WALKING IN CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY
Turkey has long been underrated as a trekking destination, but with the fairy tale rock formations of Cappadocia to enchant its visitors it should not be overlooked. The great walking and stunning scenery of this region make for a highly memorable trip.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
This is an active tour so you should be moderately fit, enjoy being outdoors, and walking distances of up to 12km daily.
- Trek amongst the fairytale rocks of Cappadocia
- Discover the historic and cultural secrets of this region
- Visit the underground city of Kaymakli
- Explore amazing valleys
- Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum
AT A GLANCE
ITINERARY DETAIL
DAY 1: MAGICAL GOREME
Free Day to Enjoy Goreme
Arrive in Goreme at your leisure. In the evening your guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area, and answer any questions.
| Daily Summary |
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| Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin |
DAY 2: TREK THROUGH AKVADI (WHITE VALLEY), VISIT UCHISAR CITADEL, HIGHEST POINT IN CAPPADOCIA
Rock Formations and Fairytale Chimneys
Today’s trek takes you through the Akvadi Valley. Perfectly eroded over time this fascinating landscape presents curious rock formations and fairytale chimneys that wouldn’t look out of place in a Dali painting. If you are lucky you may spot wildlife such as the beautiful hoopoe (with its distinctive call) or an Eurasian fox along the way.
| Daily Summary |
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| Tour: Rock Formations and Fairytale Chimneys Hike: Akvadi (White Valley) Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Akvadi (White Valley) |
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| Distance: 12 km Ascent: 400 m Descent: 400 m Max Altitude: 1350 m Time: 5 hours |
After approximately 3 hours of walking you will arrive at Uchisar village where you will have lunch in a local restaurant before climbing the citidal embedded into the rock above. From here you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding surreal landscape.
In the afternoon you will follow a path that leads you to the Guvercinlik, or Pigeon Valley. Here pigeons are encouraged to roost so the local people from the region can collect their droppings to use as fertilizer. You will then continue to the town of Goreme.
DAY 3: WALK TO ZEMI VALLEY AND THROUGH GOMEDE VALLEY; AFTERNOON EXPLORE MUSTAFPASA
Orchards and Mesmerizing Tunnels
Today you have a short transfer before the start of your trek in Zemi valley. The path leads you through orchards and mesmerizing tunnels to a Panoramic viewpoint, where you meet your bus and drive to Ayval
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| Tour: Orchards and Mesmerizing Tunnels Hike: Zemi Valley Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Zemi Valley |
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| Distance: 11 km Ascent: 280m Descent: 400m Max Altitude: 1150m Time: 5-6 hours |
Architecture in Mustafapasa
In the afternoon take a short walk through the Gomede Valley from Ayval to Mustafapasa village. Take in the sights, and stop for a tea break in a local cafe. Mustafapasa used to be one of the richest towns in Anatolia until the 1924 population exchange, which forced the Greeks living in Turkey to move to Greece and vice versa. You will be able to spot the Greek influence on the architecture on some of these buildings.
DAY 4: EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL ROCK FORMATIONS OF THE PANCARLIK AND KIZILCUKUR (RED) VALLEY
Waves and Pastel Colours
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the beautiful Pancarlik Valley. Smooth surfaces on the rock face undulate like waves, whilst the pastel colours intertwined with vineyards and cultivated gardens add colour to this extraordinary landscape. It is also possible to spot Sarica and Kepez churches ingrained into the rock chimneys that rise forcefully from the ground.
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| Tour: Waves and Pastel Colours Hike: Kizilcukur (Red Valley) Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Kizilcukur (Red Valley) |
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| Distance: 12 km Ascent: 200 m Descent: 200 m Max Altitude: 1200 m Time: 5-6 hours |
After lunch, you will head through the Kizilcukur Valley, also known as the Red Valley, for the dramatic sunset colours. Amongst the network of paths that connect the small villages of this valley, you will visit some of the churches that pepper the area before arriving at Goreme.
DAY 5: WALK THROUGH PASABAGLARI (MONKS) VALLEY; TREK UP BOZDAG, THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE AREA OFFERING STUNNING VIEWS
Hermits and Outstanding Views
Today your trek takes us through Pasabaglari, formerly known as Monk’s Valley. Here it is possible to see the dwellings of the hermits of Cappadocia who distanced themselves from the world by carving their abodes high up in the rock chimneys, using footholes and rope to climb in. Inside these dwellings are surprisingly spacious with some rooms hollowed out to around 15m high. Once through the valley, you will head up to Bozdag, the highest point in Cappadocia, offering some outstanding views.
| Daily Summary |
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| Tour: Hermits and Outstanding Views Hike: Pasabaglari (Monks Valley) Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Daily Summary |
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| Distance: 11 km Ascent: 300 m Descent: 200 m Max Altitude: 1300 m Time: 5 hours |
DAY 6: VISIT THE UNDERGROUND CITY OF KAYMAKLI; AFTERNOON WALK THROUGH THE IHLARA VALLEY, THE DEEPEST, LONGEST CANYON IN CAPPADOCIA
Tunnels and Caves
In the morning you will be transferred to the underground city of Kaymakli, built by early Christians to avoid religious persecution. This fascinating construction is an elaborate system of tunnels and caves, featuring everything from communal living spaces and kitchens to stables, a church, and a graveyard, not to mention being fortified to protect its inhabitants.
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| Tour: Tunnels and Caves Hike: Melendiz River and Ihlara Valley Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Melendiz River and Ihlara Valley |
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| Distance: 7 km Ascent: 100 m Descent: 200 m Max Altitude: 1300 m Time: 4-5 hours |
DAY 7: WALK ALONG THE ZINDANONU VALLEY PASSING THE GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM WITH CARVED CAVES AND BYZANTINE FRESCOES
Open-air Museum and Painted Cave Churches
Your last day takes you through the Zindanonu Valley and up onto a viewpoint of the town of Goreme and the Goreme open-air museum. The Goreme Valley itself holds some of the finest collections of painted cave churches in the region. In around 1000-1200 AD, orthodox monks carved places of worship from the soft volcanic stone and decorated them with beautifully elaborate Byzantine frescoes, many of which are still very much intact to this day.
The late afternoon is then free to unwind after a truly memorable week
| Daily Summary |
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| Tour: Open-air Museum and Painted Cave Churches Hike: Zindanonu Valley Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B, L, D |
| Zindanonu Valley |
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| Distance: 7 km Ascent: 200 m Descent: 0 m Max Altitude: 1300 m Time: 2 hours |
DAY 8: FAREWELL
Goreme
Your adventure ends after breakfast in Goreme. You may choose to extend your time in Goreme, travel on to your next destination, or fly back home
| Daily Summary |
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| Tour: Goreme Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin Meals: B |
ACCOMMODATION
SOBEK STONE HOUSE OR SIMILAR
Sobek Stone House is a stylish, characterful hotel surrounded by the natural beauty of Cappadocia. Recently renovated to a high standard and with tasteful décor throughout, the hotel facilities include a bar and an outdoor swimming pool, and a breakfast buffet is served daily. All rooms have en suite facilities and offer air conditioning.
Room Type: Twin
TRAVEL DETAILS
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