Via Aladaglar Mountains to Cappadocia

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Aladaglar Mountains

  Meet 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.

  Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our staff with tea, coffee and cookies. The campsite is already preparedand you can directly move into your tents, whilst your cook is making final touches for your first evening meal in the mountains.

  Depending on arrival time: hike from Elekgolu to Emli valley via Kazikli canyon

  At an early arrival it is possible to visit a fish farm, one of the most famous and naturally based trout farms of the region. Here you will have the opportunity to taste delicious fish meals whilst enjoying a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

  Afterwards we drive to the area close to Elekgolu village and start from here for a short hike through Kazikli canyon, with 50 to 70 meters high walls. The canyon lies in the southern part of the Aladaglar and received its name over a century ago from a farmer called Ali who used wooden stakes (kazik) to climb cracks in the canyon to reach the honey of wild bees in the caves. Our trek permits us directly to our campsite in the Emli valley.

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Kayseri airport to Aladaglar Mountains)

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: approx. 9 - 10 km; ascent: 570m; descent: 0m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Emli valley campsite 1.800m

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Emli valley to Alaca Yayla (plateau)

  In the morning we hike up to Mangirci gorge and continue from there to Alaca Yayla (plateau) where we walk along oak trees and with spectacular views of southern Aladaglar region. On our route most probably some shepherds will be around to graze their flocks, as the high plateaus of the region surrounded by peaks and crags offer some nice pastures during summer season. After having lunch by a small spring we descend down to our camp via Oluksekisi, another old semi-nomad camp. We spend the night at the Emli valley campsite, within beautiful mountain scenery surrounding us. On a clear night, this remote terrain is also a great spot to view bright stars, constellations and enjoy an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: approx. 8 - 9 km; ascent/descent: 650m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Emli valley campsite 1.800m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Emli valley to Sokulupinar via Siyirmalik & Eznevit plateau

  This morning we leave Emli valley behind us, as we walk through a beautiful forested area and on stabilized gravel roads towards Siyirmalik valley. After an easy ascent we reach Eznevit plateau, a campsite inhabited by semi-nomadic families who might invite us for some drinks and will visit their tents to see their original life style during the time they spent in the mountains. From here you also will be rewarded with good views over the surrounding area as you continue walking towards Sakartas and further to our next campsite in Sokulupinar where we are welcomed by our cook with biscuits and tea. We spend the night in Sokulupinar.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: approx. 14 - 15 km; ascent: 788m; descent: 538m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Sokulupinar campsite 2.000m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Sokulupinar to Demirkazik village via Arpalik plateau & Cimbar canyon - drive to Cukurbag village

  From our campsite we start our hike today and follow a stabilized road taking us to Arpalik plateau, a campsite inhabited by semi-nomadic families during summertime and with beautiful panoramic views to Demirkazik Mountain (3.756m). From here we enter into Cimbar canyon with its 15 to 100 m wide and hundreds of meters high walls. At the end of the canyon our vehicle awaits us and we drive to Cukurbag village. In the late afternoon it is possible to visit the village itself where we taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea, known as cay, in the local tea house. We spend the night at a small family run village pension, where we in the evening also enjoy our dinner with typical country cuisines; taste traditional and authentic Turkish dishes.

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; ascent: 200m; descent: 500m

  ON: in Cukurbag village at a family run pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Drive 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 head out to visit fascinating three fairy chimneys of Uc Guzeller, one of the most famous natural beauties and symbols of Cappadocia.

  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 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 national park to Cappadocia via Derinkuyu)

  ON: in Cappadocia at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  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.

  Hiking, culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel to Akvadi valley, Cavusin village, Pasabaglari & Zelve monastery valley

  We 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 hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  World heritage Cappadocia

  Hiking, culture & sightseeing: Kiliclar (sword) valley & Goreme open air museum, Meskendir & red valley sunset

  We 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 8^th and 9^th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10^th and 11^th 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 hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• 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 - Kayseri)

  Meals:   B / - / -