Top of the World at Nemrut Dagi

First of all let me say I'm having problems finding the cities and universities I am writing about. This post is about Nemrut Mountain in the city of Adiyaman, not Istanbul. There is no Trabzon, Elazig and other cities I am writing about. Hopefully they will add them soon and I will edit them.

Nemrut Dagi

Mount Nemrut is situated in the city of Adiyaman, in the south eastern of Turkey. His peak reaches over 2100 meters. It's famous for the numerous statues which you see surrounding the mountain and what seems to be a royal tomb. These things are old, I mean really old. Around century I BC. How crazy is that?

First time I was in Nemrut, it was 5 years ago during my first Erasmus experience. Even then, I got so amazed about the beauty of these old ruins and I told to everyone that asked me that is a top place to visit in Turkey.

After 5 years, I decided to take also my boyfriend to see this amazing sight, just because I couldn't stop bragging about how awesome it is. We would soon find out what an adventure this would be.

Departing from Elazig

I think it was around 1 month ago we decided to go to Nemrut. So on a saturday morning, we woke up early, thinking we could find a straight connection from there to Nemrut, which is about 90 km distance, no big deal. We took first a bus to Malatya. As we arrived in Malatya, took a stroll around the city. We went into a agency to ask bus directions. The guy at agency told us, it is impossible now to find a straight conection until there, because of off season.

Hmm imagine that, still no worries, we said okay no straight conection then let's go to Otogar and we can find bus from there until Adiyaman. We did actually found a bus to Adiyaman. We jumped on it and 4 hours road trip until there. Bus from Elazig to Malatya was 10Tl per person, and from Malatya to Adiyaman I think 20 Tl.

Once in Adiyaman we couldn't again find a straight conection so we had to take another 2 buses until the hotel we had reservation. But funny thing, this bus we were on, they would leave us not so close to our hotel so we had to call the hotel owner to come and pick us up.

Yeah we exchanged up to 4 buses until we arrived at our destination around 9pm. We were so tired and so exhausted from the road. The hotel was actually situated on the mountain with around let's say 18km until the peak.

We had a nice dinner with other tourists there (a women from Singapore, and a guy from Australia) and after that the reception guy told us if we want to catch the sunrise on the peak we gotta' wake up at 4. 30am. Oh well, no big deal.

When I was in Nemrut before, I couldn't see the sunrise nor the sunset but they say it is the most amazing ones you will see in Turkey. So we decided to go for sure.

I think we arrived around 5 up at the top of the hill, it was still dark and plenty of people there, surprisedlly. Even if it was end of April it was so cold and windy, and OMG people were sitting with their blankets! And as usual I wasn't wearing enough clothes, what I was thinking? Silly me.

The Sunrise

Yeap, the blankets!

Sunrise came around 5. 50am and we were so cold that was not fun anymore. We had a spin around the ruins, took some selfies, spoke with people and I think around 7 we were down in our hotel for breakfast.

Western Terrace

The hotel name is Karadut Nemrut Pension and we paid for 1 night 40 Euros included also dinner, breakfast and the tour to the peak. The hotel had a rustic style to it decorated with traditional carpets and all types of small statues of Nemrut. A bit pricy but it was nice and the guy in the hotel was very kind to take us with the car until up and down.

Also on the top of Nemrut, there is a spectacular view of the Euphrates River which I think is breathtaking. And there is as well a nice big terrace which can be perfect for a morning buddhist meditation (yes, I am a buddhist).

Eastern Terrace

The statues themselves, they are old Roman and Greek gods and goddesses, represanting Zeus and Apollo and others. Also tracks of an old alphabet, you can see inscribed on stones.

Nemrut Dagi is a World Unesco Heritage site, so is highly protected and kept with huge prestige. Please go visit this amazing please. I hope the pictures can convince you!

Euphrates River Far Away

Few Tips:

There is no entree fee. But it's better to wait until season starts to go visit, after June and if you go with your personal car is better. Whenever the time, take blankets or warm clothes even if it is summer. Wind there is terrible!

Be aware of hotel prices before booking and always ask the receptionist how much it cost before they invite you to take you somewhere. There is always a hidden price in what they offer.

Xoxo, Latisha.