This guided journey is built around the beliefs, places and people that shaped Alevi and Bektashi culture in Anatolia. It begins in Cappadocia and travels east through Hacıbektaş and Sivas to Tunceli, the region historically known as Dersim, with a professional guide explaining the meaning behind each site rather than simply naming it. The programme suits travellers interested in faith, music and oral tradition, and it ends with a farewell transfer to the airport after a final stop at Pertek Castle.
On the first evening an introductory meeting presents the key ideas of the path: Yol and Erkân, the Four Gates and Forty Stations, the Cem gathering seen as a court of justice, the Twelve Services, and the principles of rızalık (consent) and musahiplik (spiritual companionship). The next day is spent in Hacıbektaş at the Hacı Bektaş Veli Dervish Lodge and Museum, with the Lion Fountain, Kırklar Square, the Çilehane retreat cell, the Tomb of Balım Sultan, the Delikli Taş and the Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. At the lodge gate the well-known inscription "Even if you are hurt, do not hurt others" sets the tone, and the guide explains how Bektashism and Alevism are historically linked.
Day three is dedicated to the poets and memory of Sivas. In Banaz Village you visit the memorial site of Pir Sultan Abdal and hear about his idea of justice and loyalty to the path. In the city centre you stop at the Madımak Memorial Corner and the Sivas Grand Mosque and historic square, and in Sivrialan Village near Şarkışla you visit the house of Âşık Veysel, where the role of the bağlama in the Cem and the tradition of sung hymns (deyiş) are discussed.
The fourth day turns to nature in Munzur Valley National Park, where the river and its sacred springs illustrate the Alevi view of mountain, water and tree as sacred. Visits to the Düzgün Baba and Ana Fatma shrines introduce the customs of pilgrimage, offering and shared lokma, along with the ocak lineages and the role of the seyit in Dersim Alevism, before a city tour of Tunceli and an evening with local melodies. Accommodation is two nights in Cappadocia, one in Sivas and one in Tunceli, with daily transfers in a private tour vehicle and site entrance fees included. Modest clothing is recommended at the sacred sites, and photography may be restricted at some of them.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Days 4 Nights |
| Price | From €1,345 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Stops | 11 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| 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.
Your guide meets you at Nevsehir or Kayseri airport and accompanies you to your hotel in Cappadocia. In the evening the group gathers for an introduction to the programme and to the core concepts of Alevi belief: the Path (Yol) and Ritual Order (Erkân), the Four Gates and Forty Stations, the Cem as a court of justice, the Twelve Services, and why rızalık and musahiplik are central to the path. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
In the morning, drive across the Anatolian steppe to Hacıbektaş. At the Hacı Bektaş Veli Dervish Lodge you pass the Lion Fountain, Kırklar Square and the Çilehane retreat cell while your guide explains the Four Gates and Forty Stations as a journey from rawness to maturity. At the Tomb of Balım Sultan you learn about the Bektashi tradition and its historical ties with Alevism; the visit also covers the Delikli Taş and the Hacıbektaş Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. Return to Cappadocia in the evening for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, set off for Sivas. The first stop is Banaz Village and the memorial site of Pir Sultan Abdal, whose resistance and devotion to the path your guide describes. In the city centre you visit the Madımak Memorial Corner, a place for remembrance and reconciliation, as well as the Sivas Grand Mosque and historic square. In Sivrialan Village near Şarkışla, the house of Âşık Veysel is the setting for a talk on the bağlama in the Cem, sacred hymns (deyiş) and oral tradition. Dinner and overnight in Sivas.
Travel to Munzur Valley National Park, where the Munzur River and its springs show why nature holds a sacred place in Alevi belief. Climb up to the Düzgün Baba Shrine to learn about visitation, offerings and the sharing of lokma, then visit the Ana Fatma Shrine, linked with water and purification. Along the way your guide explains the ocak lineages, the role of the seyit and the oral heritage of Dersim Alevism. After a city tour of Tunceli, the evening ends with local melodies. Dinner and overnight in Tunceli.
After breakfast and check-out, drive to Pertek Castle for views over the reservoir lake. Following a closing reflection with your guide, you are transferred to the airport for your departure.
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.
Cappadocia → Hacıbektaş → Banaz, Sivas & Şarkışla → Munzur Valley & Tunceli → Pertek & Departure
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
👥 37 Seats
👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Cappadocia, Hacıbektaş, Banaz, Sivas & Şarkışla, Munzur Valley & Tunceli, Pertek & 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!