LILA Sufi Tour 2026 · Pilgrimage Through The Sacred Lands of Mesopotamia

Join LILA for our fifth Sufi Tour in Turkey as we embark on a sacred journey through the lands of Mesopotamia — a region unlike anywhere else in the country, and unlike anywhere else on earth.

While western Turkey draws the world's attention, the east holds something older and quieter: a landscape where the Tigris and Euphrates find their sources, where the world's first temples were built, and where Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and ancient mystery traditions have coexisted for millennia. This is the Turkey that most travelers never reach.

We will traverse Mardin, Diyarbakır, Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, and Hatay — lands where prophets walked, mystics prayed, and civilizations layered their prayers into stone over millennia. These cities carry names that appear in scripture; their streets lead to sites that predate recorded history. Here, devotion is not a relic — it is still alive in the call to prayer echoing off basalt walls, in the keepers of ancient monasteries, and in the Sufi teachers who have held their lineages unbroken through centuries of change.

Along the way, we will explore ancient monasteries, prophetic tombs, sacred pools, and mystical mountains, where history and devotion are inseparable. We will immerse in the living traditions of zikr, sohbet, Sema, and live Sufi music, touching the spiritual and cultural heart of Turkey's southeast.

Guided by Cem Baba and accompanied by Sufi musicians and practitioners, this is more than a journey — it is an invitation into devotion, wisdom, and transformation.

WHAT YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO

• Walk in the Footsteps of Prophets & Sufi Masters Journey through Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, and Hatay, tracing the paths of Abraham, Job, Joshua, Moses, and great Sufi saints.

• Live Sufi Music, Zikr & Sema Experience the living traditions of Sufi music, poetry, and devotional practice in some of the most sacred spaces in the world.

• Sacred Sites & Spiritual Heritage Visit ancient monasteries, prophetic tombs, hidden Sufi lodges, and the world's oldest known temple complex at Göbekli Tepe.

• Sufi Spiritual Teachings Learn from Cem Baba, a master teacher in the Rifai lineage, through sohbet, Sema, and daily spiritual accompaniment.

• Nemrut at Sunrise Watch the sun rise over the colossal statues of the Commagene Kingdom atop Mount Nemrut — one of the most awe-inspiring moments in all of Anatolia.

• Intimacy & Depth Travel with a small group of like-hearted travelers from around the world, with intimate access to local artists, musicians, and hidden locations.

• Traditional Cuisine & Local Hospitality Savor authentic southeastern Turkish meals — from Gaziantep's legendary baklava and kebabs to the warmth of local community tables.

THE JOURNEY

DAYS 1-3 · MARDIN

Day 1 — We arrive in Mardin, the city of ancient stones and living stories. After settling in, we gather for a welcome lunch and set our intentions for the journey ahead. We then explore Mardin and at night, we gather for dinner and meşk — a sacred musical gathering.

Day 2 — We begin with a visit to Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an ancient Syriac Christian sanctuary that has served as a spiritual center for centuries. We then visit a tomb attributed to a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, before continuing to Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the oldest continuously active monasteries in the world. The day closes with free time wandering the Mardin bazaar. In the evening we gather for dinner and meşk.

DAY 3 · DİYARBAKIR & ADIYAMAN After breakfast, we depart for Diyarbakır, a city whose character is written in black basalt — ancient walls, narrow streets, and the cool stone passages known as abbaras that have sheltered people here for generations. We visit one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world, and local sacred tombs of the Prophet’s Companions, a powerful encounter with the earliest generation of Islam. From there, we make our way toward Adıyaman, with sacred stops along the route.

DAY 4 · NEMRUT & URFA We rise early for the ascent to Mount Nemrut, where sunrise unfolds among the colossal stone heads of the ancient Commagene Kingdom — a moment where history and nature meet in stillness. After descending, we enjoy breakfast before making our way to Şanlıurfa.

En route, we stop to visit the resting place of Prophet Uzair. In Urfa, we will discover Balıklıgöl — the sacred pool where, according to tradition, the fire that Nimrod cast Abraham into was transformed into water. We will also visit the cave believed to be Abraham's birthplace. We close the day with dinner and meşk in one of the most spiritually layered cities in the world.

DAY 5 · GÖBEKLİTEPE / URFA After breakfast, we begin our day at Göbeklitepe, the oldest known temple complex on earth — a site that has quietly rewritten our understanding of human civilization and reaches back some 12,000 years. From there, we continue to Soğmatar, an ancient sacred city bearing traces of star worship and forgotten cosmologies. The day closes in Harran, famous for its distinctive conical mud-brick houses and its rich history as a center of learning, where we visit the Halil-ur Rahman Mosque before returning to Urfa for the night.

DAY 6-7 · GAZİANTEP After breakfast we depart, stopping at the Shrine of the Prophet Job (Ayyub) — a place of patience and perseverance — before a boat tour along the Euphrates River, where ancient settlements now rest quietly beneath the water. We continue to Gaziantep, stopping en route to visit the tomb of Seyyid Nizami. The evening brings meşk and dinner in one of Turkey's most celebrated culinary cities.

DAYS 8–11 · HATAY & SAMANDAĞ We make our way to Hatay, stopping en route to visit the tomb of Bayazid Bastami — one of the towering figures of early Sufism. In Antakya, we visit St. Pierre Church, one of the earliest known Christian sanctuaries, and the Archaeology Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Roman-era mosaics. Over three unhurried days based in Samandağ, we deepen into sohbet, sema, and inner work — visiting the Hızır Shrine, the Moses Tree, and the ancient Titus Tunnel, with time at the sea and in retreat at Nihna Hon. The program closes with a farewell dinner and gathering.

