Join world-renowned geologist, scholar, and author, Dr. Robert Schoch, for an incredible 14-day comprehensive tour exploring the archaeology, history, culture, and natural beauty of Turkey – the region rightfully referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization".
Our tour will begin in Istanbul, the capital of the former Byzantine empire, where we will see such highlights as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the underground Basilica/Yerebatan Cistern, and the Hippodrome.
We then continue our journey, exploring the legendary city of Troy, Greco-Roman Pergamon, and the biblical city of Ephesus. Over the following days we travel through the timeless and breathtaking rock landscape of Cappadocia, investigating its rock-cut “churches” and enigmatic underground cities.
At the site of Catalhoyuk, ancient people built a dense complex of mudbrick and plastered buildings, beginning over 9,000 years ago. Once hailed as the first evidence of city life, Dr. Schoch will explain on-site how we now understand that advanced civilization goes back even further in time – to the end of the last ice age. Catalhoyuk is representative of a dark age between the collapse of one major cycle of civilization and the emergence of another.
An attraction that is a favorite among many travelers to Anatolia is Mount Nemrut with its colossal statues, often considered to be the eighth wonder of the ancient world. The visage during sunset from the mountain top is breathtaking and something we have scheduled for this trip.
The highlight of our tour – considered by numerous scholars the most important archaeological discovery of the last hundred years – is the magnificent megalithic complex of Göbekli Tepe. Dating back 12,000 years to the end of the last ice age, Göbekli Tepe is direct evidence of advanced civilization some 6,000 years prior to the “traditional” timeline for the emergence of civilization during the period of 4,000 to 3,000 BCE.
Introducing Dr. Robert Schoch – Our Host for the Tour
There is no better person to guide you through ancient sites and geological wonders than Dr. Robert M. Schoch. Classically trained, with a Ph.D. in geology and geophysics from Yale University, Dr. Schoch has been a fulltime faculty member at Boston University since 1984. For over three decades Dr. Schoch has been studying ancient civilizations around the world, in such diverse countries as Egypt, Turkey, Bosnia, Romania, Wales, Scotland, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Easter Island, Indonesia, and Japan.
During the tour, Dr. Schoch will give a formal lecture presentation regarding his research, discuss the sites we visit, and every guest will have the opportunity to take part in public and private conversations with Dr. Schoch as everyone travels together, enjoying all of the sites and activities on the itinerary.
In the early 1990s, Dr. Schoch's geological analyses of the Great Sphinx demonstrated that the statue is thousands of years older than the conventional dating of circa 2500 BCE, bringing him worldwide fame. This work has been both controversial and pivotal in reshaping our understanding of the origins and history of civilization. Recent discoveries in Turkey, particularly at Göbekli Tepe, which Dr. Schoch has studied extensively (the photograph of him above was taken at the site in 2010) and which is on the itinerary for the tour, confirm the very ancient origins of civilization, going back to the end of the last ice age, some 12,000 years ago.
Dr. Schoch’s most recent research indicates that extreme solar activity is what ended Earth’s last ice age, creating global and cataclysmic flooding, ocean level rises, the decimation of the high civilizations of the time, the extinction of many large mammals circa 9700 BCE, and the subsequent 6,000-year gap in humanity’s timeline.
It is really going to be an extraordinary adventure, so I would encourage you to join us, if possible, because we never know if we will be able do it again. This is not a trip where one just goes with a conventional tour guide. We will bring our own perspectives, our own passions, our own personal research to the trip. I can guarantee you that while we are together, we will all be seeing new things. We will be exploring the sites, ideas, and the beauty of the country together. This will be a very different experience compared to standard tours – one not to be missed. – Dr. Robert M. Schoch.
For more information about Dr. Robert Schoch, visit his personal website: www.robertschoch.com
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Two visits to Göbekli Tepe & a visit to Karahan Tepe
Göbekli Tepe
This place is a supernova. Within a minute of first seeing it I knew I had two choices: go away and tell nobody, or spend the rest of my life working here. – said the late Dr. Klaus Schmidt, the primary archeologist who led the excavations at Göbekli Tepe.
