Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe from Istanbul 2 Day Private Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Explore the Birthplace of Human Civilization – From Göbekli Tepe to the Legends of Abraham
4 stops
1
Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum
We will arrange for your airport pick up, or hotel and then begin your journey at one of Turkey’s most important museums, home to world-famous discoveries from the Neolithic era. See the life-size Urfa Man — considered the oldest known human statue — and examine original stones from Nevali Çori, a submerged prehistoric temple now reconstructed inside the museum. The museum also features a full-scale replica of Göbekli Tepe’s Enclosure D, giving you context before you visit the real thing.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
2
BalIklIgol
Visit the holy site of Balıklıgöl, where tradition holds that the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by King Nimrod — and God turned the flames to water and the embers to sacred fish. Explore Abraham’s Cave, said to be his birthplace, and take in the peaceful atmosphere of this revered pilgrimage site.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
KIzIlkoyun Nekropolu
The newly uncovered rock tombs of Kızılkoyun, dating from the 2nd–4th century AD. With over 60 tombs carved directly into the limestone hills, this necropolis reveals the fusion of Roman and local funerary practices in ancient Edessa (modern-day Urfa).
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Gobeklitepe
End the day, before dinner, by stepping onto the sacred ground of Göbekli Tepe, built more than 11,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers — long before writing or pottery. Walk among towering T-shaped pillars carved with animals and cosmic symbols that continue to mystify archaeologists. This is the site that’s rewriting the origins of religion, civilization, and human consciousness.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Karahan Tepe and the Lost Temples of the Ancients
3 stops
5
BalIklIgol
Sanliurfa Old Bazaar Step into the soul of Urfa through its vibrant bazaar, where ancient rhythms still echo through the alleys. From handcrafted textiles and sheepskin rugs to ironmongers and spice stalls, this isn’t just a market — it’s a living museum of Anatolian culture. Meet artisans whose techniques haven’t changed in centuries.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
Sogmatar: The Forgotten Sky Temple Hidden in the hills lies Sogmatar — a forgotten spiritual center from the 2nd century. Here, temples were dedicated to celestial bodies: the Sun, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. Some believe Prophet Moses lived here in exile. The central hilltop sanctuary and strange inscriptions carved into the rocks suggest a place of astrology, prophecy, and burial — an open-air temple where the stars were worshipped. One of the most mysterious sites in our region.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Journey into the wild hills of Karahan Tepe — one of the most extraordinary sites of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic. Considered the most important discovery of 21st century. Older than Göbekli Tepe and less visited, Karahan reveals a surreal underworld of carved T-pillars, mysterious faces in stone, and a sunken chamber that feels like an initiation pit. With no crowds and open skies, this is where the past still breathes.
3 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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