girl" mosaic.
Continue with a leisurely walk through Gaziantep's historic Old Town, where beautifully preserved stone streets, traditional bazaars, ancient inns, and centuries-old mosques reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.
Overnight in Gaziantep.
Day 5 September 26 — Göbeklitepe & Şanlıurfa
After breakfast, check out and drive toward Şanlıurfa.
Your first stop is the extraordinary archaeological site of Göbeklitepe, recognized as the world's oldest known temple complex and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times. Dating back over 11,000 years, it has dramatically reshaped our understanding of early human civilization.
Continue to Şanlıurfa and visit the outstanding Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, whose remarkable collection showcases the region's immense historical significance from prehistoric times through the Roman period.
Next, explore the sacred pools of Balıklıgöl, believed by many to be associated with the story of Prophet Abraham. This peaceful spiritual complex remains one of Turkey's most important pilgrimage sites.
Later, drive to the ancient settlement of Harran, famous for its distinctive beehive-shaped mud-brick houses and its role as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Return to Şanlıurfa for overnight.
Day 6 September 27 — Kingdom of Commagene & Mount Nemrut
After checking out, begin one of the most scenic days of your journey through southeastern Turkey.
Visit the fascinating ancient city of Perre, one of the five great cities of the Kingdom of Commagene.
Continue to the impressive Karakuş Tumulus, the royal burial monument built for the female members of the Commagene royal family.
Cross the beautifully preserved Cendere Roman Bridge, considered one of the oldest Roman bridges still in use today.
The highlight of the day is Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where colossal stone heads of ancient gods and kings overlook one of Turkey's most breathtaking mountain landscapes. Built by King Antiochus I more than two thousand years ago, this monumental sanctuary remains one of the country's most iconic archaeological treasures.
Following your visit, continue to Diyarbakır and check into your hotel.
Overnight in Diyarbakır.
Day 7 September 28 — Farewell Diyarbakır
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning before checking out of your hotel.
From the dreamlike valleys of Cappadocia to the ancient kingdoms of Mesopotamia, this remarkable journey has taken you through some of Turkey's most fascinating landscapes and historical treasures. We hope these unforgettable experiences have inspired you to return and discover even more of this extraordinary country.
Where this trip takes you
- Day 1 Cappadocia Natural wonder
- Day 2 Cappadocia Natural wonder
- Day 2 Göreme Open Air Museum Museum
- Day 2 Love Valley Natural wonder
- Day 2 Paşabağ (Monks Valley) Natural wonder
- Day 2 Avanos Town / village
- Day 2 Özkonak Underground City Ancient site
- Day 3 Cappadocia Natural wonder
- Day 3 Uçhisar Castle Ancient site
- Day 3 Pigeon Valley Natural wonder
- Day 3 Ortahisar Town / village
- Day 3 Red Valley Natural wonder
- Day 3 Ürgüp Town / village
- Day 4 Kahramanmaraş City
- Day 4 Gaziantep City
- Day 4 Zeugma Mosaic Museum Museum
- Day 5 Göbekli Tepe Ancient site
- Day 5 Şanlıurfa City
- Day 5 Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum Museum
- Day 5 Balıklıgöl Other
- Day 5 Harran Ancient site
- Day 6 Ancient City of Perre Ancient site
- Day 6 Karakuş Tumulus Ancient site
- Day 6 Cendere Roman Bridge Ancient site
- Day 6 Mount Nemrut Ancient site
- Day 6 Diyarbakır City
Before you book you should know
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Is this trip right for you?
Our groups are capped at eight travellers, which is about a third of what the industry calls a small group. Eight people share one vehicle, one table at dinner and one guide's attention, and the day can change on the road without anybody being left behind. If you are looking for a coach, a fixed script and a microphone, this is not that.
Most days involve real walking, often on ground that was laid two thousand years before walking shoes: marble worn smooth, cobbles, uneven steps and long site paths with little shade. Bring shoes you can spend a morning in.
Some days move between regions and are largely a drive, with stops along the way. Summers are hot — well over 35°C inland — and winters are colder than most people expect, so layers, a hat and sunscreen earn their place in the bag whatever the month.
How demanding a particular trip is, is written on the trip itself: the physical rating in the header, and the day-by-day itinerary above.
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Rooms, and travelling on your own
Trip prices are per person, sharing a twin room. Each traveller picks their own room while booking, so a party can mix the three:
- Twin share — two single beds, shared with someone you are travelling with or with a traveller of the same gender.
- Travelling as a couple — one double room.
- Individual room — a room of your own, for a single supplement on top of the trip price. Availability is limited, and the supplement for a given date is shown next to the option when you book.
Solo travellers are welcome on every departure, and most of our groups have one or two aboard.
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Accommodation
The hotels named in an itinerary are a guideline rather than a guarantee. Where one is full, or has dropped below the standard we booked it for, we substitute a property of a similar standard in the same area — we would rather change the hotel than the trip.
Check-in is usually mid-afternoon. If you arrive early we will ask for the room, but no hotel can promise one before its own check-in time; luggage can normally be left at reception in the meantime. If you want the room from the night before, ask us and we will add the extra night to your booking.
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Passports, visas and insurance
Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change without much notice, so the only reliable source is the official one: the government of the country you are travelling to, and your own foreign ministry's travel advice. Check both before you book a flight.
Many countries ask for a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and for blank pages. It is worth looking at yours now rather than at the airport.
We ask every traveller to carry travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation, and we would strongly encourage cover for cancellation and for your luggage as well.
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Your departure is guaranteed — the day can change
Once a departure is on the calendar it runs. We do not cancel a trip for want of a minimum number of bookings, so a booked date is one you can plan flights and leave around.
What can move is the shape of a day. Museums and archaeological sites change their hours, roads close, weather turns, a local holiday lands in the middle of the week. Where that happens your guide reorders the day, or swaps a stop for one of the same weight, and tells you why. Changes to a booked itinerary are covered by our Booking Terms & Conditions.
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