Bike Trip in Cappadocia
Three millions years ago Violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes (3916m) and Mount Hasan (3300m) covered the surrounding plateau of Cappadocia with tuff, a soft stone comprised of lava, ash and mud. The wind and rain have eroded this brittle rock and created a surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines, in colours that range from warm reds and golds to cool greens and greys. Goreme is one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend into the natural surrounding. During Byzantine times chapels and monasteries were hollowed out of the rock, their ochre-toned frescoes reflecting the hues of the surrounding landscape. Even today troglodyte dwellings in rock cones and village houses of volcanic tufa merge harmoniously into the landscape. Cappadocia is also natural wonders and unique area in the world with its history. We bike, exploring the surreal landforms of the Goreme valleys and enjoying the colourful blaze. Following ancient pathways we visit the strange rock cut churches and monasteries carved from the soft volcanic tuff.
Itinerary: 8 days
Day 1 Arrive to Kayseri airport – Capapdocia
Arrive at Kayseri or Nevșehir Airport, take private transfer to Cave Hotel in Göreme
DAY 2 GÖREME VALLEYS. Görkündere – Sword Valley – Meskendir Valley – Red Valey – Rose Valley – Balcony Trail -Cavușin – Love Valley – Göreme
Start the day in Göreme at 9:00am. After breakfast, short ride to Gorkündere, a scenic valley full of fair chimneys.
Next we go to Sword Valley, home to many abandoned rock-cut churches, historical homes, fruit gardens and vineyards.
Cycle through extraordinary Meskendir Valley, then Red and Rose Valleys, visiting the iconic Columned and Cross Churches. There we can provide a short lecture on how early Christianity flourished in Cappadocia.Take Balcony Trail single track which provides epic panoramic views of the many valleys.Continue cycling among horse ranches to Cavușin, a small and old historical town.After lunch, short trip to Cavușin Castle and an abandoned old cave house, which provides insight into historical life in Cappadocia.Next we bike to Love Valley, immersing ourselves in its fantastical landscapes and fairy chimneys, before taking dirt roads to end the day in Göreme. Level/Duration: Easy-Moderate/ 35 KM
DAY 3 Uchisar – Göreme – Sword Valley – Çavușin – Pașabağ – Zelve – Avanos –Open air Museum
After breakfast depart Göreme for Uçhisar Town Start cycling at Uçhisar Town, journey on a ride through the fruit gardens and farmland of Pigeon Valley with panoramic views until we reach Göreme Open Air Museum
Explore Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of Cappadocia. Feature include rock-cut churches, chapels, and monasteries with well-preserved frescoes dating back to the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries. Continue cycling through Sword Valley until Çavușin for a live pottery making workshop/ atelier. Ride on sandy dirt-roads though Monks Valley to Pașabağ. Pașabağ is known for its double- headed fairy chimneys, mushroom-shaped rock formations and luscious vegetation. Ride past river Kızılırmak (Halys) to Güray Museum to understand the ceramic artwork of Cappadocia
Level/Duration: Easy-Moderate/ 38 KM
DAY 4 OLD TOWNS OF CAPPADOCIA / Göreme – Uchisar – İbrahimpasha – Balkan Valley – Ortahisar – Uzengi Valley – Gomeda Valley – Mustafapasha
Start the day in Göreme, a central town in Cappadocia renowned for its cave dwellings, unique rock formations and rock-cut churches and monasteriesShort bike ride to panoramic view point of Love Valley. Then we have a small hike through Love Valley, among its fantastical landscapes and scenic fairy chimneys.Bike to Uçhisar, past fertile lands, fruit trees, vineyards and breathtaking views of surrounding landscape.Explore Uçhisar, it has an extraordinary multicultural history and rock castles that have witnessed the presence of Hittites, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman civilizations.
Break at local cafe with panoramic views of Pigeon Valley.Option for leisurely walk through Pigeon Valley, named after its countless pigeon houses carved into the rocks From there we cycle past farms and fruit gardens and descend into İbrahimpașa town, where we will explore well-preserved Greek and Ottoman-era houses.
After lunch we cycle to Ortahisar Town and stroll through its narrow streets, cave houses, and visit the prominent rock formation castle with panoramic views. Finally cycle through magnificent Üzengi and Gomeda vallyes to reach Mustafapașa (Sinasos) town. Explore and dine in Mustafapașa town, an area with rich history that reflects the cultural and architectural heritage of Cappadocia. (Transfer will be arranged for luggage from Göreme to Mustafapasha hotel).
Level/Duration: Easy-moderate/43 KM Accommodation: Cave Hotel in Mustafapasha
DAY 5 Kavak – Mazı – Derbentbașı – Bașköy (Kavasos) – Güzelöz – Soğanlı
Have breakfast and take 10 minute transfer to Kavak village.
Start cycling at Kavak village through beautiful lands and witness rural and agricultural practices in the region.
Reach Mazı Underground City after 1 hour of cycling, explore the marvelous architecture. After that cycle through Derbentbașı village, a green and rockey valley then connects us to Bașköy (Kavasos), an abandoned Greek Village.
Ride through trees, villages and asphalt road until we reach Soğanlı.
Lunch at local restaurant in Soğanlı.. Level/Duration: Easy-moderate/ 37 KM
Day 6 : Goreme -cavusin-pasabagları – Avanos- sarıhıdır village -Goreme
We go on the our biking tour from bottom side of Kizilcukur valley direction of Cavusin village , Kızılcukur valley sometimes known as the ‘’red hole’’ Kızılcukur is probably the hottest valley in region. Hidden in its array of fairy chimneys is Visiting Cavuşin village which lies on top of a collapsed section of early Christian cave city. Arrive to pasabag after stop for to see secenarry we continue bike to Avonos town. We will stop for lunch here .This town is famous with pottery and hand craft at the corner of Kizilirmak (red –river). After lunch we will contuniue bike to Sarıhıdır village from Farm Tractor road at the corner of red river here secenarry is siplendid this road is used also for horse drivers. About 10km . Here we join our whicle for short transfer to Goreme village . Overnight pension . total bike about 26 km bike .
DAY 7 BIKE and HIKE in IHLARA VALLEY
After breakfast we cycle among the old village houses and churches in Güzelyurt which date back to early Christianity.
Pass through rocky and sandy roads to reach Analipsis Church. Explore churches and enjoy breathtaking views.
Reach Ihlara Valley for lunch after cycling among villages and fertile lands, lunch is by the Melendiz River in the Canyon.Explore and hike through serene Ihlara Valley. It’s a stunning canyon formed by the Melendiz River known for its natural beauty, rock-cut churches and hiking trails. Enjoy views of fairy chimney, and lush greenery.
Finish hike and take vehicle transfer to hotel.Home-cooked dinner in Güzelyurt.
Easy-moderate/ Cycling: 30 km, Hiking: 7 KM
Day 8 : Home B
Transfer to the airport and fly home.
Grade : II
Limit : 6 – 16 persons
Season : April – December
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