Istanbul, Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour: 5 Days with Flights

Istanbul, Mount Nemrut and Göbekli Tepe in 5 days: the key facts

This group package pairs a half day in old Istanbul with two days in south-east Anatolia, in 5 days and 4 nights. On Day 2 you walk around the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar and fly to Adıyaman in the afternoon. Day 3 is spent on Mount Nemrut, with the stone heads of the Commagene kingdom at the summit, then the Roman bridge at Cendere and the Karakuş Tumulus. On Day 4 you visit Göbekli Tepe, the mudbrick village of Harran and the bazaar of Şanlıurfa, then fly back to Istanbul.

It suits travellers who want to see the oldest known temple site and Nemrut without booking a long eastern tour. The price is from $1,795 per person. Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicles, all flights in the itinerary and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

When can we do this tour, given Mount Nemrut's season?

This is the first thing to check. The summit road on Mount Nemrut closes in winter because of snow. Published guidance puts the national park's season at roughly April to early November. Operators often give a narrower window of May to October, and the opening date moves with each year's snowfall. A winter departure could mean losing the Day 3 highlight. Ask us to confirm in writing that the summit is open for your dates before you pay.

What time does the Mount Nemrut day start?

The page is unclear, so ask. Day 3 begins with "09:30 PM – Drive to Nemrut National Park". That is almost certainly a typo for 09:30 in the morning, because the rest of the day (summit, Cendere Bridge, Karakuş Tumulus, hotel) follows in daylight. Some Nemrut tours go up for sunrise or sunset, but this page describes neither. From the base you go up to the summit on foot or by shuttle "if one is running". Ask whether a shuttle runs on your date and how long the walk is.

How do the flights work?

Both flights are included. On Day 2, after the half-day Istanbul tour, you are taken to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Adıyaman, the base for Nemrut. You land and go to your hotel. On Day 4, after the Şanlıurfa bazaar at about 15:00, you fly back to Istanbul and spend the night there. The page does not say which airport the return flight leaves from or give any flight times. Ask for both before you book your international flights. Note that Day 4 mentions a "private transfer" from Adıyaman, although the tour is sold as a group tour.

How much of Istanbul do we see?

Only half a day. On Day 2 the guide collects you at 09:00 for a walk through the old city. Day 1 says 09:30, so ask us which time is right. The plan lists the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, with Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. With a flight to catch, you will not have time for everything. If Istanbul is important to you, add a night before the tour at $65. You could also book a guided day of your own, such as the Istanbul full-day old city small-group tour from $199.

How hard are the days in the south-east?

Day 3 is the most physical. The last part of the way up Mount Nemrut is on foot unless a shuttle runs, and the summit is high and exposed, so bring a warm layer. Day 4 is long rather than hard. You leave Adıyaman at 09:00 and drive about 1.5 hours to Göbekli Tepe, according to the page. You reach Harran at about 12:45 and Şanlıurfa at about 15:00, then you fly. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat, and carry water.

Which hotels and meals are included?

The page says "accommodations with breakfast" but does not name hotels or give star ratings. The four nights are Istanbul on Day 1, Adıyaman on Days 2 and 3, and Istanbul again on Day 4. Ask for hotel names in your written plan, and ask whether the same Istanbul hotel can be used at both ends. Breakfast is included every morning. Lunch and dinner are not included on any day. That includes the long Day 4 through Harran and Şanlıurfa, where you can eat in the bazaar area.

Which tickets are in the price, and is the balloon included?

Entrance fees are included except for sights marked optional, which on this page are Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. Mount Nemrut, Göbekli Tepe and Harran are not marked optional, but ask us to confirm that their tickets are covered. The page lists a Cappadocia balloon flight at $310 as an extra, but this route does not go to Cappadocia. The extras that fit are an extra Istanbul night at $65 and a private upgrade at $250 per person, which gives you your own guide and vehicle.

Are there shorter or longer versions?

Yes. The 2-day Mount Nemrut and Göbekli Tepe tour from Istanbul with flights starts from $1,050 and leaves out the Istanbul days. The 4-day Cappadocia, Nemrut and Göbekli Tepe tour from $1,095 adds Cappadocia. Read our Mount Nemrut tour from Istanbul guide and our Göbekli Tepe destination page for more.

How do I book this 5-day tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. We check flights, hotels and the Nemrut summit road for your dates. Then we send you the full plan in writing, with flight times and airports, the Day 3 start time, hotel names and which tickets are covered. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.