Unseen Turkiye Anatolia Historic Eastern Route 8 Days 6 Nights GOTR9933

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world's largest mosaic museum, covering over 90,000 square meters. Opened on September 9, 2011, the museum's collection includes 2,448 square meters of mosaics from Roman and late ancient times, over 140 square meters of frescoes, and numerous other artifacts. Among its most famous and perfectly preserved mosaics is the painting "The Gypsy." The fascinating aspect of the Gypsy mosaic is that when you make eye contact with the woman, she seems to follow your gaze no matter where you move – a marvel of ancient art that has served as a model for modern art. Next, we will take you to the local markets (Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediyesi and Copper Bazaar). This market is famous for its local products, especially various vessels made from tin, copper, and silver, which are then engraved with intricate patterns. We will also visit a traditional "Han," a resting place for caravans on the Silk Road since ancient times. Most of the goods here are produced for the domestic market and exported to countries in the Middle East. You will have free time to shop for local products at your leisure.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We will travel to Sanliurfa (152 km, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes travel time), also known locally as Urfa or formerly as Edessa. Located on a plain about 80 kilometers from the Euphrates River, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 4 BC according to historical evidence, but believed to have originated even earlier, dating back to around 9000 BC. Urfa is the birthplace of Abraham, or Abram, a prophet of great importance to both Islam and Christianity according to the Bible. It was the first city to grant its citizens freedom of religion, with temples of various faiths transforming over time, from Judaism and Christianity to mosques as they are today. Historically, Sanliurfa was ruled by several empires, finally the Byzantine Empire, resulting in a diverse culture and unique architecture. Christianity and Islam consider Sanliurfa the fourth most important religious city, after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem, as recorded in the Bible and the Quran. We will visit the Cave of Abraham, a famous pilgrimage site for Muslims who believe it is the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham. It is believed that Abraham was born in this cave and spent over a decade of his life protecting his newborn son from the cruel King Animrat's orders to be killed. Next, we will visit the Pool of Sacred Fish, one of the important landmarks of Urfa. It is believed to be the place where King Nimrot threw the Prophet Abraham into a pile of burning wood, but the fire turned into water and the wood transformed into sacred fish. Today, the pool is filled with carp, and it is believed that seeing white carp brings good fortune to anyone.
In the evening, have dinner at the hotel.
Check into the Double Tree by Hilton Sanliurfa***** or similar hotel.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to Harran (49 km, approximately 1 hour), an ancient city of historical importance in Upper Mesopotamia, significant for commerce, culture, and religious beliefs during the Bronze Age, around 3000 BC. It was an Assyrian kingdom and a center of trade, culture, and religion. The Bible mentions that Abraham lived in Harran, and his father Terah died there before he journeyed to Canaan, the holy land. The three prophets, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, also resided in this city. Visit the Beehive Village, a village built on a flat plain with extremely hot summers and cold winters. The houses have conical roofs made of stone resembling beehives, constructed from mud and supported by posts, and covered with cow dung. Some houses may have holes drilled in them for ventilation, allowing air to circulate within the house. It is believed that this style of house construction is influenced by the Bantu tribes, who lived in the region between the Sahara Desert and the African continent. It's time to travel to Adiyaman (162 km, approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes), a city located before heading to Mount Nemrut. It's a city in southeastern Turkey, with most of its inhabitants being Kurdish. It was founded in the 8th century by the Umayyad Arabs and subsequently ruled by the Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, and the Turkmen dynasty, in that order. After the Arab rule, this territory was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire near the end of the 14th century, under the Republic of Turkey. The city was renamed Adiyaman in 1926.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Travel to Nemrut (85 km, approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes). Visit the Severran Bridge (Cendere Bridge), built around 200 AD for Emperor Septimius Severus. It is a Roman bridge constructed entirely of 92 stones, each weighing approximately 10 tons. It is possibly the second largest Roman bridge, measuring 120 meters long and 7 meters wide. It remains remarkably well-preserved. Ascend Mount Nemrut, also known as the Mountain of the Gods. Mount Nemrut, at 2,134 meters above sea level, is one of the highest peaks in the eastern Taurus Mountains. The summit is surrounded by numerous statues of human heads, believed to be the tombs of kings dating back to around 100 BC. Historical evidence indicates that King Antiochus I of Armenia ordered the construction of these tombs. It consists of replica statues of himself, about 8-9 meters tall, statues of lions and eagles in pairs, as well as statues of various gods from Greek and Armenian mythology, which were later destroyed by an earthquake, causing the heads and bodies to be separated. They are scattered around the Nemrut Mountain area. Nemrut Mountain was registered as a World Heritage Site of Turkey by UNESCO in 1987. "Nemrut Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the world to watch the sunrise and sunset" from the viewpoint on the mountaintop with many giant rocks. You will have free time to take photos to capture the memorable experience at your leisure.
