Mountain biking, via Aladaglar to Cappadocia
Tour Code ACT 09
Highlights
– Aladaglar Mountains and Kapuzbasi waterfalls
– Unique landscapes of Cappadocia and UNESCO world heritage sites
– Zelve monastery & Pasabaglari valley
– Boztepe plateau & red valley
– Akvadi valley & Uchisar citadel
– Authentic villages & original lifestyle
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Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
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10 days / 9 nights
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B/C (medium/moderate) - Biking in the Aladaglar Mountains & unique Cappadocia (8 routes on 8 days)
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9 nights at the hotel & in family run pensions
Itinerary
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DAY 1
Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Aladaglar MountainsMeet 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 pensionMeals: - / - / D -
DAY 2
Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 1Cukurbag village to Kamisli village via Elekgolu & YelatanWe 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: 1.300mON: in Kamisli village at the hotel/pensionMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 3
Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 2Kamisli 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: 775mON: in Aladag village at the hotel/pensionMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 4
Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 3Aladag village to Kapuzbasi waterfallsToday 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 kmAltitudes: starting point 965m; highest point: 1.230m; lowest point: 645mON: in Kapuzbasi village at the hotel/pensionMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 5
Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 4Kapuzbasi waterfalls to Yahyali via Gedenolugu yaylasiOur 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 kmAltitudes: starting point 645m; highest point: 2.160mON: in Yahyali village at the hotel/pensionMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 6
Aladaglar Mountain biking - route 5 - transfer from Dundarli to CappadociaYahyali to DundarliWe 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 kmAltitudes: starting point 1.795m; highest point: 3.095m; lowest point: 1.110mTransfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 95 km; (Dundarli village - Cappadocia)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 7
Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 6Mustafapasha 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 - 450mON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 8
Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 7Goreme to Cavusin, Pasabaglari & Zelve monastery valley, via Boztepe plateau to red valley, KiliclarWe 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 - 380mON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 9
Cappadocia Mountain biking - route 8Ortahisar to Avanos via Pancarlik valley, Urgup, Devrent, Saruhan caravanserai & Sarihidir villageAfter 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 - 200mON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 10
Trip concludes at Kayseri airportAfter breakfast; transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Cappadocia to Kayseri airport)Meals: B / - / -
Inclusions
- All transfers and transportations with private vehicles to the places stated in the itinerary
Day 1: one/one way arrival transfer from/to Kayseri airport/Aladaglar Mountains
Day 10: one/one way departure transfer from/to hotel in Cappadocia/Kayseri airport - Support vehicle throughout the itinerary
- Demavend Travel English speaking tour leader/bike guide
- Hotel & pension accommodations: in standard rooms on double/twin share base
Service: bed & breakfast (BB) & half board (HB) / Important: HB dinner service available until 20:30/21:00 h - 9 x breakfast / 8 x lunch (lunch packages & local restaurants where available) / 9 x dinner
- Aladaglar National Park entrance fees
- Mountain bikes with necessary safety & technical equipment
- 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