GAP and Mesopotamia Tour Departing from Bursa with 4 Nights Accommodation

DEPARTURE

Our tour starts its night journey by departing from Bursa Kent Meydanı Avm at 21:00.

ADANA - SABANCI MOSQUE - GAZIANTEP ZEUGMA MOSAIC MUSEUM - EMINE GOGUS KITCHEN TOUR – TAHMIS COFFEE – GAZIANTEP HAMAM MUSEUM - GAZIANTEP BAZAARS

Our tour picks up passengers at 02:00 in front of Ankara Mesa Avm and at 02:15 in front of Ankara Sogutozu Ulusoy Facilities (Opposite Armada Avm), following the Ankara – Aksaray – Pozanti route towards Adana. After a free breakfast on the way, we head to Adana, the city located in the middle of the Cukurova Plateau and fed by the fertile waters of the Seyhan River. During our Adana visit, the Great Clock Tower, Adana Ulu Mosque, Ramazanoğlu Mansion (Panoramic), and the Famous Stone Bridge built over the Seyhan River will be our main visiting points. After visiting the Sabanci Mosque, we set off for Gaziantep, referred to as the Paris of the East. In Gaziantep, we first visit the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where mosaics excavated from Zeugma and artifacts belonging to the region are exhibited. After our museum visit, we go to our restaurant to taste the flavors of Antep. Following an extra lunch, we see the Gaziantep Castle (Panoramic), one of the rare structures remaining today in Turkey whose construction date and civilization are unknown. Then, we visit the Emine Gogus Kitchen Artifacts Museum located at the foot of the Castle. After getting to know the world-famous Gaziantep Cuisine closely, we go to the Hamam Museum to get to know another important culture of the city, the Hamam Culture. Afterwards, we taste Menengic Coffee at Tahmis Coffee. You can explore the Antep bazaars with our guide. After free time in the Coppersmiths and Almacilar bazaars, we settle into our hotel. Dinner and accommodation will be at our hotel.

Breakfast: To be taken as extra at roadside break facilities.
Lunch: Free Menu in Gaziantep;
Dinner: To be taken as Open Buffet or Set Menu at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Gaziantep Hotels etc. 
Break Facilities: Roadside Facilities
Route: Bursa – Gaziantep (1150 km) Regional Tours (40 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 1190 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 18:30

BIRECIK BALD HEADED IBIS BREEDING FARM - HALFETI - MOUNT NEMRUT

Our tour, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, stops at the Bald Headed Ibis Breeding Farm in Birecik. After seeing and receiving information about these endangered birds on site, we reach Halfeti. In Halfeti, the only place in Turkey where the black rose grows, we go on a boat tour on the dam lake lasting approximately 1 hour with our guests who wish to do so (Extra). During the boat tour, we see Rum Kale and Savasan Village, which is completely underwater and a subject of paintings. After the boat tour, we provide a short free time, then we head towards Adiyaman. Upon arriving in Kahta, we board our minibuses and set off for Mount Nemrut (Extra). After a journey of approximately 1 hour, we reach the foothills of Mount Nemrut. From here, we reach the East Terrace using the stairs. After seeing the statues of I.Antiochos, Zeus, Apollon, Herakles, Commagene, Eagle and Lion, we move to the West Terrace with a short walk and explore Nemrut, accepted as the 8th Wonder of the World, in detail. After visiting the west and east terraces and the donation altar, we head to our hotel. 

Breakfast: To be taken at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: To be taken as extra in Sanliurfa.
Dinner: To be taken at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Adiyaman or Diyarbakir Hotels etc.
Route: Gaziantep - Halfeti (120 km) Halfeti - Adiyaman ( 120 km) Regional (80 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 320 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 18:30

