Sivas & Zara — Armenian Family History Tour
October 14–23, 2025 · 10 Days
About This Tour
Trace your Armenian family roots in the heartland of Anatolia — from the grandeur of Ottoman Istanbul to the ancestral valleys of Sivas and Zara, the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Pamukkale, and the rich heritage of Gaziantep. Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors and experience this deeply personal journey through history, faith, and family.
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
10 days of carefully curated travel
What's Included
Included
- 10 nights / 11 days tour
- 5-star or best available hotels
- Daily Breakfast and Dinner
- Sightseeing as per itinerary and headphones during the tour
- All entry fees to the sites and museums
- English speaking, Bible-oriented tour guide
- Murat Çakır, a native Turk, who grew up by Ephesus and has served in Church leadership in Turkey, will share insights about ancient and modern Church history. Murat's wife Susan will join the tour too. They are both BYU graduates.
- All transportation by private bus (water included)
- 2 Domestic Flights (transfers included)
- Parking fees
- Local service charges & taxes (20% VAT)
Excluded
- Lunches and all drinks
- Food or snacks not listed
- International Arrival and Departure Transfers (can be arranged for big groups more than 10 people or taxis are encouraged)
- Tips to the guides, driver and Turkish hosts
- Tips to restaurants for lunches (10% is recommended)
- Optional activities listed in the itinerary
- All personal expenses, travel and health insurance
- Anything not mentioned in the above "Included" section
- No visa needed for Turkey for US Citizens
Optional Activities
Not included in the base price — book on request.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise — Cappadocia
- Cagaloglu Turkish Hamam Experience — Istanbul
- Whirling Dervishes Show — Istanbul
- Swimming in the Ancient Pool — Pamukkale
- Bosphorus Cruise — Istanbul
- Private Airport Transfer Assistance
Pricing
Per person, based on group size (Minimum 20 pax)
| Sivas & Zara — Armenian Family History Tour | 20-25 pax | 26-30 pax | 31-35 pax | 36-40 pax | 40-50 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Price (per person) | $3,975 | $3,875 | $3,775 | $3,675 | $3,575 |
| Single Supplement (private room, one guest) | $1,450 | $1,450 | $1,450 | $1,450 | $1,450 |
20-25 pax
26-30 pax
31-35 pax
36-40 pax
40-50 pax
Prices are per person in USD. The single supplement is for guests who want a private hotel room to themselves; double-occupancy guests pay the tour price only.
Featured Guest Speaker
Kent F. Schull
Associate Professor of Ottoman & Middle East History, Binghamton University (SUNY) — joins if 40+ participants
Prof. Kent F. Schull is Associate Professor of Ottoman and Modern Middle East History and Director of the Center for Middle East and North Africa Studies at Binghamton University, SUNY. He was the Dumanian Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at the University of Chicago (Spring 2025) and is a twice Fulbright Scholar to Turkey. His latest book co-authored with James Toronto is *Missionary to the Middle East: The Journals of Joseph Wilford Booth* (BYU Religious Studies Center & Deseret Books, 2024). He is currently writing a book on 'Mormon-Armenians' in the Ottoman Empire, with special focus on the small branch of Armenian Saints in Zara, Sivas.
Reserve with deposit
$500
per person
Full price (per person)
$3775
Save $662 — limited time offer!
We reply in minutes!
+90 530 208 63 63