SUFI TOUR & RUMI RETREAT IN TURKEY

September 18-28, 2024

Join the Lila Series on a spiritual journey through Turkey.

With the support of local guides, musicians, teaching artists, and spiritual masters, we will visit various sacred locations throughout the country and explore Sufi mysticism, the life & poetry of Rumi and immerse in devotional practices such as “Sema” and whirling.

TOUR ITINERARY

(Subject to change)

  • Welcome to Turkey!

    We will start our journey in Istanbul, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

    To really appreciate this ancient city we would need at least two or three weeks… but even a taste of honey is better than none at all!

    Day 1 - After arriving to hotel in İstanbul, the day will be at leisure. We’ll have a welcoming dinner where we’ll be able to meet and introduce each other and will enjoy a restful evening together.

    Day 2 - The focus of this day will be the Old City of Istanbul. We have compiled a list of places to visit, such as the Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Suleymania Mosque, a walkthrough of the Grand Bazaar & a scattering of little Sufi gems in between. At night we will gather at a small zawiyah for a Sufi gathering with local dervishes.

  • Day 3 - We will begin the day in Istanbul and will head to the Egyptian Bazaar for some shopping. Then we will walk to the tomb of Jaffar Baba who was a great grandson of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). We will then take a ferry down the Golden Horn, a natural bay that cuts into the old city, to Eyup Sultan an area names after the tomb of Eyup Ansari, who hosted the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) when he went to Medina. There will be many other Sufi sites in the area that we can visit. We will depart from the area and go straight to the train station for our trip to Konya. Upon arrival we will check-in to our hotel and have a relaxed evening together.

    Day 4 - We will start the day by first visiting the tomb of Shems Tabrizi, the beloved teacher of Rumi, and then will visit the tomb of Sadreddin Konevi, who was the stepson of the Sufi mystic Muhyeddin ibn Arabi. After lunch we will then visit Mevlana Jellaleddin Rumi. After lunch we will then visit Mevlana Jellaleddin Rumi & will have a workshop with Haleh Liza Gafori about the life & poetry of this great poet. The rest of the afternoon we can wander round the local bazaar before attending the evening Whirling Dervish ceremony.

    Day 5 - Free day for shopping & exploration of Konya. At night we will have an evening of devotional music with local Sufis in the community.

  • Day 5 - We will depart Konya early and make our way to Cappadocia stopping in various places including Sultan Han - a restored Selchuk caravansary from the 12th century. We will then reach to Hacibektas where we will visit the tomb of Hadji Bektash Veli, a contemporary of Rumi and someone of great spiritual significance within Turkish Sufism.

    Day 6 - Cappadocia is a magical volcanic landscape sculptured by erosion with underground cities and churches and monasteries carved into the volcanic rock. In addition to have the options for many outdoor activities, from hot air ballooning to trekking, we will have an afternoon workshop on the Whirling dance practice with guest teacher Alper Akcay. The evening will be a free evening to just hang out and relax.

  • Day 7: A short drive from Cappadocia to Özkonak. Upon arrival to the retreat center, we will have a relaxed afternoon and evening together to prepare for our three-day retreat.

    Days 8-10: During this three-day retreat we will be diving deeper into the esoteric practices of the Sufi path. This will include Sema (the practice of whirling meditation), Zikr (the practice of chanting and invoking the divine attributes) and ‘Sohbet’ (discourses and spiritual conversations). There will also be some time to explore the ancient underground city and natural landscape surrounding the area around the retreat center.

  • Departure from Kayseri or Nevsehir airport.

PREVIOUS LILA TOURS

TESTIMONIALS

  • “My experience in Morocco was thrilling, authentic and deep. Omar and the guides did an impeccable job curating the experience for us, and above all that, staying present and attentive throughout every step of the journey. I’d recommend this experience for anyone! Particularly those looking to explore an enchanting place in the company of deep souls, who enjoy traveling within a group that feels like home, and who feel called to touch and taste the essence of a place that rests beneath the TripAdvisor seafoam on the surface”

    Emily S.

  • “I can't fully express how fun, adventurous and immersive the trip to Morocco was.

    Traveling through the country's cities, shores, the Sahara desert and the Atlas mountains in a van with 16 semi strangers, we explored such a wide range of what this country has to offer with a focus on Gnawa music; which was incredibly connecting and heart opening.”

    Edyta H.

