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Human origins: Neolithic and Bronze age Turkey

24 May 2025 - 11 days for £4,199

11 September 2025 - 11 days for £4,350


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 the dawn of civilisation where our Neolithic and Bronze age ancestors changed from hunter-gatherers to organised societies with agriculture, ritual and an understanding of the wider world.

Marvel at Istanbul's awe-inspiring, biblical-scale architecture, 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'll visit museums that house extensive collections from these remarkable locations.

You will be accompanied throughout by an archaeology expert, in May, the expert will be Dr. Sinan Ünlüsoy and in September it will be Çiler ÇilingiroÄŸlu. They will enrich your travel experience through a series of specialist talks and walking seminars and will 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 offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the cradle of human development. 

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.


DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO ISTANBUL

Merhaba! Welcome to Turkey. Check in to the Park Inn by Radisson Odayeri Hotel Odayeri, located near the airport,Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the 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.

Afterward, you will head out to enjoy dinner together. 

DAY 2: KONYA AND ÇATALHÖYÜK

This morning, you will catch a short flight to Konya in the Anatolia region. On arrival, you will drive to Çatalhöyük. Founded 9,000 years ago, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the first known city in the world. The first place where surrounding villages came together and formed a central location and began the sort of urban civilization that dominates the modern world. Research of 226 skeletons buried there found that the inhabitants weren’t organised into family groups, so there is still much to be understood about the site.

DAY 3: AÅžIKLI HÖYÜK, CAPPADOCIA AND RED VALLEY

This morning , you will stop at Asikli Hoyuk. Another village that harbors many firsts. It is the first settlement on the Central Anatolian Plateau where copper was mined. It was also the site where the earliest-known brain surgery and first autopsy were performed, as the skulls of two individuals recovered from the site provide crucial information about the history of medicine.

Continue to Cappadocia. Over millions of years, rain and wind have shaped the soft white volcanic rock of the plain into an otherworldly landscape of dripping cones, pillars, pinnacles, and fairy chimneys soaring more than a hundred feet into the sky.

Finish the day with a walk at Red Valley. 

DAY 4: GOREME AND KAYMAKLI

Early birds will have an option to take a hot air balloon over the otherworldly Cappadocian landscape (not included in tour cost). The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away.

Today, you will visit the Goreme Open Air Museum that resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church. It contains the nest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) whose colors still retain all their original freshness. It also presents unique examples of rock hewn architecture and fresco technique. The Goreme Open Air Museum has been a member of UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984 and was one of the two UNESCO sites in Turkey.

Then, you will visit Kaymakli, an underground city that was built under the hill known as the Citadel of Kaymakli and was opened to visitors in 1964. The people of Kaymakli (Enegup in Greek) village have constructed their houses around nearly one hundred 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 Kaymakli Underground City has low, narrow and sloping passages. While the underground city consists of 8 oors below ground, only 4 of them are open to the public today, in which the spaces are organized around ventilation shafts.

DAY 5: HATTUSA AND ANKARA

Leave Cappadocia and 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. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. The Hittites were a remarkable civilization. The kingdom stretched from the Aegean across Anatolia, northern Syria and to the Euphrates River.

Next, explore the ancient Hittite sanctuary of Yazilikaya is an open air, carved rock monument.

In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner with the group in this cosmopolitan city.

DAY 6: MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS AND ANKARA CASTLE

Today, you will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is one of the most significant museums in the world with its unique extensive collections and works exhibited in chronological order from the Paleolithic Age until today. The collection takes you out of this world to the back.

Next, you will visit Ankara Castle which, has hosted many different civilizations such as Hittite, Phrygia, Persian, Byzantine, Arab and Ottoman. 

Tonight, enjoy a nice dinner with the group.

DAY 7: SANLIURFA MUSEUM

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Gaziantep. From here, drive to Sanlıurfa city where you will visit the Åžanlıurfa Museum which exhibits works from Åžanlıurfa and its surroundings with a rich history, is of international importance in terms of "Neolithic period”. You will also, have a tour of the city.

DAY 8: GÖBEKLI TEPE AND KARAHAN TEPE

Today, you will visit Karahan Tepe and 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 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 125 miles of southeastern Turkey between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Karahan Tepe is believed to be considerably larger than Göbekli Tepe, covering an area of about 33 acres. Recent archaeological work suggests that Karahantepe might be even earlier than Gobeklitepe and this places the site to be the earlier known Neolithic site in the world. Continue onto Adiyaman where you will spend the evening.

