TÜRKIYE / ASIA MINOR (Part V / VII)
The section of the Jerusalem Way through Türkiye is unique in terms of scenery, culture, and history – simply wonderful! Our route along this international peace and cultural trail leads from Istanbul to the Dardanelles (Europe/Asia) and from there along the Jerusalem Way across Türkiye to Adana.
On this leg of our journey, we encounter traces of early Christianity, ancient Greco-Roman culture, and Islamic mysticism surrounding Rumi. We visit churches, mosques, and holy sites of various traditions – all underscored by the great hospitality of the Turkish people.
We are now traveling through the largest country on the Jerusalem Way in terms of area – at the same time, it has the longest route of all the countries, at approximately 2.100 km (details on the Türkiye routeOn this extraordinary pilgrimage, we will experience cultural highlights of Asia Minor, visit important sites of early Christianity where the apostles Paul and Barnabas worked, and at the same time follow parts of the historical route of the Third Crusade under Emperor Frederick I "Barbarossa".
In this way, old paths of conflict become paths of encounter, peace, and reconciliation. Step by step. Let us, as pilgrims of peace, go to where there was once division, and open spaces for understanding and hope.
Through a balanced combination of hiking (approx. 10–15 km, max. 20 km per day) and bus travel, we will personally experience all the highlights of the Jerusalem Way on this stage: See general travel information.
As a special innovation, this trip was made possible by extended by two additional days, and you can expect new, impressive hikes along the Jerusalem Way.
Appointment
15-day pilgrimage including flights
September 25, 2026 - 09 October 2026
Early bird price: €2.699
(Early booking bonus for bookings until) March 31, 2026)
→ Booking & Advice: Partner Travel Agency HEUBERGER REISEN
Click on the photo to open the travel program – or directly here: Travel program 2026
Travel itinerary in English: Open here
>>> Impressions of the trip: Open photos <<
HIGHLIGHTS – OVERVIEW
Istanbul → Dardanelles / Gelibolu → Çanakkale → Troy / Troas Peninsula → Alexandria Troas → Assos → Pergamum → Caravanserai Obasya → Izmir → Ephesus → Pamukkale / Hierapolis → Laodicea & Colossae → Isparta / Eğirdir Region → Antioch in Pisidia → Konya → Sille / Sufi Trail → Kilistra & Lystra Region → Çatalhöyük / Binbirkilise → Taurus Mountains → Göksu Canyon → Kızkalesi → Tarsus → Adana
- Istanbul,
A historic metropolis on two continents, with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus. - Dardanelles (Gelibolu / Çanakkale)
Several historical sites, views across the strait between Europe and Asia. - Troy (Troya)
Legendary ancient city, setting of Homer's Iliad. - Troad Peninsula
Region of ancient coastal cities, part of the classic pilgrimage route through Asia Minor. - Alexandria Troas
Ancient city, visited several times by the Apostle Paul. - Assos
Ancient port city with ruins and Mediterranean mountain panorama. - Pergamon (Bergama)
Ancient metropolis with a steep theater and acropolis. - Obasya Caravanserai
Historic caravanserai and cultural accommodation station in the interior of the country. - Izmir (Smyrna)
A major city on the Aegean coast with a rich history. - Ephesus
World-famous ancient ruined city and important UNESCO site. - Pamukkale & Hierapolis
Natural terraces and ancient city above hot travertine pools. - Laodicea & Colossae
Ancient cities along the route of Paul's first missionary journeys. - Isparta & Lake Eğirdir
Region in the Taurus foothills with traditional cultural landscape and lakes. - Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac)
An important ancient Pauline site in Central Anatolia. - Konya (Iconium)
Center of Sufi culture with the Mevlana Museum and ancient roots. - Sille & Sufi Trail
Historic village with early Christian remains. - Kilistra & Lystra Region
Ancient rock settlements and sites of the early Christian period. - Çatalhöyük & Binbirkilise
Early Neolithic settlement and ruins of the "Thousand Churches". - Taurus Mountains
High mountain landscapes with old mountain passes and natural areas. - Göksu Canyon & Barbarossa Memorial
Spectacular gorge landscape and site of the end of the Third Crusade. - Kızkalesi / Mediterranean Coast
Mediterranean section with ancient ruins and coastal scenery. - Tarsus
Birthplace of the Apostle Paul with Roman and early Christian sites. - Adana
A modern metropolis with the second largest mosque in Türkiye and the oldest drivable stone arch bridge in the world.
Photos & impressions
- Photo diary of the trip Autumn 2019
- Photo diary of the trip Autumn 2016
- Photo diary of the trip Spring 2016
Itinerary / GPS map:
- Route Asia Minor / Türkiye (Google Maps)
- Link to Travel program Turkey 2022
- Link to Travel program Turkey 2020
And finally:
The end becomes a new beginning - Jerusalem, here we come! The perfect segue to the journey through the Holy Land and the destination of the Jerusalem Way (Part VII / VII).
Organization & Booking:
This pilgrimage is being conducted in cooperation with our experienced partner travel agency: → HEUBERGER REISEN
In cooperation with our local partner in Turkey: → AURA Tour Istanbul (local implementation & support)
