“…astonishing landscapes”
Walking in Cappadocia is one of the great experiences of Turkey. Like no other landscape on earth, the terrain is filled with extraordinary volcanic shapes and chimneys in a kind of magical wonderland. As the day progresses, the shadows lengthen and the sun edges lower in the sky, the colours often erupt into a magnificent display of pinks and reds. It is a marvellous place too for photographers and bird-watchers (shrikes and kingfishers are common).
There are few peaks in Cappadocia and most of the walking is on a gentle gradient following river valleys and streams. Also, because there is very often at least some foliage around, shade is never too hard to come by. The walking is not strenuous and we typically cover distances of 5-10 kilometres, on a gentle gradient, per day. It is therefore suitable to travellers who like to keep active while they are holidaying, but may not want the full rigours of a full walking tour.
Full Itinerary
Arrival and onward to Cappadocia
Arrival to Istanbul, Turkey. Take a direct domestic flight to Cappadocia arriving to either Nevsehir (Kapadokya) Airport or Kayseri Airport. Welcome at airport and private transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Urgup.
Red Valley & Rose Valley
We begin discovering the beauties of Cappadocia by walking the Red and the Rose Valleys with their beautiful shades of reds, pinks and yellow volcanic formations (duration of hike 3,5 hours/moderate). After a local lunch at the ruined town of Cavusin, we head to Pasabag for a short walk around the ‘fairy chimneys’ before finishing the day with the Zelve Open Air Museum and Devrent (Imagination Valley).
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Ihlara Valley
There is the chance of an optional hot-air balloon ride before breakfast. Then we have an hour’s drive to the Ihlara Valley before beginning our 14km walk (duration of hike 6 hours/moderate) which 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 end up by the Selime Cathedral with its amazing view of the surroundings. On the way home we visit one of the astonishing underground cities for which Cappadocia is justifiably famous. The astonishing labyrinths, sometimes extending as many as 6 floors below ground level, were used as places of refuge in times of attack from outside.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Zemi Valley
We start the day early and at an easy pace, walking the Zemi Valley (duration of hike 4-5 hours/semi-moderate) with its spectacular views of Cappadocia. After a local lunch in Goreme; we visit the Goreme Open Museum, another UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the best-preserved examples of 10th and 11th century Christian paintings in churches hewn out of the tufa rock. The rest of the day is at leisure with some optional visits recommended by your guide. There is a chance to see the Whirling Dervishes in the early evening, if you wish.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Pigeon Valley
We have a beautiful walk (duration of hike 4-5 hours/ moderate), firstly in the Pigeon Valley which takes its name from the dove cots we see carved in the rock as we walk along and then, the Love Valley with its huge sharp column-shaped fairy chimneys (duration of hike 3 hours/semi-moderate). As our reward at the end, we enjoy a nice kebab restaurant and climb up to the top Uchisar Castle to enjoy the gorgeous view.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Soganli Valley
We start with another drive down to the south of Cappadocia to visit Soganli Valley where we take a short walk around the old town in an area surrounded by table top mountains. We then head for Mustafapasa; via Sobessos, a late 4th century newly-excavated site and Keslik Monastery which was one of the earliest Christian missions before arriving in to Ayvali Village for our lunch. After lunch, 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 pigeon lofts and lots of formations along the little stream.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Cat Valley
Another day off the beaten track – starting with Cat Valley (3 hours – easy), one of the least visited yet most beautiful valleys of Cappadocia. We then head back to Open Palace in Gulsehir which is another monastic settlement comes with a mushroom capped fairy chimneys – the only ones in the region. Finally, we visit St. John’s Church with its eye-catching and spectacular paintings dating back to 1212 before heading back to hotel for some rest before our last supper.
Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Departure
Departure from Nevsehir/Kayseri airport.
