Nemrut & GAP Express — 4 Days

Arrival in Adıyaman and check-in. The day covers Mount Nemrut National Park (Commagene Colossal Statues), Kâhta Castle (Yeni Kale / New Castle), Arsameia on the Nymphaios Ancient City and Cendere (Severan) Bridge. Mount Nemrut, crowned at 2,134 metres by the tomb-sanctuary (hierothesion) that King Antiochus I of Commagene (69-36 BC) built for himself, is the single most iconic…

1. 08:00 - 10:30 Mount Nemrut National Park (Commagene Colossal Statues)· 150 dk

   Tour coaches can drive up to the car park; the final ascent to the summit is on foot. Parking: A visitor car park just below the summit; from there a stony path leads on foot to the summit.

   The eastern terrace at sunrise; the western terrace at sunset; the row of colossal statue heads; the panorama of the Euphrates valley from the ridge of the tumulus.

   Poor — wheelchair access is very limited due to the stony, steep and uneven path to the summit.

2. 11:00 - 11:45 Kâhta Castle (Yeni Kale / New Castle)· 45 dk

   Tour buses can pull up at the parking area at the foot of the castle; a walk up the hill follows Parking: Village/castle-foot parking area

   Panorama of the Kâhta stream valley and Arsameia from the castle; steep towers; rock-cut passages

   Poor — steep, stony and rocky paths

3. 12:15 - 13:15 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

4. 13:15 - 14:15 Arsameia on the Nymphaios Ancient City· 60 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up to the entrance car park. Parking: Parking is available at the site entrance.

   The Antiochus-Heracles dexiosis relief; the tunnel/cult cave entrance; the view over the Kâhta valley and Yeni Kale from the hillside.

   Poor — the hillside path and steps are not suitable for wheelchairs.

5. 14:45 - 15:25 Cendere (Severan) Bridge· 40 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up at the car park by the bridgehead. Parking: Parking available on the north bank.

   The single arch within the canyon; the surviving Roman columns; the low angle from the streambed; the pedestrian view along the bridge deck.

6. 15:55 - 17:25 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Adıyaman, Kâhta

The day covers Karakuş Tumulus (Commagene Royal Women's Monument), Perre (Perrhe) Ancient City and Rock Tombs, Adıyaman Museum and Adıyaman Çiğ Köfte and Gastronomy Street. The Karakuş Tumulus, rising at the entrance to the Nemrut road in the Kâhta district, is a monument dedicated to the women of the Commagene dynasty.

1. 08:00 - 08:30 Karakuş Tumulus (Commagene Royal Women's Monument)· 30 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up at the roadside area. Parking: Flat roadside parking area.

   The eagle- and lion-topped columns; the tumulus cone; the Nemrut range and the Kâhta plain in the background.

2. 09:00 - 09:50 Perre (Perrhe) Ancient City and Rock Tombs· 50 dk

   Tour buses can pull up to the entrance car park Parking: Parking available at the site entrance

   Rock-cut necropolis façades; the Roman fountain that still flows; interiors of the chamber tombs

   Moderate — flat sections are accessible; paths between rock tombs are uneven

3. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

4. 10:20 - 11:20 Adıyaman Museum· 60 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up around the museum Parking: Museum garden/surrounding car park

   Commagene statue heads; sarcophagus and column display in the garden; mosaic hall

5. 11:50 - 12:50 Adıyaman Çiğ Köfte and Gastronomy Street· 60 dk

   Limited bus parking for central restaurants; walking is recommended Parking: Main-street car parks in the centre

   Hand-kneaded çiğ köfte; lettuce-wrap serving; the lively atmosphere of the gastronomy street

6. 13:20 - 14:50 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Adıyaman, Kâhta

Transfer from Adıyaman to Şanlıurfa. The day covers Göbekli Tepe and Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum. Göbekli Tepe, rising on a limestone ridge of the Germuş range about 15 km northeast of Şanlıurfa, is widely regarded as the oldest known monumental temple complex in human history.

