Gobeklitepe and Harran Day Trip from Istanbul

It was a bucket list for me; this 19 hr. day tour with a personal guide who was most pleasant,caring, professional,& thoroughly knowledgeable on the subject matter.IbrahimToprak’s mastery of specific history/archaeology for this sight with most relevant information should see him teaching at the university level.

While researching an archaeology-related holiday visit to eastern Turkey’s mesmerizing Göbeklitepe, Karahan Tepe and other ancient culture sites, we came across some glowing reviews of guide, Ibrahim Toprak (i.h.toprak63@gmail.com). His considerable knowledge of the 12,000 year-old pre-pottery Neolithic period we were most interest in (plus the many other periods of relevance to our trip), along with his curiosity, willingness to debate and consider factors beyond archeology to make sense of the ancient sites’ mysteries, his connections and charm were all strong points. We booked Ibrahim exclusively for 4 full days, with Şanlıurfa as our base (we chose the charming Tessera Hotel in Sanliurfa, close to the bazaar and the museum). In the weeks prior to the visit, we, with Ibrahim and his associate Adnan at Laal DMC (and some help from ChatGPT), crafted an itinerary. Ibrahim’s passion for the pre-pottery period, his current archeology academic studies (he is currently on his 3rd university degree, with two more in view), his open mindedness toward popular researchers and sense-makers like Graham Hancock and Andrew Collins, his knowledge of off-the-beaten track points of historic interest, his pleasant, curious and engaging personality and, by no means least, his sensible driving technique, made him an ideal guide and companion. We considered other guides, tour operators and hotel suggestions but were struck by how many “memorise the brochure” guides there are, without academic background or innate curiosity. You get what you pay for: if you are looking for a whistle stop through history, some of these cheaper options may be OK. But if you want to look into newly unearthed dig sites, ponder the carvings, statues and iconography that is crying out for explanation, join the dots between sites, sources and possible meanings, and debate ancient structures, astronomy, ritual, agriculture and the rise of early civilization over small, steaming cups of pistachio coffee near the brass-beaters of Şanlıurfa bazaar, Ibrahim is an example of a new generation of freelance guides worth investing time with. Ibrahim, thanks again and we hope to meet again in a decade to celebrate your PhD!

We had a fantastic day here. Our guide Ibrahim was wonderful. Him having a first hand experience in the field as he works on his archeology degree was fascinating. His knowledge of the culture and history was more than we could have asked for. The significance of Gobeklitepe in our understanding of civilization and the implications it have to archeology and the future of what we may discover was breath taking and a wonderful experience to get to see first hand. Would 10/10 recommend visiting and taking this tour if going to turkey

Ibrahim was an AMAZING guide on our trip to Sanilurfa. It is a growing tourist destination and full of so much history (basically the start of civilization as we know it). The company was very professional, accommodated all of our requests, was timely and the information Ibrahim shared about Gobekli Tepe, Harran and Sanilurfa was very educational. Make sure this is a stop on your Türkiye trip!

What a wonderful trip to gobeklitepe with my son!! Our guide Ibraham was such a great host!! He was so well informed and very well educated on the subject!! I can’t recommend him and this travel agency more!! Five stars. 💝