The Self-guided Trek In Cappadocia (Turkey)
Explore the fairly landscapes of Cappadocia at your own pace!
It is impossible to imagine a more wondrous sight than this evocative lunar landscape with its bizarre rock formations, enigmatic fairy chimneys and extensive cave dwellings. At Cappadocia, geology and civilisation are inextricably linked as erosion and construction perennially interact with each other. Created through this unique collaboration, the region is the world’s greatest sculpture - shaped by nature, carved by man. After all, it took some 30 million years for the elements to shape the layers of volcanic basalt and tuff into their present form and even the impact of man on the landscape goes back several thousand years to the Hittite people, who were probably the first to dig caves suitable for habitation out of the soft tuft. The trek will take you to the most famous and beautiful regions of Cappadocia Goreme valley, Love valley, Zemi valley and the historic towns of Uchisar, Ortahisar, Goreme and others. This tour is designed for experienced in orientation and adventurous hikers, requiring significant skills in trail finding in the dense network of various valleys.
The daily walks range between 7 and 14km with uphill/downhill hiking up to 320m
Tour Highlights
♦ Cappadocia – a land of extreme natural beauty, mystery and rich history
♦ Uchisar and Ortahisar rock castles
♦ Zelve open air museum – once housed one of the largest communities in the region honeycombed with
dwellings, religious and secular chambers
♦ Goreme - in the village, ancient or recent houses can be found along with the famous earth pillars
(or fairy chimneys) that are still used as houses, warehouses, restaurants or stables. A must see is Goreme open air musem and its churches with the best preserved frescos in Cappadocia (Unesco World Heritage sight).
Itinerary:
Arrival at Kayseri Airport and transfer to Mustafapasa. Accommodation at pension.
Day 2. Ayvali
You start walking on a dirt road along the foot of a natural tumulus carved by erosion and known as Golgoli by local people. The road continues passing by vineyards and white and brown sandstone pyramides. In clear weather you will have a splendid view towards the snow caped Erciyes peak (3916) in the distance. Experience the hospitality Ayvali village inhabitants, perhaps, with a tea-break in the local cafe. You stay overnight at a pension in Ayvali. Walking time: 3 h; uphill/downhill: 250/190m
Day 3. Gomeda valley - Ortahisar
Today's walk starts on a dirt road following tracks through vineyards on the east side of Gomeda valley starting from Ayvali. The Gomeda valley is very picturesque rich in rock houses and bird houses, rock arches, small vegetable yards and abundant vegetation. After around 2 hours walking in the shades of the valley you turn west and go up and out of the valley on a dirt road until you reach Ortahisar. Walking time: 6 h; uphill/downhill: 240/320m
Day 4. Zemi valley - Uchisar
Today’s walk will take you down to Zemi valley interesting for its rock churches and rich vegetation. You walk upstream the small river on a single track surrounded by rich versatile flora, high white sand rocks, passing by small vegetable yards and going under natural rock arches. You reach Uchisar on a sandy dirt road when you climb out the valley. Accommodation at pension in Uchisar. Walking time: 6 h; uphill/downhill: 250/150m
Day 5. Love valley - Cavusin
Todays trek is one of the shortest but one of the most beautiful ones. You start walking in the famous Love valley (Bagli valley) with one of the most picturesque fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. Enjoy the marvelous sculptures made by nature and sense the mystic spirit of the valley. It is most likely that you will spot a turtle or a rabit while walking. After you go out the valley you reach Chavusin on a sandy dirt road. Overnight at pension in Cavusin. Walking time: 3.30 h; uphill/downhill: 80/200m
Day 6 Pasabagi - Zelve open air museum - Bozdag Plateau
From Cavusin you start climbing on a nice single track path passing through beautiful red, orange and white sand pyramids until you reach Pasabagi. Then you walk to the stunning Zelve open air museum. After that the path takes you to the top of Bozdag plateau. You walk on a path on the edge of the plateau with great views of Zelve open air musem and Urgup town. Overnight at pension in Cavusin. Walking time: 7 h;uphill/downhill: 320/300m
Day 7. Rose valley - Goreme
Today you walk mainly on dirt roads. First you will visit some interesting rock churches in Gulludere (Rose valley) and then continue on a small ridge to the main road and Goreme open air museum. After a visit of the museum you reach the town of Goreme on the main asphalt road. Overnight in a hotel in Goreme. Walking time: 4 h; uphill/downhill: 450/400m
Day 8. Departure
Transfer to Kayseri Airport for departure.
Included in the price: ►accommodation in family run hotels and pensions on HB (7 breakfasts and 7 dinners) ►all ground transfers and luggage transportation ►map and route description ►travel insurance
Not included: ►flights ►entrance fees ►dinner on day 8, all lunches ►tips ►alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
Other expenses: single room supplement: 75 euro;
Good to know:
- Trip for adventurous people with previous experience in self-guided walks (some tracks difficult to find (you may have to explore secondary paths from time to time), good maps of the area are missing)
- It is advisable to start for the treks as early as possible because of the high temperatures around noon (especially for summer months).
- You should carry at least 1,5 l of water during the trekking. Water is hardly to be found on the routes.
- We advise you to dress in long trousers and wear hiking boots not sandals during the walking, because of the dense vegetation in the valleys
- Luggage transportation: Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip. A small rucksack for carrying personal items during the day-walks is necessary (20-35 l).
We reccommend trip in the period: April - October
Necessary equipment: Sunglasses with UV protection, hat for sun protection, sunscreen lotion and lip balm, daypack (35 l), trekking boots and breathable clothes.
Vacation Extensions:
From the Anatolian Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea (Turkey)
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