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Warrior bas relief, Hattusa ancient site, Turkey
Home Group Tours Central Anatolia - Hittites, Seljuks and Sufi Traditions

Turkey

Central Anatolia - Hittites, Seljuks and Sufi Traditions

From Ankara to Antalya, a journey through the landscapes and civilisations that shaped central Anatolia…

  • EXPERT-LED GROUP TOUR
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Single Supplement Tour Expert Group Size Status
22/04/27 01/05/27 10 days £3,695 pp £950 Ian Colvin 15 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
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Travelling from Ankara across the Anatolian plateau to the Mediterranean coast, this richly layered journey reveals the many civilisations that shaped central Turkey. The route weaves together Hittite strongholds, Seljuk caravanserais, early Neolithic settlements and the sculpted valleys of Cappadocia, with spring bringing fresh green landscapes and blossom across the region.

Along the way, there is time to absorb the quieter rhythm of modern Turkey, from mountain villages and fertile plains to Konya’s spiritual heritage and Antalya’s old harbour quarter.

From the great Hittite capital of Hattusa to the underground cities and painted cave churches of Cappadocia, the journey explores landscapes shaped as much by faith and trade as by empire. In Konya, once capital of the Seljuk Sultanate and home of the Sufi mystic Rumi, a different side of Anatolia emerges through living spiritual traditions and centuries of scholarship. Crossing the Taurus Mountains, the journey concludes beside the Mediterranean coast among the Roman sites and harbour town of Antalya.

Introducing your expert

Ian Colvin

Ian Colvin

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Ian Colvin is an independent historian and researcher specialising in the South Caucasus, Byzantium and Sasanian Iran.

He previously worked at the University of Cambridge on the Schools Classics Project, where he also supervised the History Faculty course The Near East in the Age of Justinian and Muhammad. Before that, he worked at Worcester College, Oxford.

He is Director of the Anglo-Georgian Archaeological Expedition at Nokalakevi, an important archaeological site in Samegrelo, western Georgia. He established the project in 2001 in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum. He speaks and reads Georgian, among several other languages.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Uchisar Castle Cave Houses, Cappadocia, Turkey 1

Rock Cut Worlds

Explore Cappadocia, where rock-cut churches and cave dwellings lie hidden among volcanic valleys

Hattusa, Aerial View of ancient site, Turkey 2

Hittite Kingdoms

Discover the ancient Hittite world at Hattusa and Yazilikaya, among the most important archaeological sites in Turkey

Ancient city of Perge, Theatre, Antalya, Turkey 3

Across the Taurus

Travel south through the Taurus Mountains to the Roman sites of Aspendos and Perge on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast

Yunak Elveri Cave Hotel, Aerial View, Cappadocia, Turkey 4

Historic Stays

Stay in a collection of characterful hotels, from a cave hotel in Cappadocia to a restored Ottoman mansion in Konya

Explore our suggested itinerary

Map View List View

  • Day 1

    Arrive Ankara

  • Day 2

    Ankara & Gordion

  • Day 3

    Ankara to Yozgat via Hattusa

  • Day 4

    Yozgat to Cappadocia

  • Day 5

    Cappadocia

  • Day 6

    Cappadocia to Konya

  • Day 7

    Catalhoyuk & Konya

  • Day 8

    Konya to Antalya

  • Day 9

    Antalya & Perge

  • Day 10

    Depart Antalya

Day 1

Arrive Ankara

Arrive in Turkey’s capital and transfer to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Ankara is often overlooked by visitors, yet its museums and modern energy provide an excellent introduction to the country’s layered history.

Day 2

Ankara & Gordion

Begin at the outstanding Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, whose collections trace the story of Anatolia from prehistory to the classical world. Continue to ancient Gordion, once the Phrygian capital associated with King Midas and the legend of the Gordian Knot.

Day 3

Ankara to Yozgat via Hattusa

Drive east across the Anatolian plateau to the Hittite heartland. Explore the vast ruins of Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire, along with the remarkable rock sanctuary at Yazilikaya and the royal tombs of Alacahoyuk. Continue to Yozgat for an overnight stay.

Day 4

Yozgat to Cappadocia

Journey south into Cappadocia, where volcanic landscapes have been shaped into a maze of valleys, pinnacles and cave dwellings. Visit Pasabagi’s fairy chimneys and enjoy sweeping views over Pigeon Valley before settling into your atmospheric cave hotel.

Day 5

Cappadocia

Spend the day exploring Cappadocia’s remarkable cultural landscape. Visit the frescoed rock-cut churches of Goreme Open Air Museum, the village of Cavusin and the citadel at Uchisar. A panoramic stop overlooking Love Valley offers another perspective on this extraordinary region. This evening attend a traditional Whirling Dervish ceremony.

Day 6

Cappadocia to Konya

Visit Derinkuyu Underground City, descending into the labyrinth once used as refuge by early communities. Continue through the green gorge of Ihlara before stopping at the imposing Seljuk caravanserai of Sultanhani. Arrive in Konya, long associated with the poet and mystic Rumi.

Day 7

Catalhoyuk & Konya

Excursion to Catalhoyuk, one of the world’s earliest known settled communities and a fascinating window into Neolithic life. Return to Konya to explore the city’s Seljuk heritage and spiritual atmosphere, including time around the Mevlana district.

Day 8

Konya to Antalya

Visit the beautifully preserved wooden Esrefoglu Mosque before travelling through the Taurus Mountains towards the Mediterranean coast. On arrival in Antalya stop at the Roman theatre of Aspendos, among the finest surviving classical theatres anywhere in the world.

Day 9

Antalya & Perge

Explore the ancient city of Perge, with its colonnaded streets, baths and stadium. Return to Antalya for time in the old harbour quarter, where Ottoman houses and narrow lanes overlook the sea.

Day 10

Depart Antalya

Transfer to the airport for onward flights.

Hattusa, Rock carvings, Turkey
Hattusa rock carvings
Hittite Kingdoms

Hattusa and the Hittite heartland

Once the capital of a powerful Bronze Age empire that rivalled ancient Egypt, Hattusa remains one of Turkey’s most compelling archaeological sites. Monumental gates, defensive walls and temple foundations spread across the hillside, revealing the scale of the ancient Hittite capital. Nearby Yazilikaya, an open-air sanctuary carved with processions of gods and rulers, offers a fascinating insight into Hittite religious life. In spring, the surrounding plateau is often bright with wildflowers.

Dervish hats on tombs, Mevlana Musuem, Konya, Turkey
Dervish hats, Mevlana, Turkey
Sufi Traditions

Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes

Konya remains closely associated with the teachings of the 13th-century poet and mystic Rumi and the spiritual traditions of Sufism. The Mevlevi Order, known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes, developed from Rumi’s teachings and still forms an important part of the city’s identity today. Their turning ceremony, the Sema, is not simply a performance but a form of spiritual meditation. Accompanied by music and prayer, the dervishes’ slow, controlled movements symbolise harmony, devotion and the soul’s journey towards enlightenment.

Includes / Excludes

Important Information

Activity Level
Moderate Activity
Single Supplement

Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.

Flexibility

To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.

What is included

  • Accompanied by Ian Colvin throughout
  • Accompanied by a local English speaking guide throughout
  • Accommodation throughout as detailed
  • Entrance tickets to all sites
  • Road transportation throughout
  • Meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
  • Early check in on arrival in Ankara

What is excluded

  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa (if required)
  • Drinks with meals

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Tour Expert Group Size Status
22/04/27 01/05/27 10 days £3,695 pp Ian Colvin 15 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place

Reserve your place on this group tour

Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.

01285 880 980

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