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• Must Book

  Teresa T,2026年6月26日

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  If you want to see Gobeklitepe and other ancient spots this is a must book. Selim takes care of everything and had a white glove approach. We initially were trying to figure out how to see the ruins on our own and it was overwhelming with how far it was and knowing where to stay. Selim arranges first class transport from your hotel in IST to the airport, arranges your flight, picks you up from the airport, shows you all the history some as old as 12000 years, takes care of your accommodations at the cutest hotel that use to be a church and has so much character, takes you around the second day before dropping you off at the airport. Your flight back to IST and transport to your hotel is pre arranged. Aside from the logistics being seamlessly arranged his timing was perfect. We got to see everything before the big tour buses came for the day and things got to busy. He knew the best photo spots and was so knowledgeable and pointed out details around all the spots in Sanliurfa that we never would have known or noticed on our own. He also took us to the best lunch spots with the most delicious flavors. This is worth every penny because you are taken care of the entire time.

• The Insider's Tour for the Serious Historian

  aenthusiast1,2026年6月23日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Selim's a native of Urfa and he seems to know everyone there. He has connections with the archaeological teams excavating the local ancient sites, not to mention connections with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. These connections give him deep insider knowledge of what's going on at these sites that no one else can compete with. Selim has an impressive knowledge of the region and the broader Middle East generally. I'm a hard core history nerd and I was able to go deep with him and he was able to answer any question I threw at him. If you want the insider's tour of the neolithic and bronze age Fertile Crescent from the tour guide's tour guide, this is for you.

• Knowledgeable and passionate tour guide to show you the true wonders of the region

  carolineaL7137GE,2025年12月27日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I was looking for a solo tour to the historical sites around Şanlıurfa and I am so glad I found Selim! He is very knowledgeable and also very passionate about the history and sites in the region. I feel like I got so much more out of every place we visited because I was there with Selim. He also took me to great places for food and helped me organise transfers for the rest of my trip in Mardin. I would highly recommend booking with him!

  

  

  

  

• Really great experience

  beatric,2025年12月19日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We met Selim at our hotel and it was the start of a beautiful friendship - he grew up in Sanliurfa and knows everyone, and took us to restaurants where locals eat fabulous food for very reasonable prices, rather than the tourist traps. We came to visit Gobekli Tepe and were not disappointed - Selim is very knowledgeable about all the archeological sites and took us to Gobeckli and Karahan Tepe on the first day and the next day we drove to the ancient site of Harran and visited the Museum in Sanliurfa which should not be missed - many of the artifacts from Gobeckli and Karahan are on display there. Altogether a great experience and we really enjoyed Sanliurfa - thank you Selim!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• “An Experience Like Traveling Through Time with Selim”

  767aysunc,2025年10月26日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our Göbeklitepe tour became an unforgettable experience thanks to our guide, Selim. With his vast knowledge and great energy, he brought the whole journey to life. It wasn’t just about history — it felt like traveling back in time. We learned so much while truly enjoying ourselves. His hospitality, kindness, and attention to every detail made the day perfect. We highly recommend him to anyone visiting this magical place!”

• Best tour ever!

  Gregory D,2025年9月5日

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This was the BEST TOUR EVER!!! First - if you are debating about whether to take a side trip from Istanbul to Gobekli Tepe - ABSOLUTELY DO IT! So much amazing history and culture! And second - if you are unsure about which tour operator to use - ABSOLUTELY GO WITH SELIM!!! Selim is just the best - he is the owner of his own agency and accompanied us throughout the trip. He so clearly puts his guests needs front and center, and is an excellent source of modern and historical knowledge of the region. He is a born-and-raised local of the region and seems to know everyone - we jokingly called him the “Mayor of Sanliurfa”. Exceptional pre-trip communication via WhatsApp - airport transfers and flights pre- and post-trip went off without a hitch. Gobelkli Tepe and Karan Tepe were the highlights of the tour, but so many more layers to the history of the area - 12000 years worth. Neolithic - Roman/Byzantine - Ottoman - sites with religious significance. No way we could have done half as much on our own. Whole trip is also a fascinating drive through the agricultural heart of modern-day Turkey - thanks to an impressive Euphrates river irrigation system. Great introduction to local foods - two breakfasts and a lot of snacks and tea provided - two late lunches/early dinners at excellent local restaurants for a very reasonable extra price. Hotel was a sweet little courtyard hotel in the center of town that set just the right tone for the trip. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

• The Best Way to Experience Göbeklitepe/Sanliurfa

  hakan ö,2025年9月2日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had an amazing tour of Göbeklitepe with Selim Bakir. Communication with him was very easy, he replied quickly to WhatsApp messages, and he met us at our hotel right on time. What makes a tour with him special is his deep knowledge of the area and his close ties with both the local community and the excavation teams. Thanks to his connections with archaeologists and excavation leaders going back to the early years of the dig, he shares stories and details that you simply wouldn’t hear elsewhere. He knows Göbeklitepe and the other “taş tepeler” extremely well. His English is very fluent, and it’s clear that he keeps up to date with the latest discoveries since the excavations are still ongoing. You can really feel his passion for the site and the effort he has put into his work from the way he talks about it. I highly recommend a tour with Selim Hoca. On top of everything, his local food recommendations were also excellent. I definitely want to meet him again and bring more friends on a future trip.

• One of the Most Profound Experiences of My Life

  andreagasa7,2025年7月3日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was truly one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life. From start to finish, everything about this private tour was exceptional. Selim, my guide, is not only incredibly kind and professional but also speaks excellent English and has an impressive depth of knowledge about the entire Mesopotamian region. He brought these ancient sites to life with stories of history, mythology, and the spiritual traditions that shaped them. Visiting Göbekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe and Sogmatar felt like stepping into the dawn of human civilization. Selim also introduced me to the unique gastronomy of Southeastern Turkey, and every moment felt carefully tailored to my interests. I felt safe, cared for, and completely immersed in this rich and mystical land. A side note Selim is a great photographer he knows exactly how to capture the magic of the moment so I got good pictures as well a super plus 😊 If you are even slightly curious about these ancient wonders, do not hesitate—this tour is worth every moment. It’s an experience that will stay with you forever.