Mount Nemrut – Sunrise on the Throne of the Gods, 2 days

At more than 2,100 metres King Antiochus I of Commagene had a burial mound of stone chippings piled up and placed himself enthroned beside Zeus, Apollo and Heracles. We fly in the morning from Istanbul to Adıyaman, visit the sites of the Commagenian kingdom at the foot of the mountain on day one and stay overnight in Kahta or Karadut. In the night we set off to experience sunrise among the stone heads.

Highlights

• Domestic flight Istanbul – Adıyaman and back, departing from IST or SAW
• Sunrise on Mount Nemrut (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Burial mound of Antiochus I with colossal heads on the east and west terraces
• Karakuş tumulus with columns and eagle figure
• Roman Cendere Bridge from the time of Septimius Severus
• Arsameia with the relief of Mithridates and Heracles; one night in a hotel, guide on both days

Full description

Commagene was a small kingdom between Rome and Parthia whose rulers claimed both Persian and Greek ancestors. On day one we see the Karakuş tumulus, the burial mound of the royal women, surrounded by columns, one of which still carries an eagle. The Cendere Bridge has spanned the river in a single arch for about 1,800 years; three of its original four columns still stand. At Arsameia, residence of the kings, a large relief shows Mithridates I shaking hands with Heracles, next to a long Greek inscription.

In the night we drive up and walk the last stretch to the summit. As the sun rises over the Taurus, the heads of Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, the goddess Commagene and the king himself light up on the east terrace. On the west terrace lie more heads and the lion horoscope. After the descent we drive back and in the afternoon on to Adıyaman airport, from where you fly back to Istanbul.

For you this means: you book everything in one step – flights, hotel, transfers and guiding – at one fixed total price.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Day 1 · Flight Istanbul – Adıyaman
  Morning pick-up at your hotel, transfer to IST or SAW airport, flight to Adıyaman (ADF), drive towards Kahta.
• 2 · Day 1 · Karakuş tumulus
  Burial mound of the royal women of Commagene with columns and eagle figure.
• 3 · Day 1 · Cendere Bridge
  Roman arch bridge from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus.
• 4 · Day 1 · Arsameia
  Residence of the kings of Commagene, relief of Mithridates and Heracles, Greek inscription.
• 5 · Day 1 · Hotel in Kahta/Karadut
  Evening and a short night at a hotel at the foot of the mountain.
• 6 · Day 2 · Sunrise on Mount Nemrut
  Departure in the night, last stretch on foot; east and west terraces at the burial mound of Antiochus I.
• 7 · Day 2 · Flight back to Istanbul
  Drive back, on to Adıyaman airport (ADF), return flight, in Istanbul transfer back to your hotel.

Included

• Private, state-licensed tour guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Day 2 as a separate tour: guide and vehicle with driver for sunrise on Mount Nemrut
• Domestic flight Istanbul (IST or SAW) – Adıyaman (ADF) and back
• 1 night in a hotel in Kahta/Karadut
• Transfer hotel Istanbul – airport and back
• Vehicle with driver from and to Adıyaman airport (ADF) for day 1
• Planning, coordination and time management of both days

Not included

• Entrance fees (Mount Nemrut National Park, Arsameia)
• Lunch and dinner, drinks
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

We pick you up at your hotel in Istanbul on the morning of day 1 and bring you back there on the evening of day 2. Departure airport is either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW); destination airport is Adıyaman (ADF).

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Names as in your passport – We issue the flight tickets in the names you enter in the booking form. Please write them exactly as in your ID or passport.
• Bring your ID – All travellers need their passport or national ID card for the domestic flight.
• Flight times – We confirm the exact flight times and your hotel pick-up time with the booking.
• Rooms – Two adults share a double room; with an odd number or on request there are single rooms. Children sleep in their parents' room at no extra charge.
• Last stretch on foot – From the car park a steep, stony path leads to the summit. Sturdy shoes and a torch are useful.
• Warm clothing – Before sunrise the summit is cold and often windy even in summer – bring a jacket, hat and gloves.
• Best time to travel – Roughly May to October. In winter the summit is usually not accessible because of snow.
• Short night – For the sunrise we set off in the middle of the night; we tell you the exact departure time on site.