This journey follows the spiritual legacy of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th-century poet and mystic whose message of love and tolerance still draws visitors from around the world to Konya, the city where he lived, taught and is buried. Three nights in Konya give time to go beyond a quick museum visit and to understand the Sufi tradition in its own setting, before the tour continues to Istanbul, the former imperial capital where empires, faiths and cultures have met for centuries. The pace is unhurried, with an evening at leisure on arrival in each city and guided days that focus on the places most closely tied to Rumi, his companion Shams and the Seljuk and Ottoman worlds around them.
In Konya the central visit is the Mevlana Museum, the former dervish lodge that houses Rumi's mausoleum beneath its turquoise dome, where his famous invitation, "Come, whoever you are, come again", takes on a personal meaning. The same day continues with two masterpieces of Seljuk architecture, the Alaeddin Mosque on its hill in the city centre and the Karatay Madrasa with its tilework. The next day leads to Sille, a village where communities of different faiths lived side by side for centuries, and to the Tomb of Shams of Tabriz, the wandering dervish whose friendship transformed Rumi's life and poetry. Optional extras such as a whirling dervish ceremony or a Bosphorus cruise can be arranged at extra cost.
After the transfer to Istanbul by air or train, a full-day guided tour of the historic peninsula takes you to Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans for some four centuries, with its treasury, porcelain collections and the sacred relics of the Holy Mantle; to the Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 and named for its Iznik tiles; and to the Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. The afternoon ends in the Spice Bazaar among spices, Turkish delight, coffee and nuts. Included are five nights of hotel accommodation (three in Konya, two in Istanbul), the meals listed in the programme, guiding, transfers and entrance fees; the Konya to Istanbul flight or train ticket is not included.
| Tour type | Private Β· multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 Days 5 Nights |
| Price | From β¬1,690 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 11 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours Β· TΓRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day β click a day to see every stop.
Your guide welcomes you on arrival and accompanies you into Konya, the heart of Anatolia and a city long associated with learning, faith and Sufi thought. After checking in at your hotel the rest of the day is yours to settle in. In the evening you may want to take a short walk to sense the calm atmosphere of the old centre, shaped over centuries by scholars, poets and dervishes, before returning for dinner. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
After breakfast your guide introduces the life and teachings of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose name stands for love and tolerance, before you set out to follow in his footsteps. The first visit is the Mevlana Museum, where you stand before Rumi's tomb and reflect on his universal invitation to come as you are. You then continue to the great monuments of Seljuk Konya, the Alaeddin Mosque and the Karatay Madrasa, learning not only about their architecture but also the stories and ideas behind them. At the end of the day you return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Following breakfast you explore the deeper religious and cultural layers of the Konya region. In Sille, a small settlement on the edge of the city, your guide shows the traces of a long tradition of coexistence between people of different faiths who shared the same streets for centuries. Later you visit the Tomb of Shams of Tabriz, the mysterious dervish who became Rumi's spiritual companion and one of the most important figures of the Sufi tradition. The day is intended as a quiet, reflective journey as much as a sightseeing tour. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
After breakfast you say goodbye to Konya and are transferred to the airport or train station for your journey to Istanbul; the flight or train ticket is not included in the price. On arrival in Istanbul our guide meets you and takes you to your hotel. For centuries this city was the capital of great empires where many faiths and cultures met, and the rest of the day is free to begin discovering it at your own pace. In the evening you share dinner together. Overnight in Istanbul.
You are collected from your hotel at 08:30 for a guided day in old Istanbul. The tour starts at Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries, with its treasury, porcelain collections and the relics of the Holy Mantle. Next comes the Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its Iznik tiles, followed by the Hippodrome with its obelisk and columns. After a lunch break you visit the Spice Bazaar for spices, Turkish delight, coffee and souvenirs. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, when the Basilica Cistern is visited instead. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy a last breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Depending on your flight time you may have a little while for a final stroll or some last shopping in Istanbul. You are then transferred to the airport for your flight home, which concludes this journey along the trail of Rumi from the Sufi heart of Konya to the great monuments of the Ottoman capital.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category β the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Konya β Konya, Mevlana Museum, Alaeddin Mosque, Karatay Madrasa β Sille, Tomb of Shams of Tabriz β Konya, Istanbul β Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Spice Bazaar β Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles β the same fleet we use on your tour.
π₯ 54 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
π₯ 55 Seats
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π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 46 Seats
π₯ 37+2 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats
π₯ 35 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 12+1 Seats
π₯ 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route β Konya, Konya, Mevlana Museum, Alaeddin Mosque, Karatay Madrasa, Sille, Tomb of Shams of Tabriz, Konya, Istanbul, Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Spice Bazaar, Istanbul.
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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 β 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!