DAY 11 · DEPARTURE We share a last breakfast together and say our goodbyes. The outer journey ends here — but what was encountered along the way continues to travel inward, carried home in each heart.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✅ 10 nights accommodation

✅ Hotel breakfast and 1 additional meal per day

✅ All ground transportation

✅ Accompanied by Cem Baba throughout

✅ Professional English-speaking guide

✅ All museum and site entrance fees

✅ All taxes of services within the itinerary

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

❌ Airport transfers on first and last days

❌ International airfare & visa fees (if applicable)

❌ Travel / medical insurance

❌ Tips and gratuities for guide and driver

❌ Meals not mentioned above & all beverages

❌ Personal expenses & shopping

EARLY BIRD PRICING

Initial Deposit to Book – $500

Full Amount (in USD):

• $3,250 – Double Occupancy (Shared Room + Private Bathroom)

• $4,000 – Private Room (Private Room + Private Bathroom)

Remaining Balance Due in Full by September 1, 2026

❗ No exchanges or refunds, except in the event of a force majeure

Arrival & Departure Info:

• Arrival: Most international travelers will first land into Istanbul (IST or SAW), from there you can take a short connecting flight to Mardin (MQM). We recommend you either catch an early flight, or arrive the night before as our programming officially begins at 12pm on September 23rd in Mardin. From Mardin Airport, it’s a brief taxi ride to our hotel. We can help coordinate an airport pickup for a small fee.

• Departure: Our program concludes the morning of October 3rd after a final breakfast. Fly out from Hatay Airport (HTY) or Gaziantep Airport (GZT), with a connection through Istanbul. We suggest booking no earlier than 2PM to give yourself enough transfer time to the airport.

Travel tip: We recommend booking flexible tickets and allowing for ample layover time in Istanbul, especially if transferring between international and domestic terminals.

TESTIMONIALS

"This was, at its essence, pure love manifest — and by the end of our tour my heart was birthed anew! I am grateful and humbled to have been a part of this journey of many lifetimes!" — Ana F

JOIN US FOR THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE IN THE MAGICAL LAND OF TURKIYE!

DAY 1 · MARDIN We arrive in Mardin, the city of ancient stones and living stories. After settling in, we gather for a welcome lunch before setting out on a walk through the old bazaar — weaving past ancient mosques, the cool stone abbaras, sacred tombs, and the historic Kasımiye Madrasa. The evening brings meşk, dinner, and rest.

DAY 2 · MARDIN & SURROUNDINGS We venture into the spiritual landscape surrounding Mardin — visiting Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an ancient Syriac Christian sanctuary that has served as a spiritual center for centuries, the mosque and tomb of a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the historic Mor Jacob Church, and Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the oldest continuously active monasteries in the world. We return for meşk, dinner, and a second night in Mardin.

DAY 3 · DİYARBAKIR & ADIYAMAN After breakfast we travel to Diyarbakır, a city whose character is written in black basalt. We visit the tombs of the 27 Companions of the Prophet, the Grand Mosque, and the Four-Legged Minaret — a rare and striking example of Islamic architecture. We then continue toward Adıyaman, with sacred stops along the way that transform the road itself into a space of prayer and contemplation.

DAY 4 · NEMRUT & ŞANLIURFA We rise before dawn for the ascent to Mount Nemrut, where sunrise unfolds among the colossal stone heads of the ancient Commagene Kingdom — a moment where history and nature meet in stillness. After breakfast, we make our way to Şanlıurfa, arriving at Balıklıgöl — the sacred pool where, according to tradition, the fire that Nimrod cast Abraham into was transformed into water, and the burning wood into fish. We visit the cave believed to be Abraham's birthplace and the Halil-ur Rahman Mosque, before closing the day with meşk and dinner.

DAY 5 · GÖBEKLİTEPE / URFA After breakfast, we begin our day at Göbeklitepe, the oldest known temple complex on earth — a site that has quietly rewritten our understanding of human civilization and reaches back some 12,000 years. From there, we continue to Soğmatar, an ancient sacred city bearing traces of star worship and forgotten cosmologies. The day closes in Harran, famous for its distinctive conical mud-brick houses and its rich history as a center of learning, where we visit the Halil-ur Rahman Mosque before returning to Urfa for the night.

DAY 6 · ŞANLIURFA → GAZİANTEP After breakfast we depart, stopping at the Shrine of Prophet Job — a place of patience and perseverance — before a boat tour along the Euphrates River, where ancient settlements now rest quietly beneath the water. We continue to Gaziantep, with a sacred tomb visit along the way, arriving in one of Turkey's most celebrated culinary cities for meşk and dinner.

DAY 7 · GAZİANTEP A slower day spent wandering Gaziantep's ancient bazaars, taking in the rhythms of daily life and the aromas of a city famous for its baklava and kebabs. We visit the tomb of Prophet Joshua and explore the historic market quarters, closing with meşk and dinner.

DAYS 8–10 · HATAY & SAMANDAĞ We make our way to Hatay, stopping en route to visit the tomb of Bayazid Bastami — one of the towering figures of early Sufism. In Antakya, we visit St. Pierre Church, one of the earliest known Christian sanctuaries, and the Archaeology Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Roman-era mosaics. Over three unhurried days based in Samandağ, we deepen into sohbet, sema, and inner work — visiting the Hızır Shrine, the Moses Tree, and the ancient Titus Tunnel, with time at the sea and in retreat at Nihna Hon. The program closes with a farewell dinner and gathering.