“ Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving— it doesn't matter,
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Even if you have broken your vows a thousand times,
Come, yet again, come, come.”
- Rumi
LILA invites you on a sacred journey through the ancient lands of Turkey.
This year, we are offering two unique experiences—each a pilgrimage of the heart, where sacred music, whirling dance, and devotional companionship sustain our caravan.
Rooted in the mystical traditions of Anatolia, these journeys are an invitation to step into the living poetry of the Sufi path, where every moment is a call to remembrance, beauty, and divine love.
Come, come, whoever you are… the path awaits.
8-Day Sufi Whirling ‘Sema’ Retreat
July 1 - 9, 2025
Mediterranean Coast - Fethiye | Mugla
Focusing on the sacred practice of Sema, this experience is for those seeking to immerse deeply in the whirling sacred dance meditation as practiced by Rumi himself.
After three days of guided preparation, allowing participants—whether new or experienced—to ease into the practice, we step into an unbroken five-day portal of whirling, music, invocation, and prayer—a journey beyond time and self with a community of dedicated seekers from Turkey and around the world.
11-Day Sufi Pilgrimage Through Ancient Anatolia
October 8-18, 2025
Konya | Cappadocia | Sanliufra | Hatay
This multi-city journey across Turkey is for those seeking to walk in the footsteps of Rumi, ancient prophets and the great mystics of Anatolia. Traveling through Konya, Cappadocia, Şanlıurfa, and Hatay, we will visit sacred sites, humanity’s oldest temples, immerse in Sufi teachings, and experience the living traditions of zikr, poetry, and music.
Guided by musicians and spiritual masters this pilgrimage offers a deep spiritual and cultural immersion, culminating in a 3-day Sema retreat.
WHY TRAVEL WITH LILA?
Authentic, Culturally-Rich Experiences: We collaborate with local communities to offer genuine encounters with sacred traditions not typically accessible to most travelers.
Deep Spiritual Exploration: All our experience foster personal transformation through music, dance, and sacred rituals, connecting you with yourself and the Divine.
Exclusive Access and Intimate Group Size: Small groups allow for exclusive access to spiritual teachers, local artists and musicians, hidden locations, and deeper, more personalized experiences.
Purpose-Driven Travel: Your participation supports the preservation of cultural traditions, helping them thrive for future generations.
Support ‘Nihna Hon’ - A Community of Healing & Resilience
A percentage of proceeds from this journey will support Nihna Hon, a grassroots initiative in Samandağ, Türkiye, working to restore hope and healing in a city devastated by the recent earthquake. Nihna Hon is building a community center—a sanctuary for survivors living in container settlements, where healing, creativity, and connection can thrive. This space will offer physical therapies like yoga, pilates, and massage, alongside arts, crafts, and music programs to help rebuild not just homes, but spirits. Rooted in the heart of Anatolia, Nihna Hon is more than a project—it is a movement of resilience, love, and remembrance, ensuring that from the ashes of loss, a new vision of community can rise.
“This was, at its essence, pure love manifest […] and by the end of our tour my heart was birthed anew! I am grateful and humbled to have been a part of this journey of many lifetimes!”
-Ana F.
HOSTS & COLLABORATORS
Cem Baba
Turkish Sufi Master in the Rifai Lineage
Founder of LILA, Event Producer & World Music DJ
Omar Aena
Tümata
Sufi Music Group & Host of 5-Day Sema
All Female Sufi Music Group
Ayna Ayna
“It gave me a sense of being beyond time and place, which is perhaps the goal of all spiritual experience, connecting to eternity. The sema in cappadocia under the moonlight, the joining a dhikr meditation in Konya, these are the experiences that were grounding , spiritually elevating, shaking the dust off of the eyes of my heart as Mevlana might say.”
-Yousef Z.
WONDERING IF THIS TRIP IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
PREVIOUS TOUR IN TURKEY
TESTIMONIALS
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There are no words to describe how nourishing and expanding this Journey with Lila Series Tours was. Firstly the accommodations, food , and travel provided were all exceptional. Most amazingly this was a journey of the heart, of participants and experiencers , not of tourists and intellectual accumulators. We became an international family of joyous participation from whatever varied levels of exposure we had had previously to Sufi culture. I am deeply grateful and astoundingly enriched by this journey. I will never be the same. Thank you , Mahalo, Tesekkur ederim!
Sarah M
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The trip was magic. All around us, with us in every way. Magic that awakened dormant seeds and brought to life love, laughter and deep connection. I know I was deeply touched and I believe everyone was deeply touched in some way. Thank you for making this happen.
Kelley J.
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Omar and Amira and the team in Turkey did a wonderful job. The community of open-hearted people that journeyed together to Turkey made the trip amazing for me. It gave me a sense of being beyond time and place, which is perhaps the goal of all spiritual experience, connecting to eternity. The semah in cappadocia under the moonlight, the joining a dhikr meditation in Konya with a community that has been doing dhikr together there for decades, these are the experiences that were grounding , spiritually elevating, shaking the dust off of the eyes of my heart as Mevlana might say. The trip was amazing. 10/10 stars.
Yousef Z
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“The best trip I've had in my whole life. Masterfully organized and curated”
Carlos M.
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"This trip enriched my life, made it fuller, and will stay with me forever."
Sallie S.
PREVIOUS TOURS
Listen to Sema music
FAQs
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.