Private Tour
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore the historical and mysterious origins of civilization with a two-day private tour to Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe. Departing from Istanbul, this exclusive journey takes you into the heart of ancient Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey, far from the typical tourist crowds.
Our expert guides will lead you through these remarkable Neolithic sites, revealing the history, mythology, and religious traditions of the area. You'll also experience the authentic hospitality and unique gastronomy of the region, ensuring a safe and enriching cultural adventure.
Be prepared to be amazed at the Şanlıurfa Museum, which holds the largest collection of Neolithic artifacts in the world, including incredible discoveries from the very sites you visit.
This tour can be fully customized to your unique interests and preferences, creating a truly personal and unforgettable experience.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
I will be the one to handle the plane ticket that we will be using to reach our destination.
We will be sending the plane ticket next 24 hours after booking.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
400 years old stone house , now using as a boutiqe hotel, name : HASBAHAN KONAK
Gobeklitepe
Göbeklitepe, which means "belly hill", is the oldest known temple in human history, and the first religious center on earth. Approximately 20 temples have been discovered in the region, and so far, six temples have been unearthed. The level of soil at the location of the building shows that the building was buried by human hands, not naturally. Göbeklitepe was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018 and included in the World Heritage List. You can see at least 15 buildings and more than 200 obelisks, T-shaped columns, whose lengths between 3 and 6 meters, are thought to be stylized human figures. 3-dimensional lion relief. These figures strengthen the possibility that lions lived in Anatolia during the Neolithic period. The discovery of Göbeklitepe is an indication that settled life was passed through the temple, not agriculture. Before Göbeklitepe, all history books stated that the transition to settled life occurred with the emergence of farming and animal husbandry.
Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum
Sanlıurfa Archaeological Museum: After Gobekli Tepe, visit the Sanlıurfa Archaeological Museum to further immerse yourself in the historical artifacts of the region. Visitors to the Museum will have the opportunity to view a range of fascinating exhibits, including the oldest statue in the world, an imitation of the Göbeklitepe D Temple, the original Nevali Çori Temple, numerous periodic animations, about 13,200 artifacts, and some of the most aesthetically pleasing mosaics in the world at the New Şanlıurfa Museum.
BalIklIgol
Experience the beauty of Abraham Pool and its cave through scenic views and nature walks. Balıklıgol, the Pool of Abraham is famous for its significance in Jewish and Islamic legends, where it is believed that Nimrod threw Abraham into a fire. The Cave of Abraham is a famous pilgrimage site in Urfa, believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham. Devotees go there to pray and pay their respects to one of history's most revered prophets. The cruel King Nimrod ordered all newborn children to be killed upon learning of Abraham's coming birth, so he spent about ten years of his life in the cave as protection. A praying area has been constructed inside the cave, but the exact spot where Abraham was born is protected by a glass encasement. There are also faucets inside the cave where devotees can wash their hands with holy water. To enter the cave, you must go through the same courtyard as the Mevlid-I Halil Mosque.
Gumruk Han
We discover the magnificent taste of the Pistachio Coffee made from wild pistachios in the 440-year-old Gumruk Han, located in the center of the historical bazaars, and as the proverb goes, "A cup of coffee is remembered for forty years", we start a lifelong friendship with our guest.
We dont have accomidation today , flying back to istanbul
Karahantepe Orenyeri
Karahan Tepe is an archaeological site in Şanlıurfa Province in Turkey. The site is close to Göbekli Tepe and archaeologists have also uncovered T-shaped stelae there. The excavations have uncovered 250 obelisks featuring animal figures. The site is located near Yağmurlu and roughly 46 kilometers east of Göbekli Tepe, which is often called its sister site. It is part of the Göbeklitepe Culture and Karahantepe Excavations project. The area is known as “Keçilitepe” by local people. It is part of a region of similar sites now being uncovered known as the Taş Tepeler.
Sumatar (Sogmatar)
The word Soğmatar comes from the word "Matar" in Arabic that means rain. It is believed that in the region, Prophet Moses escaped from Pharaoh, and engaged in farming here and that one of the well holes was opened by the miraculous scepter of Prophet Moses. In the centre of the town is a hill with remnants of a civilization that dates back to the 2nd century, during this time it was a pagan centre. The hill was an outside sanctuary, originally the seven temples, and each temple on a different hill; the Sun, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. More investigation revealed this was a grave monument and sacred area which is thought to be a representation of Mare-late, the Lord of Gods, with those praying to the centre of the hill similar to modern prayers towards Mecca. In Sogmatar, You will visit Pognon’s Cave, sacred hill, and Mars temple.
