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Dear Sufi Trail friend ,

Sometimes you stop and think about something, for instance, if you look at the old stones along the Sufi Trail that are sometimes from civilizations long gone, Anatolia is said to be the bridge between Asia and Europe and a melting pot of civilizations and cultures. It’s amazing to think about the lifetime of these stones; they are just there surviving civilizations being a stone. We're really excited about the Sufi Trail and also that there are pilgrims with passports ready to enjoy this beautiful landscape while we can. Of course, there are a lot of alarms about travelling and we have pointed out some important regulations for forest and corona. Even so, pilgrims are in the midst of all tumult and have started their journey preparations. We also will be in Turkey to hopefully meet all pilgrims on the Sufi Trail and start the development of the Rumi Trail in Turkey.

love,
Sedat & Iris
Sufi Trail

Items summer edition

  • Pilgrims ready to go
  • Hike with us in October (1st till 16th)
  • Pilgrim Passport, credentials 
  • Extra travel info, forest fire
  • CORONA regulations
  • Mobile phone abroad
  • Money and cash
  • VISA Turkey
  • Rumi Trail starts in Turkey
  • Agenda

Pilgrims ready to go
Afbeelding
Belgian pilgrims Ilse Van der Auwera and Marcel Schuurman are more than ready to start their Sufi journey, Marcel even followed a course with Marian Brehmer, about Sufism. Ilse and her partner will cycle and Marcel will hike the Sufi Trail.
Cyclist Thomas has started his journey to Konya and 'inshallah' we will meet all of them on our trail marking efforts in Turkey. 

Hike with us in October (1st till 16th)

We are ready to hike to the light on the Sufi Trail. We are gathering a small group of hikers to join us. The trip starts in Emirdağ and ends in Konya, where we will visit the shrine of Mevlana Rumi. It's still possible to join us. You can contact us if you have any questions and if you know it's your journey you can find more details about costs and book your trip. Once you booked your Sufi Trail hiking journey we will send you the welcome package. 
Afbeelding

Pilgrim Passport, credentials

Sufi Trail credentials
One thing that glues everything together is the Sufi Trail passport. It’s the connection with the people who have a Sufi Trail stamp and the new people you meet, that can read your pilgrim intentions in their own language. We have official Sufi stamps in: Istanbul (Cem Özsoy, Emir Han cafe), Kurtkoy (Ahmet Yiğit), Osmaneli (Erik Tuncay), Bilecik (Hakan Yavuz), Akşehir (Ramazan Yeşil), Akbaba (Refik Şimşek), Konya (Ali Biroglu, Nar-i-Ask) also pilgrims gather their own story and stamps. There are plenty of occasions to get your stamp. In Bolvadin there is a nut shop Tak where you can also get your stamp. You’ll be surprised how many stamps you can find on your Sufi Trail. We have one that is really a piece of art from Susan Elliott, who travelled the Sufi Trail with a Dixons roller pack all the way from Istanbul to Konya with one exciting story to share. We can already tell a little secret that her book is coming out this winter.
Afbeelding

Extra information, forest fire
Afbeelding
Everyone has probably seen and/or read the pictures about the terrible forest fires in Turkey and Greece. These are mainly in southern Turkey and not on the Sufi Trail. There are restrictions for walkers until September 15th. Until then, you are not allowed to recreate in the forests. This means no hiking, no camping and no open fire. The Sufi Trail cyclists are not affected by this restriction because the track does not run through the forest.
COVID-19 regulations

For Turkey, if you have been vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival in Turkey or can demonstrate that you have had Covid with proof not older than 6 months, you do not need a PCR or rapid antigen test. Otherwise, a PCR test no older than 72 hours or a rapid antigen test no older than 48 hours.

Are you travelling by plane? Then, travellers of 6 years and older must register in advance no more than 72 hours before the planned arrival date in Turkey. You can do this by filling in a digital form (information in English) on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Health. You will then receive an authorization code (HES code) that you must demonstrate during checks. This does not apply to transit passengers.

