GAP Tour by Air 4N/5D

Day 1: GAZIANTEP

We meet at 04:45 at the AJET check-in counter in the Domestic Departures Hall of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We fly to Gaziantep with AJET Airlines flight VF3228 departing at 06:45 (flight duration: 1 hour 45 minutes). Arrival: 08:30. Upon arrival, we are welcomed by our guide and begin our tour of Gaziantep, the gateway to the Southeastern Anatolia/GAP region and the largest city of the area, renowned for its rich history, culture, and cuisine. Our first stop is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum, home to an exceptionally rich historical collection. After our guided visit, we enjoy lunch (extra) featuring Gaziantep’s famous local flavors. Following lunch, we take a panoramic city tour by coach. We then visit the Panorama 25 December Museum, which powerfully depicts Gaziantep’s heroic resistance during the Turkish War of Independence, and begin our walk through the Kalealtı District. Strolling around Gaziantep Castle, one of the finest surviving city castles in Türkiye, we continue to the historic Zeytin Han, where there will be time to purchase local products. Our walk along the historic Cultural Route continues through old Antep houses, streets, and inns, reaching the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, where we observe the craftsmanship of copperware and mother-of-pearl inlay. During free time, guests may shop at the Coppersmiths’ Bazaar, Almacı Bazaar, and Zincirli Bedesten. After the tour, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 2: ŞANLIURFA

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart Gaziantep and head to Rumkale via Birecik. Crossing the Euphrates River, we reach Rumkale and board a private boat arranged for our group from the Halfeti side to see the submerged village and Rumkale. Following this delightful approximately 1-hour boat tour, we continue by coach to Şanlıurfa city center. Upon arrival, we have lunch (extra) and begin our visits. Our first stop is the cave and shrine of Prophet Job (a.s.), symbolizing patience. We then visit the Balıklı Lake complex, including Balıklı Lake, the place where Prophet Abraham (a.s.) was cast into the fire, Ayn Zeliha Lake, Rızvaniye Mosque, the cave believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham (a.s.), and Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. After the program, there is free time for shopping at the Covered Bazaar and Gümrük Han. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional dinner with Sıra Night entertainment, followed by overnight in Şanlıurfa.

Day 3: GÖBEKLİTEPE

After breakfast, we depart for Göbeklitepe. Dating back approximately 12,000 years, this site continues to astonish scientists, archaeologists, and historians; our guide shares its remarkable story. After completing our visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where excavations are still ongoing, we depart for Mardin. Upon arrival, we take a short panoramic city tour, then proceed to lunch (extra). After lunch, we begin our Mardin tour, known as the “Capital of Religions and Languages,” with its ancient and well-preserved historical texture. Our first stop is the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, once considered the center of Syriac Christianity worldwide. During the visit, we see the Church, Medical School, Sun Temple, Baptistery, and Tomb sections, then continue to the Kasımiye Madrasa, an Artuqid-era masterpiece, enjoying breathtaking views of the Upper Mesopotamian Plain. We then walk through the streets of Old Mardin, seeing Forty Martyrs Church, Abbaras, Grand Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, and Şahtana Mansion, among others. Free time follows for shopping. After the tour, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 4: MARDIN – MIDYAT – HASANKEYF – DIYARBAKIR

After breakfast, we travel to Midyat, a historic town famous for hosting many TV series. We visit the Government Guest House, one of the finest examples of Midyat stone houses, then stop at the Silversmiths’ (Telkari) Bazaar to see exquisite filigree craftsmanship. Departing Midyat, we head to Hasankeyf, one of the earliest ancient settlements. After hearing the poignant story of Hasankeyf submerged by the Ilısu Dam, we visit the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, relocated to the new settlement area. Viewing the oil wells on Raman Mountain, we stop in Batman for lunch (extra) featuring local cuisine. We then visit the Malabadi Bridge and continue to Diyarbakır. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour, seeing 75th Street and Diclekent, witnessing Diyarbakır’s modern side. After the tour, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 5: DIYARBAKIR

After breakfast, we begin a full-day tour of Diyarbakır, the city of Prophets and Companions. We travel to Eğil, about 50 km away, to visit the tombs of Prophets Zulkifl (a.s.) and Elisha (a.s.), relocated due to the formation of the Dicle Dam Lake. After lunch (extra), we visit İçkale, including the Artuqid Palace, Government House, Gendarmerie Command, St. George Church, Diyarbakır Former Prison, Caravanserai, and Hz. Süleyman Mosque, where 27 Companions are buried. We continue with the Diyarbakır City Walls, believed to be 9,000 years old, then visit Hasan Pasha Inn and the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, regarded as Islam’s fifth holiest mosque and one of the oldest in Islamic history. We then see the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum House and the Four-Legged Minaret. From the Keçi Bastion at Mardin Gate, we enjoy panoramic views of the Hevsel Gardens and the Ten-Eyed Bridge, then proceed to the bridge for a short photo stop. After completing our Diyarbakır tour, we transfer to Diyarbakır Airport for our return flight with AJET Airlines flight VF3189 at 21:15 to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Flight duration is approximately 2 hours. Arrival: 23:25.