From here, there will be a scenic three-hour drive to the Adiyaman, where you will spend the night

DAY 9: MOUNT NEMRUT AND ISTANBUL

In the morning, drive to Mount Nemrut. Here you will trek up to the 2,000-metre summit where 2000-year-old giant statues of gods are placed around what is assumed to be a royal tomb. This one of the most atmospheric and iconic of UNESCO listed 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 the city before having a group dinner together.

DAY 10: BLUE MOSQUE, HAGHIA 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 1,500-year-old Haghia Sophia. Both monumental and awe-inspiring buildings next to each other in the heart of the city. Then onto the Hippodrome where chariot races once took place. Finally, the famed Grand Bazaar to explore the 3,000 local and independent stalls and shops.

In the evening there will be a farewell dinner with your fellow guests to toast your homeward journey.

DAY 11: 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.

Highlights

  • Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Göbekli Tepe, Çatalhöyük, Goreme Open Air Museum, Hattusa and Mount Nemrut.
  • Accompanied throughout by an expert archaeologist.
  • Explore Neolithic and Bronze age sites that are still under excavation.
  • Three museums that have diligently curated significant archaeological collections.
  • Spend time in the cosmopolitan cities of Istanbul and the Turkish capital Ankara.
  • Discover the unique landscapes and historical sites of Cappadocia.
  • Maximum group size - 21 people.

Meet the expert

Dr. Sinan Ünlüsoy portrait image

Dr. Sinan Ünlüsoy (14 May 2025)

Sinan studied Archaeology and Art History at Bilkent University in Ankara, followed by gaining a MA and PHD from Tübingen University in Germany at the Pre and Proto History Department. He has worked at the excavations of Troy in Turkey for over 15 years and currently teaches Archaeology and Art History at YaÅŸar in Izmir.

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Çiler ÇilingiroÄŸlu (11 September 2025)

Çiler is a Professor of Archaeology at Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. She specialises in the prehistory of Turkey with a focus on the Neolithic Period. 

Çiler directed excavations at Çatalhöyük in 2018 to 2019 and continues to direct the Izmir-Karaburun Survey Project. She has published in Science, PNAS, Quaternary International and the Journal of Field Archaeology among others. She is the co-founder of Theoretical Archaeological Group-Turkey and the founder of the Ege University Anthropocene Research Group. She is fluent in Turkish, English and German. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Lectures and walking seminars from accompanying expert.
  • All hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • 10 breakfasts and 6 dinners.
  • Arrival/departure group airport transfers for those on the suggested group flights.
  • 3 internal flights.
  • Transport in comfortable coaches throughout.
  • All sites and attractions (except the sunrise balloon flight).
  • 24-hour support.
  • The services of an accompanying tour manager throughout.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel insurance.
  • International flights.
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters.
  • Private airport transfers.
  • Optional sunrise balloon flight in Cappadocia.
  • Single supplement - May 2025 - £625, September 2025 - £755 

HOW TO GET THERE

The tour begins and ends in Istanbul. Please speak to Intrepid Travel who can offer flight advice and book flights for those travelling from the UK.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

To fully explore the ancient sites, there will be walking of up to two hours per visit.  Much of it is on rocky ground, so you need to be relatively mobile and able to cope with a lot of uneven steps. There will be early starts on some of the days, due to the distances to be travelled or to catch flights.

Please ensure you wear comfortable supportive footwear and we strongly recommend robust sun protection.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

All of our tours, cruises, expeditions and weekenders are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement of £750 for this tour. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you do not have to pay the solo room supplement.

Accommodation

Park Inn by Radisson Odayeri Hotel Odayeri, Istanbul

Located near Istanbul's new airport, the hotel offers comfortable accomodation and quality interiors. 

Selcuk Hotel, Konya

This medium-sized hotel is located close to Alaeddin Mosque and Iplikci Camii.

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Splendid Cave Hotel, Cappadocia

A beautiful stylish and exceptionally well-reviewed hotel located in Ortahisar. The bedrooms are set within historic caves carved into the mountainside and have been restored into tasteful and comfortable rooms with jacuzzi baths. The hotel has all the facilities of a modern hotel including wifi, lovely gardens. Please note that this hotel has a lot of steps throughout the property. 

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Eyuboglu Hotel, Ankara

A four-star modern city hotel in the heart of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Located just a short walk from Kizilay Square and the Kocatepe mosque. You can enjoy one of the hotels signature cocktails whilst watching the city pass by on its outdoor terrace.

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Hilton Garden Inn, Åžanliurfa

Situated just 500 metres from the archaeology museum, this four-star hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool and is a popular choice for guests visiting Göbekli Tepe.

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Ramada Antiochos Hotel, Adiyaman

This medium-sized four-star hotel has two restaurants, spa, fitness centre and an outdoor pool.

×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.