I spent most of the time looking out the bus window and watching the changing light over the Mesopotamian Plain; the fields turning from yellow to red were especially striking, especially in the late afternoon. On the way up to Old Mardin, as the bus wound around the bends, the city’s stone buildings and the plain stretching below gradually came into view, and there were plenty of chances to stop for photos. The boat tour in Halfeti was extra, but seeing the old buildings along the shore in silence as we moved across the water was worthwhile. The summer heat was tiring at times, especially in Harran where the air felt heavy even in the shade, but the guide tried to adjust the pace accordingly. The hotels were satisfying in terms of the view; watching the sunrise from the balcony before breakfast added a lovely sense of calm for someone traveling alone. Overall, it was a slow-paced, scenery-focused program where you could do a lot of observing.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MESOPOTAMIA
🚌 Reserve your spot now for the GAP TOUR!
✨ GAP TOUR ✨
💸 Only 12,999 ₺ per person in double rooms
🕒 5 Days, 4 Nights
3 Nights Hotel Accommodation
👨👩👧👦 Child Discounts
• 0-2 Years: Free
• 2-5 Years: 40% Discount
• 6-11 Years: 30% Discount
• 12 Years and Over: Full Price
🔻 Places to Visit / See 🔻
📍 Halfeti
📍 Halfeti Boat Tour (Extra)
📍 Şanlıurfa
📍 Balıklıgöl
📍 Aynzeliha Lake
📍 Historical Bazaars
📍 Harran
📍 Harran Domed Houses
📍 Göbeklitepe
📍 Mardin
📍 Old Mardin
📍 Mardin Grand Mosque
📍 Şahtana Mansion
📍 Şehidiye Madrasa
📍 Mesopotamia Plain
📍 Dara Ancient City (Extra)
📍 Beyazsu (Extra)
📍 Midyat
📍 Midyat Guesthouse
📍 Filigree Workshop
📍 Şahkulu Bey Mansion
📍 Diyarbakır
📍 Ongözlü Bridge
📍 Hevsel Gardens (Panoramic)
📍 Keçi Bastion (Panoramic)
📍 Mardin Gate
📍 Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı House (If Open)
📍 Diyarbakır Grand Mosque
✅ SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
🟢 Round-trip Transportation
🟢 3 Breakfasts
🟢 2 Dinners
🟢 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation
🟢 Professional Guide Service
🟢 Mandatory Travel Insurance
🟢 National Park Entrance Fees
🟢 Surrounding Tours Specified in the Program
🟢 On-board Refreshments
⛔ SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
🔴 Breakfast on the First Day
🔴 Lunches
🔴 Museum and Ruins Entrance Fees
🔴 Halfeti Boat Tour (Extra)
🔴 Şanlıurfa Sıra Night (With Local Food - Extra)
🔴 Dara Ancient City & Beyazsu Minibus Transportation (Extra)
🚌 VEHICLE DEPARTURE AND MOVEMENT TIMES
⏰ 15:00 – Beylikdüzü
⏰ 15:15 – Avcılar
⏰ 15:20 – Sefaköy
⏰ 15:30 – İncirli
⏰ 15:45 – Mecidiyeköy
⏰ 16:00 – Kadıköy
⏰ 16:10 – Bostancı
⏰ 16:20 – Kartal and Pendik Bridge
⏰ 16:45 – Gebze
⏰ 17:00 – İzmit
⏰ 17:30 – Sakarya Alpet
⚠️ Capacity is limited. Don’t forget to reserve your spot without delay!
📲 For Detailed Information & Reservation
📞 0501 706 09 49
🌐 www.turillatravel.com
What's Included
✅ SERVICES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
🟢 Round-trip Transportation
🟢 3 Breakfasts
🟢 2 Dinners
🟢 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation
🟢 Professional Guiding Service
🟢 Mandatory Travel Insurance
🟢 National Park Entrance Fees
🟢 Excursions Mentioned in the Program
🟢 Refreshments on the Vehicle
Not Included
⛔ SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
🔴 First Day Breakfast
🔴 Lunches
🔴 Museum and Ruins Entrance Fees
🔴 Halfeti Boat Tour (Extra)
🔴 Şanlıurfa Sıra Night (With Local Meal - Extra)
🔴 Dara Ancient City & Beyazsu Minibus Transportation (Extra)
Reviews
12 ReviewsWe arranged this tour at the last minute together with my spouse, and overall we thought it was worth the money we paid. The fact that transportation and three nights of hotel accommodation were included was especially important for us, particularly since prices had gone up during the spring season. The hotel breakfasts were adequate, and although the evening meals were not buffet-style, they were filling. Thanks to the guide’s explanations at Balıklıgöl and Göbeklitepe, we understood the region much better; the historical part was truly rich. The Halfeti boat tour was extra, so it stretched our budget a bit; I wish it had been included in the price. Even though it was spring, the weather was quite hot around midday, so wearing light but long-sleeved clothes was a good idea, especially during the walks in Harran and Mardin. The refreshments on the vehicle and the fact that the side excursions listed in the program did not bring any extra expense also put us at ease. A minor downside was that at some stops we waited quite a long time to gather the group, but the overall flow was not disrupted. For those looking for a regular, full program with good value for money, it is a very balanced option.