Harran
we will visit nearby Harran and see the incredible beehive houses. Harran- according to the Bible- was the site where prophet Abraham spent a few years with his family before moving on to Israel, the Promised Land. There are exceptional photo opportunities in this area.
Meshur Harran Evleri
bee houses you must see
Transfers in Istanbul, hotel-airport-hotel
2 breakfast , second day on the hotel
Flight tickets Istanbul to Şanlıurfa and Şanlıurfa to Istanbul
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional tour guide
Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast)
Lunches and dinners
Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Airport, Odayeri
Odayeri Mah. Selcuk Bey Sok. No. 27, Odayeri Mah. Istanbul Turkiye
Eresin Hotels Sultanahmet - Boutique Class
Kucuk Ayasofya Cad. No: 40, Küçük Ayasofya Mah Istanbul Turkiye
Hilton garden inn , Hasbahan
mercedes vito van , Renault M
Pickup included
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
767aysunc,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our Göbeklitepe tour became an unforgettable experience thanks to our guide, Selim. With his vast knowledge and great energy, he brought the whole journey to life. It wasn’t just about history — it felt like traveling back in time. We learned so much while truly enjoying ourselves. His hospitality, kindness, and attention to every detail made the day perfect. We highly recommend him to anyone visiting this magical place!”
Gregory D,,Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
This was the BEST TOUR EVER!!! First - if you are debating about whether to take a side trip from Istanbul to Gobekli Tepe - ABSOLUTELY DO IT! So much amazing history and culture! And second - if you are unsure about which tour operator to use - ABSOLUTELY GO WITH SELIM!!! Selim is just the best - he is the owner of his own agency and accompanied us throughout the trip. He so clearly puts his guests needs front and center, and is an excellent source of modern and historical knowledge of the region. He is a born-and-raised local of the region and seems to know everyone - we jokingly called him the “Mayor of Sanliurfa”. Exceptional pre-trip communication via WhatsApp - airport transfers and flights pre- and post-trip went off without a hitch. Gobelkli Tepe and Karan Tepe were the highlights of the tour, but so many more layers to the history of the area - 12000 years worth. Neolithic - Roman/Byzantine - Ottoman - sites with religious significance. No way we could have done half as much on our own. Whole trip is also a fascinating drive through the agricultural heart of modern-day Turkey - thanks to an impressive Euphrates river irrigation system. Great introduction to local foods - two breakfasts and a lot of snacks and tea provided - two late lunches/early dinners at excellent local restaurants for a very reasonable extra price. Hotel was a sweet little courtyard hotel in the center of town that set just the right tone for the trip. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
hakan ö,,Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had an amazing tour of Göbeklitepe with Selim Bakir. Communication with him was very easy, he replied quickly to WhatsApp messages, and he met us at our hotel right on time. What makes a tour with him special is his deep knowledge of the area and his close ties with both the local community and the excavation teams. Thanks to his connections with archaeologists and excavation leaders going back to the early years of the dig, he shares stories and details that you simply wouldn’t hear elsewhere. He knows Göbeklitepe and the other “taş tepeler” extremely well. His English is very fluent, and it’s clear that he keeps up to date with the latest discoveries since the excavations are still ongoing. You can really feel his passion for the site and the effort he has put into his work from the way he talks about it. I highly recommend a tour with Selim Hoca. On top of everything, his local food recommendations were also excellent. I definitely want to meet him again and bring more friends on a future trip.
andreagasa7,,Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This was truly one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life. From start to finish, everything about this private tour was exceptional. Selim, my guide, is not only incredibly kind and professional but also speaks excellent English and has an impressive depth of knowledge about the entire Mesopotamian region. He brought these ancient sites to life with stories of history, mythology, and the spiritual traditions that shaped them. Visiting Göbekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe and Sogmatar felt like stepping into the dawn of human civilization. Selim also introduced me to the unique gastronomy of Southeastern Turkey, and every moment felt carefully tailored to my interests. I felt safe, cared for, and completely immersed in this rich and mystical land. A side note Selim is a great photographer he knows exactly how to capture the magic of the moment so I got good pictures as well a super plus 😊 If you are even slightly curious about these ancient wonders, do not hesitate—this tour is worth every moment. It’s an experience that will stay with you forever.








Operated by SELİM BAKIR TURİZM