Trails of Cappadocia

Every day a hike to discover Cappadocia, its valleys with geology unique in the world and its unexpected cave-dwelling universe. A journey balanced between nature and culture, led by a passionate local team.

In the heart of Anatolia, Cappadocia is an exceptional region, geologically, historically and architecturally. This high plateau was covered with a mantle of volcanic tuff before being sculpted by erosion into countless canyons, peaks and fairy chimneys. Our itinerary is both a hike and an in-depth discovery of a region and its past, led by a passionate local team.

CODE AA-CAP-01

8 days · Level 2/5

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. D1 – Kayseri / Cappadocia — Arrival in Kayseri, welcome at the airport and transfer to Cappadocia towards Mustafapasa (Sinasos), a Greek-faced village inhabited by Orthodox Greeks until the Treaty of Lausanne (1923). One of the finest villages in the region, with its old stones and its madrasa converted into a university. Check-in at a guesthouse-style hotel in Mustafapasa. Transfer: 1h.
  2. D2 – Keslik Monastery / Golgoli cave dwellings / Mustafapasa — Short transfer to Keslik Monastery (10th century), showing the life of monks in the early centuries of Christianity. Then Cemil village and a picnic in the Golgoli cave dwellings, nests carved into the tuff cones. Return to Mustafapasa through apricot orchards and vineyards. Dinner and night in the same guesthouse. Walk: 4-5h. Elevation: +381m / -345m. Transfer: 20min.
  3. D3 – Gomede Valley / Pancarlik Valleys / Ortahisar — Departure through Gömede Valley, dotted with monasteries, rock dwellings and huge dovecotes carved into the cliffs. Late-afternoon arrival at Ortahisar village (the 'middle tower'), dominated by a rock fortress. Night in a guesthouse in Ortahisar. Walk: 4-5h. Elevation: +230m / -340m.
  4. D4 – Ihlara Valley / Derinkuyu / Ortahisar — Transfer to Selime in the Ihlara Valley, visit its 6th-century cave monastery. Hike in the Ihlara Canyon (14 km, up to 150 m high) along the Melendiz River, with its churches decorated with colourful frescoes. On the way, visit the underground city of Derinkuyu (UNESCO), eight levels and 55 m of galleries. Return to Ortahisar. Walk: 4-5h. Elevation: +250m / -300m. Transfer: 3h.
  5. D5 – Ortahisar / Meskendir Valley / Red and Rose Valleys / Çavusin — First steps in the still-secret Meskendir Valley, crossed by small tunnels. Then a hike to Güllüdere and Kizilcukur, the legendary Rose and Red valleys, with red tones lit by white streaks, at the foot of the Bozdag plateau. Typical lunch in the heart of the Red Valley. Visit of the old village of Çavusin and its basilica dedicated to St John the Baptist. Night in Çavusin. Walk: 5-6h. Elevation: +339m / -490m.
  6. D6 – Çavusin / White Valley / Uchisar / Pigeon Valley / Goreme — Departure through Akvadi, the White Valley, bristling with fairy chimneys of beautiful white tuff. Arrival at Uçhisar, gathered around its rocky promontory (the Fortress), climb to the top for the panoramic view. After lunch, walk to Güvercinlik, the Pigeon Valley, then arrival at Göreme and its famous city. Return to Çavusin. Walk: 5-6h. Elevation: +339m / -490m.
  7. D7 – Çavusin / Bozdag Plateau / Pasabag Fairy Chimneys / Çavusin — Beautiful 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 nearly perfect conical shapes. Varied and colourful erosion formations along the way. Night in Çavusin. Walk: 5-6h. Elevation: +500m / -500m.
  8. D8 – Kayseri / France — Transfer to Kayseri airport and return flight to France. Transfer: 1h.

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