Impressive. The tour I joined with a close friend in the cool autumn weather was quite satisfying considering the fee we paid. Since round-trip transportation, three nights at the hotel, and breakfast were included, our extra expenses were mostly limited to museum entrance fees and lunch. Although the boat tour in Halfeti was an extra cost, it was worth it, especially listening to the guide’s explanations about the changes in water level and the old settlement. It was nice that the guide went into historical details at Balıklıgöl and Göbeklitepe, and not having to pay separately for National Park entrance fees was an advantage. Only on some days did the time given for lunch feel a little short, and we felt rushed to eat. Still, overall, the price-performance balance was quite good in terms of the organization, regular refreshments on the bus, and the quality of the accommodation.
Walking through the old streets of Mardin in the cool late afternoon and looking out over the Mesopotamian Plain at sunset from above was truly impressive. At the Şehidiye Madrasa, the guide’s calm, example-filled explanation of the history also caught the children’s attention. The hotel accommodation was clean and comfortable, and the breakfasts were sufficient. The only issue was that the bus felt crowded at times, and the waiting times at some stops were long. Nevertheless, the overall organization was orderly, and in terms of value for money, it was quite a sensible option for seeing the region in autumn.
Listening to the Mesopotamian stories told by the guide on the bus, the journey from Halfeti to Mardin was very enjoyable in the dimness of winter evenings. The only downside was the brief delays encountered when boarding the bus at some stops.
I’d like to share our own experience for those who are still unsure after reading this review. We joined at the end of January with my wife and our two children, and because it was winter we were especially hesitant about transportation and accommodation. The bus was warm, the break intervals were reasonable, and having 3 nights of hotel accommodation included in the price made it very balanced from a budget perspective. Three breakfasts and two dinners were enough, and the children didn’t go hungry either; just remember that you need to arrange your own lunches, so it’s good to go knowing that in advance. Although the boat tour in Halfeti was extra, it was worth the fee we paid—the children were really impressed seeing the old settlements above the water. In Şanlıurfa, during the visits to Balıklıgöl and Aynzeliha Lake, the guide explained the history in a very understandable way, and especially the small archaeological details he shared in the Göbeklitepe section made the tour feel even more worthwhile. In Mardin, the free time in Old Mardin’s streets and around the Great Mosque was sufficient, but since Dara Ancient City is extra, whether to join it or not depends on your budget; when entrance fees and extra tour charges are added up, the total can get a bit high by the end of the day. One small downside was that the first day’s breakfast was not included in the price, so we were a bit unprepared early in the morning; I wish that had been made clearer in advance. Still, overall, considering the professional guidance, mandatory insurance, and national park entrance fees being included, it was a satisfying trip in terms of value for money, especially for a family with children.
Before joining the tour, I thought the photos on social media looked a bit exaggerated, especially for Halfeti and Göbeklitepe. I went with a close friend, and the moment that impressed us the most was during the boat tour in Halfeti near sunset. In the orange light reflecting on the water, the silhouette of the old stone houses was truly delightful for anyone who loves taking photos; we captured beautiful shots with the sound of the waves mingling with the call to prayer. During a short break in Old Mardin overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, the atmosphere was made even better as the daylight slowly softened while the guide рассказывал about the region’s history. The hotel stay and the breakfasts met my expectations, and one of the dinners was a bit ordinary, but it was enough to keep us from going hungry. On the first day, there were a few unnecessary waits during the long bus ride, which made us a little tired; still, the guide’s calm narration and the snacks on the vehicle made the journey more bearable. Overall, thanks to the spring weather, we were neither too cold nor too hot, and a light jacket was enough; the lighting at most stops was also quite satisfying for photography.
I took this trip alone in September, and the Göbeklitepe stop was especially the most impressive for me. The guide explained the excavation process and the symbols on the findings so clearly that scenes came to life in my mind even just looking at the stones. On a lightly breezy, sunny spring day, we were able to walk around comfortably in a thin jacket; plenty of time was given for taking photos. I added the Halfeti boat tour as an extra, and the reflections of the old stone houses on the water looked beautiful at sunset. Although the bus was crowded at times and it was difficult to move through the aisle, the overall organization was orderly. The hotel accommodations were clean, and the breakfasts were filling; I especially liked the varieties of local cheese and olives. It was a full and rich program for those interested in the region’s history.
The scent of incense around Balıklıgöl and the light summer breeze are still in my nose; days have passed, but it keeps coming back to me like a scene in my mind. We went with a large group, and especially the little legends the guide told us in the courtyard of Harran’s domed houses took the tour to a whole different level. On the Halfeti boat tour, as the silhouette of the minaret reflected on the water drifted quietly by, the fatigue from the bus was forgotten. The only downside was that we waited a bit too long in the heat before heading to the Ancient City of Dara; still, the organization was generally well put together, the breakfasts were adequate, and the accommodation was clean and comfortable.
I bought it at the last minute, so my expectations were low, but Göbeklitepe and Balıklıgöl were especially impressive in the evening light. The Halfeti boat tour in the winter cold was freezing, and there was a bit too much waiting on the bus, but overall the program was well organized.
Our driver met us at the airport with a sign. Comfortable ride, water was offered.
We came from Canada and chose the private tour. They tailored the program to our needs, we were very pleased.
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