Follow the roots of early Christianity on this five-day private pilgrimage from Istanbul to Iznik (ancient Nicaea) and on to Ephesus, tracing the legacy of the First Council of Nicaea and the first of the Seven Churches of Revelation, arranged in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed operator since 2007, with a private vehicle, driver and guide throughout.
Your pilgrimage begins in Istanbul — once Constantinople — where the Nicene Creed shaped the Byzantine Christian world. You explore Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, the ancient Hippodrome, the exquisite Church of SS Sergius and Bacchus, the Mosaic Museum and the Chora Church with its luminous Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, and cross the Bosphorus to Kadıköy (ancient Chalcedon), the site of another great ecumenical council, before a scenic Bosphorus cruise and a visit to the Spice Bazaar.
You then travel to Iznik, the sacred Nicaea where the First Council met in 325 AD and proclaimed the Nicene Creed, to stand within its historic Hagia Sophia and visit the Church of St Neophytos. A short domestic flight carries you to the Aegean coast and the ancient city of Ephesus, the first of the Seven Churches of Revelation and one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world. There you walk among its marble streets and great theatre, visit the Basilica of St John built over the apostle's tomb, the Temple of Artemis and the Ephesus Museum, before flying back to Istanbul. Bringing Scripture, history and faith to life in the lands where it unfolded, it is a moving, comfortable journey for pilgrims and history lovers alike.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Your guide collects you from the hotel in the morning for a full day among Istanbul's great monuments: Topkapı Palace, the Roman Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the serene Hagia Irene, the Church of SS Sergius and Bacchus (the "Little Hagia Sophia"), the Mosaic Museum and the Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
Today you cross by ferry to Kadıköy (ancient Chalcedon) on the Asian shore and walk into its lively streets, then visit the mosaic-adorned Chora Church, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise between two continents and finish at the colourful Spice Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
You are driven to Iznik (Nicaea), around three hours away on the shore of its tranquil lake, to explore the town where the First Council of Nicaea was held in 325 AD. You visit the Church of St Neophytos and the historic Hagia Sophia of Nicaea, where pivotal moments of Church history unfolded. In the late afternoon you transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir. Overnight in Kuşadası.
After breakfast you explore the ancient city of Ephesus, the first of the Seven Churches of Revelation, walking its marble streets past the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre. You visit the Basilica of St John, built over the apostle's tomb, the site of the Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — and the Ephesus Museum. You are then transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul, where the tour ends.
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 → Iznik, Kuşadası → Ephesus, Izmir
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, Iznik, Kuşadası, Ephesus, Izmir.
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Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
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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!