Guide

Tour leader throughout

Accommodation

This is a centre-based adventure and the duration is spent either at the Sobek Stone House or the Dreams Cave Hotel. Sobek Stone House This 29-room property is on the edge of Göreme with great views of the hot-air balloons ascending in the distance each morning. There is an outdoor and indoor swimming pool and terrace bar for further relaxation. Dreams Cave Hotel The Dreams Cave Hotel is a small, boutique property nestled among the magnificent rock formations of Cappadocia, set at the foot of Ortahisar Castle. The rooms are in a structure that was used as cave houses for hundreds of years, which have been fully restored but are still in keeping with the original architecture. Worth knowing In 2024, Sobek Stone House is used for the 28 September departure dates. The Dreams Cave Hotel is used for the 7 September, 14 September, 5 October and 19 October departure dates. In 2025, Sobek Stone House is used for the 19 April, 3 May, 14 June and 5 July departure dates. The Dreams Cave Hotel is used for the 26 April, 24 May, 23 August, 6 September, 13 September, 4 October and 11 October departure dates.

Transport

Transport for the transfers are in an air-conditioned mini- or midi-bus, depending on the size of the group. Please note, baggage allowance is 33lb (15kg) for checked in bag and 17.5lb (8kg) for cabin bags on domestic flights.

Meals

All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners included. Typical meals: Breakfast: A selection of tea, coffee, bread, butter, jam, cheese, olives, cucumber, tomatoes and yoghurt. Lunch and dinner: Often a buffet with several freshly cooked dishes. Kebabs are, of course, found everywhere. Turkish cuisine is diverse and there is usually something to please everyone. Vegetarians are generally well catered for as many Turkish dishes are based on vegetables and dairy products. Please note, in Turkey the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home. Drinks are not included with meals (except breakfast) as a wide variety is normally available and this allows you greater choice. Mineral water, excellent fruit juices, beer and wine are generally available at a reasonable price. Tea (usually taken in small glasses) is cheap, and so is Turkish coffee (strong, taken in small cups). European instant coffee and spirits can be more expensive.

Not included:

Insurance

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Balloon ride. Pre-booked but paid locally

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Cappadocia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Cappadocia

There are no activities planned today so you are free to arrive in Cappadocia at any time. In the evening, our guide holds a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.
Day 2 Day 2: Trek Through Akvadi (White Valley); Visit Uchisar Citadel, The Highest Point In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Trek Through Akvadi (White Valley); Visit Uchisar Citadel, The Highest Point In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Today’s trek takes us through the Akvadi. Eroded over time, this fascinating valley presents curious rock formations and fairytale chimneys that wouldn’t look out of place in a Salvador Dalí painting. If we are lucky, we may spot wildlife such as the beautiful hoopoe (with its distinctive call) or a Eurasian fox along the way. After approximately three hours of walking, we arrive at Uchisar village, where we take lunch in a local restaurant before climbing the citadel embedded into the rock above. From here, we are rewarded with a spectacular view of the surreal landscape. In the afternoon, we follow a path that leads us to the Guvercinlik (or Pigeon Valley), where pigeons are encouraged to roost so the local people can collect their droppings to use as fertiliser. We then continue to the town of Goreme.
Day 3 Day 3: Optional Balloon Ride; Walk To Zemi Valley And Through Gomeda Valley; Afternoon To Explore Mustafapaşa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Optional Balloon Ride; Walk To Zemi Valley And Through Gomeda Valley; Afternoon To Explore Mustafapaşa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

This morning is our chance to take part in the most iconic activity in Cappadocia – an early morning hot-air balloon ride – then we have a short transfer before we start our trek in Zemi Valley. The path leads us through orchards and mesmerising tunnels to a panoramic viewpoint, where we meet our bus and drive to Ayvalı. In the afternoon, we have a short walk through the Gomeda Valley from Ayvalı to Mustafapaşa village, where we stop for tea in a cafe. Mustafapaşa used to be one of the richest towns in Anatolia until the 1924 population exchange, which forced the Greeks living in Turkey to move to Greece and vice versa. You can spot the Greek influence in some of the architecture. In the afternoon, there is time to explore this village before returning to our hotel. Max altitude: 3,775ft (1,150m)
Day 4 Day 4: Explore The Beautiful Rock Formations Of The Pancarlik And Kizilcukur (Red) Valleys (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Explore The Beautiful Rock Formations Of The Pancarlik And Kizilcukur (Red) Valleys (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

