Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour: 3 Private Days with Karahantepe
Overview
Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour: 3 Private Days with Karahantepe
This 3-day private tour, flights included, takes you to the region often called the cradle of civilisation: Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe.
The route is about more than ticking off monuments. It shows how these ancient places relate to one another and how they trace the way human spirituality developed in this corner of southeastern Turkey, all the way to the Kingdom of Commagene and its huge statues.
The Stone Heads of Mount Nemrut
Each stop, from the giant stone heads on Mount Nemrut to the old centres of Arsameia and Harran, belongs to the cultural heritage of Anatolia.
Neolithic Temples of Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe
Both are Neolithic sites that matter greatly to archaeology and to what we know about the first human beliefs.
An expert guide, private transport and well-timed flights let you cover 12,000 years of history in one trip.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Adiyaman, Arsameia and Mount Nemrut
In the morning your driver collects you at your hotel for the airport run, and you fly to Adiyaman. Your guide is waiting when you land, and your exploration of the ancient Kingdom of Commagene begins.
You start at Arsameia, once the summer capital of the kingdom, where rock inscriptions and reliefs still survive.
Then comes Karakus Tumulus, where members of the Commagene royal family were buried; an eagle crowns the southern column. On the way to Nemrut you also stop at Cendere Bridge, a Roman bridge that still spans the river.
Towards the end of the afternoon you make the climb to Mount Nemrut. The summit holds giant stone heads carved to show ancient gods, and this sanctuary on the mountain top is a highlight of the trip.
After your visit you drive on to Sanliurfa, which takes roughly 3 hours. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 2 – Sanliurfa Museum, Gobeklitepe and Balikligol
After breakfast the day starts in Sanliurfa, among the oldest cities in the world to have been lived in without a break.
Your first visit is the Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum, which displays finds from prehistoric times and the early civilisations of Mesopotamia.
Next is Gobeklitepe, nicknamed "the zero point of time". Built more than 11,000 years ago, it is the oldest temple complex known anywhere, and its discovery changed how we see human history.
In the afternoon you walk around Balikligol (the Pool of Abraham). The site is sacred in Islamic tradition, which holds that this is where the Prophet Abraham was cast into the flames.
The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 3 – Harran, Karahantepe, Sogmatar and Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast you trace the ancient roots of Mesopotamia. The first stop is Harran, which was once an important centre of astronomy and scholarship. Its well-known beehive houses and the remains of its ancient university still rise from the desert plain.
Then you visit Karahantepe, a sister site to Gobeklitepe. Structures uncovered here only recently are adding to what we know about early human beliefs.
Your final stop is Sogmatar, an ancient holy city cut into the rock, known for its unusual symbols and its temples to the gods of the sky.
When the tour is over you transfer to Sanliurfa Airport and fly back to Istanbul. Our representative meets you there and drives you back to your hotel.
Our service ends here. We are glad you chose to travel with us and hope to see you again.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Domestic Flights
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✕Hotel Bookings (Available Upon Request)
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
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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Three private days at Mount Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe: the key facts
On this private three-day trip, with flights, you explore southeastern Turkey, often called the cradle of civilisation. You see the huge carved heads on Mount Nemrut; Gobeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple; Karahantepe, its sister site; and Harran, famous for its beehive houses. Sogmatar, the Cendere Roman Bridge, the Karakus Tumulus and Arsameia are also on the route. The trip includes domestic flights, airport transfers and a professional guide. Because the price varies with your dates and the size of your group, we give it on request.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | 3 days |
| Cost | Given on request, based on your dates and group |
| Tour style | Private, led by a professional guide |
| Itinerary | Adiyaman, Mount Nemrut, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe, Harran, Karahantepe, Sogmatar |
| What is covered | Domestic flights, airport transfers, professional guide |
| What is extra | Anything not listed above; ask us about meals, hotels and entrance fees for your dates |
What kind of site is Karahantepe?
Karahantepe lies east of Sanliurfa. It is a prehistoric site from the same early culture as Gobeklitepe and dates from roughly the same time. Digging there has uncovered rooms cut into the rock, carved pillars and a remarkable human head that seems to grow out of the stone. Visiting the two sites side by side shows how large and advanced this first world of monument builders really was.
What happens on each of the 3 days?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Adiyaman; Karakus Tumulus, Cendere Roman Bridge, Arsameia; Mount Nemrut |
| Day 2 | Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum, Gobeklitepe, Pools of Abraham |
| Day 3 | Harran, once a centre of learning and astronomy, and its beehive houses; Sogmatar; Karahantepe; fly to Istanbul |
What does the third day add?
You can see Nemrut and Gobeklitepe in two days, but a third day takes you further into old Mesopotamia. Harran, which the Bible links with Abraham, has beehive houses made of mud brick and the remains of an early Islamic university. Sogmatar is an ancient site tied to the worship of the moon and planets. Karahantepe fills in the rest of the story of the prehistoric temples.
Which of our southeastern Turkey tours suits you?
| Tour from Istanbul | Days | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Private Gobeklitepe day trip | 1 day | On request |
| Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe group tour | 2 days | $1,050 |
| Private Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe | 2 days | On request |
| This tour | 3 days | On request |
| Ancient civilisations of southeastern Turkey | 9 days | On request |
How old are Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe?
The two sites date from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. The earliest structures at Gobeklitepe go back to around the 10th millennium BC, over 11,000 years ago, which puts them thousands of years before the Egyptian pyramids or Stonehenge. Digging continues at Karahantepe and at other sites nearby, and fresh finds keep coming to light.
What is the best season to go?
Spring and autumn work best. The road to the top of Nemrut is normally open from late spring until early autumn, and it is cold up there at sunrise and sunset. In midsummer, Harran and Sanliurfa get very hot.
What should you pack?
Take warm layers for Nemrut, plus a hat, sunscreen and lots of water for the plains near Harran. Bring strong walking shoes, modest clothes for the religious sites and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do I make a booking?
Use the form on this page or WhatsApp to tell us when you would like to travel and how many of you there are. We confirm in writing the plan, the price and what is included for your dates, and payment is due only once that confirmation arrives. For other ideas, browse our Gobeklitepe tours, Eastern Turkey tours and Turkey tour packages.
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