DEPARTURE: Departure at 04:30 from FSM Boulevard, in front of Akuğur Market, to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We will fly from Istanbul Airport on AJET Airlines flight VF3228 departing at 08:00 to Gaziantep.
After approximately one and a half hours of flight, we arrive at Gaziantep Airport at 09:45. With our waiting vehicle, we proceed to the city center. In Gaziantep, known as the gateway to the Southeastern Anatolia/GAP region, the largest city of the region, and a city of history, culture, and flavors, we first have our (extra) breakfast. After breakfast, our first stop is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which holds the distinction of being the world's largest mosaic museum and houses a very rich historical heritage with its artifacts. Guided by our guide, after visiting the museum, we visit the Panorama December 25 Museum, located at the beginning of the Culture Route, which beautifully reflects Gaziantep's outstanding heroic struggle during the War of Independence. Subsequently, if rooms are available at our hotel, we move to the hotel and rest in our rooms for a while. After resting, following a short panoramic city tour by vehicle, we taste Gaziantep's regional specialties at our (extra) lunch, renowned for its rich and exquisite cuisine that has gained fame beyond Turkey's borders. After lunch, we begin our tour of the Kalealtı district. Walking around Gaziantep Castle, the symbol of the city and one of the finest examples of city castles still standing in Turkey, we proceed on foot to the historic Zeytin Han. At Zeytin Han, we will have the opportunity to purchase local products. Continuing our walk along the historic culture route, we reach Bakırcılar Çarşı (Coppersmiths Bazaar), seeing old Antep houses, streets, and historic hans. In this historic bazaar, we observe the production of copper items and mother-of-pearl inlaid products crafted by Gaziantep artisans' skilled hands. During the free time provided, guests who wish can purchase more local products at Bakırcılar Çarşı, Almacı Pazarı, and Zincirli Bedesten. After free time, we meet at the historic Tahmis Coffee House and there taste menengiç coffee. Then, after having our dinner at one of Gaziantep's select restaurants in this gastronomy city, we return to our hotel.
After having breakfast at our hotel, we depart from Gaziantep and head to Rumkale via Birecik. We cross the Euphrates River and reach Rumkale with a short journey. Boarding the boat arranged for our group by Halfeti, we view the village submerged under the reservoir lake and Rumkale. After this wonderful boat tour lasting approximately 1 hour, we proceed to Şanlıurfa city center. Upon arrival in Şanlıurfa, we have lunch and begin our tour. Our first stop is the cave and shrine where Prophet Eyüp (peace be upon him) endured his trials. Then we move to the Balıklı Göl area and complete our visits to Balıklı Göl, the place where Prophet İbrahim (peace be upon him) was thrown into fire, Ayn Zeliha Lake, Rıdvaniye Mosque, the shrine in the cave where Prophet İbrahim (peace be upon him) was born, and Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. After completing our program, you can shop for local products at Kapalı Çarşı and subsequently at Gümrük Han. Having finished our Şanlıurfa tour, we check into our hotel for overnight stay. Guests who wish may join an optional evening meal and Sıra Gecesi program, where they can taste çiğ köfte kneaded to the rhythm of Sıra Gecesi and also enjoy Mırra coffee.
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we board the bus and take a short journey to Göbekli Tepe. We listen to our guide about the story of this temple, which was discovered to have been built approximately 12,000 years ago, astonishing scientists, archaeologists, and historians. After completing our visit to Göbekli Tepe—a UNESCO World Heritage Site where archaeological excavations are still ongoing and the exact meaning of some structures remains debated—we head to Mardin. Upon arrival in Mardin, we take a brief panoramic city tour by bus and proceed to a restaurant for (extra) lunch. After the meal, we begin our tour of Mardin, known as the 'Capital of Religions and Languages,' a city with thousands of years of history and an unspoiled historical fabric that sheds light on the past. First, we visit Deyrülzaferan Monastery, once considered the center of all Syriacs worldwide. During our visit to Deyrülzaferan Monastery, we see the Church, Medical School, Sun Temple, Baptistry, and Cemetery sections before heading to Kasımiye Madrasa. While exploring Kasımiye Madrasa, an Artuklu-era monument, we enjoy the breathtaking view of the Upper Mesopotamian Plain. Afterwards, we begin our walk through the streets of Old Mardin. Among the sites we will see are Kırklar Church, Abbaralar, Ulu Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, and Şahtana House. During the free time provided, you can purchase local handicrafts in this delightful city. After the free time, we board the bus and check into our hotel.
