Trace the footsteps of the apostles across western Anatolia on an eight-day pilgrimage to the Seven Churches of Revelation, arranged in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed Turkish operator, and guided throughout in English. Based first on the Aegean coast around Izmir (ancient Smyrna), you travel to Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Hierapolis and Ephesus before closing with the great monuments of Istanbul.
The journey begins on the Aegean coast at Izmir, the ancient Smyrna whose faithful church is praised in the Book of Revelation and whose bishop Polycarp was martyred for his faith. From here you drive north to Pergamon, climbing the steep acropolis above the modern town of Bergama to the site Revelation calls the place "where Satan's throne is", then visiting the Red Basilica that became an early Christian church and the celebrated medical centre of the Asclepion. Turning inland you reach Thyatira at Akhisar, the trading city of Lydia's purple dyers, and Sardis, the Lydian capital with its monumental Temple of Artemis, Roman gymnasium and ancient synagogue, before pausing at Philadelphia, the church promised an open door.
At Pamukkale you walk the snow-white calcium terraces beneath the ruined city of Hierapolis, where the Apostle Philip was martyred, and visit nearby Laodicea, the seventh church rebuked for being neither hot nor cold. The tour's spiritual climax is Ephesus, greatest of the seven churches, where you walk the marble streets past the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John on Ayasuluk Hill. The pilgrimage ends in imperial Istanbul, with the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, the aromatic Spice Bazaar and a scenic Bosphorus cruise between two continents. All prices are per person.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Welcome to the Turkish Aegean. You are met on arrival in Izmir and transferred to your hotel, with the remainder of the day free to rest and stroll the lively waterfront of ancient Smyrna. A welcome dinner is served and you spend the night in Izmir.
Your pilgrimage opens with the church of Smyrna, the persecuted yet faithful community and home of the great bishop St Polycarp. You then drive north to Pergamon, climbing the dramatic acropolis above Bergama with its Great Theatre and the Altar of Zeus that Revelation names "Satan's throne". You visit the Red Basilica, a pagan temple later turned church, and the famous Asclepion medical centre of antiquity. Overnight in Izmir.
Today you reach three of the Seven Churches. At Thyatira (Akhisar), once famed for its guild of purple dyers, you walk among the excavated ruins of the city church. At Sardis, capital of ancient Lydia, you are impressed by the monumental Temple of Artemis, the marble Royal Road, the Roman gymnasium and the great synagogue. You continue to Philadelphia (Alasehir), the church promised an open door, to see its ancient wall and the pillars of a Byzantine basilica. Overnight in Pamukkale.
You explore Hierapolis, the "holy city" evangelised by St Paul and Epaphras, where the Apostle Philip lived and was martyred, then walk barefoot across the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, formed by its warm mineral springs. Nearby you visit Laodicea, the seventh church of Revelation rebuked for being "lukewarm", with its stadium, colonnaded streets and ongoing excavations. Overnight in Kusadasi.
A full day at Ephesus, the greatest of the seven churches, where St Paul lived and taught for three years. You walk the marble-paved streets past the Fountain of Trajan, the magnificent Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre that once held 24,000 spectators, then visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John, built over the apostle's tomb on Ayasuluk Hill. Overnight in Kusadasi.
You travel from the Aegean to Istanbul. On arrival you visit the historic Spice Bazaar, founded by the Ottomans and filled with the scents of herbs, sweets and coffee, then board a boat for a cruise on the Bosphorus, admiring the palaces, fortresses and waterside mansions that line the strait between Europe and Asia. Overnight in Istanbul.
A full guided day among the monuments of old Istanbul. You visit Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries, the soaring Hagia Sophia, the chariot-racing Hippodrome with its ancient obelisk and columns, and the magnificent Blue Mosque with its cascade of Iznik tiles, before browsing the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
Free time in Istanbul until your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Your biblical journey through Asia Minor comes to a close.
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.
Izmir → Smyrna, Pergamon → Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia → Hierapolis, Laodicea, Pamukkale → Ephesus, Kusadasi → Izmir, Istanbul → Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Izmir, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Izmir, Istanbul, 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 — 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!