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The Beautiful and Enigmatic Lake Van – the Upper Sea
Paul on site with podcaster Jacek Bek at Çavuştepe in 2026
Paul Wallis is best known as the author of the internationally bestselling Eden Series, host of The 5th Kind, and lead educator at Ancient Knowledge Academy. His book THE EDEN ENIGMA explores the secrets which belong to the places we will visit on this tour. Paul’s approach blends rigorous research with open-minded curiosity and a deep spirituality.
The ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE TOUR tour centres on the Iron Age culture of the Urartians who dominated this region for three centuries, leaving behing cuneiform instriptions, carvings, artefacts and architectural sites, whose stories take us back thousands of years to the last Ice Age.
Exploring the Highlands of Anatolia
Live Excavations at Göbekli Tepe
Alongside Paul, Sabahattin Alkan, Executive Director of Arkans Turizm, has been leading tours and expeditions in this region for twenty-five years. Together Paul and Sabahattin offer a tour that is unique and profound, perfect for students of history, educators, researchers, truth-seekers and lifelong learners. The tour includes presentations from Paul and Sabahattin and the opportunity for conversations and Q&A along the way. Those who have previously toured with Paul and Sabahattin together have called the experience “unforgettable,” “inspiring” and “life-changing.”
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DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ISTANBUL
Welcome to Türkiye! Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST), our friendly drivers will welcome you with a warm reception and assist with your transfer to our luxury hotel. All our hotels are 4 and 5 stars. Here you can rest and settle in and begin to soak in the atmosphere of this vibrant city where East meets West. In the evening, our group will gather for a welcome dinner, and time to meet Paul, Sabahattin and your fellow travellers and (Dinner included)
DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Today we get to know one another as we walk where Roman and Byzantine Emperors and Ottoman Sultans have walked. We will visit Emperor Theodosius’ Hippodrome, where imperial chariot races thrilled crowds two thousand years ago, marvel at the Egyptian Obelisk stationed there, the Blue Mosque, and the historic Spice Bazaar. Experience the unique fusion of Islam, Christianity and Imperial power in Hagia Sophia. In the afternoon we will enjoy a special cruise, sailing on the waters of Bosphorus, which separate Europe from Asia.
DAY 3: VAN CASTLE
We will take the noon flight together from Istanbul to Van (flight included.) In Van we will visit Van Castle, and enter the Urartian Iron Age, its remarkable megalithic building and the record of its deeper story etched into King Sarduri I’s cuneiform inscription. In Van we stay at the 5-star Elit World Hotel right in the heart of this historic city, surrounded by the lake and mountains.
DAY 4: ÇAVUŞTEPE AND AKDAMAR
Today we explore this enigmatic iron age citadel of Çavuştepe – a site full of mystery and with a deep story to tell. We lunch at Akdamar and then take the short boat ride to the atmospheric Akdamar Island to visit the iconic Armenian Orthodox Church.
The Mysterious Meher Kapi in Van City
Paul with his son, Ben, in the Haldi Temple at Ayanis in 2027
DAY 5: VAN AND AYANIS
Ayanis is the flower of the ancient Urartian culture, a truly profound and atmospheric place with deep stories carved in enigmatic symbology and cuneiform script. It is the best preserved Urartian site and provides clues regarding the mysterious beings, called Dingir, which were central to the Urartian story of humanity. In the afternoon we visit Van Cats and Urartian Crafts centre and end the day at the mysterious Meher Kapi.
DAY 6: VAN AND ARARAT
After breakfast in Van and lunch in historic Dogubeyazit, we visit the historic Ishak Pasha Palace and then the mysterious Durupinar Ark site – a story and a location referenced both in the Bible and in the cuneiform tablets of ancient Babylon. We also travel to Azat and exmaine the mysterious stones there. Could they be drogue stones or an ancient observatory?
Paul with Andrew Jones, who is leading the current excavations at the Durupinar Ark Site
DAY 7: VAN AND ADILCEVAZ
After breakfast in Van and lunch in Adilcevaz we ascend the mountain track to Kef Kalesi to explore one of the region’s most enigmatic ancient sites. In the afternoon we visit a small museum facility in Adilcevaz to begin to decode the symbology carved into a number of extraordinary miutiple ton Basalt Blocks retrieved from the site at Kef Kalesi. In the afternoon we drive via Ahlat Selcuk Old City to Tatvan.
