Classic Gap Tour by Plane

Departure  : Izmir (Adnan Menderes) Airport – Çukurova Airport : 06:40 – 08:05

Return : Çukurova Airport – Izmir (Adnan Menderes) Airport : 22:40 – 00:10

Adana – Taşköprü – Sabancı Central Mosque - Gaziantep - Zeugma Mosaic Museum Gaziantep Castle (Ayıntap) Castle - Sedefçiler Bazaar - Almacı Market - Coppersmiths Bazaar - Tütün Han - Kasteller -Tahmis Coffee

After our valued guests complete their individual check-in procedures at Adnan Menderes Airport at least 2 hours before the flight time, we operate our Adana flight. After meeting our guide waiting for us at the airport, we arrive in Adana city center and view the Sabancı Central Mosque and Taşköprü panoramically. Then we head to our city of Gaziantep, known for its rich culture and referred to as the "Paris of the East." Our first stop in Gaziantep will be the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the mosaics unearthed from the ancient city of Zeugma, submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, are exhibited. After our guide’s explanations here, we go for lunch, saying we must taste local flavors in this city famous for its cuisine. We sample the famous Ali Nazik, küşleme, and other kebabs. After lunch, we view and photograph Gaziantep Castle, located in the city center and also known among the public as "Kale-i Füsun" or "Kefen Castle," panoramically. In our tour starting in the historic bazaar district, we visit the Coppersmiths Bazaar, where you witness the sounds of copper craftsmanship defying technology, Almacı Market, and Zincirli Bedesten. We visit Tahmis Coffee inside the Tekke Mosque Complex, which dates back to the 17th century, and Tütün Han, which contains examples of the underground water distribution system (kastel). During the free time given, we have the opportunity to shop for local products such as copperware, spices, pistachios, mother-of-pearl inlaid items, and baklava. After tasting Gaziantep’s famous katmer as well, we settle into the hotel where we will stay in this colorful city. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at a rest stop along the route. (Extra)

Lunch: Will be taken in Gaziantep. (Extra)

Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour fee.

Accommodation Hotel: Tilmen Hotel, Hotel Büyük Veliç Hotel, Dedeman Gaziantep Park, Ravanda Hotel, etc. Hotels

Halfeti – Halfeti Boat Tour – Sunken Minaret – Adıyaman – Kahta - Arsemia – Cendere Bridge – Nissibi Bridge – Diyarbakır

Dear guests, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Halfeti, a corner of paradise. With the guests who wish to join, we board our boat waiting by the Euphrates River in flooded Halfeti and embark on an enjoyable boat tour. On this tour, we will have the opportunity to see the ruins of Rumkale, an ancient settlement, and Savaşan Village, famous for its minaret submerged underwater. (Extra) After completing our boat tour, we return to Halfeti, famous for its black roses, and leave this enchanting town to begin our journey to Mount Nemrut. Upon our arrival in Adıyaman, we will have lunch, then set off toward Kahta and, with the guests who wish, board our minibuses and head to Mount Nemrut. (Extra) Accompanied by magnificent views, we listen to our guide’s explanations and reach Cendere Bridge, built by the legendary IX Legion of the Roman Empire. After listening to the explanations here and taking photos, we see Arsemia, the summer capital of the Kingdom of Commagene. Then, we ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut, at an altitude of 2150 meters above sea level, and see the tumulus built in the name of King Antiochus of Commagene, the East-West Terraces, and the enormous statues here. After our guide’s explanations, we enjoy the magnificent view during our free time. Leaving the summit, we return by our minibuses to our bus in Kahta and arrive at the hotel where we will stay. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Breakfast: Will be served at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be served in Kahta. Free choice or menu (Extra).

Dinner: Will be served at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation Hotel: Sv Busines Hotel, Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, White Star Hotel, etc. Hotels

Diyarbakır – Ulu Mosque Historical Walls – Hevsel Gardens - Malabadi Bridge - Batman - Hasankeyf Midyat – Midyat Guesthouse – Filigree and Silversmiths Bazaar

