APRIL 17-29, 2027
Turkey Trip 2027
An 13-day Spiritual Pilgrimage through Istanbul & the Churches of Revelation
A Spiritual Pilgrimage through Biblical Anatolia
Join us for an 13 day (12 night) exploration of Istanbul and the Churches of Revelation. As we venture together into the ancient eastern roots of the Christian church, we will not simply visit sites—we will share a spiritually formative experience.
Register by August 17, 2026 to reserve your spot!
TOUR HOST
Dr. Andrew Dale Jackson
TOUR HOST
Jared Wass, Deeply Formed
Travel that Renews & Inspires
Turkey is often called the Second Holy Land, for good reason. With its rich collection of early church sites (like Ephesus & Colossae) and a culture known for its warmth and hospitality, it’s a wonderful place for a trip! I’d love for you to consider joining me for a Spiritual Pilgrimage through Biblical Anatolia.
Core Values that Shape our Trips
Ten Postures for Meaningful Travel offers a brief glimpse into the values that shape this experience and what you can expect. We will not simply visit sites—we will share a spiritually formative experience. If this is what you are seeking in travel, this trip is for you.
We hope you join us!
To register or learn more about our itinerary and trip details, visit the Tutku travel page, our partners for this tour, or view more info and FAQs below!
Itinerary
Day 1: Flights to Istanbul
SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Tour participants depart from the United States to Izmir from their various locations, booked on their own flights.
Day 2: Arrive in Izmir
SUNDAY, APRIL 18
Our representative will meet you at Izmir Airport. Transfer to the Korumar Deluxe Hotel on the Aegean Sea near Ephesus.
Churches of Revelation
Day 3: Ephesus Region
MONDAY, APRIL 19
After breakfast Dr. Jackson will teach at the hotel on the Ephesus ministries of the Apostle Paul, Timothy, and the Apostle John. We will then drive through the Ephesus region where we visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the Basilica Church of Saint John (where the apostle John was buried), the present-day Ephesus Prayer House, and the Turkish town of Selcuk where we meet the locals and shop. Selcuk is a great place to purchase your gifts for family and friends. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Deluxe Hotel.
Churches of Revelation
Day 4: Biblical Ephesus
TUESDAY, APRIL 20
After breakfast we tour the archaeological biblical city of Ephesus, a magnificent reconstructed Greco-Roman city. We will walk through the spectacular first-century Terrace Houses, where the early house churches of Ephesus likely met. Those who are interested can visit a local Anatolian Handmade Carpet and Kilim production 1 center to learn how world-famous Turkish carpets are made, and buy one if you desire. Those who don’t want to visit the Carpet center can return to the hotel for free time, and enjoy the Aegean beach. Dinner and overnight at the Korumar Deluxe Hotel.
Churches of Revelation
Day 5: Magnesia, Nysa, Colossae
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
After breakfast we drive from Ephesus down the green Meander River Valley to the beautiful Lycus River Valley. On our journey we will visit the first-century Roman stadium at the ancient city of Magnesia, and the remote ancient city of Nysa that is rarely visited by tourists. We then drive to the archeological site of Colossae, where Paul sent his letters of Colossians and Philemon. Dr. Jackson will share on-site. Dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel.
Churches of Revelation
Day 6: Laodicea & Hieropolis
THURSDAY, APRIL 22
After breakfast we tour the massive archeological sites of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22, Colossians 4:13) and Hierapolis (modern Pamukkale, Colossians 4:13). At Laodicea (one of the most reconstructed Greco-Roman cities in Turkey) we visit two large theaters, and several excavated early churches. We then drive to Hierapolis and tour the martyrdom site and tomb of the Apostle Philip. Dr. Jackson will share on-site in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Dinner and overnight at the Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel.
Churches of Revelation
Day 7: Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna
FRIDAY, APRIL 23
After breakfast we drive to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) and visit the Church of the Apostle John built in the AD 500s. We then drive to tour Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), with the remains of the magnificent temple of Artemis (later converted into a church), a beautifully reconstructed Roman gymnasium, and the largest known synagogue outside Palestine. We then drive to Smyna (Revelation 2:8-11), where we visit Smyrna’s Roman agora, and see the location where the early apostolic church father Polycarp (a disciple of the apostle John) was martyred. Dr. Jackson will share on the letters sent to each city in the book of Revelation. We end our day with a special dinner on the Aegean Sea with Levent Oral, the owner of Tutku Tours. Overnight at the Movenpick Hotel Izmir.
Cappadocia
Day 8: Fly to Cappadocia
SATURDAY, APRIL 24
After breakfast we take a domestic morning flight to the amazing Cappadocia region of central Turkey, with its spectacular moon-like landscape. We then experience a journey inside the underground city of Kaymakli. We end our day enjoying the picturesque village of Ortahisar, with its rock-cut houses and a 300 foot tall rock-castle. Dinner and overnight at the Barcelo Hotel.
