Accommodation
With accommodation
The Turning Point of Your Life: Embark on a Journey of Discovery with Gap Tours!
Is your backpack ready? Because the road ahead is not just a geographical exploration; it will also be the most exciting journey you will ever take. For those who want to take a break from routine, meet new cultures, and experience the endless beauty the world has to offer firsthand, Gap Tours promise much more than a vacation: they promise a way of life.
What is a Gap Tour and Why Now?
Born from the concept of the ‘Gap Year’ (Year Off), traditionally known as a year off after high school or university, Gap Tours are not limited to a specific age group or stage of life. Whether you're a professional taking a short break from your career or a young spirit wanting to see the world before starting university, these tours offer long-term, in-depth, and often budget-friendly travel adventures.
What makes these tours so appealing? Time. Without the pressure to rush, you get the chance to truly understand the spirit of a destination. You go beyond the tourist crowds to interact with locals, participate in volunteer work, or find the chance to learn a new language.
Cross-Border Routes: What's Your Adventure Option?
Gap tours don't fit into a single mold; they are shaped entirely by your interests and timeframe. Here are some of the most popular and transformative route options:
Southeast Asia Backpacking Adventure: From Thailand's bustling streets to Vietnam's rice paddies and Indonesia's mystical temples, this route is a perfect blend of adventure, flavor, and spiritual discovery. Its low-cost travel and easy transportation network make it ideal for first-time long-distance travelers. South America's Mysterious Paths: From the summit of Peru's Machu Picchu to Argentina's Patagonian glaciers and the depths of the Amazon, this route is a paradise for those seeking outdoor sports, history, and vibrant Latin culture. It's also a great opportunity to learn Spanish. Australia and New Zealand Work and Travel Experience: If you want to contribute to your budget while traveling, these routes can often be combined with Work and Travel visas. Gain new skills while discovering unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
What Does a Gap Tour Offer You?
When you return from a gap tour, you don't just bring back souvenirs in your suitcase. Your real gain is the change within:
1. Cultural Intelligence and Empathy: Experiencing different lifestyles sharpens your global perspective and allows you to see the world from a broader viewpoint.
2. Confidence and Problem-Solving Skills: Unexpected situations you encounter on the road (lost passport, missed bus) force you to think quickly and stand on your own two feet. These skills will empower you in every area of your life.
3. Career and Personal Development: Employers view long-term travel experience as a sign of courage, adaptability, and independence. Furthermore, during this process, you get to know yourself better and clarify your career goals.
Things to Consider When Planning Your Gap Tour
Planning a long-term adventure is different from planning a short vacation. Here are the basic steps for a successful gap year:
Budgeting: Determine how much you can spend per day. Flights, accommodation (hostels or local homes), food and drink, and activities will be your main expenses. Being flexible is the key to saving money.
Health and Safety: Get any necessary vaccinations for your destination and purchase comprehensive travel insurance. Be sure to heed local safety warnings and customs.
Visa and Document Management: Some countries require special visa types for long stays. Start your planning with the visa process and check the validity of your passport.
Minimalism: The less you carry, the more freedom you have. Take only what you really need. Remember, you can find everything you need along the way.
A Gap Tour is Not Just a Break, It's a Beginning.
Life sometimes needs a pause so that the next chapter can begin with more meaning. Gap tours offer you this pause; however, you don't remain passive during this pause, but rather enter the most active learning process of your life.
If your inner traveler is calling and you're ready to step out of your comfort zone, now is the perfect time to embark on this long-term exploration adventure. To see the world is to see yourself. Book now and take the first step toward the greatest adventure of your life!
Tour Program
GAP - Mesopotamia Tour
Day 1: Trabzon - Diyarbakır - Midyat - Mardin
Dear guests, our GAP tour begins at 9:00 PM on the specified day in Trabzon. After a bus journey of approximately 10 hours, we arrive in Diyarbakır, a modern and historic city in the Southeastern Anatolia region. After breakfast (optional) and a short rest, we begin our tour. Our first stop is the historic Hasanpaşa Han, built in the 1570s. Next, we visit the Ulu Mosque, the fifth holiest site in Islam, located directly opposite, and see the Sundial made by El Cezeri. Next, we visit the Four-Legged Minaret. After a short photo break on the Ten-Eyed Bridge, we set off for Midyat.
