Travel BiblicalBiblical group journeys
Request Itinerary

Biblical Turkey

Biblical Turkey Tour Package

Explore Turkey’s Christian heritage from Istanbul and the Seven Churches to Cappadocia.

Request This Itinerary View Sample Itinerary
Duration9 Days / 8 Nights
Route11 destinations
Group stylePrivate group journey
PlanningCustomizable
Serving groups since 1997Experienced planning for churches, ministries, and faith-based groups
Licensed local operatorCrossroads Travel · TÜRSAB 3716 registration is visible for verification
Reply within 24 hoursWe will respond to your inquiry with practical next steps

For group leaders

01 / BEFORE YOU PLAN

Is This Journey Right for Your Group?

This journey can be shaped around the people you are leading, the pace they need, and the Biblical themes you want to explore together.

See the day-by-day route

A considered fit

Private group journey
  • Church groups
  • Ministry teams
  • Pastor-led journeys
  • Bible study groups
  • Faith-based educational groups
  • Groups needing a custom pace or teaching time

The route can be shaped around your group’s pace and priorities.

Journey at a glance

02 / THE BIG PICTURE

From Istanbul to Cappadocia

Explore the itinerary

This Turkey journey combines Istanbul, the Seven Churches region, and Cappadocia. The published itinerary links the historic center of Istanbul with Ephesus, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis, Thyatira, Pergamon, Smyrna, Pamukkale, and the valleys and churches of Cappadocia.

Duration9 Days / 8 Nights
RouteIstanbul → Istanbul
Highlights4 ways to experience it

Why this route works

Why This Journey Works for Groups

A wider Biblical Turkey route for groups that want to connect Istanbul, the Seven Churches, and Cappadocia in one journey.

More than one region

Move from Istanbul and the Seven Churches to Cappadocia within one connected Turkey itinerary.

Biblical and historical context

Use the route to place early church sites within the broader history and landscapes of Turkey.

A private group framework

Adapt the route around group pace, teaching priorities, arrival plans, and requested services.

Made for your group

Customize This Journey for Your Church or Ministry

Use this itinerary as a starting point. The final route can be refined during the planning conversation.

  • Group size and preferred travel dates
  • Tour duration and daily pace
  • Hotel category and arrival or departure cities
  • Teaching, worship, and reflection time
  • Accessibility needs and destination priorities
  • Turkey, Greece, or Patmos extensions when appropriate
Discuss your priorities

Day-by-day route

9-Day Journey

Start with the journey overview, then open the complete itinerary for full day details.

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Istanbul

    Arrive in Istanbul and transfer from the airport to the hotel.

  2. Day 2

    Istanbul Old City

    Explore the historic center, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace.

  3. Day 3

    Ephesus and Laodicea

    Fly to Izmir and visit Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, the House of the…
    Overnight
    Pamukkale

  4. Day 4

    Hierapolis, Philadelphia, Sardis and Thyatira

    Visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale, then continue through Philadelphia, Sardis, and Thyatira.

Operational overview

Every day at a glance

Use this quick view to understand the rhythm of the route. Open the full itinerary below for the complete Biblical focus, visits, meals, and teaching notes.

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Istanbul

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  2. Day 2

    Istanbul Old City

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  3. Day 3

    Ephesus and Laodicea

    Overnight
    Pamukkale
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    Lunch and dinner
    Biblical focus
    Ephesus and Laodicea among the Seven Churches of Revelation.
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  4. Day 4

    Hierapolis, Philadelphia, Sardis and Thyatira

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Biblical focus
    Philip the Evangelist at Hierapolis and three churches addressed in Revelation.
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  5. Day 5

    Pergamon and Smyrna

    Overnight
    Cappadocia
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch
    Biblical focus
    Pergamon and Smyrna in the letters to the churches of Revelation.
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  6. Day 6

    North Cappadocia

    Overnight
    Cappadocia
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  7. Day 7

    South Cappadocia

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    The existing itinerary describes a 5 km hike through the Gulludere Valley.
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  8. Day 8

    Cappadocia to Istanbul

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    Breakfast
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

  9. Day 9

    Departure from Istanbul

    Overnight
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Travel & timing
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Walking & access
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Meals
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Biblical focus
    To be confirmed in your group proposal
    Teaching & reflection
    To be confirmed in your group proposal

Approximate timing, walking expectations, meals, overnight location, Biblical focus, and teaching space are shown when currently confirmed. Items marked for confirmation are finalized with your group proposal and group pace/access needs.

Complete itinerary

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer from the airport to your hotel. The remainder of the day is available to settle in before the historic and Biblical sites begin.

Key visits
Istanbul

Explore the historic center, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace.

Explore Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace. The route continues to the Grand Bazaar, where time is available to discover its covered passageways.

Key visits
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace
Meals
Breakfast and lunch

Fly to Izmir and visit Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, the House of the Virgin Mary, and Laodicea.

Fly to Izmir and continue to Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, and the House of the Virgin Mary. After lunch, visit Laodicea before the overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Biblical focus
Ephesus and Laodicea among the Seven Churches of Revelation.
Key visits
Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, House of the Virgin Mary, Laodicea
Overnight
Pamukkale
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Interior of the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus

Visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale, then continue through Philadelphia, Sardis, and Thyatira.

Visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale, then continue through Philadelphia, Sardis, and Thyatira. The day follows the western Turkey section of the Seven Churches route.

Biblical focus
Philip the Evangelist at Hierapolis and three churches addressed in Revelation.
Key visits
Hierapolis, Pamukkale, Philadelphia, Sardis, Thyatira

Visit Pergamon and Smyrna, then fly from Izmir to Cappadocia.

Depart for Pergamon and visit the Acropolis and Red Basilica before continuing to Smyrna in Izmir. Transfer to Izmir Airport for the flight to Cappadocia.

