Project Description
Three millions years ago Violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes (3916m) and Mount Hasan (3300m) covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tuff, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud. The wind and rain have eroded this brittle rock and created a surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines, in colours that range from warm reds and golds to cool greens and greys. Goreme is one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend into the natural surrounding.
Day 1 : Ankara
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Ankara – Ihlara valley
Leaving the capital city behind, we head southeast towards Cappadocia. We pass the massive ‘ Tuz Golu’- one of the salt lakes in Turkey and also
stop at the 13th century Agzikarahan caravanserai. It is constructed to develop the trade about at every 40km. The gate is a fine example of Seljuk
architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia to Europe. Arriving to Selime village where we
begin our first walk, at the northern end of the Ihlara valley and overnight in the valley itself. Overnight pension with breakfast.
Day 3 : Belisırma – Goreme
The narrow, steep-sided Ihlara valley, dotted with rock cut churches, was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by
primeval earthquakes and the was once rushing river is now a quiet stream. As we walk along the winding valley, with cliffs reaching up to
170m in some places , we see small garden cultures that originally would have provided for the colonies and made them self supporting. There
are many rock-cut churches is this valley with valley with well-preserved frescos dating from the 9th century. In the afternoon we drive to
Goreme via the Underground City at Derinkuyu. 8 subterranean levels stretch 57 meters below ground. After visit continue to Goreme a town
particularly renamed for its pottery and much of it is still moulded. Overnight at pension.
Day 4 : Akvadi – Pigeon valley
We trek through the Akvadi (white valley) eroded so perfectly by time, rain and wind during centuries. On our way following a seasonal river, many
strange curious rock formations and fairy chimneys round us. If we are lucky we can also see some wild birds.(like hoopoe) and some wild animals
(like fox). In 3h walk our way gets us up to Uchisar village where we have lunch break in a restaurant. Uchisar village is settled around a high
promoter, which is called citadel. We visit it walking to the top where we have rewarding panoramic view on all the surrealist Cappadoccia area.
In the afternoon we follow a path to the Pigeon valley, and we will see some pigionaries that is holy for Moslem people. at the end of the walking we
arrive to Göreme where we will overnight.
Day 5 : Bozdag – Zelve Hill – Visit Goreme Open Air Museum
In the morning we will visit Cavusin village houses from Christianity 9th and 13th century, one of the most important religious centre of
Cappadocia , Then optional walk up to Bozdağ mountain 350 m up to Zelve hill a great panoramic view is available on this surrealist area and
walk to Dervent valley about 4 hours.. After Lunch break we will visit Goreme Open air Museum , a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels
covered with frescoes, is one of the best-known site in the region. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to 13th centuries and many of them are
built on an inscribed cross-plan with a central cupola supported by four columns.. Afternoon we will have opportunity to visit Avanos Famous
for its handicrafts, pottery and carpets . Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 : Cycle Tour – Walking on Kızılcukur Valley
In the morning we will see our bikes and we will ride to our bikes around Goreme town. Our route follows an old farm track between the apricot
orchards and vineyards and past the now familiar fairy chimneys. Viticulture has been here since the Hittites, but it was the exiled Christians
who really developed the vineyards and, for a while, wine was exported under the label of mineral water! Things have changed little and today
most wine is still bottled for export. .. . Kızılcukur valley. Sometimes known as the ‘’red hole’’ Kızılcukur is probably the hottest valley in region.
Hidden in its array of fairy chimneys is The church with grapes where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing.(The vine
produced here now is very sweet and heavy ) Visiting Cavuşin which lies on top of a collapsed section of early Christian cave city.
This was caused by a huge rockslide, which
together wit earthquakes and natural erosion has caused a split in the plateau. The atrium of the church at cavuşın hac cascaded down,
exposing some of the frescoes. The richness and variety of these frescoes has caused to be reportedly among the best works of early Christian
icon painting. Overnight hotel.
Day 7 : Cappadocia – Ankara
Our final day in this region will be spent by walking in Paşabagları, known as the valley of the Priests. Many of the chimneys here are only
partially divided, showing us the continuous erosion process. This valley is also noted for the many caves in the fairy used by hermits for
their retreats . The afternoon is pent driving back to Ankara. Overnight hotel.
Day 8 : Ankara – Home
Transfer to the airport and fly home.
Grade : II
Limit : 6 / 16 persons
Season : April – December
