Göbeklitepe & Şanlıurfa Cultural Discovery Tour from Istanbul

$2,624
Duration
2 days
Difficaulty
Reviews
(5)
4.6 /5

About This Tour

Şanlıurfa is the cradle of civilization and the birth center of religion. It attracts more and more people day by day. This tour offers you the chance to experience the most important and historical places of Şanlıurfa. You don't have to think about anything after you take the tour, all the reservations, planning and satisfaction are on us. This region of Turkey is like a rainbow with its traditional lifestyle and hybrid culture. We can arrange the itinerary and content of your tour to suit you.

Destinations
Activities
Accessibility
Language
Max People
10

Inclusions

  • Lunch
    Breakfast
    Dinner
    Domestic Round Trip Fligts
    All Transfers
    Hotel Stay in Şanlıurfa
    Professional Experienced Tour Guide
    Sıra Night
    Museum Tickets
    All Taxes
  • Food & drinks
  • Exclusions

  • Personal Expenses
    Drinks at Lunch and Diner
    Tips
  • Tour Plan

    Itinerary

    Expand All
    Day 1 Istanbul to Sanlıurfa

    We pick you from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the airport. Fly to Sanliurfa. You will meet with your guide at the airport and after your driver and private vehicle, first we have our light breakfast.
    Urfa has been occupied since the Babylonians followed by the Hurrites, Hittites, Assyrians, Greeks. We will visit Urfa Archaeological Museum. This museum exhibit a huge collection, founded from Harran and Gobeklitepe Area.
    According to the sources, the "Varak Cross", which is of great importance for Christianity and located in the Varak Monastery in the Van region, was brought to Urfa in 1092 and placed in this church. According to the inscription on the mihrab of the mosque, it was converted from a church to a mosque in 1956.
    It is believed that Urfa Castle was built on a Neolithic settlement area dating back to 10,000 BC. The first written records about the Castle is from the 11th century. It is believed to be built in the Assyrian period between 812-814 AD. King of Edessa Manu IX had two monumental columns with Corinth style erected on the top of the Castle in 240-242 AD.Local people in Urfa believe that these columns are that of the catapult mentioned in the legend of Prophet Abraham.
    We will also visit the holy sites at the Ainzelha, a lake with millions of domesticated fish.
    While in Urfa we will visit the cave where the prophet Abraham was born. Then, walk through the local covered bazaar of Sanliurfa. Walk through the town to discover the many hidden treasures.
    We visit a special place for Sıra Night in Urfa. Sıra night is one of the most sincere atmosphere you can experience on your visit.
    Hotel Stay in Sanliurfa

    Day 2 Göbeklitepe & Harran & Karahantepe

    We will see Gobeklitepe, a hilltop sanctuary erected on the highest point of an elongated mountain ridge some 15 km northeast of the town of Urfa. Pools of Holy CarpWhat makes Gobeklitepe unique in its class is the date it was built, which is roughly twelve thousand years ago, circa 10,000 BC.
    Karahan Tepe is an archaeological site in Şanlıurfa Province in Turkey. The site is close to Göbekli Tepe and archaeologists have also uncovered T-shaped stelae there. The excavations have uncovered 250 obelisks featuring animal figures.

    The site is located near Yağmurlu and roughly 46 kilometers east of Göbekli Tepe, which is often called its sister site. It is part of the Göbeklitepe Culture and Karahantepe Excavations project. The area is known as “Keçilitepe” by local people. It is part of a region of similar sites now being uncovered known as the Taş Tepeler.
    we will visit nearby Harran and see the incredible beehive houses. Harran- according to the Bible- was the site where prophet Abraham spent a few years with his family before moving on to Israel, the Promised Land. There are exceptional photo opportunities in this area. After Harran we will drive to the airport to fly back to Istanbul.
    Bazda Caves are located at the 15th km of the Harran-Han el-Ba'rur road. There are historical stone quarries on both sides of the road since the beginning of the year. Bazda caves are on the right of the road at 19 km. It is the most important and most beautiful stone quarry in the region. Large cavities were formed on the exterior of the mountain, which spread over a very large area, due to stone cutting.