DIYARBAKIR - ULU MOSQUE - HASANKEYF - MIDYAT – TELKARI BAZAAR

Our tour, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, first visits the Diyarbakir Ulu Mosque, believed to be one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history and the 5th Haram-i Sharif established in Anatolia, located within the walls. Looking towards the Tigris River, we see and photograph the 10-Arched Bridge built over the Tigris River, the Hevsel Gardens, and the Keci Bastion, the oldest of the Diyarbakir walls. Afterwards, we drink our fatigue teas at Suluklu Han. After seeing the Mardin Gate panoramically, we move to Batman, the land of petroleum. Via Batman city center, we move to Hasankeyf, where the old settlement remained under the dam waters. After seeing the Sultan Suleyman Mosque Minaret, Imam Abdullah Zaviyesi and Zeynel Bey Tomb, which were moved from the old settlement, panoramically, we move to historical Midyat, a part of Upper Mesopotamia. We provide free time in the bazaars for you to buy souvenirs and jewelry made of telkari, the silver filigree art unique to Midyat. You can take nice photos by walking among the historical Midyat Houses. At the end of the free time, we move to a shopping point where you can find almond candy, walnut sausage, and dibek coffee. After our shopping break, we meet with our vehicle and move to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.

Breakfast: To be taken at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: To be taken as a local menu in a restaurant in Batman or Diyarbakir.
Dinner: To be taken as Open Buffet or Set Menu at the hotel.
Accommodation: Mardin or Midyat Hotels etc.
Route: Adiyaman – Diyarbakir ( 220 km) Diyarbakir - Hasankeyf ( 130 km) Hasankeyf - Midyat ( 50 km) Regional Tours (40 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 440 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 19:30

DARA ANCIENT CITY - DAYRULZAFARAN MONASTERY – KASIMIYE MADRASA – OLD PTT BUILDING – ULU MOSQUE - GOBEKLITEPE – SANLIURFA - SIRA GECESI

Our tour, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, moves to the Dara Ancient City, referred to as the Ephesus of the East, with our guests who wish to do so (Extra) (This will be done if there is sufficient majority). In the Dara Ancient City, one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia in history, we see the Water Cisterns, Historical Stone Quarry and Cemetery. After our ancient city tour, we start exploring Mardin. Our first stop in Mardin will be the Dayrulzafaran Monastery, which is the center of the Syriac people worldwide (Depending on time and conditions, Mor Gabriel Monastery may be visited instead of Dayrulzafaran). The information we receive about the monastery, which was built as a sun temple during the Shamsi era and later served as the Patriarchate Center of the Syriacs for hundreds of years, will leave us fascinated. Then, we visit the Kasimiye Madrasa, built by the Akkoyunlu Ruler Sultan Kasim in the 15th century. After receiving important historical information, we continue our way on foot through the historical Mardin streets and visit the Ulu Mosque in the Mardin bazaars, one of the most important historical structures of Mardin, which contains the sacred beard of Prophet Muhammad. Afterwards, we see the PTT building, which has hosted many TV series and movies. After seeing the Sehidiye Mosque right across from us, you can buy the famous Mardin soaps or almond candy during the free time we provide. Then, we descend from the three-way junction, pass through the Abbaras, which are symbols of Mardin, meet our vehicle waiting for us, and move to Sanliurfa, the City of Prophets. We visit the Gobeklitepe Sacred Area, the apple of the world archaeology's eye, where archaeological work is still ongoing and which contains the first known temple in the world. At the end of the day, we meet with our vehicle and reach our hotel. With our guests who wish, we go to the dinner-inclusive Sira Gecesi (Extra).

Breakfast: To be taken at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Free Lunch
Dinner: To be taken as extra at Sira Gecesi or in a restaurant.
Accommodation: Sanliurfa Hotels
Route: Mardin City Tour (50  km) Mardin Sanliurfa ( 200 km)
Total Distance to be Covered: 250 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 18:30

SANLIURFA – BALIKLI GOL – HARRAN – HARRAN ULU MOSQUE – RETURN

Our tour, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, first starts our tour with Harran, the most popular district of Sanliurfa. Here, we see the Harran Mound, which is 22 m high in the middle of Harran City, the Harran Ulu Mosque, which has the feature of being the oldest mosque built during the Islamic period in Turkey, the first Islamic Madrasa established in Anatolia (Harran University) located in its courtyard, the Historical Walls, and visit one of the Conical Domed Houses. After leaving Harran, we go to our restaurant to taste the flavors of Sanliurfa. After the meal, we start our tour in Sanliurfa center. We see the Halil Rahman Lake, Balikli Gol, Ayn Zeliha Lake, the Makam Mosque, which takes its name from the Station of Prophet Abraham, the Rizvaniye Mosque, the Mevledi Halil Mosque, and the cave where Prophet Abraham was born. We visit the Panoramic Urfa Castle, and the historical bazaars Sipahiler, Huseyinciler, and Bakircilar. Then, we take a tea break at Gumruk Han, which you may remember from the Eşkıya movie. After our break and local shopping, we begin our return journey. 

