Upcoming Journeys

A sixteen-day small-group journey across the whole of Anatolia, from Istanbul to the far southeast and back to Konya. The Sacred Road runs between two ends of human devotion: Göbekli Tepe, the oldest known temple on earth, and Rumi's tomb in Konya, where the whirling dervishes still turn.

 

At a glance

• Dates: October 14 – 29, 2027 (16 days, 15 nights)

• Route: Istanbul, Hatay (ancient Antioch), Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Göbekli Tepe, Mardin, Mount Nemrut, Cappadocia, and Konya

• Led by: Greg Roach, founder of Spirit Quest Tours, with trip designer Billy Koch

• Travel style: a private group with English-speaking guides throughout, never pooled into a large coach tour

• Price: $10,950 per person sharing; $13,820 single; deposit $1,000

 

Why this journey is different

Most Turkey tours cover Istanbul and Cappadocia and stop. The Sacred Road keeps going east into country few visitors see. Göbekli Tepe was raised about 11,500 years ago by hunter-gatherers, seven thousand years before the pyramids. Along the same road are the cave church where followers of Jesus were first called Christians, the Pool of Abraham in Şanlıurfa, the toppled stone gods of Mount Nemrut, Cappadocia's underground cities, and a sema ceremony in Konya.

 

The route

• Days 1–4, Istanbul: arrival, the old city and Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus, and a day of your own.

• Days 5–8, the southeast: Hatay and ancient Antioch, the Zeugma mosaics in Gaziantep, Göbekli Tepe, and a rest day in Şanlıurfa.

• Days 9–11, Mardin and Nemrut: Mardin, Midyat, and Hasankeyf, then Mount Nemrut at sunset and again at sunrise.

• Days 12–13, Cappadocia: the underground city of Derinkuyu and the frescoed rock churches of Göreme.

• Days 14–16, Konya: the city of Rumi, an evening with the whirling dervishes, and home.

 

What's included

• Included: Fifteen nights in hotels chosen for character and place, with breakfast daily and most lunches; all domestic flights and ground transport; English-speaking guides; entrance to every site on the itinerary.

• Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, the optional Cappadocia balloon ride, tips, laundry, and personal expenses.

 

Who it's for

Travelers who would rather cross a whole country slowly than photograph a skyline fast. If Rumi, Abraham, the first Christians, or a temple built before farming pulls at you, this is your road. It is a real journey across real distance, with some long drives between sites.

 

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Turkey Sacred Road tour?

October 14 to 29, 2027: sixteen days and fifteen nights.

 

Do we visit Göbekli Tepe?

Yes. Göbekli Tepe is the heart of the journey, with time on site and a rest day nearby in Şanlıurfa.

 

Will we see the whirling dervishes?

Yes. The journey ends in Konya, home of Rumi's tomb, with a sema ceremony.

 

How much does the Turkey tour cost?

$10,950 per person sharing, or $13,820 for a single room. A $1,000 deposit holds your place.

 

How do I reserve a place?

Reserve online through the Itinerary & Booking link on this page, or contact us with questions first.