1. 08:00 - 10:30 Transfer from Adıyaman to Şanlıurfa· 150 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 10:30 - 12:30 Göbekli Tepe· 120 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up easily to the visitor centre car park; the climb to the site itself is by shuttle service. Parking: Free car park at the visitor centre; ample space for tour coaches and cars.

   The main observation platform under the canopy, the two central T-pillars of Enclosure D, the relief of Pillar 43 (the Vulture Stone), and the Harran plain/steppe panorama from the ridge. The best light is in the early morning.

3. 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

4. 14:00 - 15:45 Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum· 105 dk

   A separate car park and drop-off/pick-up area is available for tour coaches, suitable for group entry. Parking: A large, free car park is available on the museum grounds, with sufficient capacity for private cars and tour groups.

   The Urfa Man (Balıklıgöl Statue) vitrine; the Göbekli Tepe life-size reconstruction hall; the Taş Tepeler gallery displaying the original T-shaped pillars; and the modern courtyard/atrium galleries.

Route Şanlıurfa, Haliliye

Transfer from Şanlıurfa to Gaziantep. The day covers Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Castle and Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panorama Museum. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum stands on Hacı Sani Konukoğlu Boulevard in the Mithatpaşa neighbourhood of Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district, and opened to the public on 9 September 2011. Transfer at the end of the tour.

1. 08:00 - 09:50 Transfer from Şanlıurfa to Gaziantep· 110 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 09:50 - 11:35 Zeugma Mosaic Museum· 105 dk

   Suitable for tour coaches; a large car park and drop-off/pick-up area on the boulevard frontage makes group entry easy. Parking: A large free/paid visitor car park on the boulevard; the surrounding car parks of the adjacent 100th Year Atatürk Culture Park can also be used.

   The Gypsy Girl private gallery; elevated mosaic terraces and gallery bridges; reconstructed Roman villa floors and wall paintings; large mosaic panels in the entrance atrium.

3. 12:05 - 13:05 Gaziantep Castle· 60 dk

   Tour coaches drop passengers on the boulevards at the foot of the castle, then are directed to nearby car parks. There is no vehicle access for coaches up to the summit; the final stretch is on foot. Parking: The Şehreküstü car park and the car parks around the castle; the car parks around the 100th Year Atatürk Culture Park can also be used.

   The viewing terraces atop the ramparts (city skyline panorama); the main entrance bridge; the cut-stone texture of the 12 bastions; the wide-angle view up from the foot of the mound. Late-afternoon light turns the stone surfaces golden.

   Partly limited: the castle sits on an artificial mound and involves stairs. Ramps and arrangements were improved after the restoration; wheelchair users are advised to come with a companion.

4. 13:35 - 14:35 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

5. 14:35 - 15:30 Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panorama Museum· 55 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter the narrow historic streets; they generally drop off and pick up passengers at wider boulevard/square points at the foot of the castle, and the group walks up. Guides need to plan the drop-off/pick-up point in advance. Parking: Limited street and municipal parking is available immediately around the castle; it is more practical to use the multi-storey/open car parks in the historic bazaar area and walk to the castle. Since central car parks can fill up in peak season, an early visit is recommended.

   The panoramic view over all of Gaziantep from the castle ramparts is the strongest shot; the row of defence-hero statues along the entrance ramp; the stone bridge and gate leading up to the castle; the view of the Ulu Mosque and historic townscape from the bastions; the 360-degree panoramic wall painting among the indoor dioramas.

   Because the castle sits on a hill, access involves sloped ramps, stone paths and stairs; it is difficult for wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility, and assistance is required. Although the walkways have been renewed after the restoration, fully barrier-free access remains limited; confirming the current status before visiting is advised.

6. 16:00 - 17:30 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Gaziantep, Gaziantep (Şehitkamil), Gaziantep (Şahinbey)