Walking in Cappadocia

Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to the Yunak Evleri in Cappadocia. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to get something to eat in the hotel on your arrival. If you are arriving early evening, we can organise dinner in the hotel restaurant. However, if you are due to arrive later in the evening, we would suggest you try to get something to eat at Istanbul airport before boarding the flight to Kayseri.

After lunch we will start discovering the beauties of Cappadocia at Red Valley & Rose Valley paths (duration of hike 3,5 hours/moderate) where you will enjoy the red & yellow color combos of this volcanic formations. After a nice break at the ruined town of Cavusin; where we will have our local lunch; head to Pasabag to have a short walk around the conical formations called “fairy chimneys”. Continue with Zelve Open Air Museum and Devrent (Imagination Valley) before heading back to hotel for refreshment before dinner.

An hour drive will take us to Ihlara Valley while you have some nap on the way. Our 14 km. hike (duration of hike 6 hours/moderate) will take us into this gorge along Peristrema (Melendiz Stream) accompanied by lots of dwellings and early Christian churches along the valley. After a light picnic, we will end up by Selime Cathedral with its amazing view of the surroundings. We will head back home visiting one of the underground cities with 4 to 6 floors of shelters advantaged and developed by various civilizations using them during the invasions.

Starting the day early and at an easy pace; we will hike Zemi Valley (duration of hike 4-5 hours/semi-moderate) with its amazing angles for views of spectacular Cappadocia. After a nice local lunch in Goreme town; a short drive will take us to Goreme Open Museum, another UNESCO World Heritage Site with most well preserved paintings in rock-cut churches dating back to 10th and 11th centuries. Rest of the day is at leisure with some optional visits recommended by your guide. Optional Whirling Dervishes at 18:00 session is available if desired.

After an optional hot-air balloon (see detailed information on last page) ride, get back to hotel for breakfast and refreshment. We have a beautiful hike combo named as Pigeon Valley (duration of hike 4-5 hours/ moderate) got its name from the dove cots used for several purposes & Love Valley with its huge sharp column shaped fairy chimneys (duration of hike 3 hours/semi-moderate). We will then enjoy a nice kebab restaurant and climb up to the top Uchisar Castle to enjoy the gorgeous view.

Another long drive down to the south of Cappadocia to visit Soganli Valley first. A short around the old town will give us a chance to get to know this part of the region closely that is surrounded by table top mountains. On our way to Mustafapasa; we will be visiting Sobessos, a late 4TH century newly excavated site, Keslik Monastery which is one of the earliest missionary and finally get to Ayvali Village for our lunch. After a big meal, we will head to trail of Gomeda Valley (duration of hike 4 1⁄2 hours/easy) that will take us to Ortahisar passing through more dove cots and lots of formations along the little stream.

Another off-the-beaten day starting with Cat Valley (duration of hike 3 hours/easy), one of the least visited, yet one of the most beautiful valleys of Cappadocia. We will then head back to Open Palace in Gulsehir which is another monastic settlement comes with a mushroom capped fairy chimneys that is the only one in the region. Finally, visit St. John Church with its eye-catching and spectacular paintings dating back to 1212. Head back to hotel for some refreshment before our last supper.