The monumental facade of the Library of Celsus at ancient Ephesus in western Türkiye
Yama Tours · Biblical Journeys Since 1994

Walk the Living Pages of Scripture in Asia Minor.

Follow the Seven Churches of Revelation, trace the missionary roads of the Apostle Paul, and stand inside the rock-hewn sanctuaries of Early Christian Cappadocia on a private or group-tailored pilgrimage across Türkiye.

Revelation Chapters 1–3Acts & Pauline EpistlesPrivate Couples, Families & Church Groups

The Seven Churches of Revelation

One Sacred Circuit Across Western Türkiye

Arranged in sequence along the ancient Roman postal road of Asia Minor, adapted to your arrival and departure in İzmir or Istanbul:

  • IEphesus(Selçuk)Rev 2:1–7
  • IISmyrna(İzmir (Historic Agora & Konak))Rev 2:8–11
  • IIIPergamum(Bergama)Rev 2:12–17
  • IVThyatira(Akhisar)Rev 2:18–29
  • VSardis(Sart)Rev 3:1–6
  • VIPhiladelphia(Alaşehir)Rev 3:7–13
  • VIILaodicea(Eskihisar)Rev 3:14–22

All 7 Churches & Pauline Sites

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Antioch & Cappadocia

Licensed Biblical Guides

Ministry-certified specialists in New Testament history, theology & Greco-Roman archaeology

Handpicked 4–5★ & Cave Hotels

Thermal spa hotels in Pamukkale, Aegean seaside stays in Kuşadası & Cappadocia cave hotels

Yama Tours · Est. 1994

Three decades of trusted Turkish hospitality, private deluxe vehicles & custom group quotes

Yama Tours Flagship Faith Itinerary

5 Days – Seven Churches of Revelation Tour

Follow the Seven Churches of Revelation on a private, tailor-made journey through western Türkiye. This five-day, four-night faith tour visits the biblical and archaeological sites associated with Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, connecting New Testament history with the most impressive classical landscapes of Asia Minor.

Your schedule can be arranged or rearranged around your arrival in and departure from İzmir. Accommodation consists of one night in İzmir, two nights in Pamukkale at a thermal spa hotel, and one night in Kuşadası by the Aegean Sea, in hotels of a minimum four-star standard with local cuisine and all museum and site entrance fees included.

Duration & Format

5 Days · 4 Nights · Private Tailor-Made

Arrival & Departure

Adapted to your İzmir (ADB) flight schedule

Hotel Plan (Min. 4★)

1N İzmir · 2N Pamukkale Thermal · 1N Kuşadası Sea

All-Inclusive Touring

Full-board local meals, private guide, vehicle & site fees

5-Day Route Overview

Day-by-Day Pilgrimage Schedule

Rev. 1–3
  1. 1Day 1: Arrival in İzmir & Ancient Smyrna

    İzmir Airport → Agora of Smyrna → İzmir Hotel

    Meals: Dinner · Stay: 4-Star City Hotel in İzmir

  2. 2Day 2: St. Polycarp, Pergamum & Thyatira to Pamukkale≈ 280 km

    İzmir → St. Polycarp → Pergamum → Thyatira → Pamukkale

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Stay: 4–5-Star Thermal Spa Hotel in Pamukkale

  3. 3Day 3: Laodicea, Philadelphia & Royal SardisRound trip ≈ 200 km

    Pamukkale → Laodicea → Philadelphia → Sardis → Pamukkale

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Stay: Same 4–5-Star Thermal Spa Hotel in Pamukkale

  4. 4Day 4: Hierapolis, Pamukkale Travertines & Ancient Ephesus≈ 210 km

    Pamukkale → Hierapolis → Ephesus → Selçuk → Kuşadası

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Stay: 4-Star Seaside Hotel in Kuşadası

  5. 5Day 5: Aegean Morning in Kuşadası & Departure from İzmir≈ 80 km

    Kuşadası → İzmir Airport

    Meals: Breakfast · Stay: Departure day

Scripture Meets Archaeology

Explore the Seven Churches of Revelation

In Revelation Chapters 1–3, the Apostle John addressed seven living congregations in western Asia Minor. Select each church below to read its scriptural message and see the monuments you will walk through with your Yama Tours guide.

The monumental facade of the Library of Celsus in ancient Ephesus
IChurch #1 of 7 in Revelation

Revelation 2:1–7 · Acts 19 · Ephesians

Ephesus

Modern Location: Selçuk · İzmir Province

The Apostolic Metropolis of Asia Minor

“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” — Revelation 2:7

The premier port and Roman capital of Asia Minor where the Apostle Paul ministered for over two years, John the Apostle lived in his later life, and the Third Ecumenical Council convened in 431 AD.

What You Walk Through on Our Tour

  • Library of Celsus & Marble Curetes Street
  • The Great Theater (24,000 seats — site of Acts 19 assembly)
  • Church of the Virgin Mary (Council of 431 AD) & House of the Virgin Mary
  • Basilica of St. John & Temple of Artemis ruins
Included on our 5-Day Seven Churches & 12-Day Grand Biblical toursSee 5-Day 7 Churches Itinerary

Tailor-Made Faith Itineraries

Turkey Biblical Tour Packages

Every tour is operated privately for your party or church group and custom-quoted for your travel dates. Combine itineraries or adjust the number of days with our planning team.

