Two-Day Göbeklitepe and Sanliurfa Cultural Tour from Istanbul

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

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.