CAPPADOCIA & TAURUS TREKKING
A few days are spent hiking or warming-up in the fantastically eroded valleys of Cappadocia. After that we’ll embark on a challenging and adventurous 7-day trek through the Taurus Mountains towards the rich and fertile plains of southern Turkey. But first we discover the uniqueness of Cappadocia. In the summertime it’s real joy to walk through this amazing area. There are wild flowers everywhere; isolated gardens that abound with fruit and vegetables, and you’ll be thrilled at the Salvador Dali-like landscapes of the remote valleys. We follow old paths to visit the rock-cut churches, monasteries and cave dwelling, all of which are set against a textured moonscape of bizarre volcanic erosions. At night we may camp at the rock churches and caves, just as the locals and Christian hermits used to do in the distant past. After our short warm-up in Cappadocia, we’re ready to tackle a week’s moderate to strenuous trekking through mighty Taurus range passing glistening mountain lakes. An intricate topography of lofty gorges and compact valleys make this part of the Taurus (knows as the Aladağlar) a very attractive challenge to rock climbers and trekkers like ourselves. The powerful “horseshoe-like” limestone massif is almost naked of trees on its high northern elevations, while on the southern flocks there are majestic slopes of pinescented forests and verdant open scrubland. Early in the season, come prepared for some snow on the higher passes. The high meadows or pastures are inhabited by semi-nomadic groups during the summer months of June to September – in particular, by the yörük ,who are Turkoman in origin and whose traditional occupation is grazing their goats and sheep. They have inherited the ancient customs and way of life of the steppes of central Asia. We may encounter them in their temporary summer yaylas (high mountain pastures).
LAND ONLY ITINERARY:
Note: There may be some variation to the basic route, depending on weather and local conditions, and the interest s of the group.
DAY 1: Kayseri or Nevsehir – drive to Ihlara –
Arrive to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport. Drive to Ihlara – Check-in at hotel. Dinner and overnight hotel in Ihlara.
DAY 2: Ihlara canyon drive to Goreme visit Kaymakli underground city – Cappadocia
In the morning transfer to Ihlara valley, we start our walk from Ihlara to Belisirma village. Ihlara valley in the spring and summer there are wild flowers everywhere together with isolated gardens that abound with fruit and vegetables all surrounded by the lunar landscape of the remote valleys. Many of the frescos in the rock-cut churches are in excellent condition. We will have our lunch in a restaurant and the continue our walk afterenon through Belisirma to Selime.Village at the beginning of the Ihlara valley. This canyon was created by the fractures and collapses of the cooling lava of basalt and and origin from the volcano Hasan. transfer to Cappadocia region , on the road we will visit underground city. Overnight hotel in Capapdocia. 4-5 hrs walk
Starting altitude (approx) Ihlara (1250m)
– Highest point (approx) (1250m)
– Ending altitude (approx) (1150m)
– Type of terrain (eg whether walk is straight up a hill and down the other side or goes up and down with highest point near to the end of the day)
well beaten level trail with occasional short ups and downs.
- Walking time eg how much walking the client do in total (approx) in hours 5 hours. , around 13 km
Day 3. Walk up Bozdag mountain – Walk in Zemi Valley –
Today we explore the area around Cavusin. In the morning we have the opportunity to walk up Bozdag mountain (4 hours); the highest point in Cappadoccia for fine views over the area. we start our walking through Zemi valley and reaching to the Swords Valley (Kiliclar) is located near Goreme, named after the swords like fairy chimney formations. The valley is also one most popular places to see in Cappadocia where you can explore and enjoy the best rock and pari chimney formations.In the afternoon we visit to the Goreme Open air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the best-known site in the region. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to 13th centuries and many of them are built on an inscribed cross-plan with a central cupola supported by four columns. The first settlements in the area were founded after the missionary journeys of St. Paul in the year AD 53. The soft rocks were hollowed out for different purposes. The museum also contains many of the rock churches. Overnight hotel
Day 4: Akvadi /Uchisar visit Uchisar castle- Guvercinlik
We trek thorough the Akvadi (white valley) eroded so perfectly by time, rain and wind during centuries. On our way following a seasonal river, many strange curious rock formations and fairy chimneys round us. If we are lucky we can also see some wild birds.(like hoopoe) and some wild animals(like fox). In 3h walk our way gets us up to Uchisar village where we have lunch break in a restaurant. Uchisar village is settled around a high promoter, which is called citadel. We visit it walking to the top where we have rewarding panoramic view on all the surrealist cappadoccia area.the lunch will be at house of Memories reataurant. In the afternoon we follow a path to the Guvercinlik (pigeon valley). The piginaries are really very holy for Moslem people because of the Koran (holy book of Islam) and prophet Mohammed. Local people of the region use pigeon’s fertiliser for their vine fields. The path will take us to Goreme town. Overnight hotel .5 h walk
Starting altitude (approx) Akvadi (White Valley) (1050 m)
– Highest point (approx) Uchisar Castle (1400 m)
– Ending altitude (approx) Goreme (1050 m)
– Type of terrain (eg whether walk is straight up a hill and down the other side or goes up and down with highest point near to the end of the day) well beaten trails first up to Uchisar Castle via Akvadi Valley (White Valley) and then down to Goreme via Pigeon Valley.