Dear guests, after the breakfast we will have at our hotel in the morning, our first stop in Diyarbakır will be the house where Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, one of the important names in our literary world, was born and which now serves as a museum. After visiting the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House, one of the finest examples of Diyarbakır civil architecture, we visit the Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque, located inside the city walls and believed to be one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history. Known as the first Haram al-Sharif built in Anatolia, this mosque enchants with its historical texture. Then, we see Keçi Bastion, one of the most mysterious structures of the Diyarbakır Walls, which have a 9,000-year history. Looking at the Tigris River from here, we photograph the Ten-Eyed Bridge built over it and the Hevsel Gardens on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After seeing Mardin Gate and Yeni Gate panoramically, we set off toward Batman. With our guests who wish, we visit the Malabadi Bridge (extra), dating from the Artuqid period and notable for its stone-arched structure. Built in the 12th century, this bridge is one of the rare examples of medieval engineering. After photographing the historical structure and receiving a brief introduction, we head toward Hasankeyf. After a panoramic tour in Batman, where Turkey’s first oil well was discovered, we take a lunch break. After the meal, we arrive at the historic Hasankeyf, which is under the waters of the Ilısu Dam. We tour both sections of this unique town, divided into New Hasankeyf and Old Hasankeyf due to the dam. First, we visit the El Rizk Mosque, Sultan Süleyman Mosque, and Zeynel Bey Tomb, relocated from Old Hasankeyf. Then, with the (Extra) Hasankeyf Boat Tour, we discover the traces of Old Hasankeyf submerged under the water. On this 45-minute tour, we journey deep into history. After leaving Hasankeyf, we move on to Midyat, famous for its stone houses and enchanting atmosphere. In Midyat, we tour the Midyat Guest House, which has hosted series such as Sıla and Hercai, and take plenty of photos. We feel the spirit of this mystical city by walking among the Historical Midyat Houses. In the city center, we provide free time in the bazaar where you can buy handcrafted products from world-famous Silver and Filigree workshops and Blue Almond Candy dyed with the root of the Lahore Tree. After the free time, we check in to our hotel. Accommodation and dinner will take place at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken in Batman. Free choice or menu (Extra).

Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation Hotel:Yay Grand Hotel, Mezepotamya Garden, Hotel, Raymar Hotel, Katori Delux Hotel, Matiat Hotel etc. Hotels.

Dara Ancient City - Mardin - Mardin -Kasimiye Madrasa – Grand Mosque – Abbaras – PTT Building – Deyr-ul Zafaran ( Morgabriael) – Göbeklitepe - Şanlıurfa

Dear guests, after breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we visit Dara Ancient City with those guests who wish to join us. (Extra) Located in Oğuz Village, 30 km southeast of Mardin, this ancient city is one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia. We explore Dara, which attracts attention with its rock-carved structures and vast area, accompanied by our guide’s explanations. After our visit to Dara, we head towards Mardin, where religions and languages meet. During our walk through the narrow stone streets, we see Mardin’s largest mosque, Ulu Mosque (Grand Mosque), the historic Abbaras (water channels), Şehidiye Madrasa, and the historic PTT Building. After a tea and coffee break overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, we arrive at Deyr-ul Zafaran Monastery. In this monastery, which served as the patriarchate center of the Syriacs for over 1000 years, we tour the 4000-year-old Sun Temple (Temple of Sin), the infirmary, the church, and the baptistery. (Depending on crowd levels in the region or prayer times, Mor Gabriel Monastery may be visited as an alternative.) Leaving Mardin, we set off for Şanlıurfa, known as the city of prophets. Here we visit Göbeklitepe, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and has rewritten human history. Dating back 12,000 years, this Neolithic pilgrimage center, described by National Geographic as “The Place Where Religion Was Born,” is toured with our guide’s explanations. After our Göbeklitepe tour, we check in to our hotel. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis. Dinner is not included in the tour fee; however, with our guests who wish, we attend the GAP Sıra Night, where we experience the local culture and taste regional delicacies. (Extra – Dinner Included) Guests who do not attend the Sıra Night may have dinner on their own.

Breakfast: To be taken at the hotel and included in the tour fee.

Lunch: Free in Mardin or menu (Extra).

Dinner: To be taken at the Sıra Night (Extra).

Accommodation Hotel: Grand Urfa Hotel, Harran Hotel, Göbeklitepe Hotel, Asil Hotel, Kilim Hotel, Uludağ Hotel, etc. Hotels.

Şanlıurfa – Balıklıgöl -Aynzeliha Lake - Harran – Harran Cone Houses – Harran Guesthouse

Dear Guests, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off towards Balıklıgöl, which has become the symbol of Şanlıurfa. This sacred area, located in the southwest of the city center, includes the Halil-ür Rahman Lake, believed to have formed miraculously from the place where Prophet Abraham fell when he was thrown into the fire, and Aynzeliha Lake, said to have formed from the tears of Zeliha, the daughter of Nemrut. After exploring these legendary places accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we will have free time to visit Şanlıurfa’s colorful and authentic bazaars. In Bakırcılar Bazaar, you will have the chance to see handicraft products; in Bedesten, antiques adorned with historical texture; in Sipahi Bazaar, local spices; and in İsot Bazaar, the famous Urfa peppers. After the free time, we turn our route to Harran, meaning “the place where roads intersect.” In this ancient city, protected by UNESCO and famous for its cone-domed houses found only in three regions in the world, we will follow the traces of 5,000 years of history. We will visit Harran University (Ulu Mosque) – the world’s first Islamic university –, Harran Mound, Harran Castle, the Caravanserai, and the traditional Cone Harran Houses. In addition, we will take a short break in a house with this unique architecture and experience the local culture up close. After leaving Harran, we bid farewell to Şanlıurfa and head to Çukurova Airport; upon arrival at the airport, after check-in procedures, we say goodbye and part ways until we meet again at a future event

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken in Şanlıurfa (Extra).

Dinner: Will be taken freely at a suitable facility along our route. (Extra)

Accommodation Hotel: There is no hotel accommodation tonight.