After having breakfast at our hotel, we take a short bus ride to Midyat and begin exploring this historic city, which has served as a setting for many TV series. We visit the Kaymakamlık Konuk Evi, one of the finest examples of the traditional houses of Midyat familiar from the Sıla series. After touring the guesthouse, we stop by the Telkariciler bazaar, where you can see and purchase some of the best examples of telkâri art, intricately crafted by Syriac masters over centuries. Then, leaving Midyat, we arrive in Hasankeyf, one of the earliest settlements of antiquity. After hearing the sad story of Hasankeyf, now submerged beneath the waters of the Ilısu Dam, we visit the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, an artifact relocated from old Hasankeyf to the new city, before departing. We view the oil wells on Raman Mountain and then have lunch (extra) at Ziyade Lokanta in Batman, along our route, where local specialties are served. After lunch, we continue our journey via Bismil toward Zerzevan Castle. We tour Zerzevan Castle, known in the Assyrian period as Kinabu (Samachi), later used as a border garrison of the Roman Empire, considered one of the important monuments of Eastern Rome, and also housing the Mithras Temple. Having listened to our guide’s presentation at Zerzevan Castle, which was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2020, we board our vehicle and take a short trip to central Diyarbakır. Upon arrival in Diyarbakır, we take a panoramic city tour by bus. During the tour, we pass through the 75th Street and Dicle Kent districts, witnessing the modern face of Diyarbakır. After the tour, we proceed to our hotel to rest. Dinner and overnight stay will be at our hotel in Diyarbakır.
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our all-day tour of Diyarbakır, the city of Prophets and Companions. We head to Eğil district, approximately 50 km from Diyarbakır. We visit the tombs of Prophet Zülkifl (peace be upon him) and Prophet Elyesa (peace be upon him), which were previously located near the banks of the Tigris River but were relocated due to the filling of the Dicle Dam reservoir. Guided by our tour guide, we learn about the region and its history. After the visit, we take an optional boat tour on the Dicle Dam Lake. Following the boat tour, we return by vehicle to central Diyarbakır and have lunch (optional) at a restaurant serving local specialties. After lunch, we visit İçkale, which includes the Artuklu Palace, the Government House, the Gendarmerie Command, St. George Church, the old Diyarbakır prison, the Caravanserai, and Hz. Süleyman Mosque, where the 27 Martyr Companions are also buried.
Next, we continue our tour with the Diyarbakır Walls, whose exact construction date is unknown but are believed to have a history dating back 9,000 years. Within the walled area, guided by our tour guide, we first see Hasan Paşa Han, then proceed to visit Ulucami, accepted as the 5th Holy Sanctuary in Islam and one of the oldest mosques in Islamic history. After visiting this masterpiece, where you can admire the intricacies of stone carving and wood painting arts, we visit the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum House and the Four-Legged Minaret. From the viewing terrace at Keçi Burcu, located at Mardin Gate—the oldest section of the walls—we enjoy the magnificent view of Hevsel Gardens and gaze at the On Gözlü Bridge from afar. Then, we board our bus and arrive at the On Gözlü Bridge on the banks of the Tigris River. After a short photo break, we conclude our Diyarbakır tour and make a brief journey to Diyarbakır Airport for our return flight. We depart for Istanbul at 19:40 aboard AJET Airlines flight VF3189. Upon arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 21:55, we transfer to Bursa. After dropping off our valued guests at their respective locations, we say our goodbyes. Thank you for your interest in Niltur…
NOTE: Our tour guide reserves the right to revise the itinerary while adhering to the tour schedule, subject to weather and road conditions.
To enable our tours, there is a minimum participation requirement of 15 people.