When we arrive in Midyat, one of the first settlements of the Syriacs, we begin our tour by visiting the mansions where the TV series Sıla or Hercai were filmed, which you have always dreamed of visiting. Here, you can get a traditional tattoo (deq) specific to the Southeast region on your hand or face. You can have your hair tied with local scarves accompanied by Reyhani dance. After some free time in this region, we head towards Mardin. After arriving at our hotel in Mardin, we have dinner, and afterwards, guests who wish to can join a live music event in old Mardin.
Breakfast: Not included in the tour price Lunch: Not included in the tour price. Dinner: Included in the tour price.
Accommodation Hotel: ANEMON 5-STAR HOTEL
Day 2: Mardin - Kasımiye Medrese - Old Mardin - Deyrulzafaran Monastery - Göbeklitepe
After breakfast at our hotel, we start our second day with the Kasımiye Medrese. Walking through the narrow streets of Mardin, we see the Sheikh Çabuk Mosque and the Ulu Mosque and enjoy the magnificent view of the boundless Mesopotamia in the daylight. As we leave Old Mardin, we sample Syrian bread and continue to try different flavors of this culture. Our next stop is Deyrulzafaran Monastery, built on a complex that was a Sun Temple before Christ and later used as a castle by the Romans. When the Romans withdrew from the region, it was converted into a monastery. Our next stop is Göbeklitepe, known as the beginning of the history of faith. Göbeklitepe is the oldest historical structure known to the world to date. It is also referred to as the “zero point of history” in some popular sources. After our visit to Göbeklitepe, our guests who wish to do so can join the Sıra Gecesi and enjoy the fun.
Breakfast: Included in hotel accommodation. Lunch: Not included in the tour price. Dinner: Not included in hotel accommodation.
Overnight Stay: 5-STAR HOTEL
Day 3: Şanlıurfa - Balıklıgöl - Zeugma - Gaziantep
We start the third day of our tour in Şanlıurfa with Balıklıgöl, home to carp fish that are the subject of legends. These fish are respected by the locals and are not eaten. According to legend, after Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire, a miracle occurred and the area became a paradise. It is believed that this miracle took place in Balıklıgöl and its surroundings. We also visit Lake Ayn-Zeliha and the Halilurrahman Cave, where Prophet Abraham is believed to have been born, both located in the same area. After a short stroll through the Urfa bazaar, we set off for Gaziantep. Upon arrival in Gaziantep, we visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum and see the most important mosaic, the Gypsy Girl Mosaic. Afterwards, we have the opportunity to visit Gaziantep's most famous bazaars. We can visit the Copper Market, Almacı Market, Tütün Han, and Tahmis Coffee House. Then we begin our return journey to Trabzon and finish our tour in the morning.
Lunch: Provided at the facility, extra Dinner: Provided at the facility, extra
Transportation with a vehicle suitable for the number of people
in-vehicle refreshments
mandatory travel insurance
vehicle national park entrance fees
2 breakfasts at the hotel
3 days of professional guide service
1 dinner at the hotel
Museum and Historical Site Entrances
Şanlıurfa Sıra Night
Sunken City Halfeti Boat Tour
Lunch
23 - 26 April
44 Seats Available
30 April - 3 May
45 Seats Available
7 - 10 May
45 Seats Available
15 - 18 May
45 Seats Available
22 - 25 May
45 Seats Available
28 - 31 May
45 Seats Available
4 - 7 June
45 Seats Available
11 - 14 June
45 Seats Available
18 - 21 June
45 Seats Available
25 - 28 June
45 Seats Available
Tour Notes
- The Agency and our Guide may make changes to the itinerary or schedule in order to carry out the tour program.
- Seat numbers start from the first row and proceed backward from the first reservation and remain the same throughout the tour.
- Infant Seat Price: 2,500₺ (0-2 years old)
- A 3,000₺ surcharge applies for single occupancy accommodations.
- Child discounts apply to 1 child accompanying 2 adults.
Tour Recommendations
- Bring your own extra bags or totes for all your shopping in the area to prevent mixing with other guests' bags.
- Comfortable clothing and shoes.
Estimated Expenses
- Sıla Night
- Halfeti Boat Tour
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery
- Kasımiye Madrasa