– Walking time eg how much walking the client do in total (approx) in hours (5 hours) , around 12 km
DAY 5: Cappadocıa – Taurus Mountain
This morning we’ll drive to Çukurbağ village. On arrival in Çukurbağ, the trailhead village, we begin our Trans-Taurus Trek with a 2 hours hike to Emli valley. Overnight camp with all meals.
Ascent = 200 m – Descent = 0 m.
DAY 6: Emli – Sokulupınar : (2000 m)
Departing our campsite we ascend the Emli Valley, before climbing up again to the high pastures of the Eznevit yaylası (2538 m). Depending on the time of year, we may encounter the semi nomads of this area grazing their flocks. After lunch we gradually descend to our campsite at Sokulupınar (2000 m). About 6-7 hours walking. Overnight camp with all meals.
Ascent = 688 m – Descent = 538 m.
DAY 7: Sokulupınar – Cımbar canyon
The day is to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the northern face of Mount Demirkazık (3756 m). More impressive scenery as we trek through the impressive Cimbar Canyon. We pause in the Demirkazık village (1550m) for a while to absorb the scenery and have lunch-break in a village house. We’ll contact with the habitants of the village whose lifestyle hasn’t change for centuries. It may be possible to observe some women spinning wool and working on their looms. We return to Sokulupınar camp site on a footpath. 5 hours walking. Overnight camp with all meals
Ascent = Descent = 450 m
DAY 8: Sokulupınar – Yedigöller (Seven lakes) : 3020 m.
We start trekking south in earnest along the Yalak Deresi trail to a narrow canyon with spring water. Then cross the rugged Çelikbuyduran Pass (3450 m) to Yedigöller plateau (Seven lakes) at 3020 m. While we’re here we expect to meet a family of friendly nomads who inhabit this valley during the summer months and whose black goat-hair tents are usually pitched close to our camp. We may be invited to join them for some traditional “ayran” a refreshing yoghurt based drink. Night fire will be arranged. About 6-7 hours walking. 2 nights camping with all meals (3020 m).
Ascent = 1450 m – Descent = 430 m.
DAY 9: Yedigöller Basin: (Optional Mt. EMBLER) 3723 m.
The day is free to enjoy the scenery and unique setting, or for optional walks in the area. You may take the opportunity to ascend Mount Embler at 3723 m (sometimes also called Engin Tepe) This is a non-technical 4-5 hours round trip, but does demand some scrambling and is considered moderate to strenuous. The views at the top, however offer a magnificent reward with a vista towards the southern face of Mount Demirkazık Overnight camp with all meals.
Ascent = Descent = 703 m.
Day 10: Yedigoller (seven lakes)- Comce lake –
We have a beautiful walk to Comcegolu (lake) and we contuinue thourgh the Akcay valley summer pastures and walk up to Tekkekalesi pass .our picnic will be in picnic pocket during the mountain. After we have our picnic lunch we go down to our campsite at Comce gol. During our trek About 6-7 hours walking. Camp will be at 2550m. Ascent = 650 m – Descent = 180 m
DAY 11: Comce lake – Maden valley
Today we begin our trek down towards Karagol lake , where the hardly can enjoy a well earned swim. Fritillaries and Grape hyacinths abound here in July. The energetic may like to continue up past the lake towards Sigirasan pass, for superb views of Dipsizgöl and the north face of Demirkazık peak. Overnight at camp. 1900m on Maden valley. Overnight camp with all meals.
Ascent = 0m – Descent = 650 m.
DAY 12: Maden valley – Cappadocia – BLD
In the morning we will walk through Maden valley 2hrs, picnic in the camp for lunch and then transfer to Cappadocia. Free programme in the afternoon. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 13: Nevsehir – Home
DAY 14: Home
Morning transfer to Airport fly home.
Tour Reviews
Nec faucibus placerat ullamcorper parturient Tortor malesuada hendrerit placerat consectetuer senectus rutrum montes habitant feugiat habitant fusce ornare aptent class.
Leave a Review