Applications made via our website, phone, or WhatsApp are considered pre-registrations. To confirm the registration, at least 30% of the tour fee must be paid.
The following conditions apply to cancellations initiated by the participant:
Cases of force majeure such as serious illness, accidents, death, or contagious diseases that prevent travel must be proven with documents obtained from authorized official institutions. In such cases; after deducting amounts already paid in advance to service providers (such as airline tickets, visas, accommodation, etc.) that cannot be recovered, the remaining balance will be refunded to the participant.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NILTUR TOURS
At Niltur, we value ensuring that our guests are clearly and accurately informed about all details prior to their travel. When reviewing our tour programs, we kindly ask you to consider the following points:
HOTEL INFORMATION
The hotels listed in the tour programs are tentative accommodations. Depending on availability in the region and operational conditions, different hotels of the same or similar standards may be selected. Definitive hotel information can be obtained from Niltur 48 hours before the tour departure.
ALCOHOL SERVICE IN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
Niltur strives to prefer alcohol-free hotels and restaurants as much as possible, respecting the sensitivities of its guests. However, especially in European countries, alcoholic beverages may be served in the hotels and restaurants where services are provided. This situation falls within the general service policy of the respective establishments and is outside the direct scope of intervention for Niltur.
TRIPLE OCCUPANCY ROOMS
Triple occupancy rooms are allocated based on hotel availability. In these rooms, an extra bed may be used for the third person. The extra bed may be smaller than standard beds or of a foldable type. Guests opting for triple occupancy rooms are deemed to have accepted these conditions.
CHILD DISCOUNTS
Child discounts apply only to children staying in the same room with two adults. Discount rates may vary depending on the child's age, the tour content, and the policies of the hotel and transportation company.
VISA PROCESS AND TOUR REGISTRATION
Guests participating in tours requiring a visa are strongly advised to review Niltur's Cancellation and Refund Conditions before registering. It is recommended to register for European tours at least two months in advance and complete visa procedures at least one month before the tour departure. In cases where the visa is not obtained, results are delayed, or the application is rejected, Niltur's Cancellation and Refund Conditions apply.
VISA CONSULTANCY SERVICE
Niltur provides consultancy and intermediary services regarding the preparation, organization, and submission of required documents for visa applications to the relevant application center. The evaluation and finalization of visa applications are entirely at the discretion of the consulate or competent authorities of the relevant country. If the visa is rejected or not finalized in time, the visa service fee will not be refunded. For transactions related to the tour fee, Niltur's Cancellation and Refund Conditions apply.
PRAYER SENSITIVITY
As Niltur, we strive to plan our tour programs considering the faith and worship sensitivities of our guests. However, due to the conditions of the travel destination and the flow of the program, there may not always be access to a mosque or prayer room at every prayer time. Our guide will provide necessary guidance regarding suitable places and times. We strongly request that our guests carry prayer rugs and slippers with them.
PROGRAM CHANGES
Our guide may make changes to the sequence of the program under the knowledge and approval of Niltur due to weather conditions, transportation arrangements, local circumstances, force majeure events, or operational necessities. In necessary cases, some visit points may be removed from the program or replaced with suitable alternatives. Guests participating in the tour are deemed to have accepted these adjustments.
FEE REFUNDS
In case of tour cancellations by the consumer or Niltur, refunds are processed based on the currency and payment method used by the guest. Payments made in Turkish Lira via credit card are refunded in Turkish Lira to the relevant card; payments made in foreign currency are refunded in the same currency collected.
SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHTS
According to airline regulations, flights included on the same ticket must be used in the specified order. If a guest does not use or misses any flight segment, subsequent flights covered by the same ticket may be cancelled by the airline. In such cases, cancellation, refund, or change procedures are subject to the airline's ticket rules.
CONNECTED DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
We strongly advise our guests not to purchase domestic flights connected to the tour individually due to potential changes and delays in international flight schedules. Domestic and international flights organized by Niltur as part of the tour are planned together. In case of delays or flight changes, available procedures will be carried out in accordance with the transport and ticket rules of the relevant airline company.