Aladaglar to Cappadocia The Ultimate Mountain Biking Adventure

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Aladaglar Mountains

  Meet at the Kayseri airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to stunning Aladaglar mountain range, home to the highest peaks of the Taurus, famous for its gorgeous lakes, sheer rock walls, deeply cut valleys and canyons.

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Kayseri airport to Aladaglar Mountains)

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at a local village pension

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 1

  Cukurbag village to Kamisli village via Elekgolu & Yelatan

  We start our ride in Cukurbag village and follow stabilized roads towards Elekgolu village and continue our ride from there towards south with beautiful views to the Aladaglar Mountains and on stabilized roads until we reach the small village of Yelatan where we take time for a cup of traditional Turkish tea in the local tea house. Afterwards we ride on stabilized mountain roads, partly on asphalt, through small villages of Dagdibi and Ascibekirli until we reach our overnight accommodation in Kamisli village.           

  Distance by bike: approximately 50 - 60 km (approximately 10 km asphalt)                                            
  Altitudes: starting point 1.550m; highest point: 1.650m; lowest point: 1.300m

  ON: in Kamisli village at the hotel/pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 2

  Kamisli village to Aladag village via Posyagbasan yaylasi (plateau)

  After breakfast we start our ride directly from our hotel in Kamisli village, follow on partly stabilized and partly asphalt roads towards Hamidiye village (ascent approximately 285m) and continue from there on stabilized roads and surrounded by pine forests to Sofular village. Via Sofular we again ride on asphalt roads, but it is a road to mountain villages and traffic is almost none, only some few villager tractors and motorbikes can be seen on the way. In the late afternoon we will arrive in Aladag village via passing Posyagbasan, where we spend the night.                   

  Distance by bike: approximately 55 km (approximately 20 - 25 km asphalt)

  Altitudes: starting point 1.150m; highest point: 1.435m; lowest point: 775m                

  ON: in Aladag village at the hotel/pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

   

  Don’t forget before leaving: During your stay in Aladağlar, you may meet Abdullah’s wife in Aşçıbekirli Village, who makes beautiful and unforgettable homemade meals such as bread and soup.

• DAY 4

  Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 3

  Aladag village to Kapuzbasi waterfalls

  Today we start our ride on asphalt roads and take cross over to another stabilized road among pine forests and start ascending towards Maran pass, with very nice views of Divrik Mountain on the north and Torasan mountains on the west. After crossing Maran pass we continue towards Kapuzbasi waterfalls, formed by an underground river coming through the rocks and fed from the snow and the glaciers coming down from the surrounding Aladaglar Mountains. We spend the night close to Kapuzbasi waterfalls at a small pension.

  Distance by bike: approximately 65 km

  Altitudes: starting point 965m; highest point: 1.230m; lowest point: 645m

  ON: in Kapuzbasi village at the hotel/pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 4

  Kapuzbasi waterfalls to Yahyali via Gedenolugu yaylasi

  Our todays ride starts with an ascent towards Tasoluk yaylasi, we let the Kapuzbasi waterfalls behind us and climb up towards Ulupinar village, known as Barazama, an original and unspoiled village located in beautiful surroundings of the Aladaglar national park. Via Barazama we continue on stabilized roads and through forested areas until we reach a handmade rocky road with a length of approximately 10 km. Afterwards we continue on stabilized roads to Gedenolugu yaylasi where our vehicle is waiting for us to drive us to Yahyali village where we spend the night.

  Distance by bike: approximately 60 km

  Altitudes: starting point 645m; highest point: 2.160m

  ON: in Yahyali village at the hotel/pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 5 - transfer from Dundarli to Cappadocia

  Yahyali to Dundarli

  We follow on old tracks made for tractors down to mining valley of Tekneli, here we take better conditioned stabilized roads used by tractors time to time. After reaching our highest point we start descending down to Sulucaova village and continue from there to Dundarli village. In Dundarli we load our bikes on our vehicles and drive to Cappadocia where we spend the night at the hotel.                                                                                                     

  Distance by bike: approximately 60 km

  Altitudes: starting point 1.795m; highest point: 3.095m; lowest point: 1.110m

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 95 km; (Dundarli village - Cappadocia)

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 6

  Mustafapasha to Goreme via Ayvali & Bahceli villages, Ibrahimpasha, Uchisar citadel & Akvadi (white valley)

