Overview
This epic 9-day ‘Yellow Turkey (Southeast) Tour’ is a deep dive into the cradle of civilisation, exploring the historically rich and culturally diverse landscapes of Southeast Anatolia before returning to the magical heart of Cappadocia. The adventure begins in Istanbul with a taste of its imperial grandeur before a flight transports you to the ancient city of Mardin, an ‘open-air museum’ perched on a rocky hill near the Tigris River. Here, you will stroll through a UNESCO-protected old town, known for its unique Artuqid architecture and history as a centre for numerous cultures and religions. The journey continues to Urfa, the ‘City of Prophets,’ a place steeped in legends of Abraham, where you will visit the sacred pools of the Sacred Carp and the ancient village of Harran with its iconic adobe ‘beehive’ houses.
The highlight of the tour is a visit to the oldest known temple in the world, Göbekli Tepe, a Neolithic site predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years. Another unforgettable experience awaits you in Adıyaman, with a pre-dawn ascent of Mount Nemrut to watch a beautiful sunrise among the colossal stone statues of kings and gods of the ancient Commagene Kingdom. The tour then moves from the sun-drenched plains of Mesopotamia to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, with a scenic drive that includes a stop at a 13th-century Seljuk caravanserai. In Cappadocia, you have the opportunity to take an optional hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys, explore the Göreme Open Air Museum and descend into a vast underground city before completing the grand circuit back to Istanbul via Ankara and Bolu.
Highlights
- The Old Town of Mardin: explore the UNESCO-protected city, known for its Artuqid architecture, ancient bazaars, Zinciriye Madrasa, and Grand Mosque.
- Urfa, ‘City of Prophets’: Visit Abraham's Cave and the Sacred Tent Pools, and stroll through the oriental covered bazaar.
- Harran beehive houses: see the fascinating adobe “beehive” houses in the village where Abraham is said to have spent his final years.
- Göbekli Tepe: Visit the archaeological excavation at the world's oldest known temple, founded in the tenth millennium BC.
- Sunrise on Mount Nemrut: watch the beautiful sunrise from the summit among the colossal statues and heads of the kings and gods of the Commagene Kingdom.
- Cappadocia: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Göreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, and an underground city, with the option of a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
- From Ankara to Bolu: Visit Ataturk's mausoleum in the capital city of Ankara before spending the night in Bolu.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Conclude your tour of Istanbul with a sightseeing cruise on the Bosphorus, a visit to the spice market, and the Golden Horn.
