Human origins: Neolithic and Bronze Age Turkey - additional date added
Contact an expert to book or discuss this tour.
23 May 2025 - 12 days for £4,450 per person - 6 places remaining
10 September 2025 - 12 days. Sold out
24 September 2025 - 12 days for £4,550 per person
Embark on a captivating journey through Turkey, a land rich with historical treasures that illuminate the story of human origins. Guided by an expert archaeologist, uncover the mysteries of these ancient landscapes and visit museums that showcase invaluable artifacts, bringing the past to life in a vivid and unforgettable way.
Discover how Neolithic and Bronze Age people in Turkey changed from hunter-gatherers to organised societies with agriculture, ritual and an understanding of the wider world.
Marvel at Istanbul's awe-inspiring architecture and experience the vibrant life of Turkey's capital, Ankara. Delve into sites that have shaped our understanding of early human history. Be enchanted by Cappadocia's geological wonders, including the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli. Explore the enigmatic ruins of Göbekli Tepe and the ancient settlement of Çatalhöyük, and be awestruck by the monumental statues of Mount Nemrut. You will also visit museums that house extensive collections from these remarkable locations.
An archaeology expert will accompany you throughout your trip. In May, this will be Dr Sinan Ünlüsoy and on 10 September it will be Dr Çiler ÇilingiroÄŸlu. They will enrich your travel experience through a series of specialist talks and walking seminars, plus they will also be on hand to answer any queries you have regarding the archaeological regions that you visit along the way.
This tour is perfect for those fascinated by human origins, offering a deep dive into some of the world's most significant archaeological sites and an unparalleled opportunity to explore the cradle of human development.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL
Merhaba! Welcome to Turkey. Check in to the Legacy Ottoman Hotel, located in the heart of Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have previously all called home.
In the evening, meet your fellow guests, tour leader and accompanying expert, who will give an introductory lecture on the tour ahead. The tour expert will give both evening lectures and walking commentary throughout the tour. (Please note for the September departure, Dr Çiler will join on day 3).
Afterwards, you will head out to enjoy dinner together.
DAY 2: BLUE MOSQUE, HAGIA SOPHIA, HIPPODROME AND THE GRAND BAZAAR
After an early breakfast, you will enjoy a tour of the most important and visually enthralling sites of the old city. This will include the Blue Mosque and Justinian the Great’s 1500-year-old Hagia Sophia. These monumental and awe-inspiring buildings sit next to each other in the heart of the city. Next, we head on to the Hippodrome, where chariot races once took place. Finally, we visit the famed Grand Bazaar to explore the 3000 local and independent stalls and shops.
DAY 3: KONYA AND ÇATALHÖYÜK
This morning, you will catch a short flight to Konya in the Anatolia region (for those travelling on the September departure, Dr Çiler will join you here). On arrival, you will drive to Çatalhöyük. Founded 9000 years ago, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is often called the first city in the world. It is among the earliest places where villages came together and formed a central location, marking the beginning of the kind of urban civilisation that now dominates the modern world. Research of 226 skeletons buried here found that, unusually, the inhabitants weren’t organised into family groups, hinting that there is still much to be understood about the site.
DAY 4: AÅžIKLI HÖYÜK, CAPPADOCIA AND RED VALLEY
Today we head to AÅŸikli Höyük, another village that harbours many firsts. All signs indicate that this was the first place on the Central Anatolian Plateau where copper was mined. The site was found in 1964 by Dr Ian Todd and is now one of the largest dig sites in the region, spanning 4200 square metres. Evidence uncovered since the digs started here has revealed over 400 rooms and, within them, 70 buried individuals. From examination of two of the skulls here, this village gives us evidence of the earliest-known brain surgery and first autopsy to have been performed, providing key information about the history and development of medicinal practices.
Our journey continues on to Cappadocia. Over millions of years, rain and wind have shaped the soft, white volcanic rock of this plain into an otherworldly landscape of dripping cones, pillars, pinnacles and fairy chimneys that soar more than 30 metres into the sky.
Finish the day with a walk at Red Valley.
