# Mesopotamia & Southeastern Turkey 3 Nights | 1 Gaziantep · 1 Şanlıurfa · 1 Diyarbakır — Göbeklitepe, Mount Nemrut and the cradle of civilization. - Duration: 3 Nights / 4 Days - Price: from $1950.00 USD per traveler - Physical rating: 3 - Moderate - Meeting point: Gaziantep Airport (GZT) — arrivals hall ## About this trip Venture into the cradle of civilization on this extraordinary four-day private journey through southeastern Turkey, where the world's oldest known temple complex, royal mountain-top sanctuaries of forgotten gods, and cities that have welcomed travelers for thousands of years still stand largely undiscovered. Begin amid the cosmopolitan energy of Gaziantep, Turkey's culinary capital, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics. Continue to Göbeklitepe, an 11,000-year-old temple complex that has forever reshaped our understanding of early human history. Stand among the colossal stone heads of Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage sanctuary built by King Antiochus I. End your days in atmospheric Diyarbakır, surrounded by ancient city walls and the spiritual heritage of the Upper Mesopotamian plains. With your own private guide and driver throughout, this is a region of Turkey few travelers ever see — and none forget. ## Places visited - Kahramanmaraş - Gaziantep - Zeugma Mosaic Museum - Göbekli Tepe - Şanlıurfa - Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum - Balıklıgöl - Harran - Ancient City of Perre - Karakuş Tumulus - Cendere Roman Bridge - Mount Nemrut - Diyarbakır - Diyarbakır City Walls - Ulu Mosque (Diyarbakır) ## Itinerary ### Day 1 — 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. Stops: Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Zeugma Mosaic Museum Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 2 — 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. Stops: Göbekli Tepe, Şanlıurfa, Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, Balıklıgöl, Harran Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 3 — 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. Stops: Ancient City of Perre, Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Roman Bridge, Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakır Inclusions: Boutique hotel accommodation (4 stars), Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ### Day 4 — September 28 — Farewell Diyarbakır After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning surrounded by the timeless atmosphere of Diyarbakır before checking out of your hotel. Stroll past portions of the impressive Diyarbakır City Walls, among the longest and best-preserved defensive walls in the world, and step inside the historic Ulu Mosque, considered one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. Your journey through Southeastern Turkey comes to an end today after discovering some of the world's oldest settlements, remarkable archaeological treasures, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and the rich cultural heritage of ancient Mesopotamia. We hope this unforgettable experience has inspired you to explore even more of Turkey's extraordinary history and diverse regions in the future. Stops: Diyarbakır, Diyarbakır City Walls, Ulu Mosque (Diyarbakır) Inclusions: Breakfast Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner ## What's included & not included Included: - Accommodation (as per itinerary) - Daily breakfast - All ground transportation (private vehicles) - Domestic flights (as per itinerary) - Professional English-speaking guide(s) - All entrance fees to mentioned sites and museums - Selected meals (as per itinerary) - Airport transfers (on tour start and end dates) - 24/7 local support from our team Not included: - International flights - Travel insurance - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary - Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.) - Optional activities and experiences - Tips for guides and drivers (optional) - Visa fees (if applicable) - Early check-in or late check-out at hotels - Any other services not explicitly mentioned as included ## Before you book you should know ### 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. ### Can I have my own room, or travel solo? 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. ### 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. ### Where will we stay? 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. ### 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. ### What do I need for 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. ### 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. ### Is my departure guaranteed, and can the plan 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. ### 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. ## Upcoming departures No upcoming departures listed right now. Check back soon. --- Full page: https://www.smallvoyage.com/tours/mesopotamia-southeastern-turkey/