Cappadocia
Day 9: Istanbul
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
After breakfast (an early balloon option for participants, cost is around $400 per person) we walk through the outdoor Göreme Open Air Museum, with its many fresco-covered cave churches. We then walk through the Zelve Valley, where Christian monks lived and carved out cave churches. At the Zelve Valley, Dr. Jackson will share on the early church fathers—Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus—who lived and ministered in Cappadocia in the AD 300s. We then drive to the Uçhisar Castle, (highest point in Cappadocia) where we can walk up a trail to the top for a beautiful panoramic view. Dinner and overnight at the Barcelo Hotel.
Istanbul (Historic Constantinople)
Day 10: Fly to Istanbul
MONDAY, APRIL 26
After breakfast we drive around the ancient walls of Constantinople, walk through the historic Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, and take a ferry ride across the Bosphorus Strait to the town of Kadikoy on the Istanbul’s Asian side (where the Chalcedon creed was written). If we have time, we will experience a tram ride with the locals through the unmatched city of Istanbul. We return to the Lamartine Hotel for our farewell dinner together.
Istanbul (Historic Constantinople)
Day 11: Istanbul
TUESDAY, APRIL 27
After breakfast we start our day at the Old City of Constantinople. We visit the Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, the famous Hagia Sophia Church, Saint Irene Church (where the Nicene Creed was written), the Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans, and experience the amazing underground cistern built by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the AD 500s. We will end our day with a private boat ride on the 3 famous Bosphorus Straight that connects the Black and Marmara Seas. Dinner and overnight at the Lamartine Hotel.
Istanbul (Historic Constantinople)
Day 12: Istanbul
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28
After breakfast we drive around the ancient walls of Constantinople, walk through the historic Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, and take a ferry ride across the Bosphorus Staight to the town of Kadikoy on the Istanbul’s Asian side (where the Chalcedon creed was written). If we have time, we will experience a tram ride with the locals through the unmatched city of Istanbul. We return to the Lamartine Hotel for our farewell dinner together.
Day 13: Departure
THURSDAY, APRIL 29
After breakfast we drive to the Istanbul Airport where we board our international flights back to the USA.
We hope you join us!
To register or learn more about our itinerary and trip details, visit the Tutku travel page, our partners for this tour, or view more info and FAQs below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Visit Tutku, our travel partners for this trip, or reach out to jaredwass@deeplyformed.org.
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$4,780 coves the cost per person in a Double Room.
If you’d like a single room, there is a $900 single room supplement fee.
There is a $300 per person downpayment due August 17, 2026.
The Full Balance is due by December 17, 2026.
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Our Turkey Trip 2027 includes:
Izmir-Kayseri domestic flight
Kayseri-Istanbul domestic flight
3 Nights at Korumar Deluxe Hotel in Kusadasi or similar
2 Night at Adempira Termal & Spa Hotel in Pammukale or similar
1 Night at Movenpick Hotel in Izmir or similar
2 Nights at Barcelo Hotel in Cappadocia or similar
3 Nights at Lamartine Hotel in Istanbul or similar
Daily breakfasts and dinners
All Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers in private basis
All land transportation by private fully A/C VAN with driver throughout the tour
Tolls, parking fees, fuel, guide’s and driver’s expenses
English Speaking Licensed tour guide throughout the tour
All Entry fees to the mentioned sites & museums
Service charges, accommodation taxes, & local taxes
Tips to tour guide ($60) and to the driver ($25)
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The tour excludes:
International flights
Lunches and drinks
All personal expenses and any other service which are not mentioned above
Travel and Health insurance, any kind of insurance (insurance may be given at an extra cost, please ask)
Hot Air Balloon Trip
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To book your spot on this trip, deposit and full payment be made by the following dates:
Deposit: $300 per person by August 17, 2026
Full (Balance) Payment: by December 17, 2026
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*Land and Air Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made 120 days or more before departure: Full refund
Cancellations made 90–119 days before departure: 90% refund
Cancellations made 60–89 days before departure: 75% refund
Cancellations made 45–59 days before departure: 50% refund
Cancellations made 30–44 days before departure: 25% refund
Cancellations made 0–29 days before departure: No refund
In addition to the above cancellation policy, we charge a 5% processing fee for all refunds, regardless of the date of cancellation. This fee covers bank charges and administrative costs.
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That is up to the individual. It is recommended that you at least have medical travel and medical evacuation insurance, which is very nominal.
If you would like to get travel insurance:
Travel insurance is available as a separate package at an extra cost. The cost of travel insurance is approximately $210 to $350 depending on length of tour, tour inclusions, traveler’s age etc.Tour participants may call our associate office in New Jersey, Prime Travel, to purchase travel insurance and obtain the exact rate for your tour. The travel insurance policy is a contract between the traveler and the Insurance Company (Travel Guard, Allianz etc.). Tutku Tours has no role in booking or in the payment of the travel insurance.
Prime Travel’s Phone number: 1-201-825-1600
Contact Person: Mrs. Armagan Ayata or Mr. Sal Kesedar. -
To join us and register, visit Tutku, our travel partner site.
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If you have additional questions, visit our Tutku trip FAQ page!
We hope you join us!
To register or learn more about our itinerary and trip details, visit the Tutku travel page, our partners for this tour.