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The Cradle of Civilization: A Pilgrimage Through Ancient Mesopotamia
October 11-18, 2027
The lands of southeastern Türkiye lie at the crossroads of history, faith and civilisation. Here the world’s earliest known temple was raised, Abraham began his journey of faith, and some of Christianity’s oldest communities continue to worship in a language closely related to the Aramaic spoken by Jesus. This pilgrimage traces that remarkable story, from the Roman splendour of Gaziantep and the mysteries of Göbekli Tepe to the ancient monasteries of Tur Abdin and the beautiful stone city of Mardin. Combining worship, archaeology, breathtaking landscapes and living Christian tradition, it offers an unforgettable journey through the cradle of civilisation.
Tour Host
Monday 11 October Arrival in Gaziantep
Arrive at Gaziantep Airport (GZT), where we are met by our guide and transferred to our hotel.Dinner and overnight in Gaziantep. (D)
Tuesday 12 October Roman Splendour and Ancient Civilisations - Gaziantep
We begin at the magnificent Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics, rescued from villas beside the Euphrates before the Birecik Dam was built. These masterpieces reveal the meeting of Greek, Roman and Eastern cultures.Later we explore the historic heart of Gaziantep, with its bustling bazaars, traditional copper workshops and medieval citadel, discovering a city that has flourished for millennia at the crossroads of Anatolia and Mesopotamia.Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Gaziantep. (B,D)
Wednesday 13 October The Kingdom of Commagene – Mount Nemrut - Urfa
Today we travel into the mountains to the extraordinary sanctuary of Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, King Antiochus I created one of the ancient world’s most remarkable religious monuments, combining Greek and Persian traditions beneath the gaze of colossal stone statues. The site reflects humanity’s enduring search for the divine and offers breathtaking views across the surrounding landscape. Continuing across the Euphrates, we arrive in Urfa. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Urfa. (B,D)
Thursday 14 October In the footsteps of Abraham – Urfa
In the morning a short drive takes us to Harran, traditionally associated with Abraham before his journey to Canaan, famous for its beehive houses and ancient centre of learning. Returning to Urfa, we visit Balıklıgöl (the Pool of Abraham), the Citadel and the outstanding Urfa Archaeology Museum, whose collections illuminate the remarkable story of this region from prehistory to the classical world. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Urfa. (B,D)
Friday 15 October From the World’s First Sanctuary to the Heart of Syriac Christianity – Mardin
Today’s visits span thousands of years of history: At Göbekli Tepe, the world’s earliest known monumental sanctuary, we encounter humanity’s first great place of worship. Travelling east, we reach the magnificent, terraced city of Mardin, overlooking the Mesopotamian plain. We visit Deyrulzafaran (Mor Hananyo) Monastery, for centuries the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate and one of the oldest centres of Christian monastic life. Here we encounter a living tradition whose worship is still celebrated in Syriac, a language closely related to the Aramaic spoken by Jesus. There will also be time to explore Mardin’s atmospheric old streets. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Mardin. (B,D)
Saturday 16 October The Living Faith of Tur Abdin - Mardin
Today we explore Tur Abdin, the “Mountain of the Servants of God”, one of Christianity’s oldest monastic landscapes. We visit Mor Yakup Monastery at Barıştepe before continuing to the ancient village of Hah (Anıtlı), home to the historic Church of Yoldath Aloho (Bearer of God) and Mor Sobo Church, enduring witnesses to the faith of the Syriac Church.Following lunch in the welcoming village of Beth Kustan, we continue to the magnificent Mor Gabriel Monastery, founded in AD 397 and still home to an active monastic community. As evening approaches, we join the monks for Ramsho (Evensong), experiencing the beauty of Syriac chant within one of Christianity’s oldest living traditions. Dinner in Midyat before returning to Mardin. (B,D)
Sunday 17 October Worship, Witness and Reflection - Mardin
This morning we worship alongside the local Syriac Orthodox community, sharing in the Divine Liturgy and experiencing one of the world’s oldest continuous traditions of Christian worship. Later we visit the remarkable ancient city of Dara, once a great frontier fortress of the Eastern Roman Empire. Its vast underground cisterns, rock-cut tombs and impressive fortifications recall centuries when Christian communities flourished on the frontier between Rome and Persia. Returning to Mardin, there is time to relax, enjoy the unique atmosphere of this beautiful city, and reflect on all we have experienced before gathering for our farewell dinner, celebrating a remarkable journey through the cradle of civilisation and the enduring witness of the ancient Syriac Church. Dinner and overnight in Mardin. (B,D)
Monday 18 October To onward destinations from Mardin airport.
Including
- 2 Nights at Sirehan Hotel or similar in Gaziantep
- 2 Nights at Hotel El Ruha or similar in Urfa
- 3 Nights at Maran House Hotel or similar in Mardin
- Daily open buffet breakfasts
- 2 Dinners at the hotels-5 dinners at local restaurants
- Transportation by private van or coach, depending on the size of the group.
- All airport transfers
- English Speaking Bible-oriented licensed tour guide
- All entry fees to the sites and museums
- Service charges and local taxes
- TUTKU gifts, archaeology map of Turkey, t-shirt, roundended electric adapter
Excluding
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Tips to tour guide (£50 per person) and driver (£20 per person)
- Travel and Health Insurance, any kind of personal expenses
