Step off the crowded trails and immerse yourself in the silent, monumental landscapes of the Phrygian Way on this 8-day trek. Walk among 3,000-year-old rock-cut sanctuaries and ancient kingly tombs to trace the legacy of Midas. This journey beautifully blends comfortable highland hiking with deep, cultural storytelling.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Phrygian Way Journey
Before empires carved marble cities across Anatolia, the Phrygians ruled its rugged highlands with timber-built capitals, monumental tombs, and sacred rock sanctuaries. Shaped by kings like Midas and devotion to a powerful Mother Goddess, their legacy still echoes across Central Turkey’s landscapes today.
Unlike the crowded coastal ruins, the Phrygian Way offers a profound, quiet immersion into a 3,000-year-old landscape. This 8-day itinerary is designed for slow-paced exploration, blending comfortable wilderness treks with immersive historical narratives, local village life, and ancient architecture.
Detailed Itinerary
Our carefully paced journey balances exhilarating outdoor trekking with profound archaeological discovery. Each day covers manageable distances through valleys and pine forests, ensuring you have ample time to explore ruins, engage with local village life, and recover comfortably in boutique lodgings.
Day 1: Arrival in Eskişehir – Gateway to Phrygia
Your journey begins in Eskişehir, a vibrant university city that serves as the northern anchor to the Phrygian Valleys.
Morning / Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your boutique accommodation in the historic Odunpazarı district. Stroll through the winding streets lined with colorful Ottoman-era timber houses.
Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring local Anatolian specialties while your guide briefs you on the week ahead. We will introduce the historical framework of the Phrygians of Anatolia: Highland Kingdom of Midas, setting the stage for the ruins you will soon walk through.
Day 2: Gordion – The Royal Capital & The Great Tumulus
We head east toward the wide Anatolian plains to explore the political heart of the Phrygian kingdom.
Morning: Drive to Yassıhöyük to explore Phrygian Capital Gordion. Walk through the monumental citadel gate, constructed with advanced Iron Age timber techniques.
Afternoon: Enter the monumental “Midas Mound,” one of the largest burial mounds in Anatolia. We will explore the museum to see the intricate metalwork and furnishings preserved from elite feasting rituals.
Evening: Return to Eskişehir for a relaxed evening along the Porsuk River.
Day 3: Kütahya Trails – Entering the Highlands
Today, we leave the city behind and enter the true Phrygian wilderness via the Kütahya branch of the trail.
Morning: Transfer to Yenice Çiftliği, the trailhead of the western route. We begin our trek through pine forests and volcanic tuff landscapes, tracing ancient paths where chariot wheel ruts are still carved deep into the stone.
Afternoon: Pass through quiet farming villages like Sabuncupınar, where daily life remains deeply connected to the highland terrain. We will encounter our first isolated rock-cut tombs and Byzantine-era chapels carved directly into the hillsides.
Evening: Head to your selected local guesthouse for the night.
Day 4: Yazılıkaya (Midas City) – The Sacred Heart
We converge on the spiritual epicenter of the Phrygian world, exploring the religious sanctuaries dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Cybele.
Morning: Arrive at the Midas City plateau. Stand before the breathtaking 17-meter-tall Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya), an intricately carved facade that served as a sacred backdrop for ancient rituals.
Afternoon: Hike up to the fortified upper city. Here, we will trace the remnants of Phrygian fortifications, rock-cut thrones, stepped altars, and the fascinating “Unfinished Monument,” which offers a rare glimpse into the techniques of ancient stonemasons.
Evening: Transfer to our boutique accommodation in the nearby town for a quiet, restorative evening.
Day 5: The Köhnüş Valley – Aslantaş & Lake Emre
The southern route introduces us to monumental animal carvings and dramatic natural beauty.
Morning: Explore the Köhnüş Valley, home to the striking 10-meter-tall lion and snake tombs (Aslantaş and Yılantaş). These massive guardians were carved to protect royal burials and demonstrate the architectural prowess of the Phrygians.
