CAPPADOCIA-NEMRUT-URFA-HARRAN-CAPPADOCIA (3 DAYS)
Departing on Monday & Thursday through April-November
Mt Nemrut; At the junction of the East and West civilisations, Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey. A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. Nemrut Dagi has since been a significant attraction, with thousands sunrise and sunset visitors to see the stones in the best possible light. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks in the country. In addition to the statues, the entire site includes art from the Commagene civilisation, the Eskikale (Old Castle), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge. Most people use the nearby towns of Malatya, Kahta or Adiyaman as a base, and the road to the summit is only open from mid-April to mid-October because of heavy snow the rest of the year.
The region that lies between the Taurus Mountains and the Euphrates was called Commagene during the Greek and Roman periods. Commagene was established originally as an independent kingdom in 162 BC by Mithridates Kalinikos. I. Mithridates brought together Persians and Macedonians and other communities in the area to form this powerful state and named it Commagene, which means "community of genes" in Greek. The kingdom was at the height of its splendor during the period of King Antiochos I (69-36 B.C.), who succeeded Mithridates. Most of the archeological remains which survive to our times, including the tumulus at the peak of Nemrut Dag, which still refuses to reveal all its secrets, are from the time of Antiochos I. At the cone shape summit of this 2,200m elevated mountain one can find statues mythical figures of Apollon, Zeus, Hercules and others. These gigantic heads fallen from the tomb of the obscure Commagene king Antiochus, stare at you silenty for more than 2000 years and were first found in 1881 by Karl Sester, a German archeologist. They are carved around 63 B.C during the reign of Antiochus-I, the emperor of the Commagene King. Here you can wonder around the cone shape, a man made summit, where Antiochus´ tumulus was located which were hidden under the man made limestone dome. In 1987, Nemrut mountain became a member of UNESCO World Heritage list. It is also a National park.
Day 1 : Cappadocia - Adiyaman - Kahta : Early departure from Cappadocýa for Adiyaman . After 1.5 hour’s drive , we visit the Seljuk Karatayhan Caravanserai on the famous Silk Rosd. We then drive through the Taurus Mountains, affording us the opportunityto obseve the countryside and everday life of rural Turkey, which is copletely different from that in the coastal resorts. After lunch in the Tekir Forest , we head towards Kahramanmaras , which is famous for its ice cream, arriving in Kahta in the late afternoon .We have dinner at the Atatürk Dam and stay overnight in Kahta .
Day 2 : Mount Nemrut - Sanliurfa - Harran : An early start to watch the sun rise on spectacular Mount Nemrut , the stunning setting for the huge stone heads, all that remans of the statues in the Commagene Temple. In this area we will also visit the capital of the Commagene Kingdom, Arsemia ; a tumulus on Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge, before heading on to Sanliurfa. We arrive at Urfa at noon and have lunch before visiting Harran, the famed city of Mesapotamia, a mystical and ancient village. of’bee hive’houses built of mud bricks , which is mentioned in Genesis as being a place where Abraham lived. At the same site We will visit the world’s fýrst Islamic University. We also visit the birthplace of the prophet Abraham With it’s mosques, Abraham’s birth cave and its beatiful gardens. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Harran.
NB-The hike to Mount Nemrut consists of 20-40 minute walk up a 1:3 hill , mostly with steps.
Day 3 : Return to Cappadocia : Return to Cappadocia via a different route, watching the rare Hermit Ibis (Kelaynak), which is in immediate danger of extinction on the way in Birecik. Overnight in Urgup. Departure time is every Monday & Thursday
195 Euro pp sharing double/twin room.
Price lnclude :
All transportation with A/C minibus, 2 nights hotels with HB basis, all lunches and entrance fees for Museums, guiding service(English).
We offer a 5% discount for cash payments.
