GAP Tour

Accompanied by our guide, we see Urfa Gate, Mardin Gate and the Goat Bastion in the city walls, with explanations along the way, and visit the Ten-Eyed Bridge in the Tigris Valley. It is said that during Hıdırellez celebrations, local people used to write wishes on pieces of cloth and throw them from this bridge into the Tigris. After learning about the history of the valley and taking memorable photographs in front of the Ten-Eyed Bridge, we continue around Mor Thoma Church, which was converted into one of the five Harem-i Sharifs of Islam.

After visiting the Grand Mosque, we change our route and head towards Şanlıurfa.

This is a wonderful place offering the opportunity to photograph the town submerged beneath the lake and the minaret remaining above the water. We are in Halfeti. We visit Halfeti, part of which lies underwater because of Birecik Dam, the fourth dam on the Euphrates from north to south.

During the boat tour, we see Rumkale, historic cave houses and the village of Savaşan, where submerged structures can be viewed, before returning to Halfeti.

We head to Göbekli Tepe, the archaeological site near Örencik neighbourhood, 18 kilometres from Şanlıurfa city centre in the Haliliye district, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 1 July 2018. It was discovered thanks to a farmer who found a carved stone while ploughing his field with a traditional plough in 1963 and took it to a museum; researchers from Istanbul and Chicago universities later noticed the site during surface surveys. Excavations have continued at Göbekli Tepe for more than 50 years. In this mysterious world, where joint work by the German Archaeological Institute and the Şanlıurfa Museum since 1995 has uncovered 3–6-metre-high, 40–60-tonne T-shaped standing stones decorated with wild-animal figures, we will lose ourselves in a place where history is being rewritten.

After settling into our hotel, we attend a Sıra Gecesi, one of the experiences most associated with the East. (Extra)

After an open-buffet breakfast at the hotel, we leave at 08:00 and depart for Harran.

Here we visit Harran Mound, standing 22 metres high in the centre of Harran; the Firdevs Mosque (Mosque of Paradise), built by Umayyad caliph Marwan II and known for its wooden dome; the first Islamic madrasa established in Anatolia, Harran University; the Inner Castle; the historic city walls; and the houses with conical roofs. We then reach the Balıklıgöl area. The places we will see and visit include the Halil-ür Rahman and Rızvaniye Mosques, Balıklıgöl, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake and the site associated with Prophet Abraham. At the venue where local products are offered for tasting, you may sample them freely. Those who wish may also shop for local products. After completing our Şanlıurfa tour, we depart for Mardin Province.

Mardin is where religions and languages meet, bringing together many different cultures and beliefs, from Syriacs to Arabs. Its stonework and urban fabric enchant visitors. Upon reaching Mardin Province, our first stops will be the ancient city of Dara and Beyaz Su. We take wonderful photographs to cherish in your memories and cool off at Beyaz Su.

We visit Mor Gabriel Monastery. We then continue with a visit to Midyat Guest House, where the series Sıla and many other TV productions were filmed. We give you free time in the bazaar among Midyat’s historic houses, where silver and filigree items can be purchased. You will have the opportunity to experience the local way of life among Midyat’s houses and breathe in the atmosphere. After our Midyat tour, we depart for central Mardin, our accommodation city. Dinner is served at our hotel, after which you may spend the evening as you wish.

In Old Mardin, we begin our tour at Kasımiye Madrasa. The small pool in the madrasa courtyard brings coolness to the building, and you will be enchanted once again when our guide explains the fountain known as Selsebil. After lunch, we begin our walk towards the Grand Mosque. Following our walk through the bazaars and narrow stone streets, we hear about the minaret of Ulu Cami, also known as Camii Kebir and Mardin’s largest mosque, whose story is recited like a poem. We then continue beneath the abbaras running under the houses, where municipal cleaning work is carried out with donkeys. After seeing the madrasa and the Şehidiye PTT building, we enjoy tea and coffee while looking across the Mesopotamian Plain. We complete our journey and return to our beautiful city of Trabzon, bidding farewell to you, our valued guests, with sadness and hoping to welcome you on another cultural tour.