Ski touring in Anatolia: Hasan, Aladağlar and Erciyes
Nine days of ski touring across Hasan, the Aladağlar and Erciyes (3,916 m), with Cappadocia as a finale, made to measure.
A ski touring programme linking the summits of central Anatolia. You start with the Hasan volcano (3,268 m), then spend several days in the Aladağlar, the highest range of the Taurus, climbing Alaca, Güzeller, Emler and the Demirkazık pass, before heading down to Cappadocia via the underground city of Derinkuyu. The last outing takes you up Erciyes (3,916 m), the highest summit of central Anatolia. Nights alternate between mountain huts or family-run village pensions and hotels, with a professional ski guide. Announced level: moderate to challenging.
CODE AA-SKI-01
9 days · Level 4/5
Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.
- Five summits and passes on skis: Hasan 3,268 m, Alaca 3,585 m, Güzeller 3,461 m, Emler 3,723 m and Demirkazık pass 3,400 m
- The Aladağlar massif, highest massif of the Taurus, from pine forest to the Çimbar walls
- Erciyes (3,916 m), the roof of central Anatolia, starting from about 2,100 m
- The underground city of Derinkuyu, Göreme and Ürgüp in Cappadocia
- Professional ski guide and Aladağlar National Park fees included
Day-by-day itinerary
Kayseri to Ihlara / Selime
Your representative meets you at Kayseri airport and drives you to Ihlara or Selime (about 2 hours, 160 km), near the famous Ihlara Valley, a 14 km canyon dotted with rock-cut rooms and churches. Dinner and overnight at a hotel or pension.
Mount Hasan (3,268 m), then the road to the Aladağlar
Early start for the village of Helvadere (about 1 hour, 35 to 40 km from Ihlara/Selime), at the foot of Hasan, a dormant volcano of 3,268 m. The ski ascent begins at about 1,600 to 1,800 m depending on road conditions, with superb views over the central Anatolian plateau; roughly 1,470 to 1,670 m of ascent and descent. After the ski descent, drive to the Aladağlar (about 2 hours, 125 km), the highest range of the Taurus. Welcome with tea, coffee and cookies, rooms ready and a first dinner prepared by the cook. Overnight in a mountain hut or village pension in Aladağlar National Park.
Aladağlar: Mount Alaca (3,585 m)
From the Akşampınarı Valley you ski up the Sıyırmalık Valley, easy at first through pine forest, with a view of the Parmakkaya rock. You continue to the Avcıveli pass (3,400 m) and then to the summit of Alaca (3,585 m). The descent follows the great Mangırcı Valley to the Sarımehmetler plateau, where the vehicle is waiting. About 1,300 m of ascent and 1,650 m of descent.
Aladağlar: Mount Güzeller (3,461 m)
Back to the Akşampınarı Valley for another outing: an easy climb up the Sıyırmalık Valley, then on to the summit of Güzeller (3,461 m) and its fine views. You ski back down the same way to Akşampınarı, where the vehicle takes you to your accommodation. About 1,461 m of elevation change.
Aladağlar: Mount Emler (3,723 m)
Drive to the Sökülüpınar plateau, at about 1,800 to 2,000 m depending on road and snow conditions. After four hours of climbing you reach the Çelikbuyduran pass (3,450 m), and another 300 m leads to the summit of Emler. The view takes in Erciyes to the north, Hasan to the west, the Bolkar range to the south and all the major summits of the Aladağlar. You ski down the same way to Sökülüpınar. About 1,923 m up and 1,723 m down.
Aladağlar: Demirkazık pass (3,400 m) and Çimbar Canyon
From the Sökülüpınar area you climb to the Demirkazık pass (3,400 m) via the Narpuz Valley. From the pass you ski down to the Arpalık plateau, then through the scenic Çimbar Canyon, 15 to 100 m wide between walls hundreds of metres high, which leads to Demirkazık village, where the vehicle is waiting. About 1,400 m of ascent and 1,900 m of descent.
Derinkuyu and on to Cappadocia
You leave the Aladağlar for Cappadocia (about 2 hours, 125 km) and visit Derinkuyu on the way, an underground city opened to visitors in 1965: about 85 m deep, of which only 10% can be visited, with stables, cellars, refectories, churches and wine presses. After checking in, explore Göreme and Ürgüp at leisure, with their shops and cafés. Optional traditional hamam at the end of the day.
Erciyes (3,916 m)
Drive to Erciyes, a massive stratovolcano 25 km south of Kayseri and the highest mountain in central Anatolia (about 110 km from Cappadocia, 1 to 2 hours). You start the ski ascent at about 2,100 m and climb to the summit, with magnificent views over the Anatolian plateau. After the descent, a Turkish tea at the starting point comes before the drive back to Cappadocia. About 1,816 m of elevation change.
Return to Kayseri airport
After breakfast, transfer to Kayseri airport (about 1 hour, 80 km), where the trip ends.
Included / Not included
What’s included
- Transfers and transport by private vehicle for the stages of the programme
- Arrival transfer from Kayseri airport to Ihlara / Selime (day 1)
- Departure transfer from the hotel in Cappadocia to Kayseri airport (day 9)
- Local tour leader / mountain guide for logistics (not a ski specialist)
- Professional ski guide
- Hotels in standard double or twin rooms, and family-run village pensions in standard double, twin or triple/multi-share rooms
- Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches (lunch packs or local restaurants) and 8 dinners, served until 8:30/9 pm
- Aladağlar National Park entrance fees
What’s not included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Additional transport and transfers not in the programme, including extra arrival or departure transfers
- Entrance fees to historical and natural sites (except Aladağlar National Park)
- Optional activities (hamam)
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water, tea and coffee)
- Personal expenses
- Extra nights, single-room supplements and accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips