Cappadocian Valleys

Peculiar rock formations, painted rock-cut churches, vast colored valleys, multistorey underground cities and water streams running between green rocky cliffs. This is Cappadocia and this is the best way to explore it.

Turkey

Trip Days 6

Hiking Hours 5 Hrs/Day

Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the center of Christian life during the 8-11th centuries with its beautiful frescoes.

Delve underground to see and experience how people lived for centuries in the underground city of Derinkuyu.

Hike in flower-filled fields with tall trees surrounding you.

Discover the strange but colorful hues of the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.

Day 1 Welcome to Cappadocia (D)

After our arrival at Nevşehir Airport, we will be transferred from the airport by traveling for approximately 30 mins to the Cappadocia region, checking in at your hotel, and dinner.

Accommodation: Kirkit Hotel

Day 2 Valley of Gomeda, the Monastery of Pancarlik, Village Ortahisar

We’ll hike down the Gomeda and Üzengi valleys with its churches and multi-layer dovecotes. The Gomeda Valley is very picturesque, and rich in rock houses, birdhouses, and rock arches. We will approach to the water springs rich in iron and sulfur and explore the Kepez, Sarica, and Pancarlik churches. By following the Valley of Balcan, we’ll reach Ortahisar, famous for its natural fortress towering above the town. If you make the effort of climbing to the fortress, you will be amply rewarded by the stunning views from the peak. The panorama of the valley of Balcan and the majestic volcano Erciyes.

Picnic for lunch. 5 hours of hiking

Day 3 Zemi Valley, Görkündere Valley (B,L,D)

Free time in the morning. In the afternoon, a short transfer to climb above the village of Göreme. Hiking in the magnificent valleys of Zemi (Gemildere), Görkündere to the village of Göreme. Return to the hotel.

3 hours of hiking.

Optional activity in the morning: Canoeing in the Red River

Day 4 Bağlıdere (White and Love Valley), Red Valley and Rose Valley (B,L,D)

Descent through the Bağlıdere valley with its huge fairy chimneys, also known as the valley of Love. The valleys of Kızılçukur (Red) and Güllüdere (Rose) with their extraordinary lunar landscapes, in search of hidden Byzantine rock churches; such as the church with Columns, the church with Cross. Arrival at Çavuşin village with its impressive rock cliff. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Lunch break in a restaurant. 5 hours of hiking

Day 5 Underground city, Ihlara Canyon and Selime Monastery (B,L,D)

Our vehicle takes us to the underground city of Derinkuyu, 8 floors deep. From the village of Ihlara (1350 m), hike to the bottom of the longest canyon in all of Cappadocia, carved out by the Melendiz River. The high walls of this canyon are home to a hundred rock churches adorned with magnificent Byzantine frescoes. In the middle of lush vegetation, we can admire basalt rocks, then a forest of fairy chimneys in the village of Selime. Visit of the monastery. Return to hotel and dinner.

Lunch break in a restaurant. 3 hours of hiking.

Day 6 Departure (B)

Free time after breakfast according to flight time to Istanbul. Transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir airport. And flight back to home.

Weather

The best time to go to Cappadocia is from the end of April to June and September and October. During these months the days are warm, the nights are cool, and there is little threat of rain.

Accommodation

We will spend 5 nights in Kirkit Hotel, Located in Avanos, this cave hotel is less than 9 km from Göreme. It offers rooms with free WiFi, and has a restaurant that serves traditional cuisine. Rooms at the Kirkit Hotel have stone walls and wooden furnishings,some of which is antique. They include a private bathroom with a shower. Some rooms have balconies with views of the Kizilirmak River.

Food

During the trip we will try some delicious Turkish and Mediterranean food such as Doner, Kebap and Ayran.

Hiking

The hike itself is moderate but it requires a reasonable fitness level. Expect to be hiking around 4-5 hours daily. The trip is also appropriate for children if they are fit enough.