Cappadocia, Call of the Hidden Valleys

A week of self-guided walking in the heart of Cappadocia: iconic valleys, fairy chimneys, underground cities, monasteries and rock-cut churches, staying in two charming village guesthouses.

Whether you love history, nature or simply the joy of discovery, Cappadocia is a collection of artworks drawn by a magical artist whose talents exceed human imagination — and that extraordinary architect is Nature itself. Secret valleys, panoramic plateaus, fairy chimneys, villages carved into the tuff and rock-cut churches make up a truly unique setting for an unforgettable self-guided journey. Travel when you want, with whom you want and at your own pace, on an itinerary designed and tested by our guides.

CODE AA-CAP-02

7 days · Level 3/5

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Kayseri – Cappadocia — Arrival at Kayseri. Airport welcome and transfer to Cappadocia towards Mustafapasa (Sinasos), a village with a Greek face, inhabited by Orthodox Greeks until 1923. One of the region's loveliest villages, with old-stone charm and a madrasa now converted into a university. Check-in for three nights in a guesthouse in Mustafapasa. Transfer: 1 hr.
  2. Mazi underground city – Keslik monastery – Golgoli cave dwellings – Mustafapasa — Transfer to the Mazi underground city, a former cave complex with narrow passages and rooms carved into the tuff. Then the Keslik monastery (10th c.), recalling the life of early Christian monks. Picnic in the Golgoli cave dwellings, each home carved like a nest in the tuff. Return to Mustafapasa through apricot orchards and vineyards. Elevation: +240 m / -160 m. 4–5 hrs walking. Transfer: 45 min total.
  3. Gömede valley – Ortahisar rock peak – Mustafapasa — Departure through the Gömede valley, full of monasteries, rock dwellings and huge dovecotes carved into the cliffs. Late-afternoon arrival at Ortahisar (the 'middle tower'), crowned by a rock fortress. Return to Mustafapasa. Elevation: +130 m / -180 m. 5 hrs walking. Transfer: 30 min.
  4. Meskendir valley – Red and Rose valleys – Çavusin — Transfer to Ortahisar, then first steps in the secret Meskendir valley crossed by small tunnels. Walk to Güllüdere and Kizilcukur, the legendary Rose and Red valleys, in red tones lit by white streaks, at the foot of the Bozdag plateau. Typical lunch in the heart of the Red valley. Late-day visit to the old village of Çavusin, a former pilgrimage centre dedicated to St John the Baptist. Check-in for three nights in a guesthouse in Çavusin. Elevation: +210 m / -325 m. 5–6 hrs walking.
  5. White valley – Uçhisar – Pigeon valley – Göreme – Swords valley — Departure via Akvadi, the White valley bristling with fairy chimneys of pure white tuff. Arrival at Uçhisar village and climb to the castle top for a panoramic view over Cappadocia. After lunch, a beautiful walk to Güvercinlik, the Pigeon valley, then Göreme and its famous open-air site. Return to Çavusin via the Swords valley. Elevation: +370 m / -370 m. 5 hrs walking.
  6. Bozdag plateau – Pasabag fairy chimneys – Çavusin — A magnificent stage on a balcony trail circling the Bozdag plateau and reaching its summit, with a panoramic view over all of Cappadocia. Descent through the Zelve valley to the Pasabag fairy chimneys ('the master's vines'), with their near-perfect conical shapes. Return to Çavusin at the end of the day. Elevation: +340 m / -340 m. 5–6 hrs walking.
  7. Kayseri – return flight — Transfer (1 hr, at your own expense) to Kayseri airport and return flight.

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