Discovering world heritage Cappadocia
Tour Code TRE 01
Highlights
- Explore unique landscapes of Cappadocia
- Visit UNESCO world heritage sites
- Goreme open air museum
- Derinkuyu underground city
- Zelve monastery valley
- Ihlara valley & Selime monastery
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Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
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8 days / 7 nights
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A (easy) - hiking through beautiful valleys of Cappadocia (5 routes on 5 days)
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7 nights at the hotel
Itinerary
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DAY 1
Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to CappadociaCappadocia 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 seven 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 hotelMeals: - / - / D -
DAY 2
World heritage CappadociaHiking, culture & sightseeing: Uzengi & Pancarlik valley, Ortahisar and Ibrahimpasha village, Uc Guzeller & AvanosToday we go out to explore the Uzengi & Pancarlik valleys; we go for a ramble on a plateau offering a magnificent view on the Uzengi valley; then enter into Pancarlik valley in order to see numerous cones and fairy chimneys decorating our way and also to visit Kepez, Sarica & Pancarlik churches for their architectural interest. Afterwards we arrive in Ortahisar village; 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. Via Ortahisar we continue our walk through a beautiful scenic valley with amazing geological formations towards Ibrahimpasha village, where the historical stone bridge and original Greek stone houses draw our attention. Here we take time to enjoy the authentic atmosphere and taste an original cup of Turkish tea or coffee, before we continue to fascinating three fairy chimneys of Uc Guzeller, one of the most famous natural beauties and symbols of Cappadocia.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: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: 6 km; ascent: 155m; descent: 80m (Pancarlik valley to Ortahisar)Walking time: 1 - 2 h; walking distance: 4 - 5 km; ascent: 110m; descent: 40m (Ortahisar to Ibrahimpasha)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 3
World heritage CappadociaOptional activity: Hot air balloon rideIn 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.Hiking, culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel to Akvadi valley, Cavusin village, Pasabaglari & Zelve monastery valleyWe start todays fascinating tour through Cappadocia in 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. After visiting the citadel we walk through narrow and pictures streets of the village down to Akvadi, a famous valley following an old river bed, used today for vineyards. Especially a special section at the end of the valley is worth seeing.In the early afternoon we arrive in 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 cup of traditional Turkish coffee and afterwards drive back to our hotel.Walking time: 2 h; walking distance: 6 km; ascent: 0m; descent: 280m; (Uchisar to Cavusin village via Akvadi valley)Walking time: 1 h; walking distance: 4 - 6 km; ascent: 60m; descent: 70m; (Cavusin village to Pasabaglari)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 4
World heritage CappadociaHiking, culture & sightseeing: Derinkuyu underground city to Ihlara valley, Selime monastery and GuzelyurtAfter breakfast we drive to Ihlara; on route take time to visit incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, opened to visitors in 1965. The city is approximately 85m deep, but only 10 % can be visited, and contains all of the usual rooms found in an underground city, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries. Apart from these, a large room with a barrel vaulted ceiling on the second floor served as a missionary school, the rooms to the left used as study rooms. Our hike we start in famous Ihlara valley, a 14 km long canyon with hundreds of rock cut rooms and churches. This valley proved to be an ideal place for Monks to worship in seclusion, as well as provide a safe hideaway and place of defense for people during times of invasion. There are numerous dwellings, some of which are connected by tunnels and corridors. The decorations in the churches date from the 6th to the 13th centuries. After having lunch in Belisirma village we continue our walk to Selime where we visit Selime monastery, a visit to this complex of buildings on a steep mountain slope is a must in the region. In the late afternoon, on our way back to Cappadocia, we also visit Guzelyurt village, formerly Gelveri, an area of great natural beauty and an important place in the history of Christianity.Walking time: 3 h; walking distance: 8 - 9 km (Ihlara to Belisirma)Walking time: 1 - 2 h; walking distance: 5 - 6 km (Belisirma to Selime monastery)Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 95 km (Cappadocia to Ihlara via Derinkuyu / one way)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 5
