Cappadocia & Taurus, from fairy chimneys to the Aladağlar

An 8-day trek linking the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia to the wild gorges of the Taurus Mountains (Aladağlar), through mineral landscapes, cave villages and spectacular canyons.

Cappadocia & Taurus, from fairy chimneys to the Aladağlar

From Cappadocia to the Taurus Mountains, this journey combines two worlds: the famous fairy chimneys and colourful valleys of Cappadocia, then the wild, alpine atmosphere of the Aladağlar massif. Progressive hikes, authentic villages and Anatolian hospitality shape this accessible trip.

CODE AA-CTA-01

8 days · Level 3/5

Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.

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Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Arrival in Kayseri

    Welcome at Kayseri airport and transfer to the hotel (20 min). Depending on arrival time, a free first glimpse of the city and its Anatolian atmosphere. Overnight at the hotel. Meals on your own.

  2. Kayseri – Avanos – Zelve – Paşabağ – Çavuşin

    Drive to Cappadocia and the village of Avanos, famous for its pottery. Free time and lunch. In the early afternoon, hike through the Zelve valley (former troglodyte monastic site), then Paşabağ and its famous fairy chimneys. A gentle walk through unique volcanic landscapes to Çavuşin village. Walking 2-3h, +131 m / -122 m. Transfer 1h20.

  3. Gorkün Valley – Göreme – Uçhisar – White Valley – Çavuşin

    A day's hike through preserved valleys. From the Gorkün valley, visit the beautiful village of Göreme, then continue to Uçhisar, crowned by its natural fortress offering a remarkable panorama. The walk continues in the White Valley, famous for its erosion-sculpted formations. Return to Çavuşin. Walking 5-6h, +373 m / -413 m. Transfer 20 min.

  4. Ortahisar – Meskendir – Güllüdere – Kızılçukur (Red Valley)

    Visit the village of Ortahisar, dominated by its impressive rocky peak. Then one of Cappadocia's finest hikes through the Meskendir, Güllüdere and Kızılçukur valleys. Changing rock colours, narrow passages and open panoramas. An iconic day blending nature, light and silence. Overnight in Çavuşin. Walking 4-5h, +194 m / -350 m. Transfer 20 min.

  5. Cappadocia – Taurus Mountains (Aladağlar) – Kazıkali Gorge

    Early departure south to the Taurus Mountains: a radical change of scenery. Arrival in the Aladağlar massif and a hike through the spectacular Kazıkali gorge, framed by high rock walls. A pleasant walk at the bottom of the canyon in a wild, alpine setting. Settle into a mountain village. Walking 3-4h, +364 m / -37 m. Transfer 5h30.

  6. Sokulupınar – Emli Valley (descent)

    Short morning transfer (30 min), then start the hike from the Sokulupınar plateau. A descent through the Emli valley, a spectacular route with vast panoramas over the Aladağlar peaks. Steady progress on mountain trails. An immersive stage with no technical difficulty. Walking 5-6h, +600 m / -940 m. Transfer 40 min.

  7. Cimbar Canyon – Tarsus

    Short transfer to the Arpalık nomad camp, then a hike in the Cimbar canyon. A spectacular but accessible descent, with a short section requiring the use of hands, without exposure or major technical difficulty. Mineral atmosphere and canyon coolness. In the evening, transfer to Tarsus, an ancient city of Cilicia. Check in to the hotel. Walking 3-4h, +191 m / -843 m. Transfer 3h.

  8. Return flight

    Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport and assistance with departure formalities. End of the programme.

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Frequently asked questions

Who leads this trek from Cappadocia to the Aladağlar? A Turkish hiking guide who specialises in walking and speaks your group's language is with you from your arrival in Kayseri to departure. He knows both the tuff valleys of Cappadocia and the mountain trails of the Aladağlar, where the scenery changes completely from day 5. The transfers in the itin…

Where do we stay? The first night is in a hotel in Kayseri, about twenty minutes from the airport. The following nights are in Çavuşin, a cave village in the heart of the valleys you walk on days 2 to 4. Once in the Aladağlar, you settle in a mountain village, a genuine taste of local hospitality. The last night is…

How many hours a day do we walk? Six walking days, from 2 to 6 hours depending on the stage. In Cappadocia: 2 to 3 hours for Zelve – Paşabağ – Çavuşin, 5 to 6 hours from Gorkün to the White Valley, 4 to 5 hours through Meskendir, Güllüdere and Kızılçukur. In the Aladağlar: 3 to 4 hours in the Kazıkali gorge, 5 to 6 hours in the Em…

Which day is the hardest? The descent of the Emli valley on day 6. After a 30-minute drive to the Sokulupınar plateau, you walk 5 to 6 hours with +600 m and, above all, −940 m, facing the Aladağlar peaks. It is the longest descent of the trip, and walking poles really help the knees. The next day, in the Cimbar canyon, one…

Do I carry my luggage, and are the drives long? No. Your luggage is moved from one lodging to the next, and you only carry a 20–30 L daypack with water, picnic and a windproof jacket. Most transfers are short, 20 to 40 minutes. Three are longer: about 1 hour 20 into Cappadocia on day 2, 1 hour 30 to the Aladağlar on day 5, and about 3 hours from…

When is the best time to go? From early May to mid-October. This window is mainly set by the Aladağlar: outside it, snow and cold make the high trails, such as the one from the Sokulupınar plateau, far less practical. In midsummer the Cappadocia valleys heat up in the afternoon, while the Kazıkali gorge and the Cimbar canyon s…

Related

Places to stay in the region

Cappadocia

Taurus Mountains