Project Description
First we discover the uniqueness of Cappadocia. Violent eruptions of Mt Erciyes (3916 m) and Mt Hasan (3300 m) three millions years ago covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tuff. 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. After we explore Capadocia region we drive to Taurus Mountains. There is always the horizons, studded with peaks of grey, tan and purple; and a magnificent scenery at your feet – the beautiful mountain lakes of Taurus. The high meadows or pastures are inhabited by semi-nomadic groups during the summer, in the months of June to September – in particular, by theyoruk, who are Turkoman in origin and whose traditional occupation is grazing their goats and sheep.
Day 1 : Ankara
Meet at the airport and transfer to the Hotel for overnight. Overnight at hotel in Ankara.
Day 2 : Ankara – Cappadoccia – Kızılcukur (Red valley)
Early in the morning we’ll depart by road to Cappadocia, 4 h driving, via Tuz Gol, the great Salt Lake with a superficies of 1700 mÔ¨en we’ll get into the surrealistic moonscape of Cappadocia with its rock churches monasteries, another features which few visitors are aware of. We begin our 2 h trekking in the red valley, a fairy land where wind and rain have made appeared the different red coloured layers of volcanic tuff….We visit the church with grapes where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing. overnight at pension in Goreme.
Day 3 : Akvadi – Guvercinlik
We trek to Uchisar village via an area of spectacular fairy chimneys, and visit the extraordinary Uchisar Castle, a honeycomb of caves and passages. After Lunch we hike up pigeon valley to Goreme. Cappadocian dovecotes mainly date from the 19th century with a few from the 18th and 20th centuries. Pigeons are very holy for Moslem people because of the Koran (holy book of Islam). They are decorated with folk painting as in some examples in the Pigeon valley. overnight at hotel in Goreme.
Day 4 : Cappadoccia – Taurus Mountain
Our final walking day in this region is spent walking in Pasabagları, 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 . After walking we will be transferred to Cukurbag village. On our route we’ll visit the fascinating underground city of Kaymaklı. (8 floors on 57 m under the ground ). On arrival in Cukurbag village, the trailhead village, we will have our lunch here . We begin our Trans-Taurus Trek with a 2 hours hike to Emli valley 1900 m. Overnight camp with all meals. (Ascent = 350m / Descent = 0)
Day 5 : Optional walk to Alaca Plateau
Today there is the opportunity to walk up to the Alaca Plateau (2400m). Starting off on the southern slopes of the Taurus mountains we head slowly upwards to Mangırcı valley and onto the plateau itself. We stop for lunch near a naturel spring before a slow descent back to Emli Valley and our camp.
Day 6 : Emli – Sokulupınar (2000 m)
Departing our campsite we ascend the Emli Valley, before climbing up again to the high pastures of the Eznevit yaylası (2538 m). Depending on the time of year, we may encounter the semi nomads of this area grazing their flocks. After lunch we gradually descend to our campsite at Sokulupınar (2000 m). Overnight camp. (Ascent = 688m / Descent = 538m)
Day 7 : Sokulupınar – Cimbar Canyon
The day is to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the northern face of Mount Demirkazık (3756 m). More impressive scenery as we trek through the impressive Cimbar Canyon. We pause in the Demirkazık village (1550m) for a while to absorb the scenery and have lunch-break in a village house. We’ll contact with the habitants of the village whose lifestyle hasn’t change for centuries. It may be possible to observe some women spinning wool and working on their looms. After lunch return to camp site . Overnight camp with all meals.
Day 8 : Cukurbag – Konya
Through valley and hills we follow the paths sloping down to Cukurbag village 2 h , a rather rustic settlement at 1450 m high. After a pause-tea in a local tea-house, in order to meet the population. We drive (2.30h) to Konya city the official capital of Seljuk empire 12/13th century We visit Mevlana Dervish museum with its dome turquoise tiles. The museum was originally a monastery and is still a very holy place, home to the Whirling Dervishes and containing the tomb of their founder. Overnight at hotel in Konya.
Day 9 : Konya – Demre – Cayagzi
In the morning 5 h driving to Demre where we will board to out boat a lovely spot surrounded on three sides by forested mountains. We get into our boat. Overnight on board.
Day 10 : Cayagzi – Kekova Sailing
We sail today to Kekova island. Along the Northern shore of Kekova, earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city. Visit of the Simena citadel, offering a bird’s eye view of the bay. We swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters, feast on fabulous local cuisine, cruise over an ancient sunken city and explore Lycian tombs.. Dinner and overnight on board. 3 h sailing.
Day 11 : Kekova – Kalkan Sailing
About 3 hours sail to Kalkan, Sailin Kas to kalkan is crossing between Greek small island and Kas , Kalkan a lovely small hilltop town overlooking a tiny bay. Its quaint traditional, white washed houses, shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with brilliant flowers cascading to the streets below make it the ultimate in a peaceful holiday town. Overnight on board.
Day 12 : Kalkan – Oludeniz – Gocek Sailing
Sail to Oludeniz, the stereotypical Turquoise coast paradise. After lunch-break on board, We make an excursion walking up to Kayakoy, the largest Greek ghost town in Asia Minor. Kayakoy was initially a ghost village, its ancient stone houses left uninhabited after their Greek inhabitants left Turkey during the great population exchange of the 1920s. Now Kayakoy provides you with the opportunity to enjoy a quiet, traditional Turkish village. Then return back down to Oludeniz, an idyllic sea bay and a quiet lagoon set against a wild mountain backdrop of dense forest. Its beach takes its eerie name from the secluded lagoon at the beach’s western end. Protected by hills and entered by a narrow channel, the lagoon is calm during even the worst storms. Chance to swim. Sailing along some small wild virgin bays until the Gocek Golf, one of the Mediterranean best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. Dinner and overnight on board nearby the Gocek village. Opportunity to spend evening in the village. Overnight on boat.
Day 13 : Gocek – Istanbul
Transfer to Dalaman airport and fly to Istanbul. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at hotel in old city.
Day 14 : Istanbul
Free day in Istanbul. Istanbul was known until the First World War as Constantinople, the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Nearly all the city’s main sites of historic interest are in old Stamboul. You can visit the remarkable Blue Mosque, believed by many to represent the zenith of Ottoman architecture and the Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmet II and the cultural centre of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. Overnight hotel.
Day 15 : Istanbul – Home
Transfer to airport and fly home.
Grade : II
Limit : 7 – 16 persons.
Dates : May – October
