Airplane Grand GAP and Eastern Anatolia Tour (Special Midterm Break)
✈️ AUTUMN BREAK SPECIAL: A CULTURAL FEAST FROM EASTERN ANATOLIA TO MESOPOTAMIA
Are you ready to turn the November midterm break into an unforgettable journey of discovery? An amazing route awaits you, starting in Erzurum and ending in Gaziantep, taking you from the cool and majestic highlands of Eastern Anatolia to the warm and mystical lands of Mesopotamia!
Kars’s historic atmosphere, Akdamar in the blue waters of Lake Van, the stone streets of Midyat and Mardin, the zero point of history at Göbeklitepe, the legendary Mount Nemrut, and Gaziantep’s unique flavors... And all of this with the comfort of “flight-based” transportation, so you can travel without getting tired and make the most of your time!
Day-by-Day Tour Program
Day 1: From the Land of Dadaş to the Border City (Izmir - Erzurum - Kars)
We meet at 03:40 in the morning in front of the SunExpress counter at the Domestic Terminal of Adnan Menderes Airport and depart for Erzurum on the 05:40 flight. Upon arrival, we begin our Erzurum city tour; we visit the Çifte Minareli Medrese, Yakutiye Medrese, Ulu Mosque, and the famous Taşhan (Rüstem Paşa Caravanserai). Then we travel via Sarıkamış to Kars and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site Ani Ruins with our guide. At the end of the day, we check in to our hotel in Kars. Those who wish may join the evening traditional Kafkas Night (extra). Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 2: Pearls and Palaces of the East (Kars - Tuzluca - Ishak Pasha - Muradiye - Van)
After breakfast, we visit Tuzluca Cave, Eastern Turkey’s hidden paradise in Iğdır. After photographing the legendary and imposing Mount Ararat, we visit the Ishak Pasha Palace in Doğubayazıt, which stands like an eagle’s nest overlooking the plain. Crossing the Çaldıran Plain, we stop for photos at the Muradiye Waterfall, with its suspension bridge and soothing sound. At the end of the day, we arrive in Van and check in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Van.
Day 3: From Lake Views to Stone Mansions (Van - Akdamar - Tatvan - Midyat)
After breakfast, we head to Gevaş and take boats (extra) to Akdamar Island, the pearl of Lake Van. After visiting the historic Akdamar Church, famous for its legendary stone craftsmanship, we continue through Tatvan and Bitlis and head toward Midyat, renowned for its stone mansions. We visit the famous Midyat Guest House (Sıla Mansion), where popular TV series were filmed, and walk through the narrow streets of the Syriac and Muslim neighborhoods. After free time for shopping for famous filigree silverwork, Syriac wine, and almond paste, we head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Midyat.
Day 4: The Heart of Mesopotamia (Mardin - Hasankeyf - Diyarbakır)
After breakfast, we explore the dream city streets of Mardin step by step. After discovering Kasımiye Madrasa, Ulu Mosque, Zinciriye Madrasa, and the historic Mardin Bazaar, we continue to Hasankeyf. We see the Zeynel Bey Tomb and the El Rızk Mosque, rescued from being submerged, and then arrive in Diyarbakır. We visit the Ten-Eyed Bridge, Hevsel Gardens, the historic Diyarbakır Walls, Ulu Mosque, Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House, Four-Legged Minaret, and Sülüklü Han before checking in to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Diyarbakır.
Day 5: Kings and Prophets (Mount Nemrut - Göbeklitepe - Şanlıurfa)
After breakfast, we ascend the “City of Kings,” Mount Nemrut (by minibuses - extra). We experience a breathtaking visit to the Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and the giant god statues at 2,150 meters. Then we visit Göbeklitepe, regarded as the zero point of human history and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We continue to the “City of Prophets,” Şanlıurfa, where we visit Balıklıgöl, Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake, Rızvaniye Mosque, and the cave where Prophet Abraham was born. In the evening, those who wish may join Urfa’s indispensable dinner and traditional Sıra Night (extra). Overnight stay at our hotel in Şanlıurfa. (Note: Guests who do not attend the Sıra Night will have dinner on their own; accommodation for this night is bed and breakfast.)
Day 6: The Hidden Paradise of the Euphrates (Şanlıurfa - Halfeti - Gaziantep)
After breakfast, we head to Halfeti, the hidden paradise of Southeast Anatolia. In Halfeti, which was submerged by the Birecik Dam and has taken on a mystical atmosphere, we take a boat tour (extra) and see the famous submerged minaret and Savaşan Village up close. After the tour, we continue to the land of flavors, Gaziantep. At the end of the day, we check in to our hotel in Gaziantep. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Day 7: The Gastronomy Capital and Return (Gaziantep City Tour - Izmir)
After breakfast, we visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, one of the world’s largest mosaic museums, and see the captivating “Gypsy Girl” mosaic. To feel the city’s historic atmosphere, we visit Zincirli Bedesten, Almacı Bazaar, and Bakırcılar Bazaar, and take a break from the day’s excitement at the historic Tahmis Coffee House. We give you free time for local shopping (baklava, pistachios, spices) and to taste famous delicacies such as Katmer and Beyran. After a full 7 days, we head to Gaziantep Airport and return to Izmir on the 22:45 flight.
✈️ Flight Information (SunExpress Airlines)
- Outbound Flight: Izmir (ADB) – Erzurum (ERZ) | Departure: 05:40
- Return Flight: Gaziantep (GZT) – Izmir (ADB) | Departure: 22:45