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Duration
8 days
Activities
  • guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights 2* hotel
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1550USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: COG

Trip highlights


  • Exploring the unique landscapes of Cappadocia
  • Visiting UNESCO world heritage sites, Goreme open air museum & Derinkuyu underground city
  • Walking amongst the fairy chimneys and rocks of Uchisar
  • Zelve monastery valley, Ihlara valley and Selime monastery
  • Experiencing genuine cultural exchange with the local people

For millions of years the volcanoes of the Central Anatolian Plateau erupted over the land to create the unique rock formations and fairy chimneys that characterise Cappadocia. Through the centuries, civilisations carved houses and churches within these rocky pillars and underground cities leaving a natural and historic legacy which continues to be a focal point for visitors to the region. Interspersed amongst these relics is a living culture of traditional villages, spectacular river valleys and rural settlements. On this guided tour you will follow a series of trails to reach the highlights of the region such as Mustafapasa, Ortahisar (or 'middle fortress') and Goreme, to name a few. This week long walking trip explores lunar landscapes and fascinating ancient sites.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

Meet at the Kayseri airport with our local representative and the group will drive to Cappadocia, where over the next seven nights you will explore the landscape of this wonder of nature. In the evening your guide will introduce the trip and later take you to your first evening meal. Cappadocia is a nature fantasy and it almost feels like another planet with its exceptional geological formations. Wind, rain and frost have sculpted the superb scenery in the volcanic rock over millions of years into hundreds of spectacular pillars and forms. In this creation of nature, the curiosity of the landscapes is added to the historical richness. Overnight in Cavusin village, your base for four nights. Transfer time: 1hr, distance: 80 km/50mi (Kayseri airport to Cappadocia)

Meals:  D

Setting out from Cavusin village today we hike to the Red & Rose valleys, some of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, as well some hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. Common belief is that most of the churches and complexes carved out of the cliff face date back to the 8th and 9th centuries, and the decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10th and 11th centuries. Today's loop walk through this beautiful valley takes us back to our accommodation in Cavusin. We conclude the day with a cup of Turkish tea in one of the famous tea houses/gardens of Cavusin village in relaxed atmosphere. Walking distance: approx. 6km/3.75mi

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we drive to the ruins of Gomeda via Mustafapasha, one of the oldest cave churches in Cappadocia dating from the iconoclastic period. From here we start our walk and explore the Uzengi and Pancarlik valleys. We will ramble on a plateau offering a magnificent view on the Uzengi valley then enter Pancarlik valley, with numerous cones and fairy chimneys decorating our way. We will also visit Kepez, Sarica & Pancarlik churches for their architectural interest. In the afternoon we arrive in Ortahisar village, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. After having lunch in Ortahisar we continue on foot towards Meskendir valley, full of old cave houses, complexes and hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. At the end of the day, we return to Cavusin village. Walking distance: approx. 16-18km/10-11.25mi (optional shorten version available: 13km/8mi)

Meals:  B,L,D

From Cavusin we walk along the ruins up to the Boztepe plateau an 8 million year old volcanic ash-filled lake, with a breath-taking backdrop and with beautiful views over Cappadocia. Crossing the plateau we reach the cave village of Zelve (optional visit). The Zelve Village consists of three valleys whose walls are carved into the soft tuff by the residents. Among them are apartments, utility rooms, churches, a mosque and a large monastery complex. From Zelve we walk to the nearby Pasabaglari, known as the Valley of the Monks, with unique tuff formations. Here are hermit caves and a chapel dedicated to St Simeon in a three-headed fairy chimney. We pass Pasabaglari at the slopes of Bozdag and reach Cavusin village, where we end the day with a cup of Turkish coffee. We spend the night in hotel, as before. Walking distance: approx. 10km/6.25mi

