Origins of Civilization

A signature eight-day luxury expedition through Southeastern Turkey and Upper Mesopotamia — from Gaziantep's mosaics and legendary kitchens, along the Euphrates at Halfeti, into the Neolithic sanctuaries of Şanlıurfa, and on to the timeless stone city of Mardin.

Sample Journey · Fully Tailor-Made

This itinerary is a sample. Every Sumera journey is composed privately around your interests, pace and timing — durations, sites and stays are rewritten for your party.

Duration

8 days · 7 nights

Party

2 – 8 guests

Starting from

From €3,950 per guest

Prices are per person, based on double/twin sharing. Final rates may vary depending on group size, travel dates and final arrangements.

Day by day

The itinerary in detail.

Day 01
Gaziantep. Arrival in Gaziantep. Private airport transfer and hotel check-in. Welcome dinner.
Day 02
Gaziantep. Visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Explore Gaziantep Old City and the historic bazaar. Gastronomy-focused evening experience.
Day 03
Gaziantep → Halfeti → Şanlıurfa. Depart Gaziantep and continue to Halfeti. Private Euphrates boat experience and the famous sunken minaret. Continue to Şanlıurfa and hotel check-in.
Day 04
Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe & Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. A full archaeological day focused on Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, continuing with the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Return to Şanlıurfa.
Day 05
Şanlıurfa Heritage. Explore Balıklıgöl, the historic bazaar and the Old City, with time for local culture and gastronomy. Evening Sıra Gecesi experience.
Day 06
Şanlıurfa → Mardin & Dara. Private scenic transfer towards Mardin. Visit Dara Ancient City, then continue to Mardin and hotel check-in.
Day 07
Mardin & Tur Abdin. Visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Mor Gabriel Monastery. Explore Mardin Old City.
Day 08
Departure. Morning in Mardin depending on flight schedule. Private airport transfer and departure.

Included

·Private chauffeured transfers throughout, in late-model luxury vehicles
·Stays in hand-selected boutique residences, suites and cave hotels
·Daily breakfasts, curated tasting menus and signature dinners
·Privately guided visits with licensed professional guides and expert-led interpretation
·All museum, monument and site entrance fees
·24/7 on-call concierge throughout the journey
·Specialist meetings and enhanced access may be arranged upon request, subject to official permissions, local regulations and availability

Not included

·International flights to and from Turkey
·Domestic flights between regions when scheduled in the itinerary
·Travel insurance (we strongly recommend comprehensive cover)
·Visa fees where applicable
·Personal expenses, premium spirits and gratuities

Visions of the journey

From Roman mosaics to the Neolithic horizon.

A glimpse of the textures that compose this sample journey — Zeugma's incandescent floors, the Euphrates at Halfeti, Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, and Mardin's terraces above the plain.