Covering 1,051km from Ankara to Diyarbakır, the train traverses stark, mountainous landscapes and some of Turkey's most significant historical sites.
Train travel is currently experiencing a surge in popularity. Examples include Mexico's Tren Maya and the European Sleeper connecting Brussels and Prague. Additionally, luxury rail experiences are expanding, such as the Orient Express' new La Dolce Vita train that tours Italy in a glamorous mid-century style.
According to Yesh Munnangi, CEO of global travel planning site Rome2Rio, there's a significant increase in demand for train travel. "Rome2Rio's train search data reveals a staggering 170% increase since 2019 pre-Covid volumes," Munnangi stated.
Turkey's new Mesopotamia Express, which began operations in April 2024, exemplifies this trend. Building on the success of the Eastern Express, launched in 2019, this new route offers an epic journey through Turkey's central Anatolia region, which is rich in history and culture. Spanning 1,051km from Ankara to Diyarbakır, the route includes stark, mountainous landscapes and important historical sites.
The Mesopotamia Express is part of a nationwide initiative to encourage tourists to explore beyond popular destinations like Istanbul and Antalya, which were recently ranked among the world's most-visited cities. Geoffrey Weill, president of Weill Associates, representing the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), explained, "Turkey aims to spread tourism across 81 provinces and has been sustaining various efforts for this goal. One such effort is to improve the country's extensive, low-impact railway network with investments and high-speed trains."
Accommodating up to 180 passengers, the Mesopotamia Express offers locally sourced traditional Anatolian cuisine in its dining car, including keleş, a fried meat dish on flatbread. The journey takes 24 hours, with stops of three to four hours at each destination for visitors to explore local sites and culture.
Geoffrey Weill emphasised, "The Mesopotamia Express provides tourists with a comprehensive and immersive experience highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and natural beauty. It's not an ordinary train ride but a journey through time, traversing stunning Turkish landscapes and uncovering the country's hidden cultural gems."
The journey begins in Ankara, with the first stop in Kayseri, the gateway to the Cappadocia region. Known for its labyrinthine bazaars, ancient Turkish architecture, and the spectacular Mount Erciyes, an inactive volcano popular among climbers and skiers, Kayseri is a highlight of the trip.
The train's next destination is Malatya, one of Anatolia's largest cities. This area has been a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between East and West for nearly 7,000 years. Visitors can enjoy the annual apricot festival from July 20-22 in the summer, celebrating the region's famous export.
Elazig, built in the shadow of the ancient city of Harput, is the following stop. It's an ideal location to explore Turkey's history, from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Harput Castle to the Izzet Pasha mosque, built in 1866.
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