Göbekli Tepe mystifies and astounds archaeologists, historians, and researchers. Nobody knows how to explain the site or why it was purposefully buried and its founding civilization decimated – nobody, that is, until now!
After studying Göbekli Tepe firsthand, Dr. Schoch has developed an insightful theory that addresses the grand mystery of antediluvian civilization. His new explanation, based on solid scientific evidence, involves solar (electrical plasma) outbursts occurring approximately 12,000 years ago that caused massive devastation to the surface of Earth, brought a rapid end to the last ice age, and in the process created huge floods globally, as fire (plasma) struck glaciers and oceans, releasing torrents of water and of rain.
This new research is discussed in Dr. Schoch's book, Forgotten Civilization: New Discoveries on the Solar-Induced Dark Age (revised and expanded edition, 2021), and he will share his insights during our tour of Turkey, which includes two visits to Göbekli Tepe.
Karahan Tepe
While Göbekli Tepe includes some the world’s oldest megalithic structures, various archaeologists now suspect that its sister site, Karahan Tepe, may be even older! Together we will explore these mysterious ancient sites in our quest to understand the forgotten civilization that built them and learn more about the newest excavations and discoveries.
ITINERARY
Day 1, 12 August 2023
Arrival in Istanbul & Welcome Dinner at the hotel
Our representative will welcome you at the international airport in Istanbul, transfer you to the hotel and then assist you with checking into a hotel in Istanbul. In the evening, there will be a dinner and a welcome meeting with Dr. Robert Schoch.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2, 13 August 2023
Istanbul / Topkapi Palace / Hagia Sophia / Hippodrome Square / Blue Mosque Basilica / Yerebatan Cistern
After breakfast, we will visit the Sultanahmet district called the "historical peninsula". First, we will visit various Ottoman ruins, followed by sightseeing of the Blue Mosque – the most important mosque in Istanbul with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles and 200 stained glass windows. Next, we will discover and enjoy beautiful examples of Ottoman art at Topkapi Palace – the first Ottoman palace in Istanbul. After enjoying lunch, we will visit the most iconic Byzantine monuments including the Hagia Sophia, the former Byzantine Church, historically regarded as the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture. Next, we will explore the underground Basilica/Yerebatan Cistern, which was the main water provider for Constantinople. We will also visit the Byzantine Hippodrome where one can admire beautiful obelisks and columns from the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman periods.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3, 14 August 2023
Troy and Assos
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will drive to Troy via the European part of Turkey known as "Thrace". In Gallipoli we will have lunch by the sea and sail across the Dardanelles to the Asian side of Turkey – Canakkale, where we will visit the Ancient City of Troy, a city both factual and legendary. It is best known for being described in the Greek Epic Cycle and especially in the Iliad written by Homer. Besides visiting the well-preserved ruins of this ancient city, we will see a replica of the famous Trojan Horse. In the evening we will have a short break to swim in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.
Overnight: Assos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4, 15 August 2023
Pergamon and Kusadasi
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will drive to the ancient site of Pergamon, which is located in the modern city of Bergama. There, we will take a cable car up the mountain to visit the ancient Acropolis. During the Roman period, Pergamon became the most famous and influential city of Asia Minor. Visiting this UNESCO site will provide you with a chance to trace the steps of the ancient city of Pergamon and get to know more about its unique history. After lunch, we will drive to the hotel in Kusadasi for a free afternoon. There, you will get a chance to swim in the beautiful Aegean Sea or the hotel’s swimming pool.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5, 16 August 2023
Ephesus and Pamukkale
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will drive to Ephesus. This iconic place was one of the most important commercial markets of the ancient world and a religious center of early Christianity. Today, it is a unique and amazingly well preserved ancient city that attracts visitors from around the world. Next, we will drive to our hotel in Pamukkale, where you will enjoy hot springs water, rich in minerals, and relax after the day of sightseeing.
Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6, 17 August 2023
Pamukkale / Hierapolis / Konya
In the morning we will visit the picturesque white terraces in Pamukkale and the famous ancient city of Hierapolis. This Greco-Roman city was built on top of the white terraces and has a lot to offer to its visitors, including a surreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins. Later, you will have some free time to explore the unique geology of Turkey’s “Cotton Castle”. You will have an opportunity to walk barefoot on the unique calcite surface that is overrun with warm, mineral-rich waters, and admire the contrast between the powder-white surface, the clear blue sky, and the green plains below. After lunch, we will drive to Konya. Dinner and overnight stay in Konya.
Overnight: Konya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7, 18 August 2023
Catalhoyuk / Sultanhani Kervansaray / Derinkuyu Underground City
Our sightseeing will start with a visit to Catalhoyuk, an archeological site and one of the world's earliest known cities dating back over 9,000 years! Catalhoyuk is the largest and best-preserved Neolithic settlement currently known and is considered one of the key sites for understanding human prehistory. Regarded as a place off the beaten path, this archaeological site is rarely visited by tourists.
Next, we will visit the Sultanhani Kervansaray – one of the largest and most enchanting caravanserais in the world which had been used as an accommodation for people, especially merchants, and as a defense for trade routes.
After the visit, we will go to Derinkuyu Underground City – the deepest excavated underground city in Cappadocia, the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It could house 20,000 people with their livestock and supplies. This place fascinates people from all around the world and provides us with many new insights into our ancestors’ past.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8, 19 August 2023
Cappadocia
Cappadocia – the timeless and fantastic bare rock landscape of valleys and mountains, rock-cut churches and mysterious ancient underground cities. This region is a geological wonder in its own right, forming a "lost world" which we will explore during the day. We will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum which once housed one of the largest communities in the region. The museum sightseeing will be followed by stops at panoramic sites allowing you to take pictures of one of the most intriguing places in the world. We will have time to explore the local shops in search of unique souvenirs.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9, 20 August 2023
Cappadocia
Another exciting day in amazing Cappadocia. We will have time to see different parts of the region and to photograph the unique otherworldly rock formations, volcanic peaks and mountains. The rocks that form the characteristic Cappadocia landscape have eroded for millions of years due to water and wind. Apart from gorgeous geological wonders, Cappadocia also boasts of fascinating rock-carved chapels and churches utilized in the 9th through 11th centuries, but as Dr. Schoch will explain, the original structures may be much older.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10, 21 August 2023
Mount Nemrut
After an early breakfast in Cappadocia, we will drive towards our hotel in Adiyaman. On the way we will be able to see the changing landscapes and to adore the natural beauty of Turkey. We will also have an opportunity to taste delicious local cuisine. After check-in at the hotel in Adiyaman, we will leave to admire the sunset from the peak of Mount Nemrut.
This world famous ancient megalithic site is one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Turkey. It is often considered the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. At the summit of this approximately 2000-meter mountain lie ruins from the ancient Commagene Kingdom, which was at its height of power during the 1st century BCE. The most remarkable features of the Mount Nemrut site are the giant stone heads of ancient gods. It is said to be the king's tomb, although no grave has ever been found there.
Who really built it and why? How far back might its origins date? It remains a mystery to this day.
After enjoying the sunset, we will drive back to the hotel in Adiyaman.
Overnight: Adiyaman
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11, 22 August 2023
Ataturk Dam / Harran / Göbekli Tepe
Today we will drive to Harran, which is a place full of surprises, with its Arabic culture, colorful people, old historic buildings, and ancient Islamic university.
