DAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 18, FRIDAY – ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Airport. Transfer to the hotel and rest after the journey. Evening at leisure to adjust to the rhythm of the expedition.
Photographic Opportunities:
Arrival scenes, first impressions of Istanbul’s urban energy, and the quiet atmosphere of the evening in the historic city.
Night in Istanbul
DAY 2 – SEPTEMBER 19 – ISTANBUL TO URFA
Early morning flight to Urfa. Upon arrival, we begin our photographic exploration of the city’s vibrant streets. Urfa’s sprawling bazaar is a living organism of colors, textures, and human stories—men at work, women in traditional dresses, craftsmen shaping copper, and the aroma of spices filling the narrow alleys.
Photographic Opportunities:
Street portraits, market life, textile and spice details, and daily interactions that capture the deep-rooted traditions of southeastern Turkey.
Night in Urfa
DAY 3 – SEPTEMBER 20 – URFA VILLAGES AND HARRAN
After breakfast, we travel to nearby villages and the ancient city of Harran—an extraordinary site with its conical mud-brick houses and millennia-old heritage. We will photograph rural life, shepherds guiding their flocks, and the geometric beauty of Harran’s architecture under the Anatolian sun.
Photographic Opportunities:
Rural portraiture, architectural compositions of Harran’s domed houses, and timeless scenes of agrarian life.
Night in Urfa
DAY 4 – SEPTEMBER 21 – URFA TO MARDIN
After breakfast, we drive from Urfa to Mardin, stopping along the way for landscape and roadside photography. The journey takes us through semi-desert valleys and ancient caravan routes. Upon arrival, we explore Mardin’s labyrinthine streets—stone façades, arched passages, and terraces overlooking the Mesopotamian plains. In the afternoon, a private photo session with a horse model in one of the narrow streets brings cinematic atmosphere to our day.
Photographic Opportunities:
Architectural textures, golden-hour light over the Mesopotamian horizon, portraits in traditional stone alleys, and the private equine photo shoot that merges elegance and local charm.
Night in Mardin
DAY5-SEPTEMBER 22 - MIDYAT AND MARDIN
After breakfast, we continue to Midyat, a town of ancient stone houses, carved wooden doors, and Syriac heritage. We spend the day photographing its lively streets and artisans working in silver and filigree. Afternoon return to Mardin for a quiet evening surrounded by its architectural splendor.
Photographic Opportunities:
Silver workshops, candid portraits, architectural symmetry, and intimate cultural interactions reflecting centuries of coexistence between Christian and Muslim communities.
Night in Mardin
DAY 6 – SEPTEMBER 23 – MARDIN TO DIYARBAKIR
After breakfast, we drive to Diyarbakır. Our day begins at the Great Ulu Mosque—one of Anatolia’s oldest mosques, a masterpiece of basalt stone architecture. We then continue to Hasan Paşa Hanı, a 16th-century Ottoman caravanserai alive with tea vendors, tradesmen, and local families. The city’s fortified walls, its markets, and the rhythm of everyday life will occupy our lenses until evening. Dinner in a traditional restaurant before resting at our hotel.
Photographic Opportunities:
Architectural photography at Ulu Mosque, life in historic inns, documentary-style street portraits, and low-light evening photography capturing the city’s atmosphere.
Night in Diyarbakır
DAY 7 – SEPTEMBER 24 – DIYARBAKIR TO BITLIS AND HIZAN VILLAGES
After breakfast, we continue toward Bitlis, a city surrounded by mountains and known for its stone-built architecture. We will photograph its ancient streets and the fortress before heading to the remote villages of Hizan. Here, we spend the afternoon with local families, documenting agricultural life, fieldwork, and daily routines that seem untouched by time.
Photographic Opportunities:
Mountain landscapes, portraits of villagers, traditional rural homes, and authentic moments of life in the Anatolian highlands.
Night in Bitlis or in Hizan
DAY 8 – SEPTEMBER 25 – BITLIS TO VAN / FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
After breakfast, we drive toward Van, with possible stops along Lake Van for panoramic photography. Late in the day, we fly back to Istanbul.
Photographic Opportunities:
Scenic views of Lake Van, reflections on water and sky, farewell portraits, and final impressions of Anatolia.
Night in Istanbul
DAY 9 – SEPTEMBER 26 – DEPARTURE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the international flight home, marking the end of our journey through southeastern Turkey’s cultural heartlands.