    From the Arabic inscriptions written on the rocks, it is understood that this quarry was operated in the 13th century by individuals such as "Abdurrahman al-Hakkari", "Muhammet Ibn-i Bakir", "Muhammed al-'Uzzar". As a result of hundreds of years of stone removal for the surrounding Harran, Shuayp city and Han el-Ba'rur structures, many squares, tunnels and galleries were formed in both caves. Especially the larger one was carved in places with two floors, and squares were created in the middle by leaving feet up to 10-15 meters high.
    Upon your arrival your guide will deliver you to the transfer vehicle from airport to your hotel.

    Meeting / Pickup

    Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

    Know Before You Go

    • Infant seats available
    • Passport required

    Please Note

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Not stroller accessible
    • Not suitable for pets
    • No public transportation nearby
    • Infants must not sit on laps
    • Flight Tickets will be sent later via whatsapp or e-mail.
    • We pick you from your location and dropp off back to whichever location you want in Istanbul.

    Cancellation Policy

    • We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event
    • We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event

    Reviews

    4.6/5
    Wonderful
    5 verified reviews
    Location (4.8/5)
    Amenities (4.8/5)
    Services (4.4/5)
    Price (4.2/5)
    Rooms (4.8/5)

    5 Comments

    1. 4.6

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      • Rooms

      The overnight journey was packed with unexpected cultural gems that truly enriched our understanding of the region. While the accommodations were comfortable, we did find the schedule a bit rushed at times, leaving us wanting more time to soak in the atmosphere.

    2. 4.4

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      Exploring gã¶beklitepe was a profound experience that truly connected me to the ancient past of Anatolia. The accommodations in Şanlıurfa were comfortable, making it easy to rest and recharge after a long day of cultural discovery. While the itinerary was well-paced, I did find some of the time at certain sites a bit rushed, leaving me wanting to linger longer. Overall, the combination of fascinating history and local charm made for a memorable journey, and I left feeling enriched by the stories and landscapes I encountered.

    3. 4.6

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      Our experience on this cultural journey was genuinely enriching, especially when we stood in awe at gã¶beklitepe, the world’s oldest known temple site. The accommodations in åžanlä±urfa were cozy, allowing us to unwind after a day filled with history and exploration. One moment that stood out was when our guide shared local legends about the region, making the ancient stones feel alive with stories. While the food was delicious, we did find the meal options a bit limited during our stay. Navigating through bustling marketplaces was also a highlight, immersing us in the vibrant local culture. Despite minor hiccups with the schedule, the overall experience was one to remember, blending rich history with cultural discovery. We left feeling inspired and more connected to the heritage of this fascinating area.

    4. 4.6

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      • Price
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      Our family recently embarked on a two-day cultural adventure that took us from İstanbul to the ancient site of gã¶beklitepe and the charming city of åžanlä±urfa. One of the highlights was walking among the towering stones of gã¶beklitepe, feeling a sense of wonder as we learned about its history from our knowledgeable guide. The accommodations were comfortable, providing a cozy retreat after a long day of exploration, but we wished they had a bit more variety in their breakfast options. A memorable moment came when we stumbled upon a local artisan market in åžanlä±urfa, where we enjoyed watching traditional crafts being made right in front of us. Overall, it was a wonderful blend of culture and discovery, perfect for families looking to experience something unique together.

    5. 4.8

      • Location
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      • Services
      • Price
      • Rooms

      We had an amazing time on this cultural journey, immersing ourselves in ancient history and local traditions. The first day was filled with fascinating discoveries, and we loved how our guide shared stories that brought each site to life. Overnight accommodations were comfortable, but we found the meal options somewhat limited—though the local flavors we did experience were unforgettable. The second day offered a fantastic mix of exploration and engagement with the community, which was a highlight for us. Overall, this adventure exceeded our expectations and gave our family wonderful memories to cherish.

    Comments are closed.

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