Flight-inclusive GAP and Van Tour (4 Nights Accommodation)
✈️ FROM THE PEARL OF THE EAST TO THE HEART OF MESOPOTAMIA: A GAP AND VAN DREAM WITH FLIGHTS
Are you ready for a magnificent cultural journey that will begin from İzmir with the comfort of direct flights and stretch from the majestic mountains of Eastern Anatolia to the warm lands of Mesopotamia?
On this unique route, from the blue of Lake Van to the grandeur of Ishak Pasha Palace, from Mardin’s stone streets to the mystery of Göbeklitepe, we will explore without getting tired or wasting time. With the advantage of a direct flight to Van on the way there and a direct flight from Gaziantep on the way back, we give you back the time spent on the road and invite you to experience the fullest 5 days!
What Will We See?
✓ Round-trip Direct Flight Comfort (No Time Lost)
✓ The Topkapı of the East Ishak Pasha Palace
✓ Nature’s Voice Muradiye Waterfall
✓ Legendary Akdamar Island and Lake Van
✓ Under the Shadow of the Walls Diyarbakır and Malabadi Bridge
✓ Stone Turned into Art Mardin and Midyat
✓ Syriac Culture Mor Gabriel and Dara Ancient City
✓ The Zero Point of History Göbeklitepe
✓ Full of Flavor and Fun Şanlıurfa Sıra Gecesi
Our Day-by-Day Tour Program
Day 1: The Summit of the East and Magnificent Palaces (İzmir - Van Flight - Muradiye - Ishak Pasha)
At 04:30 in the morning, we meet at Adnan Menderes Airport Domestic Terminal and depart for Van on SunExpress’s direct flight (06:10). After meeting our vehicle at the airport, we take our optional breakfast break and reach Muradiye Waterfall with a view of Lake Van. After photographing the rushing water, we arrive in Doğubayazıt with views of Tendürek Mountain Pass and the majestic Ağrı Mountain. After a shopping break in the local bazaars, we visit Ishak Pasha Palace, the most magnificent structure of Eastern Anatolia. After the visit, we return to Van city center and check into our hotel.
🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (Included in the price).
Accommodation: At our hotel in Van.
Day 2: A Journey from the Urartians to the Tigris (Van Castle - Akdamar - Malabadi - Diyarbakır)
After breakfast, we visit Van Castle, overlooking the Tuşba Plain, and the Cat House to see the famous Van Cats. After examining the savat art crafted by silversmiths, we head to Gevaş and, by boat (extra), reach Akdamar Island, the pearl of Lake Van. After visiting the historic Holy Cross Church on the island, we continue via Bitlis, famous in folk songs, and stop for photos at the historic Malabadi Bridge. In the evening, we arrive in Diyarbakır, the city of walls and a UNESCO candidate.
🍽️ Dinner: Will be taken freely at Diyarbakır’s famous liver restaurants (Extra).
Accommodation: At our hotel in Diyarbakır.
Day 3: The Lands Where Stones Speak (Diyarbakır - Mardin - Midyat)
After breakfast, we visit the Diyarbakır Walls, Hevsel Gardens, Four-Legged Minaret, and Ulu Mosque. After a coffee break at Hasan Paşa Han, we head to Mardin, the “Land of the Sun.” After soaking in the mystical atmosphere of Kasımiye Madrasa, we take a pleasant walk through Mardin’s narrow streets, including Şeyh Çabuk Mosque, Cumhuriyet Square, and Mardin Ulu Mosque. Leaving the historic stone houses behind, we go to Midyat and visit the Government Guesthouse, which hosted popular TV series. We complete our telkari, wine, and local cosmetics shopping and then transfer to our hotel.
🍽️ Dinner: Will be served at our hotel (Included in the price).
Accommodation: At our hotel in Midyat.
Day 4: The Secrets of Mesopotamia and the Zero Point of History (Mor Gabriel - Dara - Göbeklitepe - Urfa)
After breakfast at our hotel, we visit Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the most important centers of the Syriac world. Then we take a short rest break at Beyazsu, famous for its greenery and cool waters, and arrive at Dara Ancient City, known as the “Ephesus of Mesopotamia.” After the fascinating cisterns and dungeons of Dara, we head to Göbeklitepe, the place that rewrote human history 12,000 years ago! After listening to our guide’s explanations about its secrets, we continue to Şanlıurfa, the city of prophets.
🌙 Evening Entertainment: For those who wish, we join the Şanlıurfa Sıra Gecesi with music, çiğ köfte, and local delicacies (extra).
🍽️ Dinner: A local menu will be served at the sıra gecesi (Extra).
Accommodation: At our hotel in Şanlıurfa.
Day 5: From History Underwater to the City of Gazis (Harran - Halfeti - Gaziantep - İzmir Flight)
After breakfast at our hotel, we visit Balıklıgöl and Ayn Zeliha Lake, the sacred place where Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire. After touring 5,000-year-old Harran, famous for its cone-shaped domed houses, and taking photos in traditional local clothing, we head to Halfeti, the hidden paradise of the Euphrates River. Here, on our boat tour (extra), we see the submerged houses and the Sunken Mosque. Then we arrive in the gastronomic city of Gaziantep. We visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, one of the largest mosaic museums in the world, and tour Gümrük Han, Almacı Bazaar, and Bakırcılar Bazaar. After sipping our relaxation coffee at the historic Tahmis Coffeehouse and completing our baklava shopping, we transfer to Gaziantep Airport. With SunExpress’s 22:55 flight, we return to İzmir and say farewell until our next tour.