World heritage CappadociaHiking, culture & sightseeing: Zemi valley to GoremeToday we start our walk in Zemi valley, a green valley with wind eroded volcanic rocks, beautiful rock formations, caves in cliffs and tall poplar trees. At the end of the valley there will be the opportunity to visit the El Nazar church, carved from one piece of a rock in a ‘T’ shape, with nice frescoes showing scenes which follow each other in chronological order.City tours & time at leisure: visit Urgup & Goreme, Mustafapasha (Sinasos) and Gomeda valleyOur hike will lead us directly to Goreme village, designated as an important tourist destination; a "center" for all tourism in Cappadocia. Afterwards we drive to Urgup too, one of the most important places in Cappadocia, known for its famous wines and pleasant cafes.In Urgup and Goreme we take time to relax a while and to taste a traditional cup of Turkish tea before we explore the centers of these famous cities (villages), with their small shops and pleasant cafes, on our own way. In the afternoon we also take time to visit Mustafapasha, former Sinasos, inhabited by Greek orthodox families until the beginning of the 20th century, famous for its houses which display fine examples of stonework. Close to Mustafapasha village we will have a short walk through vineyards to the ruins of Gomeda, one of the oldest cave churches in Cappadocia dating from the iconoclastic period.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.Walking time: 2 h; walking distance: 5 km; ascent: 0m; descent: 270m; (Zemi valley to Goreme)Walking time: 1 h; walking distance: 3 - 4 km (Mustafapasha to Gomeda valley)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 6
World heritage CappadociaHiking, culture & sightseeing: Kiliclar (sword) valley & Goreme open air museum, Meskendir & red valley sunsetWe start the day with a short walk through Kiliclar (Sword) valley, one of the smallest valleys in the area with many interesting fairy chimneys and ruins. Sword valley is known for its fantastic views of Cappadocia; on our route there are tracks where it is possible to explore abandoned caves which were homes of past citizens in this region.In the early afternoon we reach 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. Afterwards we continue our hike through Meskendir & 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 8th and 9th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10th and 11th centuries.In the early evening we conclude the day with a visit to red valley panorama point, the best sunset spot in Cappadocia. The sunset here is glorious; the ever deepening light makes the colours of the rock formations richer than usual. Here in a beautiful atmosphere we taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery of continuously changing reds, pinks and yellow colours.Walking time: 1 - 2 h; walking distance: 4 km; ascent: 0m; descent: 90m (Kiliclar valley)Walking time: 3 h; walking distance: 8 - 10 km; ascent: 85m; descent: 135m (Meskendir & red valley)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 7
World heritage CappadociaHiking, culture & sightseeing: Ayvali village to Cemil village & monastery of Keslik, Soganli valley and DevrentAfter breakfast we drive to the village of Ayvali and walk from here on stabilized gravel roads along the foot of a natural tumulus carved by erosion and known as Golgoli by local people. The road continues passing through vineyards in direction to nice Cemil village. Here we take time to visit the monastery of Keslik, a rock-cut Byzantine complex built in volcanic tuff stone. The complex, with its main monastery chapel with blackened frescoes, is a kind of labyrinth where once hundreds of monks lived. Hollowed out in the 13th century, Keslik is also known as the monastery of Archangels.In the afternoon we drive to Soganli valley, which is divided into two and has been occupied since the roman period. The Romans used the conical rock formations as graves; later Byzantines transformed them into churches. The Frescoes in the churches date back to the 9th and 13th centuries. Karabas, Yilanli, Kubbeli and St. Barbara (Tahtali) are notable churches in the valley.In the late afternoon we also visit Devrent; a pretty small valley, famous for its lunar landscape. Also known as imagination valley, the formations, colours and resembling animals and different creatures of Devrent are unique. Here you can also find one of the landmarks of Cappadocia, the famous ‘camel’ rock formation.Optional activity: Turkish night showIn the evening it is possible to visit a Turkish night show; the show begins with a short version of Dervish Sema (Mevlana) ceremony. Afterwards folk dancers in traditional costumes will show you dances from different parts of Turkey, including the famous ‘bride and groom’ and the highlight of the night, the belly dance show, a perfect finish to a great holiday.Walking time: 3 - 4 h; walking distance: 11 - 12 km; ascent/descent: 300m (Ayvali to Cemil village)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 8
Trip concludes at Kayseri airportAfter breakfast; transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Cappadocia - Kayseri)Meals: B / L / D
Inclusions
- All transfers and transportations with private vehicles to the places stated in the itinerary
Days 1 & 8: one/one way arrival/departure transfer from/to Kayseri airport/hotel in Cappadocia - Demavend Travel English speaking tour leader
- Hotel accommodations, in standard rooms on double/twin share base
Service: half board (HB) / Important: HB dinner service available until 20:30/21:00 h - 7 x breakfast / 6 x lunch / 7 x dinner
- All international and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- All kind of extra transports & transfers other than stated in the itinerary / extra arrival/departure transfers
- All kind of entrance fees for historical and natural sites
- All kind of optional activities
- Meals other than stated the itinerary
- All kind of soft and alcoholic drinks, bottled water, tea & coffee
- All kind of personal expenses
- Extra nights & single supplements / accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips