Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
See Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe and the giant stone heads of Mount Nemrut in three unhurried days from Şanlıurfa. Your licensed private guide and vehicle, 2 nights in a boutique hotel, breakfasts, lunches and entrance fees are included.
On the first day you visit Göbeklitepe (Göbekli Tepe), the world's oldest known temple, and its sister site Karahantepe, where people carved pillars and a human head out of the bedrock more than 11,000 years ago. The day ends at Balıklıgöl, the sacred fish pool of Şanlıurfa.
On the second day you drive into the ancient Commagene Kingdom. After the Karakuş Tumulus, the Roman bridge at Cendere and Arsameia, you walk up to the summit of Mount Nemrut and the giant statues of King Antiochus I. On the third day you see the beehive houses of Harran, the Şanlıurfa museums and the old bazaars.
The tour starts and ends at your hotel in Şanlıurfa or at Şanlıurfa Airport. It operates from March to November, when Mount Nemrut is open.
What's included
Private transportation
Professional guide licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Entrance fee
Lunch
2 nights in a boutique hotel in Şanlıurfa
Breakfast
Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Şanlıurfa or at Şanlıurfa Airport
Dinners
Accommodation on the third night (an extra night can be arranged at additional cost)
What to expect
Day 1: Göbeklitepe Day
Gobeklitepe
2h · Admission ticket included
Göbekli Tepe is one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world. Dating back over 12,000 years, it predates writing, pottery, and even agriculture—making it the oldest known ritual complex ever uncovered. This awe-inspiring site continues to reshape our understanding of early human civilization. Don’t miss the chance to experience the mystery and majesty of Göbekli Tepe firsthand.
Karahantepe Orenyeri
2h · Admission ticket included
Karahan Tepe is located just 68 km from Şanlıurfa and 50 km from Göbekli Tepe, and is rapidly gaining global attention as a site that may predate Göbekli Tepe itself. Recent excavations suggest Karahan Tepe could be the earliest known Neolithic site in the world, reshaping our understanding of early human civilization.
Much like Göbekli Tepe and Nevali Çori, Karahan Tepe features a similar architectural layout, including over 250 “T”-shaped obelisks unearthed so far. The site is part of the “Göbekli Tepe Culture and Karahan Tepe Excavations” project, led by Professor Necmi Karul of Istanbul University. Known locally as Keçilitepe, the area has revealed groundbreaking archaeological finds that continue to challenge and expand the timeline of human history.
BalIklIgol
1h
You’ll visit the sacred cave believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham, followed by the Pool of Abraham—where, according to tradition, he was cast into the fire by King Nimrod. These deeply spiritual sites are among the most revered landmarks in Şanlıurfa.
Day 2: The Commagene Empire Day
Karakus Tumulusu
30m · Admission ticket included
Karakuş Tumulus is a striking funerary monument located near the village of Çukurtaş in the Kâhta District of Adıyaman, just 12 kilometers from Kâhta. Built between 30–20 BCE by Mithridates II of Commagene, it honors Queen Isias and Princesses Antiochis and Aka I.
Named Karakuş, meaning “black bird,” the site features a column topped with an eagle—one of several impressive 9-meter-high Doric columns surrounding the tumulus. These columns are adorned with reliefs and statues of a bull, lion, and eagle, symbolizing royal power and protection. An inscription confirms the presence of a royal tomb housing three noble women.
Here, our guide will share fascinating details about the monument’s history, symbolism, and its place in the legacy of the Kingdom of Commagene.
Cendere Bridge
30m · Admission ticket included
Severan Bridge (Cendere Köprüsü) is a remarkable example of late Roman engineering, located near the ancient city of Arsameia (modern-day Eskikale), about 55 km northeast of Adıyaman. Spanning the Cendere Çayı, a tributary of the Kâhta Creek, this historic bridge lies along the scenic route from Kâhta to Sincik.
Built during the Roman period, the bridge was first documented in 1883 by renowned archaeologists Osman Hamdi Bey and Osman Efendi. It remains one of the best-preserved Roman bridges in the region.
During our visit, which will last approximately 2 hours, our guide will share all the fascinating details about its construction, historical significance, and the surrounding landscape.
Arsemia Antik Kenti
30m · Admission ticket included
Arsemia, once the summer residence of the Commagene kings, is located about 60 kilometers from Adıyaman. During our 1-hour visit, our guide will share the fascinating history of this ancient city, including its royal significance and unique archaeological features.
At the foot of the site, you’ll see a magnificent relief depicting Heracles (or possibly Artagnes, a Persian deity) shaking hands with King Mithridates of Commagene, dating back to around 50 BC. Nearby stands the largest Greek inscription ever found in Anatolia, offering invaluable insight into the region’s Hellenistic heritage.
Mount Nemrut
2h · Admission ticket included
Mount Nemrut (Nemrud) rises to 2,134 meters in southeastern Turkey and is one of the highest peaks in the eastern Taurus Mountains. Located 40 km north of Kâhta, near Adıyaman, it is world-renowned for its monumental summit, where a royal tomb and colossal statues were erected in the 1st century BCE.
In 62 BCE, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene built a tomb-sanctuary at the mountain’s peak, flanked by 8–9 meter-high statues of himself, lions, eagles, and a pantheon of gods from Greek, Armenian, and Persian traditions—including Heracles-Artagnes-Ares, Zeus-Oromasdes, and Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes.
Originally seated in grandeur, the statues now lie scattered across the site, with their heads separated from their bodies, creating a dramatic and mysterious landscape. Mount Nemrut remains one of the most iconic archaeological and spiritual destinations in Turkey, offering breathtaking views and a profound connection to ancient history.
Day 3: Museums Day
Harran Ruins
2h · Admission ticket included
We’ll visit one of Harran’s iconic beehive houses—symbols of the city’s ancient heritage. Our guide will share insights into their unique architecture and historical significance.
Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
We will explore the Urfa Archaeological Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, both home to extensive collections unearthed from the ancient sites of Harran and Göbeklitepe. Our journey continues to the sacred area of Aynzeliha Lake, known for its serene waters filled with thousands of domesticated fish.
While in Şanlıurfa, we’ll visit the cave believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, a site of deep spiritual significance. We’ll then stroll through the historic covered bazaar and wander the charming streets of the old town, uncovering its many hidden gems and local treasures.
KIzIlkoyun Nekropolu
30m
We will visit the ancient necropolis dating back to the 2nd century, along with the rock-cut tombs hidden within caves, which were uncovered during excavations in 2013.
Gumruk Han
1h
We will also explore the historic bazaars of Şanlıurfa, including the 16th-century Gümrük Han (Customs Inn)—a beautifully preserved caravanserai that once served as a hub for merchants and travelers. Our walk will take us through the Carpet Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Copper Bazaar, and the Carpenters’ Market, each offering a vibrant glimpse into the city’s rich artisanal heritage and traditional craftsmanship.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Guests staying at any hotel in Şanlıurfa can share their location with us on WhatsApp, and we will pick them up from their hotel.
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Passport required
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
