16 - 23 March - Exclusive 8 Days Expedition
The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries & The Birth of the Gods
Featuring Peter Mark Adams (Author of 'Ritual and Epiphany in the Mysteries of Mithras') & Damla Selin Tomru. An extraordinary archaeological and esoteric journey tracing subterranean cult spaces, ancient astrogeography, and Neolithic symbolism across South East Turkiye.
DURATION:
8 Days / 7 Nights
START DATE:
15th of March ‘27
HIGHLIGHTS:
Mount Nemrut, Doliche, Zeugma, Göbeklitepe & Zerzevan Mithraeum
LECTURERS/GUIDES:
Peter Mark Adams Damla Selin Tomru
JOURNEY ITINERARY
DAY 0: Arrival in Istanbul
Transfer & Check-in: Private airport transfer to our boutique hotel in Istanbul's historic center.
Evening: Free time to unwind and settle into the atmosphere of the historic centre.
Overnight: Istanbul
DAY 1: Istanbul’s Sacred Antiquities
Morning: Welcome breakfast followed by an in-depth exploration of Hagia Sophia and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
Afternoon: Free time for independent discovery.
Evening: Opening lecture by Peter Mark Adams, overview of the tour; deep dive into the hierothesia of Commagene and its ancient astrogeography.
Overnight: Istanbul
DAY 2: Flight to Adıyaman & Mount Nemrut
Morning: Flight from Istanbul to Adıyaman.
Afternoon: Excursion to the sacred sites of King Antiochus I and the earliest Mithraic cult sanctuary at Arsameia.
Late Afternoon: Ascend Mount Nemrut to view the sacred ritual landscape.
Evening: Lecture 2 by Peter Mark Adams about the sacred sanctuaries of Dülük, Baba Tepe, and Keber Tepe.
Overnight: Adıyaman
DAY 3: Doliche Sanctuaries to Gaziantep
Morning: Drive from Adıyaman to Gaziantep.
Afternoon: Survey the sacred sanctuaries of Jupiter Dolichenus and the Mithraic complex.
Evening: Lecture 3 by Damla Selin Tomru, Overview of Hellenistic Zeugma.
Overnight: Gaziantep
DAY 4: Mosaics of Zeugma & The Journey to Şanlıurfa
Morning: Visit to the Gaziantep Archaeological Museum and the world-famous Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
Afternoon: Scenic drive from Gaziantep to Şanlıurfa.
Evening: Lecture 4 by Damla Selin Tomru, overview of the Taş Tepeler Culture.
Overnight: Şanlıurfa
DAY 5: Şanlıurfa Museum & Göbeklitepe
Morning: Guided tour of the Şanlıurfa Archaeological Museum followed by a visit to Göbeklitepe.
Afternoon: Free time to explore the historic bazaars of Urfa.
Evening: Lecture 5 by Peter Mark Adams about the iconography of the Taş Tepeler culture.
Overnight: Şanlıurfa
DAY 6: Karahantepe & Sayburç Excavations
All Day: Full day excursion to the newly revealed Neolithic excavations at Karahantepe and Sayburç.
Evening: Grand Farewell Dinner.
Overnight: Şanlıurfa
DAY 7: Zerzevan Castle Mithraeum & Return Flight
Morning: Drive to and exploration of Zerzevan Castle featuring the Roman Mithraeum.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul (Airport Hotel)
DAY 8: International Departures
Departure: Transfers from the hotel to the airport for international flights home.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation (7 Nights): 2 Nights in Istanbul, 1 Night in Adıyaman (Karadut), 1 Night in Gaziantep, 3 Nights in Şanlıurfa.
Domestic Flights: Round-trip domestic flights included (Istanbul – Adıyaman & Diyarbakır – Istanbul).
Gastronomy: 7 curated local lunches as detailed in the daily schedule.
Lectures & Guiding: Private lectures by Peter Mark Adams & Damla Selin Tomru, plus licensed national archaeological guides.
Site Access & Transport: All museum and archaeological site entrance passes, plus private group ground transfers.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International Airfare: Flights to and from Istanbul.
Day 7 Overnight: Hotel stay in Istanbul after the farewell dinner on Day 7.
Dinners: Evening meals (except explicitly noted group dinners).
Personal Expenses: Alcohol, incidentals, and travel insurance.
Tips.