Highly recommend! We booked our Urfa tour only a week in advance, but Selim (our tour organizer) was very responsive and quickly pulled everything together—including our airport transfers, extra lodging nights, customized tour itinerary, and guides. He personally came to pick us up when we arrived to welcome us and explain the 3-day plan. He was also busy with other tour groups but made time to say goodbye before our last day. The tour itself was fantastic. Our main guide, Çelen, was exceptional and turned the tour stops into a living story. We would come back to tour with him again and again. He gave us unique insight, tying everything together into the broader history of the region and the cultures that shaped it. A special shout-out to our driver, Hasan, who was very kind and thoughtful; he went out of his way to make stops at additional locations he thought we would enjoy. As people sensitive to smoke, everyone was very thoughtful and took our request to smoke a short distance away from us. We can’t say enough good things about this experience and would recommend anyone to book with Selim and his group!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Private transportation
- Professional guide licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- Entrance fee
- 2 nights in a boutique hotel in Şanlıurfa
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Şanlıurfa or at Şanlıurfa Airport
Excludes
- Dinners
- Accommodation on the third night (an extra night can be arranged at additional cost)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Day 1
1
Göbekli Tepe is one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the world. Dating back over 12,000 years, it predates writing, pottery, and even agriculture—making it the oldest known ritual complex ever uncovered. This awe-inspiring site continues to reshape our understanding of early human civilization. Don’t miss the chance to experience the mystery and majesty of Göbekli Tepe firsthand.
Karahan Tepe is located just 68 km from Şanlıurfa and 50 km from Göbekli Tepe, and is rapidly gaining global attention as a site that may predate Göbekli Tepe itself. Recent excavations suggest Karahan Tepe could be the earliest known Neolithic site in the world, reshaping our understanding of early human civilization. Much like Göbekli Tepe and Nevali Çori, Karahan Tepe features a similar architectural layout, including over 250 “T”-shaped obelisks unearthed so far. The site is part of the “Göbekli Tepe Culture and Karahan Tepe Excavations” project, led by Professor Necmi Karul of Istanbul University. Known locally as Keçilitepe, the area has revealed groundbreaking archaeological finds that continue to challenge and expand the timeline of human history.
You’ll visit the sacred cave believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham, followed by the Pool of Abraham—where, according to tradition, he was cast into the fire by King Nimrod. These deeply spiritual sites are among the most revered landmarks in Şanlıurfa.
Day 2
2
Karakuş Tumulus is a striking funerary monument located near the village of Çukurtaş in the Kâhta District of Adıyaman, just 12 kilometers from Kâhta. Built between 30–20 BCE by Mithridates II of Commagene, it honors Queen Isias and Princesses Antiochis and Aka I. Named Karakuş, meaning “black bird,” the site features a column topped with an eagle—one of several impressive 9-meter-high Doric columns surrounding the tumulus. These columns are adorned with reliefs and statues of a bull, lion, and eagle, symbolizing royal power and protection. An inscription confirms the presence of a royal tomb housing three noble women. Here, our guide will share fascinating details about the monument’s history, symbolism, and its place in the legacy of the Kingdom of Commagene.
Severan Bridge (Cendere Köprüsü) is a remarkable example of late Roman engineering, located near the ancient city of Arsameia (modern-day Eskikale), about 55 km northeast of Adıyaman. Spanning the Cendere Çayı, a tributary of the Kâhta Creek, this historic bridge lies along the scenic route from Kâhta to Sincik. Built during the Roman period, the bridge was first documented in 1883 by renowned archaeologists Osman Hamdi Bey and Osman Efendi. It remains one of the best-preserved Roman bridges in the region. During our visit, which will last approximately 2 hours, our guide will share all the fascinating details about its construction, historical significance, and the surrounding landscape.