In the evening, have dinner at the hotel.
Check into Ramada by Wyndham Adiyaman Hotel ***** or similar.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to Diyarbakir (158 km, approximately 2.15 hours), a city in southeastern Turkey located on the Tigris River. It is the second largest city in southeastern Anatolia and retains a unique medieval atmosphere. Famous local products include jewelry, silver, copper, pottery, and wool. We will visit the Diyarbakir City Wall, which was historically used as a fortress to defend the city from enemies. The city wall is divided into two layers and was first built around 297 BC by the Romans under the orders of Emperor Constantius II. It was continuously reinforced with volcanic rock to increase its strength. Once known by military commanders as "The Black Fortress," this ancient basalt wall, approximately 5.5 kilometers long, is one of the best-preserved pre-Christian city walls to date. The Diyarbakir city walls were once considered second only to the Great Wall of China in terms of defensive strength. Surrounding the old city, the walls have four gates and 82 watchtowers. Furthermore, the Diyarbakir city walls were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey in 2015. Afterwards, we will stop for photos at the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir, one of the most important and sacred mosques in Mesopotamia. The mosque was first built in 639 AD and for a period served as a church dedicated to Saint John. It was later converted back into a mosque in 1091 AD, with many parts inspired by and influenced by the architectural similarities of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Travel to Mardin (86 km, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes), located on the Mesopotamian plain in southeastern Turkey. It is the oldest ancient city in Upper Mesopotamia. Archaeological excavations in this city, which began in 1920, have revealed ruins dating back to 4,000 BC. The first civilizations found in this area were the Subarians (approximately 3,000 BC) and the Elamite civilization (approximately 2,230 BC), followed by the Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, Romans, and Byzantines. It features unique architecture built with stacked and decorated stones. It is a truly charming city with beautiful architecture, diverse ethnography, archaeological wonders, and historical heritage. Then, we will visit the Ulu Mosque in Mardin (Mardin Grand Mosque), an example of Artukidian architecture from the 12th century (during the Turkmenistan dynasty). The building is constructed with cut stone, and the dome was created by blowing and carving. It suffered heavy damage during the Kurdish wars of 1832. Currently, it has been partially restored to its original condition. We will then explore the city of Mardin, an ancient paradise on earth, a land of world history. The city is under the protection of UNESCO, which prohibits new construction in order to preserve the facade of the buildings.
In the evening, have dinner at the hotel.
Check into the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Mardin ***** or similar hotel.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to the ancient city of Dara (Mesopotamia) (36 km, approximately 40 minutes travel time). Formerly an important Roman fortress in northern Mesopotamia, bordering the Sassanid Empire (Persian), it was strategically significant in the Roman-Persian conflict of the 6th century, particularly the famous Battle of Dara. Explore the ancient city and its large underground reservoir built in 530 AD. Then, travel to Van (454 km, approximately 6.10 hours travel time), located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The majority of the population are Kurdish. It's nicknamed "The Pearl of the East" due to its stunning landscape, featuring Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, and the Armenian Plateau, a saltwater lake similar to Lake Voda. Received from numerous small streams flowing down from the surrounding mountains, Lake Van is one of the largest enclosed lakes in the world.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Take a boat trip to Akdamar Island, located approximately 3 km from the coast. It is the second largest island in Lake Van, with an area of ​​approximately 0.7 square kilometers. The island is situated about 3 kilometers from the coast at an altitude of approximately 1,650 meters above sea level. The lake was formed by the confluence of small streams in the nearby mountain ranges, eventually becoming a vast lake. Within the lake, there are four main islands. This lake is considered the largest lake in Turkey and one of the highest lakes in the world. You will have free time to take photos and enjoy the scenery. Visit Akdamar Church, built between 915 and 921 AD. Constructed from pink volcanic rock, the church is cruciform in shape, with its walls decorated with frescoes. The name of Jesus is inscribed on the south side of the church, and the facade features carvings from the Old and New Testaments. It's time to return to the coast and take photos of the Citadel of Van, a large stone fortress built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. It is the largest stone fortress in the world, with the lower part of the walls constructed from unmortared basalt, while the rest is built from mud bricks. Nearby the fortress is the Sardur Tower, which contains an inscription about the beginnings of the ancient kingdom of Urartu. This inscription is written in three languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite, by Xerxes the Great from the 5th century BC, and is inscribed on a flat part of the rock face about 20 meters (60 feet) above the ground near the fortress. The inscription remains in almost perfect condition.
