Butique Mardin Tour from Ankara by Air: Midyat Ezidi and Syriac Villages 2 Nights 3 Days
Tour Detail
In this itinerary, we fly from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Diyarbakır and return by plane from Batman, spending 3 days exploring Diyarbakır, Mardin, Midyat, and Hasankeyf. We stay in half-board accommodation on the first night in Mardin and the second night in Midyat. What sets this tour apart from similar ones is that it allocates time not only to the well-known attractions in Mardin but also to villages in the Turabdin region: Kafro (Elbeğendi), Mağaraköy (Kiwex), and Haberli (Basibrin).
Round-trip plane tickets are included in the tour price. Transportation within the area is provided by our own vehicle.
Key Features
- Round trip by direct flight from Ankara, with plane tickets included
- One night of half-board accommodation each in Mardin and Midyat
- Visits to the villages of Kafro (Elbeğendi), Mağaraköy, and Haberli
- The monasteries of Deyr-ul Zaferan and Mor Gabriel
- The ancient city of Dara and Hasankeyf
- Ulu Mosque, the city walls, and the Ten-Arch Bridge in Diyarbakır
Places to Visit
- Diyarbakır: Ulu Mosque and its complex, Four-Pillared Minaret, Surp Giragos Armenian Church, Hasan Pasha Han, Diyarbakır City Walls (panoramic view), Ten-Arch Bridge
- Mardin: Kasımiye Madrasa, old streets of Mardin, Kırklar Church, Latifiye Mosque, Ulu Mosque, mansions designed by Cercis Löle, Covered Bazaar, Marangozlar Café, Post Office Building, Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery (Mor Hananyo), ancient city of Dara, White Water
- Midyat and its villages: Kafro (Elbeğendi) Village, Midyat State Guesthouse, Gümüşçüler Bazaar, Mağaraköy (Kiwex), Haberli (Basibrin) Village and Mor Dodo Church, Mor Gabriel (Deyr-ul Umur) Monastery
- Hasankeyf: Zeynel Bey Tomb, El-Rızk Mosque, Artuklu Bathhouse, viewing terrace
- Batman:Lunch break and airport transfer
Accommodation
- 1st night: Mardin, Raymar Hotel, etc.
- 2nd night: Midyat, Raymar Hotel, Baypark Hotel, Asur Imperial Hotel, etc.
Meals
The accommodation is half-board: 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners at the hotel are included in the tour price. The breakfast and lunches taken at a restaurant in Diyarbakır on the first day are extra charges.
Departure Points
- 06:00 Esenboğa Airport Domestic Terminal (meeting point)
- 07:55 Flight from Ankara to Diyarbakır, arrival at 09:20
- Return: Flight from Batman to Ankara at 18:50, arrival at Esenboğa Airport at 20:20
Tour Program
Ankara – Diyarbakır – Mardin
We meet at the Domestic Terminal of Esenboğa Airport at 06:00 in the morning. After checking in for tickets and luggage, we depart for Diyarbakır at 07:55 on an AJet scheduled flight, arriving there at 09:20. Changes to flight times may occur due to airline reasons.
We meet our vehicle at the airport and first head to a restaurant for a Diyarbakır breakfast. Afterwards, in Diyarbakır—one of Anatolia’s oldest cities—we visit the Ulu Mosque and its complex, the Four-Pillared Minaret belonging to the Akkoyunlu-era Sheikh Mutahhar Mosque, the Surp Giragos Armenian Church, and the historic Hasan Pasha Han. We also get a panoramic view of the Diyarbakır Walls, which are listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. After seeing the On Gözlü Bridge at the foot of Kırklar Dağı, we set off for Mardin.
Our first stop in Mardin is the Kasımiye Madrasa, whose construction began during the Artukid period and has survived to this day. After visiting the madrasa, we head back to our hotel. Dinner and accommodation are provided at our hotel in Mardin.
Breakfast: Served at a restaurant; extra charge.
Lunch: Available during free time; extra charge.