Examining the walls at Ayanis with author academic and YouTuber – Aleksander Czeszkievicz
At Kef Kalesi with the renowned local archaeologist and academic Ömer Tanyürek
DAY 8: DIYARBAKIR
After an early breakfast in Tatvan, we travel through Upper Mesopotamia to lunch in Diyarbakir, a fascinating city battled for by empires over thousands of years – the Assyrians, the Urartians, the Achaemenid Persians, the Romans, the Ottomans. Here you will see the thousand year old Ten-Eyed Bridge across the Tigris River, built by the Kurdish Marwanid Dynasty, and the 5.8 km / 3.6 mile long black basalt city walls, which comprise the world’s second-longest wall after the Great Wall of China. Here you will be truly immersed in a rich and ancient culture.
DAY 9: GÖBEKLİ TEPE & ŞANLIURFA
After breakfast in Diyarbakir we lunch en route to Göbekli Tepe, one of the great wonders of the world, a live excavation which is overturning everything we thought we knew about the emergence of human civilizations. The current finds extend our knowledge right back to the last Ice Age. From Gobeklie tet we travel to Şanlıurfa to one of the world’s greatest archaeological musems and pause to visit a cave, preserved and acknowledged equally by local Moslem, Jewish and Christian people alike as the Birthplace of Abraham.
DAY 10: RETURN TO ISTANBUL
After breakfast in Şanlıurfa we fly back together to Istanbul. Here we say our “au revoir” to one another – because by now we are a bonded community through our shared aventures. Here the ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE TOUR ends – though of course, you are welcome to stay longer in Instanbul before flying home, because there is plenty more to explore in Istanbul, such as the Archeological Museum and the ancient Basilica Cistern.
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Akdamar Island
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TOUR REVIEWS FROM 2026
Tour Hosts and Guides – Paul and Sabahattin in 2025
JULIA KOPP – This has truly been one of the most memorable and enriching trips of my life! Exploring Turkey’s extraordinary history, ancient civilizations, and remarkable historical sites has opened up an entirely new perspective for me. Paul has an incredible depth of knowledge and a wonderful ability to bring history to life, connecting places, cultures, and ideas in ways that make you want to keep discovering more. I came away not only with beautiful memories but also with a genuine desire to continue exploring. I would absolutely love to return to Turkey and, hopefully, join future adventures to Iran and other fascinating destinations Paul has introduced us to.
JULIA KOPP –The group was amazing, the experiences were unforgettable, and the entire journey was incredibly rewarding on so many levels. Thank you, Paul, for creating such a meaningful adventure. This was so much more than sightseeing. It was an opportunity to learn, connect, broaden our perspectives, and discover a whole new world of history and culture. I will treasure this experience for years to come!
DIAMOND STARR – What an awesome adventure through Türkiye with our group of explorers! Such a memorable experience. So much to see, learn and admire from ancient sites, remarkable stonework, beautiful art and fantastic museums. I was genuinely impressed by how much we explored, and every day brought something new to appreciate. The hotels were excellent, and Saba was amazing at keeping everything running smoothly. Everything was arranged, so we could simply enjoy being there.
DIAMOND STARR – Paul is extremely knowledgeable and so much fun to travel with. He has such a beautiful energy about him, and I really enjoyed getting to know him. His insights, curiosity and humour added so much to the experience. Our small group felt really special. Sharing the discoveries, conversations and laughter together made the journey even more meaningful. For anyone thinking about joining a future tour, I highly recommend it. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore, ask questions, make connections and experience so much of what Türkiye has to offer.
AMOUR NOUBARENTZ – First and foremost, how grateful I am to have been part of this pilgrimage / experience. My Armenian origin was reveling in life in all aspects in high altitude both literally and figuratively. Our group was cohesive and collaborative and loving as I have ever seen and I thank you everyone for being who they were as spectacular as they were. Much love. My more surreal moments were intimate conversations with Paul and our incredible Saba. Absolutely random, savagely authentic. Going back next year! As to which part I liked the most, so far it has been like asking, do I like my mother better or father?! Come and find out!
