From Adiyaman
Watch dawn break over one of the world's most extraordinary open-air sanctuaries on this private Daily Mount Nemrut Sunrise Tour from Adıyaman. High on the 2,206-metre summit of Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, colossal stone heads gaze out across south-eastern Anatolia at first light — an unforgettable encounter with the ambition of an ancient king.
At the top you explore the East and West Terraces, where giant seated statues of Zeus, Apollo, Heracles, the goddess Tyche of Commagene and King Antiochus I once stood guard around a man-made tumulus believed to cover the royal tomb. Over the centuries the heads have toppled from their bodies and now rest among the ruins, their serene faces catching the golden glow of sunrise. Your guide brings alive the story of the Commagene Kingdom, a small but wealthy state that fused Greek and Persian culture in the 1st century BC.
The journey also takes in the finest ancient sites of the surrounding valley: Arsameia, the summer capital of Commagene with its rock reliefs and inscriptions; Yeni Kale (Old Kahta Castle), a dramatic medieval fortress; the elegant Roman Cendere Bridge, built in honour of Emperor Septimius Severus; and the Karakuş Tumulus, a royal burial mound crowned with ancient columns. Together they make this one of the richest day tours in all of Turkey.
Reaching the terraces just before first light is the highlight of the trip. As the sun rises, the stone heads and the barren mountain landscape are bathed in soft pink and gold — a spectacle that has drawn travellers and photographers from around the world. A short uphill walk from the car park brings you to the statues.
This is an early start, with hotel pick-up around 02:30–03:30 to reach the summit in time for sunrise. Bring warm clothing — the summit is cool even in summer — along with comfortable shoes for the short climb. You return to your hotel in the late morning.
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Daily Mount Nemrut Sunrise Tour Programme Very early pick-up from your hotel in Adıyaman or Kahta (around 02:30–03:30) for the drive up through the mountains to Mount Nemrut National Park. Arriving in the pre-dawn darkness, you take a short walk up to the East Terrace to find your place among the giant stone heads and wait for the sun to rise over the Anatolian horizon. After sunrise you explore both the East and West Terraces, the colossal statues of the Commagene gods and King Antiochus I, and the great tumulus at the summit, while your guide explains the history of this remarkable mountain sanctuary. On the way back you visit the ancient city of Arsameia with its rock reliefs, the medieval Yeni Kale (Old Kahta Castle), the Roman Cendere Bridge and the Karakuş Tumulus, before returning to your hotel in the late morning (around 10:30–11:30).
Adiyaman → Mount Nemrut Sunrise → Adıyaman
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
👥 55 Seats
👥 54 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
👥 37 Seats
👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Turn your day trip into a longer journey — these tours also visit this destination.
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!