Walking in Cappadocia

Fly to Kayseri airport and transfer to the hotel.  In the evening our guide
will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the
local area and answer any questions.

Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar*
*

Day 2

Today's trek takes us through the Akvadi Valley. Perfectly eroded over time
this fascinating landscape presents curious rock formations and fairytale
chimneys that wouldn't look out of place in a Dali painting. If we are lucky
we may spot wildlife such as the beautiful hoopoe (with its distinctive call)
or an Eurasian fox along the way. After approximately 3 hours of walking we
arrive at Uchisar village where we will take lunch in a local restaurant
before climbing the citidal embedded into the rock above. From here we will
be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding surreal landscape. In
the afternoon we follow a path that leeds us to the Guvercinlik (or Pigeon
Valley) where pigeons are encouraged to roost so the local people from the
region can collect their droppings to use as fertiliser. We will then
continue to the town of Goreme.
Walk: Distance 12 km Ascent 400 m Descent 400 m Max Altitude 1350 m Time: 5
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 3

Today we have a short transfer before we start our trek in Zemi valley. The
path leads us through orchards and mesmerizing tunnels to a  Panoramic view
point, where we meet our bus and drive to Ayvali.  In the afternoon we
have a short walk through the Gomede Valley from Ayvali to Mustafapasa
village where we stop for tea break in a local cafe.  Mustafapasa used to be
one of the richest towns in Anatolia until the 1924 population exchange,
which forced the Greeks living in Turkey to move to Greece and vice versa.
You will be able to spot the Greek influence on the architecture on some of
these buildings. In the afternoon there is time to explore this village
before returning to our hotel.
Walk: Distance 11 km Ascent 280m Descent 400m Max Altitude 1150m Time: 5-6
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 4

After breakfast we transfer to the beautiful Pancarlik Valley. Smooth
surfaces on the rock face undulate like waves, whilst the pastel colours
intertwined with vineyards and cultivated gardens add colour to this
extraordinary landscape. It is also possible spot Sarica and Kepez churches
ingrained into the rock chimneys that rise forcefully from the ground. After
lunch we head through the Kizilcukur Valley, also known as the Red Valley,
for the dramatic sunset colours. Amongst the network of paths that connect
the small villages of this valley we visit some of the churches that pepper
the area, ending our day's walk in the village of Cavisom before returning to
our hotel.
Walk: Distance 12 km Ascent 200 m Descent 200 m Max Altitude 1200 m Time: 5-6
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 5

Today our trek takes us through Pasabaglari, formerly known as Monk's Valley.
Here it is possible to see the dwellings of the hermits of Cappadocia who
distanced themselves from the world by carving their abodes high up in the
rock chimneys, using footholes and rope to climb in. Inside these dwellings
are surprisingly spacious with some rooms hollowed out to around 15m high.
Once through the valley we head up to Bozdag, the highest point in
Cappadocia, offering some outstanding views.
Walk: Distance 11 km Ascent 300 m Descent 200 m Max Altitude 1300 m Time: 5
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 6

In the morning we transfer to the underground city of Kaymakli, built by
early Christians to avoid religious persecution. This fascinating
construction is an elaborate system of tunnels and caves, featuring
everything from communal living spaces and kitchens, to stables, a church and
graveyard, not to mention being fortified to protect its inhabitants. We then
drive to the village of Selime where we begin our walk following the Melendiz
river until we reach Belisirma where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we
head down the Ihlara Valley, the deepest and longest valley in the region,
passing Byzantine monasteries and churches that date back to the 11th
Century, before arriving back in Cappadocia.
Walk: Distance 7 km Ascent 100 m Descent 200 m Max Altitude 1300 m Time: 4-5
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 7

Our last day takes us through the Zindanonu Valley and up onto a viewpoint of
the town of Goreme and the Goreme open air museum. The Goreme Valley itself
holds some of the finest collections of painted cave churches in the region.
In around 1000-1200 AD orthodox monks carved places of worship from the soft
volcanic stone and decorated them with beautifully elaborate Byzantine
frescoes, many of which are still very much intact to this day. The late
afternoon is then free to unwind after a truly memorable week.
Walk: Distance 7 km Ascent 200 m Descent 0 m Max Altitude 1300 m Time: 2
hours
Accommodation: Nature Park Cave Hotel or similar

Day 8

End Goreme, transfer to Kayseri; fly to London.