Biblical focus
Pergamon and Smyrna in the letters to the churches of Revelation.
Key visits
Pergamon, Red Basilica, Acropolis, Smyrna
Overnight
Cappadocia
Meals
Breakfast and lunch

Explore Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos, and the Goreme Open-Air Museum.

Explore northern Cappadocia through Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos, and the Goreme Open-Air Museum. The day combines the region’s rock formations, terracotta tradition, and Byzantine cave churches.

Key visits
Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos, Goreme Open-Air Museum
Overnight
Cappadocia
Meals
Breakfast and lunch

Walk through the Red and Gulludere valleys, visit Cavusin, an underground city, and Pigeon Valley.

Walk through the Red and Gulludere valleys and visit their rock-cut churches. Continue to Cavusin, an underground city, and Pigeon Valley; the existing itinerary notes a 5 km hike through Gulludere Valley.

Key visits
Red Valley, Gulludere Valley, Cavusin, Underground city, Pigeon Valley
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Walking & access
The existing itinerary describes a 5 km hike through the Gulludere Valley.

Fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul and continue with free time or an extension.

Fly from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Continue with free time or discuss the Istanbul extension mentioned in the current itinerary.

Key visits
Cappadocia, Istanbul
Meals
Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for the flight home, with an Istanbul extension available on request.

Enjoy free time until the transfer to Istanbul Airport for the flight home. An Istanbul extension may be added on request, and the current itinerary notes flexible private dates for groups.

Key visits
Istanbul

Your group, your pace

Want this route shaped around your church?

Request This Itinerary

Planning clarity

Planning Information

Your proposal is prepared around your group size, travel dates, preferred hotel category, route duration, and requested services.

Group price guide

Travel together with clarity and care.

Transparent pricing and thoughtful planning so your group can focus on the journey that truly matters.

Tiered group pricing

From $1,832 per person

Based on 9–10 travellers

Price basisPer personGroup size 9–10 tier
Planning statusCurrent planning pricePublished planning prices remain in effect until Travel Biblical updates this catalog.
Line itemsIncluded & separateIncluded: Airport transfers on arrival and departure · Accommodation in double occupancy at 4-star class hotels on… Separate: Domestic flight tickets (booking assistance available on request) · Gratuities for the guide and driver
Displayed per-person group pricing
Group sizePer person
2 travellers$2,580 per person
3 travellers$2,250 per person
4 travellers$2,090 per person
5–6 travellers$2,013 per person
7–8 travellers$1,903 per person
9–10 travellers$1,832 per person
Request This Itinerary

Pricing clarity: No unlisted mandatory charges are added after your proposal is confirmed. Optional upgrades are listed separately in the itinerary.

Typically Included

  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Accommodation in double occupancy at 4-star class hotels on average (single supplement applies; final hotels confirmed in your proposal)
  • Meals as indicated in the daily itinerary (B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner)
  • Transportation in air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicles
  • English-speaking official tour guide
  • Entrance fees to the sites listed in the itinerary

Typically Not Included

  • Domestic flight tickets (booking assistance available on request)
  • Gratuities for the guide and driver
  • Optional activities such as a hot-air balloon or Turkish night (available on request)
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Any item not listed as included in your group proposal

Hotel category, flights, and the final inclusion list are confirmed in your group proposal.

Route and destinations

Follow the Journey

Starts IstanbulEnds Istanbul

This 9-day route starts in Istanbul and ends in Istanbul. The complete destination order is shown below and can be refined during group planning.

Istanbul → Ephesus → Laodicea → Pamukkale and Hierapolis → Philadelphia → Sardis → Thyatira → Pergamon → Smyrna → Cappadocia → Istanbul

Biblical Turkey Tour Package route mapIllustrated route map with numbered stops following the published itinerary order.TRAVEL BIBLICAL · ROUTE OVERVIEWNUMBERED STOPS FOLLOW THE ITINERARYTURKEY01Istanbul02Ephesus03Laodicea04Pamukkale05Philadelphia06Sardis07Thyatira08Pergamon09Smyrna10Cappadocia11Istanbul
Main routeBiblical or historical siteOvernight or base
Published route map for Biblical Turkey Tour Package. Use the ordered route and day-by-day itinerary for the full sequence.

Journey sequence

  1. Istanbul
  2. Ephesus
  3. Laodicea
  4. Pamukkale and Hierapolis
  5. Philadelphia
  6. Sardis
  7. Thyatira
  8. Pergamon
  9. Smyrna
  10. Cappadocia
  11. Istanbul

Optional extension: The existing itinerary notes that an Istanbul extension may be added.

Frequently asked questions

Questions Before You Plan

Yes. The current itinerary states that the tour can operate privately on requested dates and that dates are flexible.

The current itinerary states that other languages are available on request for groups.

No. The current exclusion list identifies the hot-air balloon and other optional tours as excluded.

Questions about this route?

Have questions about this tour? Ask us directly.

Send us the question that is on your mind. You do not need to have dates or a final group size yet.

Ask about the route, pace, destinations, or planning options.

No obligation · Reply within 24 hours. How we use your information.

Plan your group journey

Tell Us About the Group You Are Leading

Share your group size and what you would like this journey to accomplish. We will reply with practical next steps and ask about timing by email.

  1. 1Share your group outline

    Tell us your estimated group size and what you need help planning.

  2. 2Receive an initial itinerary

    We will review the route and prepare practical next steps.

  3. 3Refine the journey together

    Work with a local specialist to align the journey with your group.

Start with what you know.

Required fields are labelled “required”.

No obligation · Timing can be discussed by email

Share any route, ministry, pace, or planning notes that would help us prepare a useful reply.

No obligation · Reply within 24 hours. How we use your information.