Eight guests. At most.
A shared curiosity, a small group, and room for real conversation.
HISTORY · ARCHAEOLOGY · LOCAL LIFE
Some journeys
take you deeper.
Walk through the layers of Anatolia.
Extraordinary history, shared tables, and a little wonder.
Never more than eight guests.
ANATOLIA, TÜRKIYENEW CHAPTER · APRIL 2028
A DIFFERENT WAY TO TRAVEL
History beneath your feet.
Stories around the table.
Beyond the familiar routes, Anatolia holds worlds waiting to be understood. We bring archaeology, landscape and local life together in small, thoughtfully paced journeys — with time to ask questions, linger over lunch, and let a place stay with you.
Follow the story.
Connect the sites, the objects and the people behind them.
A taste of everyday life.
Regional dishes, neighbourhood markets and the pleasure of slowing down.
FOUR WAYS TO EXPLORE. THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
Choose your chapter.
April 2028 · Waiting list open
Maximum 8 guests on every departure
Start with a short stay in Şanlıurfa, follow the Neolithic story to Çatalhöyük, explore the Hittite heartland, or connect both chapters in one journey. All durations below are proposed and include arrival and departure days.
01 · THE NEOLITHIC JOURNEYBefore Civilization
From monumental gathering places to the intimate world of homes and everyday life. Follow the Neolithic story from the Taş Tepeler to Çatalhöyük, with time for the food and streets of Şanlıurfa.
Göbekli Tepe · Karahantepe · Şanlıurfa Museum · Çatalhöyük
A glimpse of the journey +
- Day 1 · Arrive in Şanlıurfa. Settle in and meet over a regional welcome dinner.
- Day 2 · Göbekli Tepe and the museum. Explore the site, then connect its story with the collections at Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.
- Day 3 · Karahantepe. A dedicated excursion, followed by an unhurried evening back in Şanlıurfa.
- Day 4 · A day in local life. Old-city streets, markets and regional food, with time to explore at your own pace.
- Day 5 · Travel to Konya. A dedicated transfer day. The final transport route will be confirmed before booking.
- Day 6 · Çatalhöyük. Discover the settlement and its domestic world, returning to Konya for a farewell dinner.
- Day 7 · Depart Konya. Breakfast and onward travel, or continue on the combined journey.
Proposed itinerary and duration. Travel days are included; transport, site access and the final programme will be confirmed before booking opens.
02 · AN ANCIENT KINGDOMKingdom of the Hittites
Enter a world of kings, sacred landscapes and forgotten capitals. Trace an ancient power across the open heart of Anatolia, from museum treasures to monumental city gates.
Ankara · Hattusa · Yazılıkaya · Alacahöyük
A glimpse of the journey +
- Day 1 · Welcome to Ankara. Settle in and meet over an introductory dinner.
- Day 2 · Museum and the heartland. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, then travel to Boğazkale.
- Day 3 · Hattusa and Yazılıkaya. A full day for the capital and its rock sanctuary, with another night in the area.
- Day 4 · Alacahöyük. Explore the site before returning to Ankara for a farewell evening.
- Day 5 · Depart Ankara. A final breakfast and goodbyes.
Proposed itinerary and duration. Travel days are included; transport, site access and the final programme will be confirmed before booking opens.
03 · THE COMPLETE STORYFirst Communities to Kingdoms(The combined journey)
Two chapters, one deeper journey. Begin among the Neolithic sites around Şanlıurfa, explore life at Çatalhöyük, then continue to the Hittite heartland. A slower interlude in Konya gives the journey room to breathe.
Göbekli Tepe · Karahantepe · Çatalhöyük · Ankara · Hattusa · Alacahöyük
A glimpse of the journey +
- Days 1–4 · Şanlıurfa and the Taş Tepeler. Arrival, Göbekli Tepe, the archaeology museum, Karahantepe, and a day for local food and old-city life.
- Day 5 · Travel to Konya. A dedicated transfer day; routing will be confirmed before booking.
- Day 6 · Çatalhöyük. Explore homes and community life in this remarkable Neolithic settlement.
- Day 7 · Pause in Konya. An easy day for personal exploration, regional food and rest between the two chapters.
- Day 8 · Continue to Ankara. Travel to Ankara, settle in and join the welcome evening for the Hittite chapter.
