Cappadocia Legacy Trek: Journey Through World Heritage Trails

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Cappadocia

  Cappadocia is undeniably a nature fantasy and it almost feels like another planet with its exceptional geological formations. Wind, rain and frost have sculpted this superb scenery in the volcanic rock during millions of years and eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and forms. In this creation of nature, the curiosity of the landscapes is added to the historical richness.

  Meet at the Kayseri airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Cappadocia, where you spend the next three nights to explore the landscape of this wonder of nature.  

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

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / D  

• DAY 2

  World heritage Cappadocia

  Optional activity: hot air balloon ride

  In the early morning before sunrise it is optional possible to go on a hot air balloon flight. Cappadocia is awarded as one of the world's best balloon flight areas and it is one of the best ways to discover the unique landscapes of this impressive wonder of nature.

  Culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel, Goreme open air museum & red valley

  After having breakfast we drive Uchisar village where we 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. Afterwards we drive to Goreme open air museum; one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia. The Christian people at the heart of the Cappadocia realized that the soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post iconoclastic period. The frescoes inside the Goreme open air museum are a unique artistic achievement from this period. Our last visit takes us to red valley area, another beautiful valley in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, full with old cave houses, complexes and hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. Although it is not definite, the common believe is that most of the churches and complexes carved out of the cliff face date back to the 8^th and 9^th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10^th and 11^th centuries.

  Optional activity: Turkish bath (Hamam)

  In the afternoon it is possible to visit a traditional Turkish bath, better known as Hamam, combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermal and eastern Roman baths. In Turkish culture it stands for far more than getting a leisurely bath, it is a special place of relaxation designed to regenerate body and mind.

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  World heritage Cappadocia

  Easy hiking, culture & sightseeing: Cavusin village, Pasabaglari (monk) valley, Zelve monastery & Avanos

  Today we drive to Cavusin village, one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia area; a small village made up of rock cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses. From here a walking path, close to beautiful rock formations and with magnificent views, permits us directly to nearby Pasabaglari (monk) valley. Here the 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. Close to Pasabaglari we also visit Zelve monastery valley, where once Christians moved during the Persian and Arab invasions and the region, though recently uninhabited, became an important settlement and religious area. Spreading out over three valleys, of which two are connected by a tunnel, the amazing cave town 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. We conclude the day with a visit to Avanos, where the most famous historical feature, 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.

  Walking time: 45 min.; walking distance: 3 km; ascent: 60m; descent: 70m; (Cavusin - Pasabaglari)

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Trip concludes at Kayseri airport

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

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

  Meals:   B / - / -