Biblical Anatolia: 14-Day Old and New Testament Tour
A 14-day spiritual journey through the holy lands of Anatolia, discovering important locations mentioned in the Old and New Testament. From Antalya to Ankara, from Antioch to Cappadocia, this route includes cities and holy sites mentioned in the Bible.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Flight to Antalya (Ancient Attalia). Port city used by Apostle Paul during his "1st Missionary Journey" (14-25 AD). Hotel transfer. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Day 2Perge tour: Theater, stadium, walls and Hellenistic gate where Paul entered the city (Acts 13:4-25). Then Roman theater and aqueduct in Aspendos. Walk at Kurşunlu Waterfalls. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Day 3Visit to Cape Anamur (southernmost point of Asia Minor). Tour of well-preserved large castle. Then visit to Meriamlik Martyrium, commemorating Saint Thecla, Paul's disciple. Dinner and overnight in Silifke.
Day 4Visit to Tarsus, Paul's birthplace (Acts 22:28; 9:11; 21:39). View of Cleopatra's Gate and Paul's Well. In Misis, we examine Noah's Ark mosaic and Hittite relief. Arrival in Antioch via Snake Castle, Amanus Pass and Issus Battlefield. Dinner and overnight in Antioch.
Day 5St. Peter's Church (Christianity's first cave church), Charon Relief and Mosaic Museum. Then tour of ancient port Seleucia Pieria. Dinner and overnight in Antioch.
Day 6 Travel to Şanlıurfa via Gaziantep, then to Harran (Altınbaşak). Ancient city where Abraham's family lived in conical-domed houses. On return, visit to Pool of Abraham and Ibrahim Mosque in Şanlıurfa. Dinner and overnight in Şanlıurfa.
Day 7 Diyarbakır (Ancient Amida). City tour among world's longest walls. Dinner and overnight in Diyarbakır.
Day 8Arrival in Kahta with view of Atatürk Dam. Sunrise at Mount Nemrut summit (2150 m). Dinner and overnight in Kahta.
Day 9 To Kayseri (Ancient Caesarea) via Kahramanmaraş. View Seljuk tombs and proceed to Cappadocia (Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1). Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 10Rock churches and frescoes at Göreme Open Air Museum. Pigeon Valley walk. Then exploration of an underground city. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 11Uçhisar Castle, Fairy Chimneys and abandoned Zelve Valley. Visit to traditional Turkish carpet weaving workshop. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 12To Boğazkale via Kızılırmak (Halys). Hittite capital Hattusas and Yazılıkaya Temple. Early Bronze Age remains at Alacahöyük. Dinner and overnight near Hattusas.
Day 13Ankara tour: Ankara Castle, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Temple of Augustus (Roman historical inscriptions on walls) and Anıtkabir. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.
Day 14Breakfast and transfer to airport. End of tour.