Embark on an extraordinary 14-day expedition through the cradle of civilization, focusing on the profound influence of the Mother Goddess across Anatolian history. This journey begins in Istanbul, where you will explore the spiritual depth of the Hagia Sophia, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Basilica Cistern, and the intricate mosaics of the Chora Church. You will also delve into the imperial history of the Topkapi Palace, specifically examining the role of the Harem, before setting off to uncover the deep-rooted matriarchal narratives that shaped ancient societies.
As you traverse the heart of Turkey, you will tour Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to study the evolution of human society and the cult of mother goddesses. The pilgrimage continues to the mystical city of Konya, where you will engage with the teachings of Rumi and enjoy traditional Turkish music. The tour ventures deep into antiquity at the Neolithic site of Catalhöyük, the Roman theaters of Aspendos and Side, the ruins of Olympos, and the stunning coastal city of Phaselis. Each site offers a unique opportunity to connect with the sacred rituals and architectural legacies left behind by ancient cultures.
The latter half of the tour focuses on the Aegean region, including the thermal springs of Hierapolis in Pamukkale and the ancient city of Aphrodisias, home to the Temple of Aphrodite. You will explore lesser-known archaeological gems such as Metropolis, Notion, and the Temple of Athena at Priene. The journey culminates in the grand city of Ephesus, where you will visit the Ephesus Museum and the Temple of Artemis. This comprehensive tour provides a rare, contemplative look at the feminine divine in history, balanced with the natural beauty of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.
Along the way the program also includes a private Bosphorus boat trip, the Spice Market and the Agatha Christie room at the Pera Palas Hotel, a night train from Istanbul to Ankara, the Mausoleum of Atatürk, a full-day gulet cruise with lunch on board, a Turkish bath, a meeting with nomads on the road to Pamukkale, the market of Tire and the Temple of Artemis at Magnesia on the Meander. Breakfast is included daily, together with professional English-speaking guidance, admission fees to the visited sites, taxes and service fees, and travel insurance.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 Days 13 Nights |
| Price | From €4,241 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 18 |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Arrive in Istanbul and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Istanbul.
Begin with a visit to the Basilica Cistern and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, where, in a calm corner, your guide opens the tour by tracing Anatolian history through the story of Istanbul. After lunch, your guide gives a short talk on Hagia Sophia before the visit, followed by Topkapi Palace and its Harem, where the role of the harem institution in history is discussed. The day ends with an important group meeting about how the tour will run. Overnight in Istanbul.
Visit the Covered (Grand) Bazaar and the Chora Church, whose 12th-century mosaics portray the Virgin Mary above all as a mother. Lunch is on your own in a 19th-century quarter of the city; in the afternoon the group meets at the Pera Palas Hotel to see the room museum of Agatha Christie, who wrote Murder on the Orient Express there, and then visits the Spice Market, where Silk Road goods once changed hands before heading on to Europe. At 17:00 a private boat cruises the Bosphorus toward the Black Sea, before you board the night train to Ankara (two people per compartment). Overnight on the train.
After an introduction to the goddesses by your guide, tour the Anatolian Civilizations Museum to see how the cult of the mother goddess was tied to the economy of early communities. After lunch, visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the republic, then drive about three hours to Konya. In the evening, enjoy a recital of Turkish instruments. Overnight in Konya.
The longest day of the tour starts at 08:00 with a talk on Rumi held in a nearby mosque. Around 11:15 you reach the Neolithic site of Catalhöyük, where there is time for teachings, rituals and a picnic (the site itself takes about 45 minutes to walk around). Leave by 14:30 and cross the Toros Mountains to Antalya, staying in a 200-year-old house in the old city.
Explore the ruins of Perge, Aspendos, and Side. Witness the columns of Artemis at Perge and the well-preserved Roman theater at Aspendos. In Side there is lunch and about an hour for swimming, or a visit to the museum and ancient site for non-swimmers. The day ends with a Turkish bath. Overnight in Antalya.
Spend a full day on a traditional gulet boat. Enjoy lunch on board and swim in the Mediterranean. Stop at the ruins of Olympos, whose theater offers a quiet setting for a ritual or performance, and finish the cruise at the small Roman city of Phaselis. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Antalya.
Travel north toward Pamukkale. En route, meet with local nomads to observe their traditions. Upon arrival, swim in the natural hot spring pool of Hierapolis. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Drive to the ancient site of Aphrodisias. Spend time exploring the museum and the ruins, with a picnic lunch and free time for rituals at the Temple of Aphrodite, or a guided walk for those who prefer it. Continue to Kusadasi for the night.
Visit the recently excavated site of Metropolis, a center for the goddess Artemis. Continue to Notion for the Temple of Athena and a picnic lunch, then see the sanctuary near Colophon dedicated to Apollo and to Leto, his mother. It is a leisurely day with time to swim in the Aegean. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Visit the local market in Tire to view traditional handcrafts. Lunch is at a beautiful spot with an opportunity for a ritual, followed by free time in Kusadasi for swimming or shopping.
Learn about the history of ancient oracles. Visit the Temple of Athena at Priene and the Temple of Artemis at Magnesia on the Meander.
Explore the Ephesus Museum and the magnificent ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Visit the site of the Temple of Artemis. If permitted, participate in an evening ritual at the Library of Celsus.
The tour ends after breakfast.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul → Ankara → Konya → Antalya → Pamukkale → Kusadasi → Departure
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Departure.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!