Silk Road Expeditions

Emerging from Censorship?

2011-10-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

After straining against the oars of Internet-censorship we may be coming out of the tunnel...or so we hope. We will be watching to see what the Turkish Government does and seeing if it looks like we can launch off into the deep blue waters of open blogging again.

Our last trip into the outback.....along the cliffs of the Euphrates

Find Us Here

2009-12-10T18:28:00.001-08:00

Ok...if you are looking for Silk Road Expedition's daily blog....find it here. If you are looking for our 2010 Silk Road Expedition the details are below.

August Tour 2009-SRE

2009-02-01T04:57:00.000-08:00

Bee Hive Homes of Ancient Harran
Plans are now underway for the next tour through the outback of Turkey. Stops along the route this time will be the tea growing canyons of the Black Sea mountains and then on to Kars, Dogubeyazit and Van lake before swinging west through Harran, Antioch of Syria, Tarsus, Kapadokia and ending in Ephesus.
Rock Cut Bishop's Home Near Lystra
We are taking reservations and deposits now. Approximate cost will be $2900pp based on double occupancy. However, the more who are brave enough to come---the lower the cost. If you have a youth group or class that is interested we can offer a discount for groups of 25 or more.
As we have said in the past, this is not the white loafer and blue hair tour...this is total immersion in Turkish culture and a working trip. Our goal is to build friendships throughout Asia Minor, we want to expose you to the heart of this great country, its culture and its people. You will see a side of Asia Minor that will change the way you view the world of the east. The history and hospitality of the Turks will overwhelm you. This is an opportunity to leave your politics at home and spend time with the people who live along the threads of the ancient Silk Road.
If long, dusty and hot days spent in villages scattered throughout Turkey's amazing outback is your idea of fun...holler. Traveling with the Steward Crew is something you won't forget...the bruises alone will take months to fade.Ann & Elle Visit with Village Woman in Klistra

SRE Journey to the Edge

2008-06-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

This year's Silk Road Expedition has a twist...we are taking a handful of adventurers with us! We have limited space, so contact us soon if you want to hang with the Steward Crew as we cruise along the edge.

SRE Journey to the Edge
Route & Itinerary
October 6-15, 2008

Day 1 Arrive Istanbul
• Orientation & Dinner
• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2 Full day tour of Istanbul
• Aya Sofia
• Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque)
• Grand Bazaar
• Basilica Cistern
• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 3 AM Flight to GaziAntep / By coach to Urfa
• Travel to Sanli Urfa
• Overnight in Sanli Urfa

Day 4 Urfa to Antakay

Abraham's Pool
Job's Tomb
Harran
Syrian Plains
Overnight in Antakya

(Time permitting on some of the remote sites)

Day 5 Antakya to Adana
• St. Peter’s Church where Paul & Barnabas were “set apart”
• Daphne, where Mark Antony & Cleopatra honeymooned
• St. Simeon’s Monastery (time permitting)
• Seleucia, the departure point of Paul’s first journey west
• Overnight in Adana
St. Peter's Church

Cappadocia Cave Church

Day 6 Adana to Cappadocia
• Paul’s home in Tarsus
• Seth’s (son of Adam) tomb
• Daniel’s tomb
• Gumusler rock cut monastery
• Derinkuyu underground city
• Overnight in Goreme (Cappadocia)
Cappadocia

Day 7 Cappadocia to Iconium (Konya)
• Cappadocia Outdoor Museum (early rock cut churches)
• Fairy Chimneys
• Persian Poet Rumi’s tomb (Mevlana) founder of Whirling Dervish sect
• Home of the virgin St. Thecla, an early convert of Paul’s
• Overnight in Iconium

Day 8 Konya (Iconium) to Hierapolis

Lystra, home town of Timothy
o Paul heals a cripple and is proclaimed as Hermes & Zeus by the Lycaonians
o Paul was stoned in Lystra, drug outside and left for dead
o Derbe Tell (time permitting)
• Antioch Psidia (Yalvaç)
o St. Thecla’s Miraculous escape from Martyrdom
o Place where Paul & Barnabas “shook the dust from their feet”
• Overnight in Denizli (Hierapolis)
Antioch Psidia

Day 9 Hierapolis to Ephesus
• Visit Hierapolis
• Travel Day
• Overnight in Ephesus (Izmir)
Library at Ephesus

Day 10 Tour Ephesustrong>

Home of Mary mother of Jesus

Temple of Diana (Artemus) ruins
Tour Ends, departure to final destinations

Cost

$2500 pp in dbl room

$300 for Single Supplement

Tour Includes:
2 nights in Istanbul- BB
1 night in Urfa-BB
1 night in Antakya- HB
1 night in Adana- BB
1 night in Cappadocia-BB
1 night in Konya- HB

1 night in Denizli BB
2 nights in Izmir-HB
Hotel accommodations as above at 3-4 star hotels or S category hotels
Bed&breakfast(BB) or Breakfast&dinner (HB) meals indicated as above
Passenger van for transportation
Istanbul-Antep flight
Adventure Tour Guide
Park&toll

Tour excludes:
International air
Visa fees

Entrance Fees to Museums and Historical Sites
Tips to guide&driver and hotels
Lunches
Extras at hotels
Beverages at meals
Portage at airport and hotels
Travel insurance

Silk Road Expedition 08

2008-05-17T04:25:00.000-07:00

This coming October we are taking our crew and a select few of our readers along with us as we head out into the outback of Asia Minor.
We are firming up the route and plans this month and will have an itinerary posted soon. Want to hang with us? Drop us a line for more info and you could be digging out of the muck with us!