Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights
Overview
Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights
In two days from Istanbul you reach two of the most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey. A flight takes you to Southeastern Turkey for Mount Nemrut, where the ancient Kingdom of Commagene left its huge stone statues, and for Gobeklitepe, the oldest temple found so far.
Arsemia, Cendere and Sanliurfa
On the way you also see Arsemia, the Cendere Roman Bridge and the Karakus Tumulus, and you get to feel the spiritual atmosphere of Sanliurfa. Mount Nemrut offers views at sunrise or sunset.
What the Price Includes
Included are round-trip domestic flights, a night with breakfast at a hotel in Sanliurfa, transfers between airports and hotel, a licensed guide who speaks English, two local lunches, your entrance fees and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Groups are kept small so the experience stays personal.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Adiyaman and Sunset on Mount Nemrut
An early morning flight brings you from Istanbul to Adiyaman, where your guide is waiting at the airport. From there you set off into the lands of the ancient Kingdom of Commagene:
- Karakus Tumulus
- Cendere Roman Bridge
- Arsameia
- Mount Nemrut summit, where giant carved heads show gods and kings
You watch the sun set from the top of Mount Nemrut, then drive on to Sanliurfa. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 2 – Gobeklitepe, Sanliurfa and Flight Back to Istanbul
Breakfast is followed by Gobeklitepe, the oldest temple complex known in the world, and then time in Sanliurfa:
- Gobeklitepe
- Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum
- Balikligol (Pools of Abraham)
- The historic bazaar of Sanliurfa
In the evening a transfer takes you to Sanliurfa Airport for the flight to Istanbul.
Our service ends here. We are glad you travelled with us.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Domestic flights both ways (Istanbul to Adiyaman, Sanliurfa to Istanbul)
- ✓1 hotel night with breakfast
- ✓Every airport and hotel transfer
- ✓Licensed English-speaking professional guide
- ✓Mount Nemrut and Commagene, a full day
- ✓Gobeklitepe and Sanliurfa, a full day
- ✓Entry fees for museums and archaeological sites
- ✓2 local lunches on the tour
- ✓Hotel breakfast
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicles for transport
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
- ✕Travel Insurance
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Travel guides
Two days at Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe from Istanbul: the key facts
In two days from Istanbul you visit two of the most striking UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey, starting at $1,050 per person. Mount Nemrut holds the huge stone statues left by the ancient Kingdom of Commagene, and Gobeklitepe is described as the oldest temple found so far. Included are domestic flights both ways (Istanbul to Adiyaman, then Sanliurfa to Istanbul), a hotel night with breakfast, every transfer, a professional licensed guide who speaks English, entrance fees and two lunches at local restaurants.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | 2 days, 1 night |
| Cost | from $1,050 per person |
| Flights | Istanbul to Adiyaman and Sanliurfa to Istanbul, included |
| Itinerary | Adiyaman, Mount Nemrut, Arsemia, Cendere Bridge, Karakus Tumulus, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe |
| What is covered | Flights, hotel and breakfast, transfers, licensed guide, entrance fees, two lunches |
| What is extra | Dinner, drinks, personal expenses, tips |
What will you find on Mount Nemrut?
On top of Mount Nemrut, in the 1st century BC, King Antiochus I of Commagene raised an enormous tomb and sanctuary. Giant stone figures of gods, eagles and lions stood guard over it, and today their heads rest on the terraces. Against the backdrop of the mountains at dawn or dusk, they are among the most memorable sights anywhere in Turkey.
Why does Gobeklitepe matter so much?
This prehistoric site near Sanliurfa has massive T-shaped stone pillars decorated with carved animals. Hunter-gatherers put them up thousands of years before Stonehenge, before pottery and before farming. The site has reshaped archaeologists' ideas about how religion and settled life began, and UNESCO added it to the World Heritage list in 2018.
What happens on each of the 2 days?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Early flight to Adiyaman; Karakus Tumulus, Cendere Roman Bridge, Arsemia; Mount Nemrut; night in Sanliurfa |
| Day 2 | Gobeklitepe; Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum; Pools of Abraham in Sanliurfa; fly from Sanliurfa to Istanbul |
Which of our southeastern Turkey tours suits you?
| Tour from Istanbul | Style | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Group tour over 2 days, with flights and lunches | $1,050 |
| Private Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe, 2 days | The private version | On request |
| Private Gobeklitepe day trip | Only Gobeklitepe, 1 day | On request |
| Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe, 3 days | Also Karahantepe and Harran | On request |
| Mardin and Midyat, 3 days | A stone city and its monasteries | On request |
Why go by plane instead of by road?
The southeast is a long way from Istanbul. Arriving at Adiyaman and leaving from Sanliurfa cuts out long drives and doubling back, and that is why two days are enough to do both sites justice.
What is the best season for Mount Nemrut?
Go between late spring and early autumn, when the summit road is open. Even in summer the top is high and cold at sunrise and sunset, whereas Gobeklitepe and Sanliurfa can be extremely hot in July and August. Winter snow can block the way to the summit.
What should you pack?
Take warm layers and a jacket that keeps out the wind for Mount Nemrut, strong walking shoes for the climb up to the terraces, a hat and sunscreen for Gobeklitepe, modest clothes for the religious sites in Sanliurfa and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do I make a booking?
Pick your date on this page and submit the form, or send us a WhatsApp message. Flights and hotel are confirmed in writing, and payment is due only once that confirmation arrives. For other ideas, browse our Eastern Turkey tours, Gobeklitepe tours and Turkey tour packages.
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