DAY 5: GOREME AND KAYMAKLI
Early birds will have an option to take a hot air balloon over the otherworldly Cappadocian landscape (this isn't included in the tour cost). The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away.
You will then visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, UNESCO World Heritage listed since 1984, which houses scores of monasteries, each with its own church carved from the rock. Built during the Byzantine period, it was originally a home for monks and also a pilgrimage destination. Within the many buildings and churches are beautifully preserved frescoes, which retain their original colour to this day.
Then, you will visit Kaymakli, an underground city that was built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli. It was opened to visitors in 1964. The people of Kaymakli village have constructed their houses around nearly 100 tunnels of the underground city. The inhabitants of the region still use the most convenient places in the tunnels as cellars, storage areas and stables, which they access through their courtyards. The underground city has 8 doors leading below ground, but only 4 of them are open to the public today, descending into low, narrow and sloping passages.
DAY 6: HATTUSA AND ANKARA
Leaving Cappadocia we drive north, heading towards Ankara. On the way, visit Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittites. The remnants of the Hittite capital date back to the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC, and they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. The Hittites were a remarkable civilisation, stretching from the Aegean across Anatolia and northern Syria to the Euphrates river.
Next, explore the ancient Hittite sanctuary of Yazilikaya, an open-air, carved-rock monument.
In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner with the group in this cosmopolitan city.
DAY 7: MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS AND ANKARA CASTLE
Today, you will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of the most significant museums in the world with its extensive, unique collections and works exhibited in chronological order from the Palaeolithic until today. The collection is out of this world and will take you far back in time.
Next, you will visit Ankara Castle which has hosted many different civilisations, such as the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs and Ottomans.
Tonight, enjoy a nice dinner with the group.
DAY 8: SANLIURFA
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Sanliurfa. You will have a tour of Sanliurfa, often referred to as the "City of Prophets" and previously known in antiquity as Edessa, where you will discover the city's rich history, culture, and spirituality. Begin at the sacred pool of Abraham, a serene site steeped in legend, surrounded by vibrant gardens and ancient mosques. Stroll through the bustling bazaars, where the scent of spices and the hum of artisans create an unforgettable atmosphere, and also visit the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque.
DAY 9: SANLIURFA MUSEUM
Today you will visit the Şanlıurfa Museum, which exhibits works from the city and its surroundings. With a rich history, it is of international importance for the history of the Neolithic Period and features the oldest-known life-sized human sculpture, Urfa Man, dating back to around 9000 BC.
DAY 10: GÖBEKLI TEPE AND KARAHAN TEPE
Up next is a visit to the UNESCO listed Göbekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest and most impressive archaeological sites. The history of Göbekli Tepe goes back to thousands of years, before major sites such as Stonehenge, the Pyramids and the Ggantija temples. It is considered one of the world’s first temples and also had significant astronomical use for monitoring the night sky. There is so much still to be discovered, and radar-mapping of the site shows several more megalithic ring structures still to be excavated.
Then, visit Karahan Tepe, which, along with Göbekli Tepe, is part of a cluster of Neolithic settlements spread over 200 ilometres of south-eastern Turkey between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Karahan Tepe is believed to be considerably larger than Göbekli Tepe, covering an area of about 13 hectares. Recent archaeological work suggests that Karahan Tepe might be an even earlier structure than Göbekli Tepe, placing it among the earliest known Neolithic sites in the world. Continue onto Adiyaman where you will spend the evening.
From here, there will be a scenic 3-hour drive to Adiyaman, where you will spend the night.
DAY 11: MOUNT NEMRUT AND ISTANBUL
In the morning, drive to Mount Nemrut. Here you will trek up to the 2000-metre summit, where 2000-year-old giant statues of gods are placed around what is assumed to be a royal tomb. This is one of the most atmospheric and iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey.
You will be transferred to the local airport to fly back to Istanbul, arriving mid-afternoon. After checking into your hotel in the heart of the city, you will have some free time to explore before having a farewell group dinner together.
DAY 12: DEPART ISTANBUL
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your return flight. However, if you wish to spend some additional days in Istanbul, we can extend your stay.
