Cappadocia Trekking Trip – 7 Days

CAPPADOCIA – EXPLORE THE FAIRYLANDS BY FOOT

Duration of tour   : 7 days

Duration of trek   : 5 days

Difficulty                : Easy Walks

Best Season           : March, April, May,  September, October, November

Group Size             : Minimum 15, maximum 30 people (or more) 

Accommodations : 6 nights in 3 Star-Hotels

TOUR ITINERARY: 7 DAYS

DAY 1 : Istanbul – Kayseri – Ihlara

Arrival to Kayseri via Istanbul flight and transfer to the hotel in Ihlara, which is part of the Cappodocia region. Our guide will meet the  group at the Kayseri airport and accompany them to the hotel. 

Transfer Time : 2, 15 h ; Transfer Distance : 150 km (Kayseri – Ihlara)

DAY 2: Ihlara Valley and  Selime Monastery – Derinkuyu Underground  City

We start our walking and exploring through the unique landscape of Cappdadocia from Ihlara Valley. After a short drive, we will walk through the Ihlara Valley, a 14 km-long canyon holding a river; in some places, the rock walls are 100-150m tall. After lunch in the middle of the valley at a riverside restaurant, we will drive to the Selime Monastery. Visiting the complex of buildings on a steep mountain slope is a must in the  region. On the way, we will visit the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, carved way back in the past as a shelter in times of siege and continuous raids. A huge hidden city under the plains of Central Anatolia, with 8 stories and the Word “Swiss Cheese” is the best way to explain this structure. Afterwards, we  head  to Göreme, where our hotel for the next 5 days is. 

Walking Time: 3  h    Distance: 8 km

Transfer Time: 1,5 h Transfer Distance: 100 k (Ihlara-Derinkuyu-Göreme)

DAY 3 : Meskendir Valley – Red  Rose Valley – Cavusin

We start our walking in the Meskendir Valley. We follow  the path which is full of old cave houses and complexes  from the ancient Christian civilization. Then we cross over from the Meskendir Valley to the Red Valley, the most beautiful valley in Cappadocia, with its formations  and colours. At times, we will stop to visit rock carved churches  hidden in the valley and/or have a break for tea or orange juice in local  gardens. Next, we will head to Cavusin, one of the first Christian villages built in the Cappadocian region. After having a late lunch in Cavusin, we will explore the town and then we will have a chance to bathe in a traditional Turkish bath called “hamam”.

Walking Time: 3-4  h    Distance: 9  km

 

DAY 4: Göreme Open Air Museum, Love Valley- Uçhisar- Pigeon Valley

We start the day visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site.  These Christian sanctuaries contain many samples of Byzantine  art from the post iconoclastic period.  The frescoes inside  the Göreme Open Air Museum are  unique artistic achievements from this period. Later, our driver will take us to the  trailhead point at the beginnig of the Love Valley. We will walk along this valley following an old river bed, today used  as vineyards. Especially a special  section at the beginning of the valley is worth seeing. At noon, we will arrive in Uçhisar Village and visit the high viewpoint known as Uçhisar Fortress.  After lunch we will continue the day by walking through the Pigeon Valley  down directly to Göreme. Finally, we will reach our hotel.

Walking Time: 4-5 h    Distance: 8 km

 

DAY 5: Gomeda Valley – Ürgüp Town Center and Ortahisar

We will walk along another beautiful valley in the morning.  Next, in the  afternoon, we will visit the Ürgüp town center, the biggest in Cappadocia and there, we will have some time to shop and experience the local life.

Walking Time: 2-3 h    Distance: 5-6 km

DAY 6 – Pasabaglari – Zelve Open Air Museum and Mustafa Paşa Village (Sinasos)

In the morning, we will walk the amazing Pasaboglari area first and then visit another fascinating valley of Cappadocia, which was a village itself until 1980’s. Cave settlements, churches, mills and the mosque will surprise you. After visiting Zelve, we will drive to Mustafa Paşa Village, there, the stone massonary of Greek society of Cappadocia is worth seeing. 

Walking Time: 2-3 h    Distance: 5-6 km

DAY 7 – Transfer to the airport, fly back home via İstanbul

Depending on the flight time, transfer to the Kayseri Airport and fly back home. 

 Price includes:

-All transfers and transportations on a private vehicle with A/C to all places mentioned above (one-way group transfer form Kayseri airport to the hotel in İhlara and from hotel to Kayseri airport on the days 1 and 8).

– All hotel accommodations (BB Service, rooms on a twin share base).

– English-speaking guides.

– 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners.

Price Excludes:

-All international and domestic flights.

-Travel insurance.

-Any transportations and transfers that are not stated in the itinerary.

-All kinds of entrance fees for historical and natural sites.

-Extra activities like Turkish bath,  hot air balloning, horse riding or biking in the valley.

-All kinds of soft and alcoholic drinks or bottled water.

-All kinds of personal expenses.

-Tips.

 

Necessary Equipment

-Trekking Shoes (Gore-Tex).

-Walking clothes (Wind breaker, water repellent).

-Daily Backpack (minimum 25-30 L).

-Sun screen.