Our tour guide will pick you up from Malatya airport at 08.30 am.

On our way to Nemrut we first visit the Perre antique city, cross the still functioning Cendere Bridge (Septimius Severus bridge) which dates from the 3rd century, visit the ruins of Arsemeia and finally the Tumulus Tomb of Karakus.

Leaving our transport we have to hike to the summit of Mount Nemrut (a popular UNESCO world cultural heritage site).

The mountain complex consists of two flattened areas separated by a false peak of crushed rock. Scattered around the site are the colossal heads and statues of ancient dieties, for which Nemrut is world renowed.into mythology. This extraordinary landmark rests at an elevation of 8000 ft. The entire complex was built by Antiochus approximately 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry.

Before we leave you can experience the stunning sunset and the effects of the changing light on the statues.

Overnight at Karadut, which lies within the national park.

Following breakfast we leave the hotel heading for Urfa.

Our first stop is that the Ataturk Dam. This is part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), a massive hydro-electric and irrigation project on the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Arriving In Urfa we will have lunch and then enjoy some sightseeing.

Urfa is known as the "the city of prophets" because of its biblical connections.

After a stop off at the castle with Roman columns we will visit the "Pool of Sacred Carp" and then on to the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham.

In the late afternoon we will visit Harran, a town of the region of Urfa. Harran is a famous city from ancient Mesopotamian times: a mystical and ancient place of "bee hive" houses built of mud brick. Genesis speaks of this town as the place where Abraham and his family lived. It is also the site of the first Islamic University of the world.

Overnight at Urfa

Following breakfast we leave the hotel heading for Diyarbakir.

At least 5000 years old, Diyarbekir is one of the oldest cities in the world, encircled by a massive parapet built of jet-black blocks of basalt.

The city of Diyarbakir is based on a Roman plan with four Gates.

A walking tour takes us to the fortification walls, the ancient walls of Diyarbakir. There will also be time to visit the Ulu (Great) Mosque from the Seljuk period, and the 3rd century Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary.

Drive to Mardin

Overnight in Mardin.

Mardin is a unique with lovely old-Arabic style houses, decorated with intricate carvings. This is a very lively trading center with people coming from surrounding villages to buy and sell. We will have a fantastic view of the Plain of Mesopotamia.

Mardin is a city that played an important role in the early development of Christianity. We will visit the Monastery of Deyr-az-Zaferan just outside of town, founded in 762 A.D. It was the seat of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch for almost 800 years, 

We will take the time to visit, walk in its busy streets and bazaars, and admire the stonework all around the town. 

We then leave Mardin heading to a stop at the beautiful little town of Midyat to see the Monastery and ancient houses. 

The next stop is Hasankeyf, with its history that spans nine civilizations.

The history of Hasankeyf goes back 10,000 years. This predates the Giza pyramids and Stonehenge, and makes the glorious civilizations of the Maya and Inca seem as if they were flourishing just yesterday. Some of the city's historical treasures will be inundated if construction of the Ilisu Dam is completed. These include ornate mosques, Islamic tombs and cave churches.

Drive to Van

Overnight in Van.

Following breakfast we leave the hotel for a beautiful drive around the lake to reach the remains of the old city of Van, established in the13th century BC.

Step over to the huge Van Castle from the days of Urartu and see the hieroglyphs as you sense the spirit of the once Urartu capital Tushpa, feel the salty waters of the great Lake Van called as 'the Sea' by the locals. 

To follow we will take a ferry across the lake to visit the finest Armenian architectural wonder of the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island.

Overnight in Van.

Following breakfast we leave the hotel heading along the "Silk Road" to Dogubeyazit.

At the Iranian border we will see a site known as the Crater Hole. This is a beautiful, yet rugged area.

We will have the opportunity to see Mt. Ararat from all sides. It is believed by some to be the resting-place of Noah's Ark; but to date no one has found anything that has been verified as the Ark - yet the search is still on.

We will stop and see the Ishak Pasa Palace. This complex is a combination of a mosque, a fortress, and a palace which originally had a room for every day of the year!

Below you can also see the remains of Eski Beyazit, and Urartian City which flourished in 1000 BC. Overnight stay in Kars.

Following breakfast we drive to the medieval Armenian City of Ani, which lies mostly in ruins.

Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravansaries. Enjoy a walk around the ruins and see the beautiful view to the Armenian border imagining it as a city with one million people rivaling Baghdad in its time! This city has experienced the cultures of Urartians, Armenians, Georgians, Mongols, Russians and finally the Turks.

We also visit the impressive Kars Castle and historical sites surrounding the city.

Overnight stay in Kars.

The tour ends after breakfast. You can take a bus or plane onto your next adventure.

The tour is a private tour and the fare includes accommodation at 3 star hotels with breakfast and dinner. Lunch and museum entry fees are also included. You will be accompanied throughout by a professional tour guide. All our transfers and travel use air conditioned vehicles.

Beverages taken with meals are not included in the tour fare.