Highlights

• Istanbul: Islamic Heritage and Sahabe Tour Begin your tour in Istanbul, a city that spans the centuries and represents the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia—iconic landmarks of Islamic history. Explore the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, housing an impressive collection of calligraphy, ceramics, textiles, and Islamic manuscripts, offering insight into Turkey’s rich artistic heritage. Sahabe Tour: Visit the tombs of notable Sahabe (companions of the Prophet Muhammad), such as Sahabe Abu Ayyub al-Ansari in the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, an important historical and spiritual site in the Islamic world. Wander through Topkapi Palace, where the relics of the Prophet Muhammad and other sacred Islamic artifacts are preserved.
• Bursa: The Birthplace of the Ottoman Empire and Ertuğrul Ghazi Travel to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, and a city closely associated with the Ottoman dynasty and Ertuğrul Ghazi, the father of Osman I (the founder of the empire). Visit Ertuğrul Ghazi Tomb and the Ottoman Green Mosque (Yeşil Camii), known for its stunning blue tiles and intricate Islamic architecture. Explore Ulu Mosque, a majestic example of early Ottoman mosque design, and the Koza Han, the Silk Bazaar where you can feel the heartbeat of Bursa’s historical trading legacy.
• Konya: Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes In Konya, a city synonymous with Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the mystic poet and founder of the Mevlevi Sufi Order, visit the Mevlana Museum (Rumi’s tomb). Experience the spiritual atmosphere that surrounds the teachings of Rumi and the profound whirling dervishes—a practice that symbolizes the journey towards spiritual enlightenment. The Mevlana Museum holds sacred relics, and the tomb of Rumi itself, offering a deep immersion into his philosophy and his influence on Islamic thought and mysticism.
• Hacibektas: Sufi Heritage and Mystical Teachings Discover the legacy of the Hacibektas Order in the town of Hacibektas, which is home to the Hacibektas Museum and the Tomb of Hacibektas Veli, one of the most revered Sufi saints in Turkey. Hacibektas Veli’s teachings emphasized love, tolerance, and unity, core principles that form the foundation of Alevi-Bektashi mysticism. The Hacibektas Veli Complex is a place of spiritual pilgrimage, where visitors learn about the Bektashi Order and its integral role in Turkish Islam and Sufism.
• Cappadocia: Islamic and Sufi Heritage in the Heart of Anatolia In the surreal landscape of Cappadocia, visit the rock-hewn mosques and cave dwellings that have served as places of worship for centuries. The region’s deep connection to spirituality is seen in the numerous Sufi dergahs (lodges) and its history as a refuge for early Muslim mystics. Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features ancient cave churches, some of which show early Christian and Islamic influences. You can also visit Avanos or Nevşehir, where historical Sufi centers once flourished, offering a deep sense of tranquility and spirituality.
• The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Istanbul Before you leave Istanbul, you will visit one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts houses exceptional artifacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, including manuscripts, calligraphy, textiles, and intricate artifacts that showcase the intellectual and artistic achievements of Islamic civilization.
• Sufi Performances and Ceremonies Throughout the tour, there will be opportunities to witness Sufi ceremonies, including the whirling dervishes (sema) in Konya, as well as local performances and traditions tied to the Bektashi and Mevlevi orders, giving you a firsthand look at the mystical practices that have shaped Turkey’s religious landscape.
• Cappadocia’s Mystical Landscapes Cappadocia is known for its fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and unique landscapes, which have long been associated with spiritual retreats. The region’s rich Islamic and Sufi heritage is deeply intertwined with its rugged beauty, providing an ideal environment for reflection and contemplation.
• Islamic Heritage and Sahabe Tour
• Islamic and Sufi Heritage Tour of Turkey: Tracing the Footsteps of Ertuğrul Ghazi, Mevlana Rumi, and Islamic Civilization