Self-guided Cappadocia

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Kayseri airport & transfer to Cappadocia

  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. 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.

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

  ON: in Mustafapasha village at the hotel

  Meals: - / - / -

• DAY 2

  Mustafapasha to Ortahisar via Pancarlik valley

  After breakfast we head out for our first walk through Cappadocia; our hike starts in Mustafapasha where we take the asphalt road out of the village and continue afterwards on small walking paths and stabilized roads through Pancarlik valley towards Ortahisar village. On route 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. In the late afternoon 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.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 11 km; ascent: 325m; descent: 305m

  ON: in Ortahisar village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / D

• DAY 3

  Ibrahimpasha round walk

  After breakfast we start our trek today on stabilized gravel roads, hike along vineyard gardens until we reach the village of Ibrahimpasha, where the historical stone bridge and original Greek stone houses draw our attention, a small village with authentic atmosphere. In Ibrahimpasha we advise to taste a cup of traditional Turkish Tea, better known as cay.

  From Ibrahimpasha village a path will lead us down to a beautiful scenic valley, on small walking paths we continue back towards Ortahisar village accompanied by beautiful formations and amazing geological formations.

  Walking time: 3 - 4 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent: 315m; descent: 225m

  ON: in Ortahisar village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / D

• DAY 4

  Ortahisar to Cavusin village via Meskendir valley, red & rose valley

  Today we take the asphalt road out of Ortahisar village and enter into the Meskendir valley where we follow walking paths, surrounded by old cave houses and complexes from the old Christian civilization. From the Meskendir valley we cross over to red and rose valleys, the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, where it is possible to visit some hidden churches, carved out of the cliff face. Although it is not definite, the common believe is that these churches date back to the 8^th and 9^th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes most probably added in the 10^th and 11^th centuries.

  In the late afternoon we arrive in Cavusin village where we spend the next two nights.      

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 11 km; ascent: 285m; descent: 430m   

  ON: in Cavusin village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / D

• DAY 5

  Via Cavusin village to Zelve monastery & Pasabaglari (monks) valley

  We start our walk in Cavusin, one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia area; a small village made up of rock cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses.

  From the village we take small walking paths and hike close to fascinating rock formations and with magnificent views to the fairy chimneys at monk’s valley (Pasabaglari) down below until we reach 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.

  Afterwards we continue our hike 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. Via Pasabaglari we walk back to Cavusin village where we spend the night.                         

  Walking time: 4 - 5 h; walking distance: 9 km; ascent: 270m; descent: 270m     

  ON: in Cavusin village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / D

• DAY 6

  Cavusin village to Goreme via Akvadi (white valley), Uchisar village and Pigeon valley

  After breakfast we leave Cavusin village and walk to the trailhead point at the beginning of Akvadi (white) valley. We walk along this valley following an old river bed, used today for vineyards; especially a special section at the beginning of the valley is worth seeing.

  At noon we will arrive in Uchisar village where it is possible 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. Via Uchisar we continue our walk through pigeon valley, with spectacular views of the natural cliffs and handmade caves and passes through a few tunnels carved into the rock. Our walk leads us directly to Goreme village where we spend the next two nights.                

  Walking time: 4 - 5 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 420m; descent: 410m   

  ON: in Goreme village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / -

• DAY 7

  Zemi valley & Goreme open air museum

  On stabilized roads we walk out of Goreme village and enter into the 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 beautiful frescoes showing scenes which follow each other in chronological order.

  Before returning to Goreme village it is on route also possible to visit 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 trek ends in Goreme where we spend our final night.                              

  Walking time: 4 - 5 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 300m; descent: 295m

  ON: in Goreme village at the hotel

  Meals: B / - / -

• DAY 8

  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 / - / -