How to Get to the Top of Mt. Nemrut in Turkey
In 62 AD, King Antiochus I Theos ordered that a giant tomb be constructed on top of the 7,000-foot high Mount Nemrut in what is today southeastern Turkey. The tomb was flanked by giant statues of animals, Greek, Roman and Persian gods, as well as a statue of the king himself. Today the statues still stand at the top of the mountain, albeit with their giant heads on the ground in front of them, having been unable to fully withstand the elements for more than two milleniums. The site is a popular tourist destination, though it can be hard to figure out exactly how to get there, especially if you'd prefer to go without a huge group of tourists.
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Things You'll Need
- Guide book
- Map
- Tour company, depending in your chosen method of ascent
- Rental car, depending on your chosen method
- Warm clothing
- Blankets (optional)
Instructions
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Organized Multi-day Tour from Istanbul
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Many Turkish tour companies include Mt. Nemrut in their itineraries. Usually, these begin in Istanbul and head to Troy, Ankara, Capadoccia and other sites, depending on the length of the tour. They usually range from a week to 18 days and cost at least $1300 dollars per person. If you choose to take one of these tours, you will first need to research different tour companies to see which itineraries will best suit your needs.
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If you're going in a larger group, ask if there are any group discounts. You may be able to bargain the price down.
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The tour company will handle just about everything from your arrival in Istanbul onwards.
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Be sure to wear warm clothes up the mountain, no matter what time of year it is. Even though Turkey is sweltering in summer, it will definitely be cold up there, especially if you go for the sunset or sunrise.
Semi-private Tour from Southeast Turkey
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Many tour companies in Southeast Turkey thrive almost solely on tours to Mt. Nemrut. You can either head to the town of Sanliurfa, which is about two hours southeast of the mountain, or to the town of Kahta, which lies at the foot of the mountain. Sanliurfa will provide you with more accommodation options and sights to see in the time you're not traveling to Mt. Nemrut, but staying in Kahta puts you much closer to the mountain.
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Once you make your choice of a place to stay, find a tour company to go with. Usually reservations are required one day in advance so that the vehicle and driver can be prepared. In Sanliurfa, Harran Nemrut Tours is the best bet for a good tour with a knowledgeable guide. In Kahta, you're guaranteed to find a few vans owned by people who will take you up the mountain. However, it may be more difficult to find a guide who speaks good English.
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If you want to see the sunrise, be prepared to leave Sanliurfa around midnight or 1:00 a.m. in order to get there in time. It will take approximately two hours to reach the foot of the mountain and another two hours to ascend the mountain. If you're in Kahta, expect to leave around 2:30 or 3:00 a.m.
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If you want to see the sunset, you'll leave Sanliurfa by noon or 1:00 p.m., though you might leave earlier in order to see some of the sights as you go up the mountain. You'll probably leave Kahta by around 2:00 p.m.
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Enjoy the lovely sights and be sure to ask about stopping at the Roman bridges as you ascend or descend the mountain.
On Your Own
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You may choose to avoid tours altogether. In this case, you'll need to rent a car the day before you go up the mountain. Due to the bad condition of the Mt. Nemrut roads, the self-service method isn't for the faint of heart.
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You should probably stay at one of the few hotels in Kahta in order to shorten the time you'll need to get to the top of the mountain.
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Driving up will take about two hours. Make sure you have a full gas tank and be prepared for some very steep and narrow roads.
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Once you get to the top of the main road, you will park your car by a lodge.
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From the lodge, you will need to walk approximately 2 km uphill to reach the summit and see the statues. Signs will point you in the right direction.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you wear warm clothes or bring blankets. Your experience will be tarnished if you're shivering the whole time.
Beware of the steep roads on Mt. Nemrut. There are plenty of stretches of road that have sharp drops off the side into the valley below and no guardrails.
Going before May or after mid-October isn't advisable. The mountain is extremely cold and the summit is covered in snow from late October until mid-April. Your vehicle could easily get stuck on an icy patch if you don't go in the warmer months.
