From Abraham to Paul – A Journey Through Early Faith Testimonies in Turkey
A 12-day spiritual journey through the ancient lands of Anatolia, from Abraham to Apostle Paul. This route from Konya to Antioch, from Cappadocia to Tarsus, includes the most important centers and holy sites of both Abrahamic religions and early Christianity.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Konya, hotel transfer. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Day 2In Konya, visit to the Monastery of Mevlevi Dervishes in Iconium of Acts (13:51 - 14:5). Walk from Citadel Hill, where the ancient city is buried, to Alaeddin Mosque. Scenic journey to Ankara along Salt Lake via plateau. Dinner and overnight in Ankara. Ankara is the center of the historical Galatia region (Acts 16:6; 18:23; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 1:2; 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 Peter 1:1) and capital of modern Turkey.
Day 3Morning ascent to city castle; detailed visit to "Museum of Anatolian Civilizations". After lunch break, visit to Julian Column; visit Augustus Temple with inscriptions of Augustus's achievements (Monumentum Ancyranum) on its walls; visit Atatürk Mausoleum and then journey to Hattusa. Dinner and overnight in Sungurlu.
Day 4Detailed tour of Hattusa, ancient Hittite capital: Visit walls and gates, temple and palace complexes, and nearby Yazılıkaya open-air temple. Then journey to Cappadocia (Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1). Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5Explore Cappadocia's fantastic tuff landscape and unique erosion formations in various valleys by bus and walking. Visit to Göreme; detailed tour of Byzantine monasteries and painted cave churches. Walk in Pigeon Valley; visit Uçhisar, Monks Valley; Fairy Chimneys. Then visit to abandoned village Zelve. After dinner, watch Whirling Dervishes show. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6After breakfast, visit to Dervent for a short walk. Then visit underground city Özkonak (with churches, living areas, storage rooms, and water reservoirs). Journey to Avanos along Kızılırmak (ancient Halys). Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7After breakfast, journey to Kahta via ancient Kayseri (Caesarea) at the foot of Mount Erciyes. Here we visit Döner Kümbet and Çifte Kümbets (Seljuk period tombs). Then journey to the foot of Mount Nemrut. Dinner and overnight at the foot of Mount Nemrut. Before sunrise, ascent to Mount Nemrut summit (2150 m) by minibus, where we visit the terraces of Antiochus I's tumulus tomb and giant god statues. Watch sunrise. Dinner and overnight in Kahta.
Day 8 After breakfast, journey to Harran from ancient Edessa via Adıyaman crossing Atatürk Dam (Genesis 11:31-34; 12:3-5; 24:10; 27:43; 28:10; 29:4; 2 Kings 19:12; Ezekiel 27:23; Isaiah 37:12). Visit Harran's unique conical houses and ancient city ruins. Then return to Urfa. Visit Pool of Abraham and mosque. Dinner and overnight in Urfa.
Day 9After breakfast, journey to Antioch via Gaziantep. Antioch, center of early Christian community (Acts 13:1; 14:26; Galatians 2:11). Dinner and overnight in Antioch.
Day 10Morning visit to St. Peter's Cave, walk to Charon relief, tour Mosaic Museum. Visit ancient port city Seleucia where Paul began his first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). Tour ancient city ruins and Flavian period rock channel. Evening visit to Harbiye (ancient Daphne) and dinner. Then overnight in Antioch.
Day 11After breakfast, journey to Paul's birthplace Tarsus via Adana, passing through Amanus Pass and Issus Battle site (Acts 22:28; 9:11; 21:39 and 22:3). Here visit Cleopatra Gate and "Paul's Well". Then free time in Adana. Dinner and overnight in Adana.
Day 12After breakfast, transfer to airport.