Ancient Mesopotamia
A private journey through south-eastern Türkiye, from Gaziantep’s cuisine to Göbeklitepe and the stone city of Mardin.
Journey Overview
- Duration
- 8 Days / 7 nights
- Route
- Gaziantep – Şanlıurfa – Göbeklitepe – Mardin
- Suggested airports
- GZT – MQM
- Travel style
- Eastern Türkiye
- Best for
- Culture & history enthusiasts · Photographers · Repeat visitors
South-eastern Türkiye is where the settled world begins. This journey starts in Gaziantep — a UNESCO city of gastronomy with one of the finest mosaic collections anywhere — then moves east to Şanlıurfa, a city of pilgrimage and legend on the edge of the Mesopotamian plain.
Göbeklitepe follows: a temple complex raised twelve thousand years ago, before pottery, metal or agriculture. The route closes in Mardin, whose honey-coloured stone terraces look south across the plain towards Syria. Distances are covered privately with a guide who knows the region’s layered history.
Destinations on This Journey
Gaziantep
Days 1–2
Gastronomy, mosaics and the copper bazaars of the old city.
Şanlıurfa
Days 3–4
Sacred pools, covered markets and Mesopotamian atmosphere.
Göbeklitepe
Day 4
The oldest known monumental sanctuary in the world.
Mardin
Days 5–7
Terraced stone architecture above the endless plain.
Departure
Day 8
Final morning and transfer to Mardin Airport.
Journey Highlights
- Gaziantep Cuisine — Taste one of the world’s great food cities, from baklava to slow copper-pot cooking.
- Şanlıurfa — A city of pilgrimage, legend and Mesopotamian atmosphere.
- Göbeklitepe — Stand at the world’s oldest known temple complex, twelve thousand years old.
- Mardin Old City — Honey-stone architecture terraced above the Mesopotamian plain.
- Private Journey — Expert local guiding across Türkiye’s deep southeast.
- Tailor-Made Design — Pace, hotels and experiences adjusted to your interests.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Gaziantep
Gaziantep
Private welcome at Gaziantep Airport and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free — a first walk through the old city and its copper workshops is the natural introduction to the region.
Day 2 — Gaziantep: Mosaics & Cuisine
Gaziantep
A guided day covering the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the castle and the covered bazaars. Gaziantep’s kitchens are part of the programme rather than an afterthought, with time built in for a proper local lunch.
Day 3 — Gaziantep to Şanlıurfa
Şanlıurfa
Travel east across the plain to Şanlıurfa. The afternoon covers the sacred pools of Balıklıgöl and the old bazaar quarter, where the atmosphere shifts noticeably towards Mesopotamia.
Day 4 — Göbeklitepe
Şanlıurfa
Visit Göbeklitepe, the carved stone enclosures that predate agriculture by millennia and reset what was understood about early settlement. The Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum in the afternoon puts the site in context.
Day 5 — Şanlıurfa to Mardin
Mardin
Continue east to Mardin, arriving in the afternoon. The first view of the city terraced along its ridge, with the plain stretching south below, is best seen before sunset.
Day 6 — Mardin Old City
Mardin
A guided day through the stone lanes, madrasas and courtyards of the old city. The nearby Deyrulzafaran monastery can be included, subject to visiting arrangements on the day.
Day 7 — Mardin at Leisure
Mardin
A lighter final day. Options include the artisan workshops, a visit to nearby Dara, or simply time on a terrace watching the light move across the plain.
Day 8 — Departure from Mardin
Mardin
After breakfast, private transfer to Mardin Airport for your onward journey.
What This Journey Includes
- Private transfers
- Selected accommodation
- Licensed private guides
- Private transport
- 24/7 local assistance
Final inclusions depend on the selected programme and confirmed proposal.
Optional Experiences
- Gaziantep Culinary Experience — A guided tasting through one of the world’s great food cities.
- Mardin Monastery Visit — Add the historic monasteries set in the plain below the old city.
- Hotel Upgrades — Restored stone mansions and boutique properties in Mardin.
- Extra Nights — Extend your stay in Mardin or Şanlıurfa.
Journey Gallery
Plan This Journey
Tell us your preferred dates, hotel style and interests and our local team will tailor this itinerary around your travel plans.
Plan your trip · info@allwaytour.com · +90 534 397 1515