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 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.
We meet at 03:40 in the Domestic Terminal of Adnan Menderes Airport and depart for Erzurum on the 05:40 flight. On our Erzurum city tour, we visit the Çifte Minareli Medrese, Yakutiye Medrese, Ulu Camii, and the famous Taşhan (Rüstem Paşa Caravanserai). Then, we travel to Kars via Sarıkamış and, accompanied by our guide, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ani Ruins on the Armenian border. At the end of the day, we check in to our hotel in Kars. Guests who wish may join the local Caucasian Night entertainment in the evening (extra). ✈️ Transportation: 05:40 SunExpress Izmir (ADB) - Erzurum (ERZ) Flight. 🌙 Evening Entertainment: Local Caucasian Night (Extra). 🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (Included in the price). (Guests joining the Caucasian Night may have their dinner at the event.) 🏨 Accommodation: At our hotel in Kars.
After breakfast, we visit Tuzluca Cave, the hidden paradise of Iğdır. After taking photos of the majestic Mount Ararat, which is the subject of legends, we tour Ishak Pasha Palace in Doğubayazıt, which commands the plain like an eagle’s nest. Crossing the Çaldıran Plain, we stop for a photo break at Muradiye Waterfall, with its suspension bridge and soothing sound. At the end of the day, we arrive in Van and check into our hotel. 🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (Included in the price). 🏨 Accommodation: At our hotel in Van.
After breakfast, we head to Gevaş and reach Akdamar Island, the pearl of Lake Van, by boat (optional). After visiting the historic Akdamar Church, we continue our route via Tatvan and Bitlis to Midyat, famous for its stone mansions. We visit the Midyat Guesthouse (Sıla Konağı), where famous TV series were filmed, and walk through the narrow streets of the Syriac and Muslim neighborhoods. After some free time for shopping for the famous filigree silver craftsmanship, Syriac wine, and almond sweets, we proceed to our hotel. 🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (included in the price). 🏨 Accommodation: At our hotel in Midyat.
After breakfast, we explore the streets of the dream city of Mardin step by step. After discovering Kasımiye Madrasa, Ulu Mosque, Zinciriye Madrasa, and the historic Mardin Bazaar, we proceed to Hasankeyf. Seeing the Zeynel Bey Tomb and El Rizk Mosque, which were rescued from being submerged, we arrive in Diyarbakır. We visit the On Gözlü Bridge, the Hevsel Gardens, the historic Diyarbakır City Walls, Ulu Mosque, Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House, Four-Legged Minaret, and Sülüklü Han, then settle into our hotel. 🍽️ **Dinner:** Will be served at our hotel (included in the price). 🏨 **Accommodation:** At our hotel in Diyarbakır.
After breakfast, we head up to Mount Nemrut, the “City of Kings” (by minibus – extra), for a fascinating experience with the Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and the massive 2,150-meter-high statues of the gods. Then we visit Göbeklitepe, the UNESCO heritage site considered the zero point of human history. Continuing our tour, we explore the “City of Prophets,” Şanlıurfa, including Balıklıgöl, Ayn-ı Zeliha Lake, Rızvaniye Mosque, and the Cave where Prophet Abraham was born. In the evening, those who wish can join the traditional dinner show, the Şanlıurfa Sıra Gecesi (extra), a must-do entertainment in Urfa. 🌙 Evening Entertainment: Dinner-inclusive Şanlıurfa Sıra Gecesi (Extra). 🍽️ Dinner: Not included in the price. (Guests who do not join the sıra gecesi will have dinner on their own.) 🏨 Accommodation: At our hotel in Şanlıurfa.
After breakfast, we depart for Halfeti, the hidden paradise of Southeastern Anatolia. In Halfeti, which has taken on a mystical atmosphere after being submerged by the waters of the Birecik Dam, we take an optional boat tour (extra) and see the famous sunken minaret and Savaşan Village up close. After our visit, we head to Gaziantep, the land of flavors. At the end of the day, we check in to our hotel in Gaziantep. 🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (included in the price). 🏨 Accommodation: At our hotel in Gaziantep.
After breakfast, we visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, one of the world’s largest mosaic museums, and see the mesmerizing “Gypsy Girl” mosaic. To experience the city’s historical atmosphere, we tour Zincirli Bedesten, Almacı Bazaar, and Bakırcılar Bazaar, then relax at the historic Tahmis Coffee House. We provide free time for local shopping (baklava, pistachios, spices) and for you to taste the city’s famous delicacies. After 7 full days, we head to Gaziantep Airport and return to Izmir on the 22:45 flight. ✈️ Transportation: 22:45 SunExpress Gaziantep (GZT) - Izmir (ADB) return flight.
(These are optional, extra-cost programs that require transportation vehicles specific to the region’s geography or reflect local culture.)