Cappadocia and Taurus Trek

The Cappadocia region has one of the strangest and most surreal landscapes on Earth. Violent eruptions of the volcanoes Erciyes (3916 m) and Hasan (3268 m) covered the plateau with lava and volcanic ash but three million years of erosion by wind and water has created monumental rock formations that could not have been designed by the wildest of artists. But it is not an area of volcanic blackness, as the landscape reflects a blend of warm reds and gold and cool greens and greys. Cappadocia is not only a wonder of Nature. Man has also left his mark on the region and we will explore cave dwellings, churches, monasteries and underground cities cut from the rock at the beginning of Christianity. On this tour you will experience a fantastic side of nature that no description can do justice. Staying in local guesthouses, and with insights from our knowledgeable guides, you will begin to feel part of this magical environment.

Situated in its centre, the Aladağlar is the most important massif of the Taurus range. Made of limestone, it presents a particular geology responsible for the interesting rock formations and amazing waterfalls. Its peak reaches 3756 meters high.

Hike in an attractive topography, meet the local populations and share with them their old traditions are some of the highlights of this trip.

Day 1: Istanbul

Meet at the airport with our Anatolia Cultura Travel team and join the hotel.
Night in hotel.

Day 2: Istanbul -  Fly to Cappadocia

Set between two continents, link between Europe and Asia, Istanbul was known as Constantinople until the beginning of the 19th century. Successively Capital of many empires, each civilisation marked it with its own monuments.
Free day for visit by walking in this city rich with monument.
In the evening fly to Cappadocia and get to the hotel/pension for the night.

Day 3: Ihlara valley -  Göreme.

Our first day of walking takes us through the Ihlara Valley where we visit beautiful orthodox Christian churches with well-preserved frescos dating from the 6th to the 12th Century. The valley is also rich with flora due to the presence of water. After lunch in the village of Belisirma we continue walking to the village of Selime before driving to Derinkuyu where we visit the incredible underground city which descends 8 floors under ground (57m). We then continue to Göreme for the night.

Day 4: Akvadi and Guvercinlik valley, Uçhisar village > Goreme (6 hrs walking)

We walk in the Goreme and pigeon valleys, named due to the numerous pigeon houses built in the 18th century. From the village of Uchisar we climb to a superb lookout point, known as ‘the fortress’ giving a spectacular view over the Cappadocia area. After lunch we follow the Akvadi valley with it’s fruit gardens and vineyards, then arrive to Goreme. Night in pension.

Day 5: Pasabaglar and Kizilçukur (Red valley) (4 – 6 hrs walking)

We walk along the Pasabag or priest and Kizilcukur valleys also known as ‘red valley’, with its beautiful red coloured earth that has been sculpted by the elements over the millennia. Our walk today takes us through the extraordinary landscape with its many cave dwellings and frescoed churches. We follow the valley to Cavusin one of the first Christian settlements with its rock hewn church dedicated to St John the baptist with its impressive fresco of Salome dancing for Herodes king.
Night in Goreme.

Day 6: Cappaocia Taurus: Çömçe Lake (2650 m) Walk: 5 h

After breakfast we leave Cappadocia for a drive of 2,5 hours till Taurus range. Following the Maden gorge we hike up following a rive bed to join our base camp at 2650 m at the point called Çömçe. Overnight and dinner at the campsite.

Day 7: Trek -  Yedigöller. Walk: 5 h

Walking up to the mount Tekekalesi (3200 m) with a magnificent view on the plateau of Yedigöller. Picnic and rest pause at the edge of a lake. Trek on until Yedigöller (3050 m). Installation of tents close to nomads' camp.

Day 8: Yedigoller:  resting day

We suggest you a resting day at this magnificent place. Depending on the season we should have possibility to have a contact with the nomads of the area coming here in the hot season to raise ther sheep. Possibility also to have a refreshing swim at one of the numerous lakes of the area. Dinner and overnight at campsite.

Day 9: Taurus: Trek -  Mount Embler (3723 m) -  Sokullupinar ( 2000 m). Walk: 5/6 h

(Easy) Ascension of the (optional) Mount Embler giving a panoramic view on all the Taurus range. Descent in the pass of Çelikbuyduran (3450 m) and picnic nearby a spring of cool water. Splendid descent across the valley of Karayalak dominated by Demirkazik (3756 m), main summit of Taurus. Installation of the camp in the basic camp of Sokullupinar. Dinner and overnight at campsite.

Day 11: Trek -  Sokullupinar -  Lake Dipsiz -  Cimbar -  Sokullupinar. Walk: 6 h.

Departure of the walking towards the pasture of the of the Arpalik plateau (2350 m), which gives a pretty view on the valley of Camardi. We make one path-return in the valley of Cimbar until (3000 m). Return to the camp of Sokullupinar. Dinner and overnight at campsite

Day 12: Trek -  Sokullupinar - Emli valley (on 1900 m). Walk: 6 h.

Departure by a nice track which takes us up progressively on the Eznevit plateau (2500 m). Depending of the season and if we are lucky , we shall have the opportunity to meet the semi-nomads who go up in altitude in period of transhumance.
Descent down to the forest of Siyirmalik (2200 m),  then across the forest down to the campsite installed (1800 m) in the valley of Emli. Dinner and overnight at campsite.

Day 13: Trek Emli Valley;  Alaca Plateau

Today is an optional day. Tho se who wish to have a rest day can spend the day at the campsite.
We walk through the Mangirci valley to ascend the Alaca plateau (2450 m). This place is used during summer time, when water springs are avalaible, by sheepheards and their families.
There is here the possibility to hipe up until one of the summits reaching 3000 m.
Return back to the campsite by a different way.
5/6 hours walk.

Day 14: Trek> Emli valley – Çukurbag village (1550 m) Transfer> Istanbul Walk: 3 h.

We leave the campsite walking until the road where we join ou bus to drive to Kayseri airport for a flight to Istanbul wehere we spend the night.

Day 15: Istanbul / Return

Drive to the airport for the return flight.