Afternoon: Journey to Lake Emre. We will take a slow, scenic break by the water, surrounded by dramatic rock formations and “fairy chimneys” that rival those found on our 11-Day Turkey Odyssey Tour.
Evening: Head towards Afyonkarahisar and check into a thermal hotel, where you can soak in the region’s famous healing mineral waters.
Day 6: Ayazini Metropolis – The Rock-Cut City
A day dedicated to exploring a landscape where habitation, belief, and nature merge completely.
Morning: Drive into Ayazini village. This area is an extraordinary open-air archive featuring multi-story rock dwellings and a massive Byzantine church carved entirely out of the cliff face.
Afternoon: Hike through the Avdalaz Valley to Avdalaz Castle, a fortress hewn directly out of a towering rock outcrop. The climb rewards you with sweeping, panoramic views of the entire valley network.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional feast in Afyonkarahisar, tasting the city’s famous sucuk (spiced sausage) and kaymak (clotted cream).
Day 7: Afyonkarahisar & The Thermal Springs
A restorative day balancing local culture with physical recovery after days of trekking.
Morning: Explore the historic center of Afyonkarahisar. For those feeling energetic, a climb up the 226-meter volcanic rock to the Karahisar Castle offers unmatched views of the Anatolian plateau.
Afternoon: Return to your thermal hotel. Spend the afternoon taking advantage of the region’s ancient wellness traditions—a perfect time for a traditional kese scrub and thermal soak to rejuvenate the body.
Evening: Final farewell dinner with your guide, reflecting on the journey through the Phrygian Anatolia Itinerary.
Day 8: Ankara (Museum of Anatolian Civilizations) & Departure
We close the loop by tracing the artifacts we’ve learned about back to their curated home.
Morning: Depart Afyonkarahisar and drive to Ankara.
Afternoon: Visit the world-renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Before you depart, seeing the original Phrygian artifacts—including the reconstructed wooden burial chamber of Midas and intricate bronze fibulae—brings the entire trek into perfect focus.
Late Afternoon: Transfer to Esenboğa Airport (ESB) for your onward flight, or connect to your next destination.
What's Included
Uncover ancient Turkey with Şerif Yenen. From secret cisterns to VIP luxury tours, experience an academic masterclass in history.
Flights & Transfers: Domestic flights within Turkey are fully covered.
Transportation: Private, air-conditioned transfers and daily luggage transport between trailheads.
Guiding: Expert, licensed local guide specializing in Anatolian archaeology and hiking routes.
Admissions: All entrance fees to Gordion, Midas City, Ayazini Metropolis, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
Not Included
Discover the Anatolian world behind Homer’s Odyssey, from Troy to the Hittites, revealing the deeper history beneath the Greek epic.
Accommodation: Lodging is not included, allowing you to select boutique hotels or guesthouses that match your personal style and budget.
Meals: All daily meals, including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, are at your own expense.
Gratuities: Discretionary tips for your guide and transportation driver.
Optional Extras
Step back in time on a curated 6-day Phrygian Anatolia itinerary. Unearth King Midas’s tomb, volcanic highlands and rock castles.
Lake Emre Hot Air Balloon Flight: Experience the dramatic volcanic valleys and ancient fairy chimneys from above at sunrise.
Thermal Spa & Hammam Package: Upgrade your Afyonkarahisar stay with private thermal mud baths, a traditional kese scrub, and a deep-tissue sports massage for ultimate recovery.
Get In Touch With Us To Book
The Phrygian Way offers a rare chance to step back into the ancient world of Anatolia, far from the typical tourist routes. Our expert guides will ensure your journey through the Highland Kingdom is seamless, comfortable, and unforgettable.
Are you ready to walk the sacred paths of Midas and discover these ancient rock-cut sanctuaries for yourself? Get in touch with us to book your exclusive 8-day hiking adventure and secure your dates today.