In the evening, have dinner at the hotel.
Check into the Double Tree by Hilton (Van) ***** or similar hotel.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Travel to Dogubeyazit (179 km, approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes), located in the easternmost part of Turkey, near the Iranian border. Beyazit was heavily damaged during World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. In 1930, a new city was built, Dogubeyazit (meaning East Beyazit). The city is surrounded by the Mt. Ararat mountain range. The plains are mostly used for growing grass or crops to feed livestock during the winter. People living in the mountainous areas build houses made of clay to provide warmth in winter. Visit Ishak Pachar Palace, located in the center of old Beyazit. Built during the Ottoman era by Colak Abdi Pasha, a Turkish general who ruled Beyazit in 1685, the harem was completed during the time of his grandson, Ishak Pasha, in 1784. This palace complex is second in importance only to Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, the most famous of its time. Built on a hill, it is the last large-scale structure of the Ottoman Empire and a valuable example of 18th-century Ottoman architecture. The lower levels of the palace are built on the hill on a strong rock layer, while three sides are high cliffs. Only the eastern side is flat, serving as an entrance and exit with narrow porticoes. The building is constructed of reddish-orange stone sourced from the surrounding mountains, built by highly skilled craftsmen, and features beautiful stone carvings.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Travel to Kars (195 km, approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes), located in eastern Turkey near the Iranian border. It is a volcanic mountain with a sharp, snow-capped peak, rising 5,137 meters above sea level. The legend of Noah's Ark in Mount Ararat tells of the Jewish gods rescuing Noah, his seven family members, and a pair of various animals from a great flood that wiped out all people and animals. God instructed Noah to build an ark 137 meters long and place the animals on it. When the flood came, the ark drifted and landed on Mount Ararat, thus saving everyone from the great flood. Along the way, you will witness the breathtaking beauty of this mountain range. We will then travel to the tranquil, triangular plateau of Ani, a valley that forms a natural border with Armenia. Currently located in Kars Province, Turkey, it borders Armenia. Next, we will visit the Ani Site History, a former capital of the medieval Armenian kingdom. Ani is situated in a delta with the Arpacia River to the east, forming a natural border between Turkey and Armenia. To the west lies the village of Tzanghkotzadzor. This iconic city is often called the "City of 1001 Churches" because of the numerous temples, churches, palaces, and fortresses built along the ancient trade routes, representing the highest technological and artistic advancements of their time. In the mid-18th century, the Kurdish tribes plundered and massacred the city's inhabitants, forcing them to flee, leaving Eni a ghost town for 100 years. It was discovered by Russian travelers who wrote about it in their books, leading to its designation as a new tourist destination in 1892. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, having been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016.
Evening: Dinner at the hotel.
Check into Kars I Sirin Hotel **** or similar.

08:00 hrs. Transfer to Kars Airport (KYS).
11:20 hrs. Depart for Istanbul Airport (IST) on Turkish Airlines flight TK2715. Snacks will be served on board (flight time approximately 2.30 hours).
13:50 hrs. Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) for a layover.
16:00 hrs. Depart for Suvarnabhumi Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK58 (flight time approximately 9.15 hours). Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.