JACEK BEK – I’m incredibly happy that I took part in the Ancient Knowledge Tour. I’ve been interested in ancient civilizations and archaeology for many years, yet I still learned so many new and fascinating things during this trip. Seeing all these places with my own eyes was a completely different experience from learning about them through books, photos, or videos. I’m also extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet and talk with archaeologists working directly at some of the sites we visited, and to hear their perspectives on the history of these places. Thank you again for this amazing experience!
Paul, filming at Cavustepe with with Ömer Tanyürek, Tom Lowry, Aurturo and Lydia de Ponce Leon, Robert Edward Grant, Martin Yeung, Dr Robert Schoch, Matt LaCroix, and Mike Wilson (2025)
Reviews from the 2025 ANCIENT MEGALITHIC TOUR
(with Paul and Matt Lacroix)
I came to Turkiye expecting to visit a few ancient sites and learn some more about ancient humanity. What I received was so much more. My entire worldview shifted. Hearing Paul Wallis speak with such grounded wisdom and open-minded curiosity was a breath of fresh air. He brings a rare balance of scholarship and spirituality that invites exploration rather than dogma. Travelling with [a group of] like-minded, curious individuals from around the globe created a sense of community that is hard to describe. The friendships formed on this journey, I suspect, will last a lifetime. By the end of day one, I already knew the trip was worth every cent. By the end I realised it had forever changed me. Rachael S
A year ago I didn’t know Paul Wallis existed…then one random YouTube video suggestion, featuring Paul narrating on “humanity’s beginnings,” changed everything. Compelled to watch Paul’s catalogue of videos, a daily ritual…I was over the moon seeing this advert for an archaeological tour of Van, East Turkey.. If like me your spirituality is grounded in family religion but shaped by seeking TRUTH from the past, you will LOVE this adventure. I was excited enough to go on my own, but to share the sites...and rare finds with a group of like-minded strangers from around the world, felt like Heaven on Earth! Whether you’re spiritual or not, this holiday will invigorate you, move you, and leave you with a burning desire for more in life. An unforgettable experience with a simply BEAUTIFUL group of humans, who will be in my heart forever. Fiez
Profound Tour! The sites were extremely activating, and are spaces to remember who and what we truly are. The people on the tour became a second family and it felt like a true coming together of souls. The accommodations were the best available. Our tour guide Saba was a guiding light. We adored him! Touring with Paul in Turkey was the best experience! Can't wait for the next life changing experience. Silvia
I had a wonderful time. The group of folks was absolutely remarkable. The transportation, tours and accommodations were organised, clean and comfortable..Paul was readily avaialable and a consistent flow of information and knowledge. Saba, the local host, was friendly, helpful and professional and had a great sense of humour. The ancient ruins wer ewell worth the trip. Working with the local [archaeologists] added a degree of participation in their constant work. Food was warm, comforting and plentiful, as well as exotic in some of the new tastes and presentations. I highly recommend this tour. It was spectacular. Lauree
A wonderful experience for those with curious minds and spirits. A great opportunity to explore the Van region of Turkiye [and] to forge bonds with people from all around the world, sharing the same intellectual journey. I cannot recommend it enough. Mark D
A fantastic trip and Well organised. A great feeling of camaraderie. Many of us were deeply moved on the trip. An unforgettable experience! Terry M
A wonderful adventure! Unique, thoughtful, science-based [and] mind-expanding. Consistent attention to travelling details – and the food!! We were shown unique and intimate locations and were culturally immersed in Turkish cuisine and culture. Connie L
Profound Tour! Touring with Paul in Turkey was the best experience! The sites were extremely activating, and are spaces to remember who and what we truly are. The people on the tour became a second family and it felt like a true coming together of souls. The accommodations were the best available. Our tour guide Saba was a guiding light. We adored him! Can't wait for the next life changing experience. Silvia
I had a wonderful time. The group of folks was absolutely remarkable. The transportation, tours and accommodations were organised, clean and comfortable..Paul was readily avaialable and a consistent flow of information and knowledge. Saba, the local host, was friendly, helpful and professional and had a great sense of humour. The ancient ruins wer ewell worth the trip. Working with the local [archaeologists] added a degree of participation in their constant work. Food was warm, comforting and plentiful, as well as exotic in some of the new tastes and presentations. I highly recommend this tour. It was spectacular. Lauree
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