Wonders of Mesopotamia: “Life in Tur Abdin: Syriacs & Yazidis—Mardin”- Guided

Description

This is a draft program designed to be customised based on your preferences and your fitness level. We provide a detailed itinerary, including the names of accommodations, locals, and lunch spots, to ensure clarity and comfort during your journey. Programs that contain site visits we always suggest you to make these programs guided rather than self-guided.

Please share your proposed number of days, proposed dates, number of participants, fitness level.

Day 1: Arrival – Şırnak Airport and Hiking in Yazidi and Syriac Villages

The tour begins from İstanbul Airport with a flight to Şırnak Airport. After gathering, we embark on a half-day hike through abandoned Yazidi and Syriac villages, where we will be guests of a local family if they are there during the day we visit. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to taste authentic Syriac wines made from local grapes. On our way to Midyat, where we’ll accommodate, we’ll stop at Dayro d-Mor Gabriel Monastery (Monastery of Saint Gabriel), also known as Deyrulumur, one of the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries, located on the Tur Abdin plateau.

Tur Abdin, a special hilly region situated in the west of River Tigris, on the border with Syria, and famed since late antiquity for its Christian monasteries on the border of the Roman and Sasanian Empires. To ensure smooth travel arrangements, we kindly ask participants to confirm your flight details with our team in advance. Following our short walks and visits, we finish our day in Midyat for dinner and overnight accommodation.

The stone houses of Midyat and Mardin reflect a different architectural beauty, built with locally sourced limestone that glows yellow&orange in color under the sunlight. These structures, adorned with intricate carvings, showcase the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Walking through their narrow streets offers a glimpse into centuries-old traditions and craftsmanship.

Day 2: Cehennem Stream and River Tigris Walk – İdil (17 km)

After breakfast, we take a short transfer to İdil to start our hike. The trail follows the Tigris River through the breathtaking Cehennem Valley, where the roaring stream of River Tigris create an unforgettable atmosphere. The hike offers incredible views and a unique experience of nature’s power. At the end of the hike, we return to Midyat for dinner and a second night’s stay.

Day 3 – Saturday / Dara Ancient City and Hike in Yardere Valley (12 km)/Drive to Mardin

Today, we’ll explore Dara Ancient City near Mardin. After a 1-1.5 hour transfer from Midyat, we will begin the program by visiting Dara, a Roman garrison, in the early 6th century. The reason it was built as a military garrison to protect the Roman Empire’s eastern border against the Sassanids.

Following our visit to Dara, we’ll hike approximately 12 km through Yardere Valley, which once supplied water to the ancient city. After the hike, we return to Mardin for dinner and overnight accommodation at a boutique hotel in Old Mardin. Dinner will be at a unique local restaurant, offering a relaxed evening to unwind after two days of long hikes.

Day 4 – Sunday / Mardin / Deyrulzafaran Monastery Hike (5 km) and Departure / Transfer to Mardin Airport

After an early breakfast, we will set out on a hike to the historic Deyrulzafaran Monastery. Following an ancient route, we’ll pass by hilltop monasteries, enjoying a closer look at these significant landmarks before reaching Deyrulzafaran. Around midday, we return to the hotel, check out, and enjoy free time, souvenirs before our transfer to Mardin Airport. Lunch will be a local pizza and Syriac wine produced from local grapes.

Tur Abdin program offers a perfect blend of hiking, history, and cultural discovery, highlighting the rich heritage of Southeastern Turkey.

The number of days and contents can be adjusted, and this program can be combined or tailored with all tours, for ease of access, it’s suggested to blend with Cappadocia, Aladaglar (Anti-Taurus Mountains) and all Wonders of Mesopotamia programs.

Participation Limitations: To ensure a comfortable and efficient experience, the number of participants is limited. Please consider this when planning your trip.

Pre-Booking Options: Pre-booking is available for participants arriving before or after the program dates to help with accommodation and logistics.

Arrival and Departure Information: We recommend sharing your arrival and departure details (dates and times) with our team in advance. This information is necessary to arrange transfers to the city center or airport.

Optional Transfers: For participants who wish to stop the program at a certain point during the day, optional transfers can be arranged at a suitable location. Please note that this incurs an additional cost to be covered by the participant.

Clothing and Equipment: A detailed list of mandatory and optional clothing and equipment will be provided separately before the program.

Health Conditions: Participants with allergies or chronic conditions are required to inform our team during registration to ensure proper precautions are taken. This activity is not recommended for individuals with conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, rheumatism, or epilepsy, as it may be difficult to manage emergencies in nature. Please consult with our team in advance if you have concerns.

Route and Weather Conditions: Mandatory route changes may occur due to weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or storms. Final decisions will be made by the guide, and participants are expected to comply with these changes, including modifications to boat tours.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Due to the limited availability of accommodations in local and remote areas. Many of the lodgings we work with are small, family-run businesses with only a few rooms, making it difficult to cancel or rebook. To secure your spot, a deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure. However, if the program is cancelled by us, the full pre-payment will be refunded.

All programs are conducted by TUREB-licensed guides and arranged by TÜRSAB-certified agency Globe Outdoors Travel (TÜRSAB Document No. A-17542)