Breakfast: To be taken at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: To be taken as extra.
Dinner: To be taken as extra at roadside break facilities.
Accommodation: ATTENTION THERE IS NO HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TONIGHT.
Route: Sanliurfa - Bursa (1310 km)

BURSA

Our tour, in the early morning hours, sadly bids farewell to you, our valued guests, by dropping you off at the points where we picked you up, until we meet again on our next trip. Goodbye…

Total Tour Distance: 3414 KM

CLIMATE

A continental climate is seen in our South Eastern Anatolia Region. The characteristic of the continental climate is that winters are cold and snowy, while summers are generally hot and dry. In places where the continental climate is seen, winter starts early and there is an average of 90 days of snow cover. Summers also start as early as winter and are hot, but because humidity is low, this heat is not felt as much; the temperature difference between day and night and the annual temperature difference is very high.

Gaziantep Met Gold Hotel            : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 9341

Gaziantep Yılmazoğlu Park Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13681

Şanlıurfa Grand Gülizar Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 2022-63-0032

Şanlıurfa Vizyon Park Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 2022-63-0060

Şanlıurfa  Dedeman Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 11940

Mardin Yay Grand Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 20828

Büyük Mardin Hotel  : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 2022-47-0042

Diyarbakır Plaza Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 16522

Diyarbakır Nov Hotel : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13963

Park Dedeman Adıyaman : Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 18780

*** The list of our contracted hotels according to the regions above is specified. In peak periods, accommodation may also be provided in hotels outside the list.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND ASSURANCE PACKAGE: Until 72 hours (3 days) before the Departure Day of the tour; a 100% unconditional and uninterrupted refund guarantee is offered in case of a reservation cancellation request or change. For tours with 1, 2, or 3 nights' accommodation, the package price is 3000 TL per person. For tours with 4 nights' accommodation and above, the package price is 5000 TL per person. The Cancellation and Refund Assurance Package cannot be added to tours with flights.

OTHER DETAILS

Sıra Night: An entertainment where local music is played and sung, and Çiğ Köfte, Ayran, Mırra and Şıllık Dessert are served.

Nemrut Tour: Nemrut Mountain is ascended with minibuses; in the event that the Nemrut road is closed due to snow on the date the tour takes place, the Nemrut Tour may be cancelled without any alternative being produced. In this case, guests have no right to a refund or compensation. Every guest who purchases the tour is deemed to have accepted these two conditions from the outset.

SCOPE OF MANDATORY TRAVEL INSURANCE NO. 1618

It is not health insurance and does not cover treatment costs. (Private health insurance is a private expense of the guest)

BUSES

MERCEDES TRAVEGO & TOURISMO: 46+1+1 Seating, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioned, Body Lowering and Raising System Tempomat (Speed Limiter and Stabilizer), TV, DVD Player (DVD, VCD, CD, MP3), 15" LCD monitor in front and middle.

MAN FORTUNA: 46+1+1 Seating, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioned, Body Lowering and Raising System Tempomat (Speed Limiter and Stabilizer), TV, DVD Player (DVD, VCD, CD, MP3), 15" LCD monitor in front and middle.

NEOPLAN CITYLINER / TOURLINER: 46+1+1 Seating, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioned, Body Lowering and Raising System Tempomat (Speed Limiter and Stabilizer), TV, DVD Player (DVD, VCD, CD, MP3), 15" LCD monitor in front and middle.

TEMSA SAFIR / MARATON: 46+1+1 Seating, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioned, Body Lowering and Raising System Tempomat (Speed Limiter and Stabilizer), TV, DVD Player (DVD, VCD, CD, MP3), 15" LCD monitor in front and middle.

MIDIBUSES

ISUZU TURKUAZ: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

NOVO LUX: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

SULTAN OTOGAR: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit with Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

MINIBUSES

MERCEDES SPRİNTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

WOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lamps, Sound System for Guide Announcements, Cd and Dvd Player.

NOTE: Depending on the number of people in our tours, any of the vehicle types specified above will be used.

OUR TOUR PROGRAMS ARE PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER LAW NO. 6502.