This 7-day tour is made for those who would like to enjoy both the beauty of the Lycian Way and magical Cappadocia. The Cappadocia walking possibilities are endless in the valleys full of cave dwellings and surreal rock formations. The Lycian way links ancient Roman roads and Ottoman caravan routes with mule trails and forestry tracks in a 509 km walk along the spectacular Turquoise coast. The route passes through the ruins of many ancient Lycian cities and visits the most worthwhile spots on the coast.
What to see during the 7-day Cappadocia Hiking?
What to expect during the 7-day Cappadocia Hiking?
Day 1: Arrival and transfer Soğanlı valley
Meet at Kayseri Airport airport and drive to a beautiful corner of Cappadocia; Soğanlı valley. Soğanlı valley is not a much-visited area and will give you an idea about typical Turkish village life. Christian monasteries located on the skirts of hills are unique for their wall paintings among all Cappadocian churches. Driving along the table-top volcanic mountains we arrive at the town of Mustafapaşa (old Sinasos) an ancient Greek town with spectacular houses: very fine examples of late ethnic settlements and architecture. Lunch is in a restored village house with traditional Turkish hospitality.
Day 2: The top of Cappadocia
Optional early morning hot Air Balloon flight above Cappadocia.
This tour is an opportunity to break away from the classical trekking routes in the area; it’s for people who like heights. This is one of our favorite day tours as it provides many great views and interesting learning opportunities about the churches carved within the caves. There are only two ways to get a whole view of Cappadocia, either fly with a hot-air balloon or do the trekking up to Bozdağ Moutain (1300m).
We depart for Cavusin Village. After a short wander in the village, we ascend through the deserted houses to reach the little-known church of John the Baptist, with its unique paintings. Our path continues to the summit of Bozdağ Mountain where a panoramic view of the region awaits, including Uçhisar, Göreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Ortahisar, and the Zelve open-air museum. With the spectacular views of Mount Erciyes, we follow a smooth path over the plateau and descend for lunch in a small family-run restaurant in Red valley. We visit the winery and the Grape church and start our afternoon walk in Rose Valley. We visit the pigeon houses and the Cross Church en route to the end of our walk-in Göreme.
Day 3: Ihlara Valley and underground city
We have a long day today, first stop is at one of the underground cities, one of the wonders of Cappadocia. The settlement was dug as deep as 5 layers below ground level and was used for hiding for many centuries. You will experience being underground, and feel what it was like to live in a city on the earth; saving people from dangers, starvation, cold, and enemies.
Then we have a 1-hour drive to get to Ihlara Valley, a 13 km (10 mi) long gorge cut into the volcanic rock. After a short tea break, we walk about 3,5 hours and a route to visit some rock-cut churches. The walls in the valley are carved with churches and some have really unique paintings inside. It is generally an easy walk, following the river. Willow and poplar trees will decorate our way with the beautiful birds gliding around. After a late lunch, we visit a rock-cut mosque and a church next to each other. We continue walking by the river down to Selime town, and the walk ends nearby Selime Monastery. After visiting the monastery, we drive to a volcanic crater lake and stop for a quick swim, depending on weather conditions.
Day 4: Cappadocia tour and flight to Antalya
Optional: Indulge in a Turkish hammam
Today is spent exploring the well-known sites of the Cappadocia region. The Open-Air museum of Göreme was a very important monastic settlement in the early Christian ages and has a number of churches hollowed out of the rocks and painted with wall paintings.
Paşabağ is one of the most beautiful corners of the region with hermitages hollowed out of the volcanic tufa.
Looking at the rock formations in Devrent valley is like looking at the clouds. They seem to take the shape of whatever you imagine about them. Lunch is in a local restaurant in the town of Avanos which is a pottery-producing center since ancient times.
In the afternoon we have an optional visit to a Turkish bath for relaxation and massage. Transfer to Kayseri airport for flight to Antalya.
The hotel is located in the historical center of Kaleiçi in Antalya. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 5: Yayla Kuzdere-Beycik (15km / 6hrs / +970m / -1020m)
We transfer to Yayla Kuzdere where we start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). We climb the pass from here (alt. 1850m).
Then we descend via a mule path to the village of Beycik (alt. 900m) where we meet the transfer vehicle that takes us to our pension in Çıralı.
Dinner and overnight in the pension in Çıralı.
Day 6: Visit ancient Olympos and walk to Chimaera
After breakfast, we make an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (a total appr. 6km along the beach). After lunch, there is free time until dinner. You can swim and lie on the beach or do other activities as desired. After dinner we make a short night walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera in the dark.
Dinner and overnight in the pension in Çıralı.
Day 7: Çirali – Adrasan (16km / 6hrs / + 750m / -750m)
We start directly from our pension in Çıralı and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dağ (Moses Mountain; alt. 650m). After having a picnic lunch near an old hut we descend through the forest, past deserted farmhouses to reach the beautiful bay of Adrasan.
The trek ends with a transfer to Antalya airport.
Extra Tour Details
- Everyday departure (All year round)
- Duration: 7 days
- Private/Group
What has been included in this excursion?
Included:
- Accommodation BB
- All sightseeing & excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Lunch during the tours
- Transfer service from Hotels & Airport
- English Guide
Excluded:
- Beverage during the tour
- Tips to the guide&driver(optional)
- Entrance Cleopatra Pool
- Not mentioned diners
- Not mentioned flights
- Personal expenses