Dinner: Served at the hotel; included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Raymar Hotel, etc.
Mardin – Dara Ancient City – White Water – Kafro (Elbeğendi) – Midyat
After breakfast at the hotel, we walk through the streets of Old Mardin. Along the narrow lanes, passing by some archways, we visit the Church of the Forty, Latifiye Mosque, Ulu Mosque, the residences designed by Mimarbaşı Cercis Löle, Revaklı Çarşı, Marangozlar Kahvehanesi, and the Post Office Building. We also take a break for tea and coffee in the tea gardens with views of Mesopotamia.
Next, we visit the Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery (Mor Hananyo). Once an important center for Syriac and religious education, it remains a sacred place for the Syriac Orthodox community today. After the monastery, we head to Dara, where we explore the archaeological sites, cistern, dungeon, and rock tombs in the ancient city of Dara.
On our way to Midyat, we stop in Beyaz Su to relax and enjoy tea and coffee. Afterwards, we go to Kafro (Elbeğendi), one of Midyat’s Syriac villages. The village is famous for the pizzas made by Syriacs who returned from abroad.
After our visit to the village, we arrive in Midyat and see the Midyat State Guesthouse, a Syriac mansion considered one of the region’s most beautiful historical buildings and also the location where the TV series Sıla was filmed. Those who wish to see examples of carpet weaving or shop can spend some free time at Gümüşçüler Çarşı and a cosmetics store. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel in Midyat.
Breakfast: Served at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Lunch: Taken during free time, at an extra cost.
Dinner: Served at the hotel, included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Raymar Hotel, Baypark Hotel, Asur Imperial Hotel, etc.
Mağaraköy – Haberli Köyü – Mor Gabriel Monastery – Hasankeyf – Batman – Ankara
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Mağaraköy (Kiwex) in the Turabdin region and take a tour of the village. From there, we proceed to Haberli (Basibrin), a Syriac village. The Mor Dodo Church, the oldest and most important church in the village with a history believed to date back to around the 6th century, is still open for worship today.
After visiting the villages, we explore the Mor Gabriel (Deyr-ul Umur) Monastery and its church, then set off toward Hasankeyf. In Hasankeyf, we see the Zeynel Bey Mausoleum, which has been moved to a new location, the El-Rızk Mosque, the Artuklu Bathhouse, and other historical sites. We take a break for tea and coffee on the viewing terrace while photographing the Tigris River. If the water level and weather conditions permit, we offer an additional boat tour for those who wish.
Next, we head to Batman. After a meal break, we go to Batman Airport. After completing ticket and baggage checks, we depart on flight VF4115 from Batman to Ankara at 18:50, arriving in Ankara at 20:20, thus concluding our tour.
Breakfast: Served at the hotel; included in the tour price.
Lunch: To be arranged during free time; additional cost applies.
Departure Points
- 06:00 Esenboğa Airport Domestic Terminal (meeting point)
What's Included
- Round-trip flight ticket
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation
- 2 breakfasts
- 2 dinners
- Professional guide service
- All transportation within the area
- Trip insurance
Not Included
- All lunches
- Dinner on the last day
- Admissions to museums and historical sites
- Drinks served with meals
- Tours and activities specified as extras in the program
General Information
- Changes due to airline reasons may occur in flight times.
- The tour is organized with a minimum of 25 participants. If the required number of attendees is not reached, a cancellation notice will be given at least 20 days before the tour departs.
- Hotels that are not listed in the program or are offered as alternatives for the same destination will be notified two days before departure.
- The boat tour in Hasankeyf is an extra service and is only conducted if the water level is sufficient and weather conditions are favorable.
- In sales of package tours with discounts for early booking or promotions, any cancellation from the date of reservation, regardless of the reason, results in the loss of the full tour fee with no refund. Name and date changes as well as requests to transfer the tour are not accepted in these sales.
- Book Now & Pay Later. · Make your reservation now, pay anytime before the tour starts.