After breakfast, we transfer to the beautiful Pancarlik Valley. Smooth surfaces on the rockface undulate like waves, while the pastel colours intertwined with vineyards and cultivated gardens add colour to this extraordinary landscape. It is also possible to spot Sarica and Kepez churches ingrained into the rock chimneys that rise from the ground. After lunch, we head through the Kizilcukur Valley, also known as the Red Valley, for the dramatic sunset. Among the network of paths that connect the small villages of this valley, we visit some of the churches that pepper the area, ending our walk in the village of Cavusin before returning to our hotel. Max altitude: 3,940ft (1,200m)
Day 5 Day 5: Walk Through Pasabaglari (Monk’S) Valley; Trek Up Bozdag, The Highest Point In The Area For Stunning Views (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Walk Through Pasabaglari (Monk’S) Valley; Trek Up Bozdag, The Highest Point In The Area For Stunning Views (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Our trek takes us through Pasabaglari, formerly known as Monk’s Valley. Here it is possible to see the dwellings of the hermits of Cappadocia, who distanced themselves from the world by carving abodes high up in the rock chimneys, using foot holes and ropes to climb in. Inside, these dwellings are surprisingly spacious with some rooms hollowed out to around 50ft (15m) high. Once through the valley, we head up to Bozdag, the highest point in Cappadocia, for outstanding views. Max altitude: 4,265ft (1,300m)
Day 6 Day 6: Visit The Underground City Of Kaymakli; Afternoon Walk Through The Ihlara Valley, The Deepest, Longest Canyon In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Visit The Underground City Of Kaymakli; Afternoon Walk Through The Ihlara Valley, The Deepest, Longest Canyon In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

In the morning, we transfer to the underground city of Kaymakli, built by early Christians to avoid religious persecution. This fascinating construction is an elaborate system of tunnels and caves, featuring everything from communal living spaces and kitchens to stables, a church and graveyard, not to mention being fortified to protect the inhabitants. We then drive to the village of Selime, where we begin our walk, following the Melendiz River until we reach Belisirma, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we head down the Ihlara Valley, the deepest and longest valley in the region, passing Byzantine monasteries and churches that date to the 11th century, before arriving back in Cappadocia. Max altitude: 4,265ft (1,300m)
Day 7 Day 7: Walk Along The Zindanonu Valley Passing The Goreme Open-Air Museum With Carved Caves And Byzantine Frescoes (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Walk Along The Zindanonu Valley Passing The Goreme Open-Air Museum With Carved Caves And Byzantine Frescoes (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Our last day takes us through the Zindanonu Valley and up onto a viewpoint of the town of Goreme and the Goreme Open-Air Museum. The Goreme Valley itself holds some of the finest collections of painted cave churches in the region. Around 1000 CE to 1200 CE, orthodox monks carved places of worship from the soft volcanic stone and decorated them with elaborate Byzantine frescoes, many of which are still intact today. The late afternoon is then free to unwind after a truly memorable week. Max altitude: 4,265ft (1,300m)
Day 8 Day 8: End Cappadocia (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Cappadocia (Breakfast)

Our adventure ends after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

8 days tour

Walking In Cappadocia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking In Cappadocia

Day 1: Start Cappadocia

Day 2: Trek Through Akvadi (White Valley); Visit Uchisar Citadel, The Highest Point In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: Optional Balloon Ride; Walk To Zemi Valley And Through Gomeda Valley; Afternoon To Explore Mustafapaşa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: Explore The Beautiful Rock Formations Of The Pancarlik And Kizilcukur (Red) Valleys (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 5: Walk Through Pasabaglari (Monk’S) Valley; Trek Up Bozdag, The Highest Point In The Area For Stunning Views (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 6: Visit The Underground City Of Kaymakli; Afternoon Walk Through The Ihlara Valley, The Deepest, Longest Canyon In Cappadocia (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 7: Walk Along The Zindanonu Valley Passing The Goreme Open-Air Museum With Carved Caves And Byzantine Frescoes (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 8: End Cappadocia (Breakfast)

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