Day 2: ŞANLIURFA

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart Gaziantep and head to Rumkale via Birecik. Crossing the Euphrates River, we reach Rumkale and board a private boat arranged for our group from the Halfeti side to see the submerged village and Rumkale. Following this delightful approximately 1-hour boat tour, we continue by coach to Şanlıurfa city center. Upon arrival, we have lunch (extra) and begin our visits. Our first stop is the cave and shrine of Prophet Job (a.s.), symbolizing patience. We then visit the Balıklı Lake complex, including Balıklı Lake, the place where Prophet Abraham (a.s.) was cast into the fire, Ayn Zeliha Lake, Rızvaniye Mosque, the cave believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham (a.s.), and Mevlid-i Halil Mosque. After the program, there is free time for shopping at the Covered Bazaar and Gümrük Han. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional dinner with Sıra Night entertainment, followed by overnight in Şanlıurfa.

Day 3: GÖBEKLİTEPE

After breakfast, we depart for Göbeklitepe. Dating back approximately 12,000 years, this site continues to astonish scientists, archaeologists, and historians; our guide shares its remarkable story. After completing our visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where excavations are still ongoing, we depart for Mardin. Upon arrival, we take a short panoramic city tour, then proceed to lunch (extra). After lunch, we begin our Mardin tour, known as the “Capital of Religions and Languages,” with its ancient and well-preserved historical texture. Our first stop is the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, once considered the center of Syriac Christianity worldwide. During the visit, we see the Church, Medical School, Sun Temple, Baptistery, and Tomb sections, then continue to the Kasımiye Madrasa, an Artuqid-era masterpiece, enjoying breathtaking views of the Upper Mesopotamian Plain. We then walk through the streets of Old Mardin, seeing Forty Martyrs Church, Abbaras, Grand Mosque, Şehidiye Mosque, and Şahtana Mansion, among others. Free time follows for shopping. After the tour, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 4: MARDIN – MIDYAT – HASANKEYF – DIYARBAKIR

After breakfast, we travel to Midyat, a historic town famous for hosting many TV series. We visit the Government Guest House, one of the finest examples of Midyat stone houses, then stop at the Silversmiths’ (Telkari) Bazaar to see exquisite filigree craftsmanship. Departing Midyat, we head to Hasankeyf, one of the earliest ancient settlements. After hearing the poignant story of Hasankeyf submerged by the Ilısu Dam, we visit the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, relocated to the new settlement area. Viewing the oil wells on Raman Mountain, we stop in Batman for lunch (extra) featuring local cuisine. We then visit the Malabadi Bridge and continue to Diyarbakır. Upon arrival, we take a panoramic city tour, seeing 75th Street and Diclekent, witnessing Diyarbakır’s modern side. After the tour, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 5: DIYARBAKIR

After breakfast, we begin a full-day tour of Diyarbakır, the city of Prophets and Companions. We travel to Eğil, about 50 km away, to visit the tombs of Prophets Zulkifl (a.s.) and Elisha (a.s.), relocated due to the formation of the Dicle Dam Lake. After lunch (extra), we visit İçkale, including the Artuqid Palace, Government House, Gendarmerie Command, St. George Church, Diyarbakır Former Prison, Caravanserai, and Hz. Süleyman Mosque, where 27 Companions are buried. We continue with the Diyarbakır City Walls, believed to be 9,000 years old, then visit Hasan Pasha Inn and the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, regarded as Islam’s fifth holiest mosque and one of the oldest in Islamic history. We then see the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum House and the Four-Legged Minaret. From the Keçi Bastion at Mardin Gate, we enjoy panoramic views of the Hevsel Gardens and the Ten-Eyed Bridge, then proceed to the bridge for a short photo stop. After completing our Diyarbakır tour, we transfer to Diyarbakır Airport for our return flight with AJET Airlines flight VF3189 at 21:15 to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Flight duration is approximately 2 hours. Arrival: 23:25