Note: You cannot enter Turkey with your digital corona certificate (DCC). This is only valid within the EU. You must print out all your proofs and bring them on paper. For current information you can always check this travel advice website.
Afbeelding
Mobile phone abroad

In Turkey, your usual subscription in the Netherlands or Belgium will expire, and you can receive a large bill for roaming when you return home. As far as we know, Vodafone has Turkey inclusive with Europe for certain subscriptions. Always handy to check before departure. If your subscription is not valid in Turkey, it is most advantageous to purchase a Turkish SIM card upon arrival. You have a special prepaid SIM card for foreigners that is valid for two months, and has enough MB and calling minutes for normal use. If you need more, you can always buy from us. Depending on the providers, the first purchase is around €18 to €22 and additional purchases around €10 per 10 GB.
Afbeelding
Money and cash

There is an ATM almost everywhere. Often several banks have ATMs in a row. Pay attention to pins You are often asked whether you accept the exchange rate of the bank or whether your bank may determine that, never choose the option to accept the exchange rate of the bank where you pin that is higher than your own bank. You can also choose to exchange cash at many branches in almost all medium-sized cities. Of course, you can also pay with your own bank card or credit card everywhere. Please note that your bank may charge transaction costs for debit cards, also useful to know before departure.
 
VISA Turkey
For Turkey, a visa is no longer required from the EU for a visit of less than 90 days. If you have a different nationality/passport, check this website to see if you need a visa.
 

Rumi Trail starts in Turkey
Afbeelding
Starting in Turkey we will have a Rumi Trial kick off. The dream of slow travelling in the footsteps of Rumi will start in Turkey. This fall we hope to report more about the route but for now you can enjoy the website with the development so far. 

“Lovers find secret places
inside this violent world
where they make transactions
with beauty.” 

-Rumi

Together with our friends and support from Kayseri we can start the development of the Rumi Trial in Turkey. The journey will start this September and we will develop the Rumi Trail in the Sivas province towards Konya. Were all packed and most of all with a big bunch of enthusiasm to see the memories that are left of around 800 years ago when Rumi travelled this road with his clan. He was there with his father to develop schools as they were off course sharing their wisdom and knowledge. We might find some old and forgotten memories. Off course the guidebook that follows will tell you all about it.

Sufi on Bike

Ready to prepare your cycling journey on the Sufi Trail? We are very happy to offer the cycling guide with all the information you need to cycle from Istanbul to Konya visiting the ever-changing landscape of Anatolian Turkey. Get ready to Cycle to the light


Hike & Bike Events

Sufi Trail organizes hiking and cycling events on the Sufi Trail. They are events to promote slow travel and camp outside under the stars in Anatolia, Turkey.  
If you have questions you can call & app us on: +31 6 440 447 90

Agenda

Sufi Trail, Turkey 2021:
1 - 16 October  Sufi marking trip

Sufi Trail, Turkey 2022:
8 May – 24 June hike caravan
6 – 22 September cycle caravan

Publications

Published by Sufi Trail:
Sufi Trail hike guide part 1 (English)
Sufi Trail hike guide part 2 (English)
Sufi Trail hike guide (Turkish)
Sufi on Bike (English)
Bella Coma - Natalia Mihai (English) Via Amazon CA
Bella Coma - Natalia Mihai (English) ın Europe

 Sufi Trail app in Hiiker

Expected Books:
Hiking the Sufi Trail in Turkey - Susan Elliott (English)

Check out our shop for more 

Your Sufi Story

We love to hear your Sufi Trail story for the next newsletter. You can also send your Sufi (trail) related message or story. Keep it short. 300 words maximum and send it to sufitrail@gmail.com
And yes we love pictures and video's ❤

We hope that you like the work of Sufi Trail. You may also consider making a donation to the Sufi Trail foundation.

CONTACT
Stichting Sufi Trail, Friends of Rumi and Khorasan Saints
Hagestraat 10
2011 CV Haarlem
Holland

Email: sufitrail@gmail.com

Whatsapp & mobile:
Sedat Çakır:  +31 6 508 906 96
Iris Bezuijen: +31 6 440 447 90

Editor: Iris Bezuijen

Sufi Trail

 
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