  Today we ride on stabilized roads through vineyard gardens and along Golgoli hill until we reach Ayvali, a small and original village where agriculture is still the main source of income. From the village we continue for a while on an asphalt road (approximately 5 km) before we pick up a stabilized gravel road again which leads us to the village of Bahceli, with general features of the traditional architecture of Cappadocia. Here, we take time to enjoy the authentic atmosphere and taste a original cup of Turkish tea or coffee. From Bahceli village stabilized roads take us to the village of Ibrahimpasha, where the historical stone bridge and original Greek stone houses draw our attention. The last part of our ride today takes us via stabilized and partly asphalt roads to the village of Uchisar, where we take time to visit the high viewpoint known as “the fortress”. Many rooms hollowed out into the rock, are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. The top of the Citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. In Uchisar we take time to have a cup of traditional Turkish Tea, known as Cay, whilst enjoying the magnificent panorama over Cappadocia. Afterwards we ride further through one of the most astonishing valleys of Cappadocia, the white valley with its beautiful fairy chimneys. We end our ride again in Goreme where the late afternoon is at leisure.

  Optional activity: Turkish bath (Hamam)

  In the late afternoon it is also possible to try a traditional Turkish bath, better known as Hamam. The Hamam combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermal and eastern Roman baths.                       

  Distance by bike: approximately 45 - 50 km (approximately 13 - 15 km asphalt)
  Altitude differences: between 100 - 450m

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 7

  Goreme to Cavusin, Pasabaglari & Zelve monastery valley, via Boztepe plateau to red valley, Kiliclar

  We start our ride today in Goreme village, designated as an important tourist destination; a "center" for all tourism in Cappadocia. We ride on stabilized roads towards Cavusin village, one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia area; a small village made up of rock cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses. Via Cavusin we continue to Pasabaglari (Monks valley) in only a couple of minutes riding distance. Pasabaglari fairy chimneys are unique and feature bizarre large toadstool like caps which protect the rest of the chimney from erosion. The area was formerly a monastic retreat and used to be known as monk’s valley and features a rock cut church dedicated to St Simeon. Via Pasabaglari we continue to Zelve monastery valley, an important religious centre carved into the rocks after Christians moved to the area during the Persian and Arab invasions. Once inhabited, Zelve became an important Christian settlement and housed one of the largest communities in the area. Spreading out over three valleys, of which two are connected by a tunnel, the amazing cave town of Zelve is famous for its honeycombed dwellings, religious and secular chambers. The monastery is rich in its own beauty; main decorations are high relief crosses representative of the Iconoclastic doctrine. Afterwards we ride up to the plateau of Boztepe, one of the highest points of the area and with breath-taking views down to the bizarre landscape of Cappadocia. After riding high on the plateau we descent down to the area of red valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia with its spectacular formations and colours. The last part of our ride takes us to Kiliclar (Sword) valley, one of the smallest valleys in Cappadocia with many interesting fairy chimneys and ruins. The valley is also known for its fantastic panoramic views. On the road to Goreme there are tracks where it is possible to explore abandoned caves which were homes of past citizens in this region. Our ride ends in Goreme village and where we conclude the day with a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.

  Distance by bike: approximately 30 - 35 km (approximately 5 km asphalt)
  Altitude differences: between 40 - 380m

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 9

  Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 8

  Ortahisar to Avanos via Pancarlik valley, Urgup, Devrent, Saruhan caravanserai & Sarihidir village

  After breakfast we start our ride today in the village of Mustafapasha; first take an asphalt road (approximately 3 km) and turn into stabilized roads afterwards which will lead us to Pancarlik valley where we will see numerous cones and fairy chimneys decorating our way and it is also possible to visit Sarica and Pancarlik churches for their architectural interest. After riding through this beautiful valley we arrive in the village of Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle like rock formation after which the town is named. After having a short break here, we take the asphalt road out of the village and enter into stabilized roads through vineyard gardens until we reach Urgup, one of the most important centers in Cappadocia. Urgup was a bishopric of the rock cut churches and monasteries found in the villages, valleys and towns around. Today Urgup is known for its famous wines and pleasant cafes. Via Urgup we ride towards Avanos; we pass Devrent valley, with many different rock formations and Saruhan caravanserai, which covers an area of around 2000 m². Via Sarihidir village we arrive in Avanos. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has always been used. We will take time to visit one of the pottery studios and you will try to shape by your own. Our vehicle picks us up in Avanos at the end of our ride and we drive back to our hotel.

  Distance by bike: approximately 45 - 50 km (approximately 15 km asphalt)
  Altitude differences: between 60 - 200m

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 10

  Trip concludes at Kayseri airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Cappadocia to Kayseri airport)

  Meals:   B / - / -