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.

During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, their ochre-toned frescoes reflecting the hues of the surrounding landscape. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tufa merge harmoniously into the landscape. Cappadocia is also natural wonders and unique area in the world with its history. We trek, exploring the surreal landforms of the Goreme valleys and enjoying the colourful blaze. Following ancient pathways we visit the strange rock cut churches and monasteries carved from the soft volcanic tuff.

Day 1 : Kayseri – Ihlara
Transfer to Ihlara (1,5 hrs). Overnight at hotel in Ihlara.

Day 2 : Ihlara Valley
After breakfast transfer to Ihlara Valley. You will walk in valley freely. Ihlara valley in the spring and summer there are wild flowers everywhere together with isolated gardens that abound with fruit and vegetables all surrounded by the lunar landscape of the remote valleys. Many of the frescos in the rock-cut churches are in excellent condition. We will have our lunch in a restaurant and the continue our walk afterenon through Belisirma to Selime.Village at the beginning of the Ihlara valley. This canyon was created by the fractures and collapses of the cooling lava of basalt and and origin from the volcano Hasan. Overnight at hotel in Ihlara.

Day 3 : Cavusin – Pasabag
In the morning departure for Cappadocia. Your trek begins with a visit to the small village of Çavuşin which lies on top of a collapsed section of an early Christian cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide which, together with earthquakes and natural erosion, caused a split in the plateau. The atrium of the church at Cavusin has cascaded down, exposing some of the frescoes. Our walk continues through the hoodoos of Pasabaglari known as the valley of the Priests. Many of the chimneys here are only partially divided, showing us the continuous erosion process. Interestingly too there is a small minaret transformed from a church belfry indicating that this place was inhabited by Moslems after the Christians. This valley is also noted for the many caves in the fairy used by hermits for their retreats. A three capped chimney was the retreat to the monk Simeon, who unlike his counterpart in Syria, lived inside the pillar instead of on top of it! Arrive Zelve, a former troglodyte village emptied by the population (1957) due to erosion and turned into open-air museum. Then we transfer to Mustafapasa. Overnight at hotel. Running time: approximately 5:00.

Day 4 : Mustafapasa – Kızılcukur
You discover a breathtaking landscape. On your way there are many rock formations with a shape reminiscent of erosion of the penitents and meringues. From the 18th century on the highest walls of this valley, the Cappadocian dug in countless pigeon. Today, their facades having fallen for the most part you will see the many excavations that were used as nesting boxes for pigeons. The chapels and churches and cave Kepez Sarica; excavated in the 6th century, these churches were covered with frescoes in the 10th century. Continued walking towards the village Ortahisar and its fortress. Lunch in the village Ortahisar. In the afternoon, we join the Red Valley. Through fields along the cliffs you pass through tunnels at the foot of the huge plateau that dominates the Bozdag center of Cappadocia. This is certainly the most beautiful set of valleys in the region. Shades of red predominate, lit white streams, punctuated with sulfur tasks. Hundreds of meters thick, erosion has excavated strata more or less tender in their folds, creating a succession of landscapes combining really unreal perfection of detail in the harmony of colors, soft forms of gigantism relief between the lush green gardens of the beautiful pastel colors of the rock. Running time: approximately 5:30. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 : Akvadi – Güvercinlik
We travelling to 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 you are lucky you 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 Guvercinlik (pigeon valley). The piginaries are really very holy for Moslem people because of the Koran (holy book of Islam) and prophet Mohammed. Local people of the region use pigeon’s fertiliser for their vine fields. The path will take us to Goreme town. Running time: approximately 5:30. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 : Istanbul
Transfer to Kayseri airport and fly to Istanbul. Afternoon free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Istanbul
You will visit Istanbul which has a rich historical, cultural and architectural huge. It is much more important Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The most famous monuments are the Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia Museum, etc. The Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian market are also worth a visit. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 : Fly Home
End of the tour after your breakfast at your hotel.