  • “From the heart: This wasn't just a tour -- it was a total immersion into the rich cultural, musical, and spiritual gifts that Morocco has to offer. I feel so grateful to have had so many amazing new experiences there. Including a full-on Lila ceremony, which was one of the most transcendent experiences of my life.”

    Simi M.

  • “The kind of journey you’ll remember for a lifetime. Curated with the help of local insiders, the team carefully planned an itinerary of authentic cultural activities, musical gatherings, healing modalities, educational opportunities and leisure time to discover breathtaking historic sites. The accommodations are comfortable, food is delicious, and overall, their passionate team does a great job with complex logistics. A genuinely respectful approach, and constant communication, ensures the group feels safe and honors the heritage we are exploring; while sharing the experience with enthusiastic locals. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a conscious group travel adventure at the intersection of history, music, culture and dance.”

    Beatriz Z.

  • “The best trip I've had in my whole life. Masterfully organized and curated”

    Carlos M.

  • "This trip enriched my life, made it fuller, and will stay with me forever."

    Sallie S.

HOSTS & TEACHERS

SPOTLIGHT

Omar Aena

Omar is the founder of the Lila Series and is a world music DJ, community organizer and event producer based in NYC.

His passion is in bringing people together to experience higher states of consciousness through natural means; particularly through sacred music and dance. He has hosted many events around the world, including retreats and group trips in Guatemala & Morocco. He is also working on a docu-series about the roots of Ecstatic Dance, with each episode focusing on a particular traditional culture that integrates art & spirituality. 

As a DJ he mixes together traditional world music with electronic sounds, with a particular focus on songs from his middle-eastern heritage.

Cem Baba

Cem Baba is a Sufi teacher based in Turkey. He received his ijazet (Master initiation) from Sherif Baba who comes from the lineage of Pir Ahmed Er Rifai (11th century).

He studied and experienced various spiritual practices until he met his Master Sherif Baba in New York in 1991. He lived in North Carolina with Sherif Baba and traveled all around the US as well as countries like China, India, Canada, and Lebanon, together as his translator and companion. He speaks Turkish, English, Dutch, and some level of French and German. He moved back to Turkiye in 2008 and currently resides in Samandag, where he and his community are engaged in earthquake relief service.

He continues his teachings both in Turkey and abroad, which are based on both traditional as well as modern universal Sufi wisdom. 

 FAQs

  • Sufism is the poetry, music and mysticism of Islam. It’s vision revolves around realizing the current of love that runs through human life and the unity behind all forms. It’s method is the development of presence and love to awaken from our enslavement to the world and our own psychological processes, and into Unity with the Source of all.

    The Sufis are those who love and are purified by love, free of themselves and their own qualities, and fully attentive to the Beloved.

    (Adapted from Kabir Helminski, Living Presence.)

  • Sema is a devotional ceremony that includes live music, chanting and whirling movement meditation. It is performed as part of a process of remembering our true nature as being one with the divine source.

  • Yes absolutely! This tour is open to people from all walks of life. Sufism in its essence is simply the path of the heart. So we welcome anybody who resonates with this path.

  • The tour will start in Istanbul so you would fly into one of the two major airports in Istanbul.

    The tour will end in Özkonak so you would fly out of either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airports

  • Yes, in fact the majority of people who come on these tours come by themselves, but return with many new friends.

    We will pair you up with someone who you’d share a room with, or if there are private accommodations available for an additional fee.

  • Yes, Turkey is known to be a very safe place for travelers from all over the world. They take their hospitality seriously, as it is part of their cultural norms and values. Keep in mind, we will be traveling as a group and will have guides with us so you won’t need to worry about being places in unsafe situations.

  • Turkey does not have any COVID protocols in place. To ensure our group’s health safety, however, we will be requiring that anyone symptomatic take a COVID test.

    If you test positive, you will need to quarantine at your own expense. You can rejoin the group once no longer testing positive.

  • Please note that deposits and subsequent payments are non-refundable. In the event of a travel ban due to COVID-19 or any other unforeseen circumstances, trip dates will be rescheduled to a later date. No refunds will be issued. Any unease with regards to travel or quarantine upon return will not be considered. All payments are final and non-refundable.

    If you are unable to attend for whatever reason, you may transfer the trip to a family member or friend, assuming they are approved by the Lila Series.

  • Turkey requires visas for entry for most passport holders. Please check requirements for your passport’s issuing country. Visas can be applied for online here and are granted immediately after paying the $50 fee.

dervish illustration by zaliha erdoğan peçe