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we leave Cavusin and drive to entrance of Zemi valley. We start our walk in the green Zemi valley. among wind eroded volcanic rocks, beautiful rock formations, caves in cliffs and tall poplar trees. At the end of the valley there will be the opportunity to visit the El Nazar church and Goreme open air museum. The El Nazar church is carved from one piece of a rock, with nice frescoes showing scenes in a chronological order. The Goreme open air museum is one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia. Christians at the heart of the Cappadocia realized that the soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. These sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post iconoclastic period. The frescoes here are a unique artistic achievement from this period. After lunch in Goreme we continue our walk through Pigeon valley with spectacular views of the natural cliffs and handmade caves and pass through a few tunnels carved into the rock. Our walk leads us directly to Uchisar village, where it is possible to visit the high viewpoint known as “the fortress”. Many rooms, hollowed into the rock, are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. The top of the citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Walking distance: approx. 12-15km/7.5-9.4mi

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we drive to Ihlara. En route we will visit the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, which opened to visitors in 1965. The city is approximately 85m deep, but only 10% of the city can be visited. It contains all the usual rooms found in an underground city: stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries, as well as a large room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling on the second floor which served as a missionary school and other study rooms. We will walk in the famous Ihlara valley, a 14km canyon with hundreds of rock- cut rooms and churches. This valley proved to be an ideal place for Monks to worship in seclusion, as well as provide a safe hideaway for people during times of invasion. There are numerous dwellings, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors. The decorations in the churches date from the 6th to the 13th centuries. After lunch in Belisirma village we continue our walk to Selime where we visit the monastery, a complex of buildings on a steep mountain slope and a must-see in the region. In the late afternoon we drive back to our accommodation in Uchisar. Walking distance: approx. 8km/5mi (Ihlara to Belisirma) Transfer time: 1 hr, distance: 95km/59.4mi (Cappadocia to Ihlara via Derinkuyu / one way)

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we walk through narrow and pictures streets of Uchisar village down to Akvadi, a famous valley following an old river bed, used today for vineyards. A special section at the end of the valley is worth seeing. At the end of the valley we meet with our vehicle and continue the day with a visit to Saruhan caravanserai, considered to have been built in 1238 and known as the last caravanserai to be built in the area. We conclude the day with a visit to Avanos, where the most famous historical feature, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used. We will visit one of the pottery studios and you will try to shape your own. In the late afternoon we drive back to our accommodation in Uchisar. Walking distance: approx. 6km/3.75mi

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast there is a group transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes. Transfer time: 1 hr, distance: 80km/50mi (Cappadocia to Kayseri airport)

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners. Breakfasts are Turkish style and will generally include cheese (feta), olives, eggs, cucumber, tomatoes, jam, honey, bread, tea or coffee, fruits. At lunch we often go to a local restaurant where a fixed menu generally includes soup or hot and cold appetisers with fresh baked bread, main course (usually kebab varieties), salad, and dessert (fruits or baklava). Other styles of lunch include dining at a family run restaurant to have Turkish Pide bread or Gozleme (a pancake with cheese or potatoes or spinach), or Turkish Ravioli. Dinner is a fixed menu; soup or hot and cold appetisers with fresh baked bread, main course (usually kebab varieties), salad, and dessert (fruits or baklava).
  • 7 nights accommodation: 4 nights character-filled hotel, 3 nights comfortable pension on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • Group arrival and departure transfer Kayseri airport and Cappadocia
  • Transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from Kayseri Airport
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • A supplement will apply if you are booking a single room
  • Entrance fees for historical and natural sites (allow EUR 20)
  • Transfers not listed as included. Private airport transfers if required.
  • Optional activities eg Turkish bath
  • Items of a personal nature

Grading

moderate  

MODERATE – GRADE 3 The walking is moderate (3) grade with daily walks of around 3-7 hours per day. There are some steep sections over loose trails during the walk and such sections of the trail require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to with time to stop and take photos. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure.


Departure dates


Notes

Note:
Self guided itineraries of 5 or 8 days are also available.

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Priceper person from

$1550USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementUSD$410
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


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