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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
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
Tour: Rock Formations and Fairytale Chimneys
Hike: Akvadi (White Valley)
Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin
Meals: B, L, D
Akvadi (White Valley)
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

Daily Summary
Tour: Orchards and Mesmerizing Tunnels
Hike: Zemi Valley
Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin
Meals: B, L, D
Zemi Valley
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.

Daily Summary
Tour: Waves and Pastel Colours
Hike: Kizilcukur (Red Valley)
Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin
Meals: B, L, D
Kizilcukur (Red Valley)
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
Tour: Hermits and Outstanding Views
Hike: Pasabaglari (Monks Valley)
Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Summary
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.

Daily Summary
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
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
Tour: Open-air Museum and Painted Cave Churches
Hike: Zindanonu Valley
Accommodation: Sobek Stone House or similar – Twin
Meals: B, L, D
Zindanonu Valley
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
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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 Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.

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