Eastern Frontier Adventure: Diyarbakır – Hasankeyf – Cizre – Hakkari — 6 Days

Arrival in Diyarbakır and check-in. The day covers Diyarbakır City Walls, Hasan Pasha Han, Great Mosque of Diyarbakır and Hevsel Gardens. The Diyarbakır City Walls are a monumental defensive circuit roughly 5.8 kilometres long, encircling the old city (Suriçi) on a basalt plateau overlooking the Tigris River.

1. 08:00 - 10:00 Diyarbakır City Walls· 120 dk

   Tour coaches can pull up at the car park areas around Dağ Kapı Square, outside Mardin Kapı and near the İçkale; group drop-off/pick-up is done at these points. Parking: The Dağ Kapı Square car park, the car park outside Mardin Kapı, the İçkale surroundings, and the lower car park near Hevsel/the Ten-Arched Bridge; these can fill up early during spring and religious holidays.

   The panorama of the Hevsel Gardens and Tigris valley from Keçi Burcu; the polychrome basalt-limestone face of the Mardin Gate; the Suriçi skyline from the rampart walkway; the lion-eagle reliefs on the Ulu Beden and Yedi Kardeş bastions; the monumental entrance from Dağ Kapı Square.

   Partial. The gate squares and surrounding roads are largely flat and accessible, but the tower stairs and the rampart walkway are stepped and uneven, making them unsuitable for wheelchairs.

2. 10:30 - 11:30 Hasan Pasha Han· 60 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter Suriçi; they stop at the Dağkapı Square car park, and groups walk to the han along Gazi Caddesi (about 5-7 minutes). Coach manoeuvring in front of the han is not possible. Parking: Because of Suriçi's narrow streets there is no parking directly in front of the han; the nearest car parks are at Dağkapı Square and around Melik Ahmet Caddesi. Visitors leave their vehicles at Dağkapı and walk in.

   The courtyard's banded (ablaq) stone arches and the symmetry of the two-storey galleries; the central eight-column domed şadırvan; the view of the courtyard from the upper gallery; the basalt-limestone banding in morning light; a general shot of the lively courtyard set with breakfast tables.

   The courtyard's ground floor is flat stone paving and largely wheelchair-accessible; however, the historic stone surface can be uneven, and the upper-floor galleries are reached only by stairs (no lift). The Gazi Caddesi route into Suriçi is walkable but includes some sloping or uneven pavement.

3. 12:00 - 12:40 Great Mosque of Diyarbakır· 40 dk

   Tour coaches park around Dağ Kapı Square or outside the Mardin Gate; groups then walk in from there. Large coaches cannot enter the walled old city. Parking: The nearest car park is at Dağ Kapı Square; the old city's streets are narrow and largely pedestrianised, so vehicles cannot drive up to the mosque.

   The two-tier arcades and minaret from the courtyard's northwest corner; the lion-bull combat reliefs on the east and west façades; the sundial section; the polychrome black basalt façade with reused Corinthian-capital columns; the arcade's shadow patterns in morning light.

   As the courtyard floor is largely level stone paving, wheelchair access is reasonably possible; however, entrance thresholds, prayer-hall steps and uneven historic paving may require assistance in places.

4. 13:10 - 14:10 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

5. 14:10 - 14:55 Hevsel Gardens· 45 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter the old city; they use the car parks outside the Mardin Gate and around Keçi Burcu / the Ten-Arched Bridge, and groups walk up to the walls. Parking: Parking is available outside the Mardin Gate, around Keçi Burcu and at the lower Ten-Arched Bridge car park; since the old city is largely closed to traffic, vehicles are left outside the walls.

   Top of Keçi Burcu (Hevsel + Tigris bend + Ten-Arched Bridge in one frame), the Mardin Gate viewpoint, the Tigris Valley terraces, the gardens' golden tones against the walls' silhouette at sunset.

   Limited. The bastion stairs, narrow passages and uneven valley path are unsuitable for wheelchairs; the view can be enjoyed accessibly from the lower car park terrace and around the Ten-Arched Bridge.

6. 15:25 - 16:55 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Diyarbakır

Transfer from Diyarbakır to Batman. The day covers Hasankeyf. Hasankeyf, on the banks of the Tigris in the south of Batman Province, is among the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth, with roots reaching back roughly twelve thousand…

1. 08:00 - 09:35 Transfer from Diyarbakır to Batman· 95 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 09:35 - 13:35 Hasankeyf· 240 dk

   Tour coaches can drive directly into the large car parks around the Cultural Park and the quay; the roads are paved and suitable for coach access. Parking: Large, free car parks at the New Hasankeyf Cultural Park and around the quay/new settlement area; these can get busy in season.

   The Tigris and plain panorama from the castle plateau; the castle and cave slopes from the quayside; the New Hasankeyf skyline from the opposite slope; the turquoise tile details of the Zeynel Bey Tomb in the Cultural Park; the Old Bridge piers and their reflections in the reservoir; shots from the water on the boat tour.

   The Cultural Park is largely flat with landscaped paths, making it partly suitable for wheelchairs; however, the ramp up to the castle is steep, stony and uneven, making it difficult for visitors with limited mobility.

3. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

4. 14:05 - 15:50 Free time — bazaar, centre & shopping· 105 dk

   Free time to explore the bazaar and support local trade (~1.5–2 hours).

   Street texture, tradespeople and handicrafts.

Route Batman, Hasankeyf

Transfer from Batman to Şırnak. The day covers Mount Cudi (Judi) - Noah's Ark Site and Cizre Grand Mosque. Mount Cudi (Judi), rising to 2,114 metres between the Cizre and Silopi districts of Şırnak, is the province's most emblematic natural and spiritual landmark.

1. 08:00 - 10:30 Transfer from Batman to Şırnak· 150 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 10:30 - 13:30 Mount Cudi (Judi) - Noah's Ark Site· 180 dk

   Large buses can only reach the foothill roads/villages; buses cannot approach the summit area. Parking: Informal ground parking at the lower visiting points; no parking at higher elevations.

   The legendary 'Sefine' (ship) site, Prophet Noah Visitation Peak, and views of the summit and the Tigris valley panorama from the lower slopes.

   Not suitable (mountainous, uneven, unimproved terrain).

3. 14:00 - 15:00 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

4. 15:00 - 15:40 Cizre Grand Mosque· 40 dk

   Buses park nearby and visitors walk in; midibuses are suitable. Parking: Narrow streets around the mosque; parking at a nearby square.

   Dragon-figured door knocker (replica); the 1155 minaret; the courtyard and stone facade.

Route Şırnak, Cizre / Silopi, Cizre

Transfer from Şırnak to Cizre. The day covers Tomb of the Prophet Noah, Abdaliye Madrasah, Tomb of Mem û Zîn, Red Madrasah (Medreseya Sor) and Cizre Castle (Birca Belek). The Tomb of the Prophet Noah, in Cizre's Dağkapı quarter, lies in the basement of the Noah Mosque (Nuh Nebi Camii) that bears the same name and is spoken of as one of the world's…

1. 08:00 - 08:55 Transfer from Şırnak to Cizre· 55 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 08:55 - 09:30 Tomb of the Prophet Noah· 35 dk

   Coaches park in a nearby square; the tomb is reached on foot. Parking: Limited parking in the mosque courtyard and surrounding streets.

   The tomb's dome and entrance; the cenotaph chamber (with permission); the façade of the Noah Mosque.

   Limited, as the basement level is reached via stairs.

3. 10:00 - 10:30 Abdaliye Madrasah· 30 dk

   Buses park nearby; access on foot Parking: Nearby square parking

   Stone facade and courtyard; steps down to the tomb; position atop the city walls

   Limited; wall and stair levels

4. 11:00 - 11:30 Tomb of Mem û Zîn· 30 dk

   Coaches park nearby; reached on foot. Parking: Nearby square car park; the streets within the walls are narrow.

   The stone facade of the Abdaliye Madrasah; the stairway at the tomb entrance; the sarcophagus chamber (with permission).

   Very limited; the basement is reached via a narrow staircase.

5. 12:00 - 12:40 Red Madrasah (Medreseya Sor)· 40 dk

   Tour buses are left nearby due to the narrow streets of the old walled town and the site is reached on foot; minibuses are suitable Parking: Limited on surrounding streets; the main square car park can be used

   The red-brick courtyard and arcade row; the entrance facade; the minaret/dome composition seen from the inner courtyard.

   Limited; the courtyard surface is level but historic thresholds and steps are present

6. 13:10 - 14:10 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

7. 14:10 - 14:45 Cizre Castle (Birca Belek)· 35 dk

   Coaches stop on the riverside road; the castle is reached on foot Parking: Around the riverside promenade; limited

   The castle silhouette from the Tigris bank; the surviving tower; the ship-shaped wall line; the river view

8. 15:15 - 16:45 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Cizre

Transfer from Cizre to Hakkari. The day covers Cilo-Sat (Glacier) Mountains National Park. Cilo and Sat Mountains National Park, officially designated as a national park in 2020 and covering roughly 27,500 hectares, is an extraordinary high-mountain ecosystem spanning…

1. 08:00 - 11:30 Transfer from Cizre to Hakkari· 210 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

3. 11:30 - 19:30 Cilo-Sat (Glacier) Mountains National Park· 480 dk

   Tour coaches only as far as the entrance flat; a 4x4 transfer is required beyond that point Parking: A gathering area at the Diz/Kırıkdağ entrance flat; no parking further inside the area

   The Reşko ridge from the shore of the glacial lakes; the panorama of the glacier tongue from the moraine hills; turquoise lake reflections in morning light

   None; the challenging terrain is not suitable for visitors with disabilities

Route Hakkari

The day covers Cilo Glacier and Glacial (İzbırak) Lakes. The Cilo glacier and the glacial lakes formed at its foot (locally called the İzbırak/Buzul lakes) are the most spectacular and most-photographed attractions of Hakkari's nature… Transfer at the end of the tour.

1. 08:00 - 14:00 Cilo Glacier and Glacial (İzbırak) Lakes· 360 dk

   Not suitable for coaches; a 4x4 transfer is required. Parking: An informal gathering area at the trekking starting point.

   The glacier tongue seen from the lakeshore; a multi-lake panorama from the moraine ridge; morning reflection shots.

   None

2. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

Route Hakkari