The Library of Celsus and marble streets at ancient Ephesus
Flagship Private Biblical Pilgrimage5 Days · 4 Nights

Revelation Chapters 1–3 · Western Asia Minor

İzmir Airport (ADB) Arrival & Departure·Tailor-Made Custom Quote

5 Days – Seven Churches of Revelation Tour

Follow the Seven Churches of Revelation across western Türkiye on a private 5-day, 4-night faith journey shaped around your arrival and departure in İzmir.

Biblical Sites & Scripture

Ephesus(Rev 2:1–7)Smyrna(Rev 2:8–11)Pergamum(Rev 2:12–17)Thyatira(Rev 2:18–29)Sardis(Rev 3:1–6)Philadelphia(Rev 3:7–13)Laodicea(Rev 3:14–22)
Panoramic view of early Christian rock-cut valleys in Göreme, Cappadocia
Apostolic Journeys & Monastic Valleys8 Days · 7 Nights

Acts 9 · Acts 11:26 · Acts 13–14 · 1 Peter 1:1

Starts in Antakya/Adana · Ends in Antalya (or Reverse)·Tailor-Made Custom Quote

8 Days – Footsteps of St. Paul & Early Christian Cappadocia

Journey from the rock-hewn churches and underground refuges of Cappadocia to Paul’s birthplace in Tarsus, the Cave Church of St. Peter in Antioch, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch.

Biblical Sites & Scripture

Antioch on the Orontes(Acts 11:19–26)Tarsus in Cilicia(Acts 9:11)Cappadocia(Acts 2:9)Iconium & Lystra(Acts 14:1–20)Pisidian Antioch(Acts 13:14–52)Perga & Attalia(Acts 13:13)
Colonnaded street and ancient sanctuary ruins at Laodicea in Türkiye
The Definitive Asia Minor Journey12 Days · 11 Nights

Acts · Pauline Epistles · Revelation 1–3 · Ecumenical Councils

Starts in Istanbul (IST) · Ends in İzmir (ADB) or Istanbul·Tailor-Made Custom Quote

12 Days – Grand Biblical Turkey Pilgrimage

Our most comprehensive biblical pilgrimage uniting Byzantine Constantinople, Early Christian Cappadocia, the Footsteps of St. Paul, and all Seven Churches of Revelation.

Biblical Sites & Scripture

Constantinople & Nicaea Heritage(Ecumenical Councils)Cappadocia(Acts 2:9)Iconium & Pisidian Antioch(Acts 13–14)Laodicea & Hierapolis(Rev 3:14–22)Philadelphia & Sardis(Rev 3:1–13)Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum & Thyatira(Rev 2:1–29)
Ancient temple columns on the Acropolis of Pergamum overlooking the valley
Short Aegean Biblical Escape2 Days · 1 Night

Revelation 2:1–17 · Acts 19

İzmir Airport / Hotel or Kuşadası Port·Tailor-Made Custom Quote

2 Days – Ephesus, Smyrna & Pergamum Express Tour

A focused 2-day, 1-night private biblical journey from İzmir or Kuşadası visiting the first three Churches of Revelation: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.

Biblical Sites & Scripture

Ephesus(Rev 2:1–7)Smyrna(Rev 2:8–11)Pergamum(Rev 2:12–17)

Across Anatolia & The Levant

Beyond the Seven Churches: Major Biblical Landmarks in Türkiye

From the cave monasteries of Cappadocia where the Nicene Creed was defended to the Cave Church of St. Peter in Antioch and St. Paul’s birthplace in Tarsus, extend your pilgrimage across all of biblical Türkiye.

Rock-cut valleys and ancient monastic landscapes in Göreme, Cappadocia
Central Anatolia

Acts 2:9 · 1 Peter 1:1

Early Christian Cappadocia

A monastic heartland where early Christians carved hundreds of frescoed churches, monasteries, and multi-level underground refuge cities into volcanic tuff.

  • Göreme Open Air Museum & Byzantine rock-cut churches
  • Derinkuyu & Kaymaklı subterranean cities (up to 8 levels deep)
  • Ihlara Valley canyon churches & Selime Cave Monastery
  • Land of the 4th-century Cappadocian Fathers (Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus)
Lush canyon and ancient cliffside heritage in southern Anatolia
Mediterranean & Southeastern Türkiye

Acts 9:11 · Acts 11:26 · Acts 13:1–3

Antioch on the Orontes & Tarsus

Walk the birthplace of Saul of Tarsus and visit Antioch, the cradle of Gentile Christianity where the disciples were first called “Christians” and Paul launched all three missionary journeys.

  • Cave Church of St. Peter in Antakya (one of Christianity’s earliest rock cathedrals)
  • St. Paul’s Well & ancient Roman street in Tarsus
  • Cleopatra Gate & the historic Cilician Gates mountain pass
  • Seleucia Pieria harbor (port of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:4)
Ancient stone arches and basilica remains in western Türkiye
Aegean / Phrygia

Colossians 4:13

Hierapolis & The Lycus Valley

Paired with Laodicea and Colossae in Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, Hierapolis crowns the gleaming white travertine thermal terraces of Pamukkale and houses the Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle.