- Day 9 · Museum and Boğazkale. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations before travelling into the Hittite heartland.
- Day 10 · Hattusa and Yazılıkaya. A full day for the capital and its sanctuary.
- Day 11 · Alacahöyük and Ankara. Visit the site, then return to Ankara for a farewell dinner.
- Day 12 · Depart Ankara. Breakfast and onward travel.
Proposed itinerary and duration. Travel days are included; transport, site access and the final programme will be confirmed before booking opens.
04 · A SHORTER CHAPTERBefore Civilization — Şanlıurfa Short Journey
A focused introduction to the Neolithic world, based in Şanlıurfa throughout. Two full exploring days bring together extraordinary sites, museum discoveries and regional food, without the onward journey to Konya.
Göbekli Tepe · Karahantepe · Şanlıurfa Museum
A glimpse of the journey +
- Day 1 · Arrive in Şanlıurfa. Settle in and meet over a regional welcome dinner.
- Day 2 · Göbekli Tepe and the museum. Explore the site and Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, with a relaxed lunch between visits.
- Day 3 · Karahantepe and local life. Visit Karahantepe, returning for time in the old city and a farewell dinner.
- Day 4 · Depart Şanlıurfa. Breakfast and onward travel. This shorter journey does not include Çatalhöyük.
Proposed itinerary and duration. Travel days are included; transport, site access and the final programme will be confirmed before booking opens.
On linked departures, the eight-guest limit includes everyone travelling that segment, whether joining a standalone tour or the combined journey.
TRAVEL WITH YOUR CURIOSITY
Not just places you’ve seen.
Stories you take home.
Ancient stones. Unhurried conversations. One more dish to share.
THE PROLOGUE · LONDON
Your journey
begins in London.
Before the ancient landscapes, a first encounter. Meet your fellow travellers at the British Museum and explore the ideas that will accompany us to Anatolia — from early communities to the world of the Hittites.
A few remarkable objects. Questions to carry with you. And, afterwards, the option to keep the conversation going over lunch nearby.
I’m interested in the London gathering ↗Planned for 2–4 weeks before departure. Dates and arrangements to be confirmed. An online introduction is planned for guests unable to join us in London.
LAYERS OF ANATOLIAPROPOSED EXPERIENCE
A first chapter,
shared together.
01
Meet & explore
75–90 minutes in selected British Museum galleries, shaped around your journey.
51 Early communities & farming56 Cities, writing & everyday life54 Anatolia & the Hittite world
02
Stay for the conversation
An optional lunch nearby. Meet the group, share your curiosity and ask about the journey ahead.
Independently organised by Layers of Anatolia; not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Museum. Proposed gallery route is subject to access and display availability.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER · APRIL 2028
Be there when
the story begins.
All tours before April 2028 are full. Join the waiting list for our next journeys, and hear when dates, prices and the final itineraries are ready.
- Maximum eight guests per departure
- No payment or deposit to join
- Joining the list does not reserve a place
APRIL2028
Four ways to explore.
A small circle of curious people.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Before you join us.
Can I book a tour now?+
We’re accepting waiting-list interest only for April 2028. Dates, prices, inclusions and booking terms will be shared before reservations open. No payment is taken here.
Which Neolithic journey should I choose?+
The four-day Şanlıurfa Short Journey has three nights in one base and two full exploring days. The seven-day Before Civilization journey adds more time in Şanlıurfa, a dedicated transfer day and Çatalhöyük near Konya. The twelve-day First Communities to Kingdoms (The combined journey) continues through Konya and Ankara to the Hittite heartland.
Do I need to attend the London gathering?+
No. It’s an optional introduction for booked tour guests, planned for 2–4 weeks before departure. We also plan an online introduction for anyone unable to attend. Dates, gallery access and arrangements will be confirmed separately; expressing interest does not reserve an event place.
Can I come on my own?+
Absolutely. These journeys are designed around shared curiosity, whether you travel solo, with a partner or with friends. Room options will be shared with the final tour details.
Do I need to know about archaeology?+
Just bring your curiosity. The journeys are designed to make the history approachable, with space for questions and conversation.
What about walking and accessibility?+
Archaeological sites may involve uneven ground, steps and exposed paths. Detailed walking requirements will be provided before booking so you can decide whether a journey suits you.