Then, we will drive to Göbekli Tepe, a place that changed the way archaeologists think about the origins of civilization. This 12,000-year-old stone complex, predating the conventional date for Stonehenge by 6,000 years, boasts multiple enclosures with tall, T-shaped pillars surrounded by rings of stones, many carved with reliefs. At Göbekli Tepe, you will enjoy the beautiful sunset before driving back for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Sanliurfa.
Overnight: Sanliurfa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12, 23 August 2023
Göbekli Tepe / Karahan Tepe / Urfa Archeology Museum / Balikli Gol / Abraham’s Cave
In the morning, we will return to Göbekli Tepe for further exploration of this incredibly important site. One aspect of Göbekli Tepe is that the light and visibility vary from the morning to the evening, so to see all of the structures and carvings to their best advantage, one must visit in both the afternoon (as on Day 11) and in the morning.
With the earliest portions dating back 12,000 years, Göbekli Tepe includes some the world’s oldest megalithic structures. However, various archaeologists suspect that Göbekli Tepe’s sister site, Karahan Tepe, may be even older! Together we will explore and compare both of these mysterious ancient sites in our quest to learn more about the forgotten civilization they represent.
After lunch, we will visit the Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum to view a number of ancient artifacts, including incredible stone sculptures, one resembling a totem pole, excavated at Göbekli Tepe.
Later, we will walk through the beautiful flower-filled gardens along the Pools of Abraham with their maze of canals full of thousands of carp fish, which are held sacred and fed by the local people. We will also enter the Cave of Abraham where, according to local legends, the prophet Abraham was born.
Overnight: Sanliurfa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13, 24 August 2023
Flight to Istanbul / Bosphorus Cruise
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will transfer to the airport in Urfa for the flight to Istanbul. After check-in at the hotel in Istanbul, you will have some free time for resting, shopping, or further exploration of the area. In the evening, we will have a private boat cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. During the sunset, we will enjoy our farewell dinner.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 14, 25 August 2023
Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and (according to departure times) head for the airport. With our journey across Turkey behind us, and new friendships forged, we will have the opportunity to bid each other a fond farewell and warm wishes for safe travels home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
4. Terms & Conditions
Price: $7995 USD per person in a double room (deposit is $1000 during booking). If you travel alone, we can endeavor to pair you with another tour participant. However, if you would like to stay in a single room for the duration of the tour then the supplement is $1995.
Payment Schedule:
- $1000 deposit – during booking.
- Remaining balance – 90 days before the tour.
Price Includes: Dr. Robert Schoch as your tour host throughout the trip, joined by his wife and research partner Catherine Ulissey; 13-night stay at 4/5-star hotels (best available locally); 3 meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except for the first day, which includes dinner only; and the last day, which includes breakfast only); all sightseeing tours and entrances included in the itinerary; an English-speaking guide who will travel with us from start to finish; English-speaking tour leader; air-conditioned coach ground transportation; reception at the international airport in Istanbul; airport arrival and departure transfers; domestic flight from Urfa/Gaziantep; bottled water during the sightseeing; government taxes.
Not Included: International flights to/from Istanbul in Turkey (we can help you with booking if you would like); Visa cost (a visa costs approximately $50 and will need to be obtained prior to the tour); soft and alcoholic drinks; souvenirs and personal expenses; personal tips made to staff, drivers, and so forth. Health and Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended that you have adequate Health Insurance and Travel Insurance for the duration of the tour.
We encourage you to book this tour as soon as possible, because the number of places is limited. Please contact us for more information and for details.
E-mail: contact@timeofanewera.com
US phone: +1 646 740-0400
Office hours: 9am–4pm EST Monday–Friday.
Our consultants will be happy to give you all the information you need. JOIN US TODAY!
Dr. Robert Schoch and his wife Catherine Ulissey on the Bosphorus (2012).
TURKEY GRAND TOUR with Dr. Robert M. Schoch, Ph.D. EGYPT TOUR (December 2012) with Dr. Robert M. Schoch TURKEY TOUR (August 2012) with Dr. Robert Schoch
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