DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
TÜRKİYE CARAVAN & TRAINING CAMP
22 September - 5 October 2026
The Courage to Hold the Light
Embodying Equanimity
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We are living through years of profound transformation across the world. The darker aspects of long-ignored systems can no longer remain hidden. It feels as though everything is unfolding before our eyes. At the same time, a shift in consciousness is accelerating in unprecedented ways.
The path of serving the whole begins with strengthening contact with our own inner light. And that contact deepens to the extent that we can face the darkness—without denying it.
“True spirituality does not make us less human; it makes us more human.”
We are invited to experience ourselves as more whole —with both our shadow and our light. Because the shadow is not merely a personal wound; it is a moral terrain where the entire self matures.
Anger, pride, grief, sorrow, jealousy… These do not transform through information alone. They soften when they are experienced, felt, and allowed to exist —held with kindness, equanimity, inner steadiness, care, honesty, and compassion. Gradually, they give way to greater clarity — to love, peace, and presence.
Awakening and understanding go deeper than passive tolerance. At times they require distance, the clarification of values and boundaries, and a dignified, transparent stance. This is a path of courage and integrity.
We are invited to walk it through a consciously renewed intention—again and again. We come together to walk with courage, grace, and even joy; to remember one another and to remind one another.
Because the world, right now, needs the light of each of us.
Yâ Salam
With the participation of our beloved mentors
With the participation of our beloved mentors
Murshida Mariam
Baker
Murshid Allaudin
Ottinger
Murshida Lakshmi
Lorena Tamariz
The Caravan in Türkiye
As the path gently unfolds, we invite you into a mystical journey with the DUP Caravan Türkiye — not only across lands, but through inner landscapes as well.
In this caravan, you are invited to walk in the footsteps of Mary, embodying unconditional love; Artemis, embracing the wild freedom of the soul; and Cybele, honoring Mother Earth and her cycles of renewal. With each step, there is an invitation to become more present — to sense the imprint you leave behind, within and around you.
Türkiye stands as a bridge between continents, cultures, and religions — a land where many spiritual paths have taken root and continue to breathe. The DUP Caravan Türkiye is a living expression of Ruhaniat, carrying the richness of Anatolia’s heritage — from Mesopotamia to early Christianity and modern Sufism.
This diversity is not only something to witness, but something to enter and be transformed by — an invitation to experience unity within diversity as a lived reality.
Since its inception in 2018 as a service project of the Beyond Initiative, this journey has brought together over 200 participants from 40 countries through 6 Caravans and Training Camps, held by a devoted team of local leaders.
The income generated by the Caravan supports DUP leaders, musicians, and dancers, nurtures regional circles, and helps new ones emerge across the WANA region — from Tunisia to the Maldives, and across Türkiye, Iran, and Israel.
This year marks a threshold; this moment is both tender and powerful. As the Beyond Initiative has shifted its focus to other countries in the region and withdrawn its direct support from Türkiye, the Caravan is, for the first time, being carried entirely by the Türkiye team.
Your participation is not only a step on your own journey — it is also a gesture of trust and a tangible support for a team taking its first independent steps. It allows this work to continue and makes it possible to support DUP leaders across the WANA region in the coming year.
So we invite you — not as a guest, but as a fellow traveler, a pilgrim.
One who walks with intention.
One who listens, connects, and contributes.
One who becomes part of the path itself.
Program
The Caravan will officially start on September 22 (Check-in: 12.00) and finish on October 5 (Check-out:14.00).
We’ve designed a profound and enjoyable itinerary for you on this 14-day, 13-night journey, where you’ll experience Anatolia’s rich heritage, natural beauty, and warm culture.
September 22-24, İstanbul
✔️ Visiting sacred shrines, mosques, and churches such as Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
✔️ Witnessing breathtaking Byzantine and Ottoman Empire eras
✔️ Experiencing fascinating old bazaars
✔️ Enjoying a boat ride on the Bosphorus
✔️ Dancing in the historical Gülhane Park
✔️ Savoring delicious Turkish food and sweets
September 24-27, Konya
✔️ Seeking Shams’ permission before entering the city in the Dargah of Shams Tabriz
✔️ Joining Rumi’s birthday celebrations
✔️ Attending a Sema Ceremony and The Mystic Music Festival concert
✔️ Diving deep into local Sufi heritage, engaging in sohbet with local Sufi successors
✔️ Visiting Çatalhöyük Neolithic Site, a World Heritage dating back to around 7000 BC
September 27-29, Burdur-Denizli
✔️ Visiting the unique Salda Lake
✔️ Exploring the historical ruins of Hierapolis
✔️ Enjoying and healing in the medicinal waters of Pamukkale
✔️ Dancing in the ruins of St. Philippe Martyrion
✔️ Swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pools
✔️ Relaxing experience at the thermal water pools and Turkish baths
We will be hosted at the Herakles Thermal Hotel in Karahayıt, where you can relax and enjoy the thermal water pools, Turkish bath and SPA.
