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Ancient Beginnings: Gaziantep to Urfa & Gobeklitepe Expedition - 2 Days 1 Night

Gaziantep, Sanliurfa,
Duration

2 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

1-40 people

Physical Level

easy

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Tour Overview

Embark on a transformative 2-day expedition with our "Ancient Beginnings: Gaziantep to Urfa & Göbeklitepe Expedition". This immersive tour offers a rare glimpse into the cradle of civilization, where ancient mysteries meet modern heritage. Journey from the vibrant streets of Gaziantep through the historic and spiritual heart of Urfa, and finally, witness the awe-inspiring megalithic structures of Göbeklitepe—the world’s oldest known temple. Discover how these remarkable sites connect our past to our present and gain insights into the early chapters of human history.

Activities
Explorer Photography Historical Family Discovery In-depth Cultural Solo Travel Sightseeing

Tour Features

Duration
2 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-40 people

Tour Code
ABGUGE2D1N

Departure Type
scheduled

Tour Category
Culture & Historical

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
11 - 99

Gaziantep

Pickup Time:

16:26

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Sanliurfa

Dropoff Time:

16:26

Highlights
Gaziantep Heritage: Explore the bustling bazaars, savor local delicacies, and visit key cultural landmarks that showcase Gaziantep's rich history.

Itinerary

Day 1

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)
After arriving at Gaziantep Airport with an early morning flight, our guide will meet you at the exit and we will go to a local restaurant for a rich breakfast consisting of local delicacies.
Our first stop after breakfast will be the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the second-largest mosaic museum in the world, where mosaics, sculptures, and other artifacts from the ancient city of Zeugma (Belkıs) are exhibited. The ancient city of Zeugma on the Euphrates, which lived its heyday around 256 AD during the Roman period, was destroyed by the Sassanid. The other historical places we will visit in Gaziantep are the Antep Castle, Zincirli Bedesten, the old Coppersmiths' Bazaar, the Gümrük Han, and the oldest coffee house in the region Tahmis, where we’ll give a coffee break. You may shop in the meantime; we recommend that you try the Antep favorite, Baklava with pistachio filling. Afterward, we will have a lunch break at a local restaurant serving delicious dishes particular to Antep.
Next, we will go to Halfeti, founded by the Assyrian King Shalmaneser III in 855 BC. This ancient city was ruled by many civilizations throughout its history including Hittites, Assyrians, Meds, Persians, Seleucids, and Parthians. Many parts of ancient Halfeti, the only region in the world where black roses are grown, have been flooded by the Bilecik dam. During our boat trip on the lake, we will see, Rumkale (Roman Castle) which is thought to be the place where the apostle of Jesus, Johannes, reproduced copies of the Bible. The ruins in Rumkale have Late Roman and Medieval characteristics. Rumkale itself presents a magnificent view with the remains of old water cisterns, St. Nerses Church, and Barşavma Monastery.
At the end of our Gaziantep tour, we will go to Urfa. Dinner and accommodation in Şanlıurfa. 

Traditional Sıra Night: On our Urfa trips, we attend Sıra Nights (Sıra Gecesi), which is a dinnertime entertainment with music and dances that is synonymous with Şanlıurfa.

Day 2

(Breakfast And Lunch included)
Today after breakfast, we will visit Halil-Ür Rahman Mosque, Rızvaniye Mosque, Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, and the Balıklıgöl, Halil-Ür Rahman Lake, where Prophet Abraham is said to have been thrown into the fire, and the burning logs turned into fishes, whereas the fire was turned into water. We will also visit the cave where Prophet Abraham was born. Other historical places to visit in Urfa are the Sipahi Bazaar, Kazzaz Market, Hacı Kamil Han, Hüseyiniye Bazaar, Naccar Bazaar, Tarihi Gümrük Inn and Ulucami (Grand Mosque). Afterward, we will visit the Urfa Archeology Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, where many historical artifacts from Anatolian civilizations are exhibited in an indoor area of 29,000 square meters.
We will have lunch at a local restaurant and visit Göbeklitepe, located in the Taş Tepeler region the oldest temple in the world with a history of 12,000 years, dating back to the Stone Age. One of the most important archaeological discoveries of our time, Göbeklitepe is thought to be the first pilgrimage center of the world, as it rewrites history.
During our tour here, our guide will answer the following questions surrounding the region: Who built Göbeklitepe 12,000 years ago and why? Why was Göbeklitepe, the oldest temple in the world, was abandoned and was buried with soil on purpose?
Göbeklitepe provides important data on religious beliefs in hunter-gatherer societies and enlightens us about the religion, religious symbols, technology, and ancient science used by the people at the time. The construction of the temple and the technology used by the primitive society that lived here 12,000 years ago remains unknown.
At the end of our Urfa tour, you’ll be transferred to Urfa Airport.  Şanlıurfa GAP Airport transfer is private. 

Included

1 nights of accommodation Sanliurfa

Şanlıurfa (1)      - Nevali Hotel 5* / El Ruha Hotel 5*

Professional English-speaking guide

Meals as per itinerary 

Airport transfers as per itinerary
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned, non-smoking coach

All tours as per itinerary
Entrance fees to museums and historical sites
VAT & City Tax
Hotel room taxes

Excluded

Domestic flight tickets 

Travel Insurance 

  Personal expenses
Guide & driver tips
Türkiye entry visa
Alcoholic drinks & beverages
Any expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Nov 7, 2025 Nov 8, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 8, 2025 Nov 9, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 9, 2025 Nov 10, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 10, 2025 Nov 11, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 11, 2025 Nov 12, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 12, 2025 Nov 13, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 13, 2025 Nov 14, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 14, 2025 Nov 15, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 15, 2025 Nov 16, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 16, 2025 Nov 17, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 17, 2025 Nov 18, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 18, 2025 Nov 19, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 19, 2025 Nov 20, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 20, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 21, 2025 Nov 22, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 22, 2025 Nov 23, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 23, 2025 Nov 24, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 24, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 25, 2025 Nov 26, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 26, 2025 Nov 27, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 27, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 28, 2025 Nov 29, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 29, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 €640
Double room
Nov 30, 2025 Dec 1, 2025 €640
Double room

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