  • 5th-century octagonal Martyrium & Tomb of St. Philip the Apostle
  • Monumental Roman Theater & Frontinus Gate
  • One of the best-preserved ancient necropolises in Anatolia
  • UNESCO-listed Pamukkale thermal calcium terraces
Rich interior frescoes and Christian iconography in Türkiye
Marmara Region

Ecumenical Councils & Byzantine Heritage

Constantinople (Istanbul) & Nicaea

For over a millennium the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire, home to Hagia Sophia, the Chora Church mosaics, and the nearby cities of the First and Fourth Ecumenical Councils.

  • Hagia Sophia (6th-century cathedral of Emperor Justinian)
  • Chora Church (Kariye) golden Byzantine frescoes & mosaics
  • Hippodrome of Constantinople & Basilica Cistern
  • Optional day excursion to Iznik (Ancient Nicaea — Council of 325 AD)

For Pastors, Congregations & Study Groups

Bring Your Church or Seminary Group to the Lands of the Bible

Leading a congregation, Bible study fellowship, or academic class through the Seven Churches of Revelation and the Footsteps of Paul transforms how your community reads Scripture forever. Yama Tours handles every ground detail across Türkiye so pastors and group leaders can focus on teaching and fellowship.

Custom Devotional & Teaching Time

Paced itineraries with unhurried time for reading Scripture and group reflection at Ephesus, Laodicea, Sardis, and Pisidian Antioch.

Dedicated Deluxe Coaches & Audio

Late-model Mercedes-Benz coaches, professional drivers, and optional whisper headset systems for clear on-site teaching.

Full-Board Dining & Thermal Hotels

4-star and 5-star hotels, Pamukkale thermal spa resorts, Aegean seaside properties, and authentic Cappadocia cave hotels.

Special Pastor & Group Leader Tiers

Tailored group pricing for 10 to 45+ passengers, including complimentary or discounted host spaces for qualifying church groups.

Monumental ancient columns and gymnasium court at Sardis

Direct Agency Coordination

Speak Directly with Mehmet at Yama Tours

Whether you are a couple planning a private 5-day Seven Churches journey or a pastor organizing a 40-person church pilgrimage, we craft a custom written proposal around your exact dates.

Planning Your Pilgrimage

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a specific question about flights into İzmir or Istanbul, hotel standards, walking distances at ancient ruins, or combining the Seven Churches with Cappadocia? Reach out anytime.

Need a Custom Itinerary?

Use our interactive Pilgrimage Map Planner to select the exact churches and biblical cities you want to visit, or message Mehmet directly on WhatsApp.

Why does Türkiye hold such deep significance in the Bible?+

Known in antiquity as Asia Minor, modern Türkiye is the setting for over half of the New Testament outside the Gospels. All Seven Churches of Revelation (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) are located in western Türkiye. It is also the birthplace of the Apostle Paul (Tarsus), the place where believers were first called “Christians” (Antioch in Acts 11:26), the destination of Paul’s First, Second, and Third Missionary Journeys, and the home of all first Seven Ecumenical Councils.

How does custom pricing work for private and group tours?+

Because every biblical journey is tailored to your travel dates, group size, preferred hotel tier (4-star, 5-star, thermal spa, or boutique cave hotel), and board basis, we prepare a transparent, itemized written quote for every enquiry. Simply share your approximate dates and group size via WhatsApp (+90 532 422 5781) or email (support@yamatours.com) and Mehmet and our team will reply promptly.

Can you arrange tours for pastors, churches, and seminary study groups?+

Yes. Yama Tours specializes in both private tours for couples/families (starting from 2 guests) and full-coach pilgrimages for church congregations, pastors, and university or seminary study groups. We arrange dedicated deluxe coaches, whisper audio headset systems for teaching on site, private devotional moments at ancient basilicas, and group leader coordination.

Are the guides licensed and knowledgeable in biblical history?+

Every Yama Tours biblical itinerary is led by an official Ministry of Culture and Tourism licensed guide selected specifically for their deep expertise in biblical archaeology, Greco-Roman history, and the New Testament text.

Can the 5-Day Seven Churches Tour be adapted around our İzmir flights?+

Absolutely. As stated on our flagship 5-Day Seven Churches itinerary, the daily order of visits between İzmir (Smyrna), Pergamum, Thyatira, Pamukkale/Hierapolis, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis, and Ephesus/Kuşadası can be arranged or rearranged around your exact arrival and departure schedule at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) or Istanbul.

Can we combine the Seven Churches with Cappadocia or a Hot Air Balloon flight?+

Yes! Yama Tours has been based in Göreme, Cappadocia since 1994. Direct flights connect İzmir and Cappadocia (Kayseri/Nevşehir), making it effortless to add 2 or 3 days in Early Christian Cappadocia—including rock-cut churches, underground cities, cave hotels, and a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight—to your Seven Churches tour.