Arsemia, once the summer residence of the Commagene kings, is located about 60 kilometers from Adıyaman. During our 1-hour visit, our guide will share the fascinating history of this ancient city, including its royal significance and unique archaeological features. At the foot of the site, you’ll see a magnificent relief depicting Heracles (or possibly Artagnes, a Persian deity) shaking hands with King Mithridates of Commagene, dating back to around 50 BC. Nearby stands the largest Greek inscription ever found in Anatolia, offering invaluable insight into the region’s Hellenistic heritage.
Mount Nemrut (Nemrud) rises to 2,134 meters in southeastern Turkey and is one of the highest peaks in the eastern Taurus Mountains. Located 40 km north of Kâhta, near Adıyaman, it is world-renowned for its monumental summit, where a royal tomb and colossal statues were erected in the 1st century BCE. In 62 BCE, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene built a tomb-sanctuary at the mountain’s peak, flanked by 8–9 meter-high statues of himself, lions, eagles, and a pantheon of gods from Greek, Armenian, and Persian traditions—including Heracles-Artagnes-Ares, Zeus-Oromasdes, and Apollo-Mithras-Helios-Hermes. Originally seated in grandeur, the statues now lie scattered across the site, with their heads separated from their bodies, creating a dramatic and mysterious landscape. Mount Nemrut remains one of the most iconic archaeological and spiritual destinations in Turkey, offering breathtaking views and a profound connection to ancient history.
Day 3
3
We’ll visit one of Harran’s iconic beehive houses—symbols of the city’s ancient heritage. Our guide will share insights into their unique architecture and historical significance.
We will explore the Urfa Archaeological Museum and the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, both home to extensive collections unearthed from the ancient sites of Harran and Göbeklitepe. Our journey continues to the sacred area of Aynzeliha Lake, known for its serene waters filled with thousands of domesticated fish. While in Şanlıurfa, we’ll visit the cave believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, a site of deep spiritual significance. We’ll then stroll through the historic covered bazaar and wander the charming streets of the old town, uncovering its many hidden gems and local treasures.
We will visit the ancient necropolis dating back to the 2nd century, along with the rock-cut tombs hidden within caves, which were uncovered during excavations in 2013.
We will also explore the historic bazaars of Şanlıurfa, including the 16th-century Gümrük Han (Customs Inn)—a beautifully preserved caravanserai that once served as a hub for merchants and travelers. Our walk will take us through the Carpet Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Copper Bazaar, and the Carpenters’ Market, each offering a vibrant glimpse into the city’s rich artisanal heritage and traditional craftsmanship.
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Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We did a private 7 day Southeast Turkiye tour with Selim, he arranged the private van and he was the tour guide for this special tour. From start to finish, the hotels, restaurants, the places we visit and the information we got was incredible. Everything was first class, we loved that part of Turkiye and would love to come back in the future and Selim is an incredible guide🥰🥰
Just had a great couple of days with Selim. Nemrut Dagi and surrounds on Day 1 and Gobeklitepe/Karahantepe on Day 2. From the communication before the trip through to visiting the sites was fantastic . Selim looked after everything which meant I could enjoy the wonderful sites. Having a guide is a must to fully appreciate what you are visiting. Highly recommend using Selim.
That Mt. Nemrut requires a 700 meter climb to the top. The smaller hike to the stele of Heracles requires a 100 meter hike. Selim was a great guide as was Hassan up Mt. Nemrut.
What an amazing trip !!! Selim and his team were just fantastic. From the moment they collected us from the airport to the moment we left , and every moment in between , we had the best experience. From the friendly and always smiling Hasan who drove us around to the knowledgeable tour guides Nabi , Saeedy and Selim himself who conveyed the history of the region with such passion. Truly beautiful and awesome experience. A must for every traveler to Turkey and history buffin.
It was a joyful and an entertaining trip for me. I really learned more about Göbeklitepe and really enjoyed it. The food here was really nice here aswell and delicious.
It was very entertaining and informative, I learned a lot about history and I would recommend it to others who are going. Also the food is great too.