September 29-October 4, Stoa Şirince/İzmir
DUP West Asia Training Camp
The Camp is an international gathering which brings Western and Eastern DUP lovers together. It will feature 3 dance sessions per day, workshops focusing on Sema (whirling) and local music and rhythm, many special events as well as a Meşk night with local and guest musicians. A special Sufi Bazaar will also be held, where participants can showcase products from around the world.
We will be hosted by STOA which is a community center with an inspiring story, nestled in the hills of Şirince and surrounded by olive, pomegranate, and fig trees, offering comfortable accommodations, multiple activity halls, and delicious Aegean-style cuisine.
October 4-5 Selçuk, İzmir
After the closing circle of the camp, we will continue to stay in STOA, meanwhile exploring the treasures of the region.
✔️ Exploring the historical site of Ephesus and Artemis Temple
✔️ Experiencing the unique village lifestyle in Şirince
✔️ Visiting Mother Mary to receive blessings and have a last dance circle before farewell.
The Caravan will officially conclude on October 5th with a closing circle.
We highly recommend arriving a few days earlier to Istanbul which is a magical city filled with countless places to explore and unforgetable expreriences to enjoy. Also having some extra time after the caravan for spending some days on the stunning Aegean Sea coast or discovering breathtaking landscapes of Cappadocia is very recommended.
A mini guide of Türkiye, including a curated selection of events taking place will be shared after the registration.
Booking Information
The following accommodation options are available to suit different budgets, comfort levels, and privacy needs:
⚪ Triple room: 1370 €
⚪ Double room: 1540 €
⚪ Single room: 1970 €
Our aim in setting these prices was to make the caravan as accessible as possible for young dancers and leaders, as well as participants from countries with less robust economies. Therefore, in light of making it even more accessible, we would like to inform you that, with triple/quadruple room accommodation option, participants from countries with less economically robust conditions in Central & South America, Africa and Asia can benefit from:
Reduced price: 1,270 €
What is included
● All accommodations and most meals (except 3 lunchs)
● All the expenses of DUP West Asia Training Camp
● One ticket to the Mystic Music Festival
● An entrance ticket and guided tour for the historical site of Hierapolis and the travertines in Pamukkale,
● An entrance ticket and guided tour House of the Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis in İzmir
● Transportation to all organized activities
● Teachings and visits to local teachers
What is not included
● Airport transfers
● All types of insurance, medicines, and other medical expenses
● Optional visits of Hagia Sophia (25€), Ephesus (40€), and Cleopatra Antique Pools (12€)
● Honoraria for all DUP teachers (donations are welcome)
How to Register
Anyone can join the Caravan, regardless of their experience in the DUP.
As a first step, we kindly ask you to fill out the form you can find below:
After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation email with detailed information about the next steps you need to take to complete the registration process.
The deadline to complete the registration is July 1 and places are limited; however the registration will close once the maximum number of participants is reached.
To whom it may concern, regarding the region’s security;
Türkiye is one of the safest country in the region, owing to its highly strategic geographical and political position, with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia. This is precisely why eight years ago, the Beyond Initiative selected Türkiye as the host country for the caravan and training camps of the Dances of Universal Peace in the West Asia Region.
We are living in a time when it is not always easy to foresee how global conditions may unfold. That's why, we are moving forward with care, flexibility, and a sense of responsibility. Our intention is to bring this gathering—so needed in this region and in the world—into being once again this year, with both joy and safety.
We will closely monitor developments and continue to inform you openly and transparently as conditions change. With this in mind, you may choose to book your flights with flexible options that allow for changes.
The number of confirmed participants by the deadline day will be crucial in ensuring the caravan takes place and thus achieves the goal we outlined in the "Caravan in Türkiye" section. Therefore, please support us by sharing this announcement with your network.
If you have any other questions please feel free to email us at: turkiyedupcaravan@gmail.com
We look forward to meeting and dancing with you soon in the Land of Sufis and Goddesses!
Caravan & Camp Team 2026
Hosting Team:
Berna, Alper, Ebru, Baran, Utku
Registration Team:
Ebru, Aybike, Merve
Dances of Universal Peace Türkiye, 2026
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