Peaks of Anatolia: tour skiing in Mt. Hasan, Aladaglar National Park & Mt. Erciyes (3.916m)

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Ihlara/Selime

  Meet at the Kayseri airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Ihlara/Selime, located near famous Ihlara valley, a 14 km long canyon with hundreds of rock cut rooms and churches.

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 160 km (Kayseri airport – Ihlara/Selime)

  ON: in Ihlara/Selime village at the hotel/pension

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Mt Hasan 3.268m - transfer to Aladaglar Mountains

  In the early morning we drive to the village of Helvadere next to the mount Hasan, an inactive volcano with an elevation of 3.268m. At an altitude of approximately 1.600 - 1.800m (depends on the day’s road conditions) we start our ascent to the summit. While climbing this volcano, we have a fabulous view over the central Anatolian plateau. After a spectacular skiing descent, we 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. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our staff with tea, coffee and cookies. Your overnight accommodation is already prepared and you can directly move into your rooms, whilst your cook is making final touches for your first evening meal in the mountains.

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.668/1.468m (depends on road conditions & starting point)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance:  35 - 40 km; (Ihlara/Selime village – starting point mount Hasan / one way)

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 125 km (mount Hasan – Aladaglar Mountains)

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the mountain hut/or village pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Aladaglar Mountains - Mt. Alaca 3.585m

  After breakfast we drive to the valley of Aksampinari where we start our todays ski tour. We climb up to the Siyirmalik valley with an easy ascend and through a pine forested area. After reaching the end of the valley, with beautiful views to the Parmakkaya (finger rock) we continue to Avciveli pass at 3.400m until we reach the summit of mount Alaca (3.585m). We have a magnificent skiing descent through the big Mangirci valley until we reach Sarimehmetler plateau where our vehicle is waiting for us. Afterwards we drive back to our overnight accommodation.

  Ascent: 1.300m; descent: 1.650m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the mountain hut/or village pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Aladaglar Mountains - Mt. Guzeller 3.461m

  Today we drive one more time to the valley of Aksampinari where we start our ski tour. We climb up to the Siyirmalik valley with an easy ascend and from there up to Guzeller summit. After reaching the summit with beautiful views we descent back to Aksampinari by the same way. Our vehicle is waiting for us and we drive back to our overnight accommodation.

  Ascent/descent: 1.461m          

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the mountain hut/or village pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Aladaglar Mountains - Mt. Emler 3.723m

  After breakfast we drive to Sokulupinar plateau at an altitude of approximately 1.800/2.000m (depends on the day’s road & snow conditions). After four hours of climbing, we reach Celikbuyduran pass at an altitude of 3.450m. Next to the pass we start our ascent to Emler summit with another 300m climbing. From the summit itself it is possible to see the Mt Erciyes (3.917m) to the north, Mt Hasan (3.268m) to the west, the Bolkar range to the south and all important summits of the Aladaglar range. We ski down on the same way to our starting point at Sokulupinar and drive from there back to our overnight accommodation.

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.923/1.723m; (depends on road conditions & starting point)

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the mountain hut/or village pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Aladaglar Mountains - Demirkazik pass 3.400m & Cimbar canyon

  In the morning we drive to the Sokulupinar area and start from here our ascent to the Demirkazik pass (3.400m) via Narpuz valley. From the pass we ski down to Arpalik plateau first and follow from there panoramic Cimbar canyon, 15 to 100 metres wide and hundreds of meters high walls leading down to the village of Demirkazik. At the end of the canyon our vehicle awaits us and we drive back to our overnight accommodation.

  Ascent: 1.400m; descent: 1.900m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the mountain hut/or village pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Via Derinkuyu underground city to Cappadocia

  After breakfast we leave Aladaglar mountain area and drive to Cappadocia; 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.

  In Cappadocia, after check in at our overnight accommodation and some time to refresh, we first head out to visit 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.

  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.

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 125 km (Aladaglar Mountains to Cappadocia via Derinkuyu)

  ON: in Cappadocia at hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Via Cappadocia to Kayseri & Mt. Erciyes 3.916m

  In the morning we drive to Erciyes Mountain, located 25 km to the south of Kayseri, a massive stratovolcano and the highest mountain in central Anatolia, with its summit reaching 3.916m. At an altitude of approximately 2.100m we start our today’s ski experience. We climb up to the summit of Erciyes Mountain with magnificent views to the Anatolian plateau. Afterwards we ski down to our starting point again where we will take time to have a traditional Turkish tea, better known as cay. Afterwards we drive back to Cappadocia.

  Ascent/descent: approximately 1.816m

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 110 km; (Cappadocia – Kayseri Mt Erciyes / one way)

  ON: in Cappadocia at hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 9

  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 / - / -