We stayed for 3 days. We went on lots of different places and learned all about their backstories thanks to our guide. It was so much fun
Very good.we visited a lot of places and we learned about interesting topics.everything was well planned
We had an amazing experience with Mr. Selim as our guide. He was incredibly helpful and showed us all the best places in the most enjoyable way. We had the chance to taste truly delicious local food, and the entire tour was filled with fascinating knowledge and cultural insights. It was an unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend him
This trip was incredible. We visited various places around and in the center of Urfa. He told us the history behind every place we visited and he is genuinely very experienced. We had amazing foods all the time and learned so much about the culture there too. Totally recommend him!
Mr. Selim was very helpful with impressive knowledge of everything. He was especially kind with an amazing ability to manage everything. Overall it was very enjoyable.
We had this tour personally guided by Mr Selim Bakir. Regrettably, due to weather conditions, we couldn't visit Mt Nemrut, but we were taken to Gobeklitepe, Karahantepe, Museums and on a tour of Urfa. All places, including the museums, were of top quality and very interesting. Mr Selim explained to us in detail the historical facts, and at the end of the tour was kind enough to give me as a present the beautiful book in Spanish, Catalogo del Neolitico del museo de Sanliurfa. We highly recommend him and this tour. Will have to return to visit Mt Nemrut again.
Our local guide Selim Bey, met us at the airport and from then on our 3 day trip has been an outstanding ride. He's a local who grew up in the area but his knowledge and the interpretation of history is beyond the limits of the map and the timeline. Oh and he is friends with the best restaurants in the area, and it was very impressive the way we just strolled through the crowded lines at the top restaurants to bypass our way to our already set feast tables. He's knowledgeable , professional, caring and a real enthusiast in the local history. It was a privilege for me and my 10 year old son to take this tour with Selim Bey and experience his narrative which enjoyable both for kids and adults alike. I recommend this magical place made more enriching an experience with Selim Bakır ( by the name his surname means copper in turkish and he's worked as a copper craftsman in his youth, hence knows the best shops to buy the best authentic copper ornaments, had them delivered to our home even:) Best guide, Mr Selim Bakır
Everything goes exactly as planned and promised… The tour program is arranged exactly the way you want. Urfa is already a beautiful city with its visuals and rich stories, and when you add a comfortable vehicle, a safe driver, a knowledgeable guide, and delicious food—what more could you ask for?
Our GAP Tour in Southeastern Turkey became an unforgettable experience thanks to our incredible guide Selim Bakır. As someone who organizes retreats and trips with groups of around 40 people for yoga, family constellation and awareness camps, I have worked with many guides before. However, Selim’s dedication, flexibility and positive energy were truly exceptional. Despite the intense heat, long travel days and a busy program, he never lost his enthusiasm. He worked tirelessly, always with a smile, and supported our group with great care. One of the most impressive things was his ability to adapt to our spontaneous decisions. Even when we changed plans last minute for yoga practices or family constellation work, he immediately created beautiful routes and found special locations where we could gather and work together. During this tour we had the chance to visit many incredible places such as Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Mardin, Mor Gabriel Monastery, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, abandoned Syriac villages, Halfeti, Beyaz Su, the streets of Şanlıurfa and Balıklıgöl. At every stop he enriched the experience with stories, history and cultural insight that made these places come alive for us. He also introduced us to amazing local flavors and even arranged special meals in unique places off the usual tourist path. Sometimes these were hidden locations or abandoned places where he organized unforgettable local feasts for our group. Thanks to his sincerity, joy and solution-oriented attitude, this journey became much more than a tour. It was a truly special and unforgettable experience for all of us. Thank you Selim for your dedication, kindness, energy and care. Traveling with a guide like you is truly a privilege.
I absolutely recommend this tour! Locations, archaeological sites, people, culture, history and the present - definitely worth getting to know. And especially Selim as a guide. Professional, kind, always ready to give advice and help to make your stay pleasant and your time best used.
I very much enjoyed my tour. The sites and experiences were great and instructive. I appreciated not feeling rushed and being able to truly explore and experience each location.
I had the absolute best experience on my 3-day, 2-night private tour in Şanlıurfa. My guide grew up here, and you can feel his love for the city in every story he tells and every hidden corner he shows you. From the moment we met, he made me feel like I was visiting an old friend rather than booking a tour. Selım was warm, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in making sure I had an unforgettable time. His knowledge of the history, culture, and local traditions was incredible, but what made it truly special was the way he shared it: personal, passionate, and with so much heart. He anticipated every need, added thoughtful touches throughout the trip, and crafted a pace that felt effortless. I never once felt rushed, just guided, welcomed, and cared for. If you want a guide who knows Şanlıurfa like the back of his hand and treats you like family, this is the one. 10/10—an unforgettable experience.
I knew that southeastern Türkiye is a fascinating place. Şanlıurfa even exceeded my expectations. Thanks to our guide, Selim Bey, our trip was a truly enjoyable one. Selim Bakır is a knowledgeable local, who is friendly, kind, and a true professional.
Selim and his team are best to partner if you plan a trip to this wonderful region. Our itinerary included Shanliurfa, Gebekle Tepe, Karakhan Tepe, Nemrut Dag, Mardin and Diarbakyr. We booked accomodation ourselves as we got good hotel deas and decided to chose some chain hotels, but Selim had good recommendadtions himself. I appreciate Selim's organization skills, his reliability and flexibility to accomodate all our needs throughout our journey, his professional insights on what not/to do. Also, we wanted to visit some places on our own, so Selim provided us with a private driver and a separate guide - both exceeded our expectations. Net, in the region where not everyone speaks English or Russian, Selim was key to help us navigate around.
If you have a chance to visit Turkey, you can not have a better guide than Selim. I felt that I not only experienced the archeological wonders that Turkey has to offer, but I felt that I got a great introduction to today's Turkey and it's culture. Selim is extremely knowledgeable about the different sites, such as Gobektli Tepe. Touring with Selim is definitely a college level class. But Selim's personal touch makes it easy to learn and fun to experience. By the end of the tour, I not only felt that I want to return to visit Turkey, I feel that I have a friend to visit when I get there. Selim has my highest recommendation!
İ feel very lucky to experience this magical trip with our guide Selim Bakır who was the authority and the perfect knowledged person about everywhere we went he guided us so well that we left our mind and soul in Şanlıurfa even our body is back in Istanbul. He is the local and tells us every history perfectly detailed which will stay in our minds forever.Thank you Selim Bakir for guiding us and hope everybody can find you and profit from your friendly kind impressive and professional job. Thank you
During our three-day trip to Urfa, our guide, Mr. Selim Bakır, was the most knowledgeable and expert guide I know about the region. From the moment he met us at the airport, he created incredible moments, and we had a perfect tour, including our stay at the hotel. Thank you so much, Mr. Selim, for everything. A trip you can comfortably take with your family and loved ones.
We were the group with the best guide in this amazing city. Even though we were a large school group, we had the best guide. Selim Bey took us on a tour of every corner of Urfa, from top to bottom. He managed this large group very well, creating an unforgettable experience for us in just three days. It was never a dull moment; every place we visited was beautiful in its own way. Selim Bey's narration and mastery of the subject made the entire trip unforgettable. Our whole group loved him very much. Greetings to Mr. Selim from here, we love you very much.
Mr. Selim was an amazing tour guide. We were shown every place worth visiting and told them everything that needed to be said.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone involved, especially Mr. Selim, for this wonderful three-day program in Şanlıurfa. It was a highly educational and instructive trip where history, culture, and spirituality intertwined, and every moment held a unique value. In addition, we had the opportunity to taste the unique flavors of Urfa, which was a pleasant and unforgettable experience. We would also like to thank Mr. Selim for managing the process perfectly with his interest, sincerity, and professionalism. Everything was very carefully planned and thought out. Looking forward to meeting again in new organizations…
Throughout the trip with Mr. Selim, we saw the best places and ate the best food. Selim Bey's knowledge of the region was incredible. Thank you so much for everything. We hope to see you again on another trip :)
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