Violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes (3916m) and Mount Hasan (3300m) three
millions years ago covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tufa, a
soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud. The wind and rain have eroded this
soft rock and created a surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles
and contorted ravines. Colours range from warm reds and golds to cool greens
and greys. Göreme is one of those rare regions in the world where the
works of man blend unobtrusively 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 tuff merge
harmoniously into the landscape. Cappadocia, with its rich history, is also one
of the natural wonders and unique areas of the world. We trek, exploring the surreal landforms of the colourful Göreme valleys.
Following ancient pathways we visit the strange rock cut churches and
monasteries carved from the soft volcanic tuff, and homes and even cities
carved from rock and preserved for millennia. 8 day itinerary Grade A/B Enquire Now
Day 1: Istanbul On arrival at the airport we have a city tour including a visit to the famous
Blue Mosque. In the evening we take the ferry across Bosphorus then the night
sleeper train to Konya. Dinner and breakfast included on the train. Day 2: Konya - Ihlara Valley After an early breakfast on the train we arrive in Konya and drive to the
Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia, about 2h 30min. En route we stop to see the 13th century Seljuk caravanserai of Aözikarahan. After lunch in Selime Village
we walk up the deep-carved Ihlara Canyon to Belisirma village (3 hours
walking). The canyon provided seclusion for monks and priests to worship and a
refuge and hideaway for people in times of strife. Overnight at pension in
Ihlara village. Day 3: Belısirma - Derinkuyu - Göreme We continue walking from Belısirma village to the end of the canyon. This
section of the canyon has the highest concentration of rock carved and painted
churches with well-conserved frescoes (3 hours walk). In the afternoon we drive
to Derinkuyu to visit the underground city of the Hittites (8 floors going 57m
down under the ground). We then drive on to Göreme. Night in Arch Palace
Pansion. Day 4: Akvadı - Kavak Our trek today takes us through the Akvadi (White valley) eroded so perfectly
by rain and wind over the centuries. After a lunch-break in a restaurant in
Uçhisar village we visit the densely settled citadel, a magnificent
panoramic view of the fairyland landscape is available from the top. Walk
across the Babayan Plateau, through vineyards and tree gardens, to Kavak
village, (5 hours trekking). Return by bus to Göreme. Day 5: Kavak – Sınasos (Mustafapaşa) We walk through the surrealist landscape of the Gömede valley passing two
typical local villages, Bahçeli and Ayvali, observing the traditional
village life of central Anatolia. We finish our walk in Sinasos that was
inhabited, until the turn of the century, by Orthodox Anatolian Greek
communities. The ornate Greek architecture is well-preserved in this small
town. Overnight in the "Greek House" a typical local house of the old style.
(5 hours trekking). Day 6: Sınasos - Kizilçukur (Red valley) We now continue our trek into the spectacular Pancarlik valley. The interesting
sweeping curves on the sides of the valley are peculiar to the region. We stop
at Ortahisar village for lunch in a typical restaurant not far from the
outstanding carved fortress rock. Our walk in the afternoon takes us through
the Kizilçukur valley with its magnificently sculptured, red-tuff rock
formations. We will see churches dating back to the early Christian period.
Overnight at our pension on Goreme. (6 hours trekking). Day 7: Cappadocia – Kayseri - Istanbul Trek to Çavuşin village, one of the most important religious centres of
Cappadocia. After visiting the churches, caves and old houses of Çavuşin,
we trek to the Paşabaglari, formerly known as Priests' Valley. It contains
many fairy chimneys of a very unique style, with multiple trunks and caps.
Lunch in Avanos, famous for its ceramics then we drive to Kayseri for our
flight to Istanbul, night in **** hotel. Day 8: Istanbul - Home Free time in city, transfer to airport, fly home. Generally included in costings:- All transfers and transportation
- All accommodation
- All meals except lunch on day 1 and 8
- English speaking guide
Not Included:- All drinks and personal expenses
- Entrance fees to historical sites mentioned in the itinerary
Season: Year Round. Snow shoes are needed for winter departures.Note: Accommodation may vary from that above depending on availability. Enquire Now See also: Cappadocia, Yacht and Trek |