You have seen these stunning views in so many photos. And now we will spend six unforgettable days here!
You arrive in Kayseri and take a bus to Goreme (about an hour and a half on the way). At the bus station in Goreme you will be met by the tour leader, and together we will go to Guzelyurt, where we will check into a hotel, located in a real cave!
We will take a walk in the Monastery Valley. Here we will see dozens of ancient monasteries and churches carved out of rocks. These walls remember the sermons of Gregory the Theologian and Basil the Great, famous Church Fathers. Moreover, these rocks offer a panoramic view of the city, known as Cappadocia in miniature. We will have dinner at a local restaurant.
In the morning we head to the picturesque village of Belisirma, known as one of the entrances to the grandiose Ihlara Canyon. Let`s enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish coffee in one of the restaurants above the river before walking down to the canyon.
We will walk for about five kilometers, enjoying wonderful views of untouched nature. We will also visit the most interesting of the dozens of churches carved into the rocks. These grand buildings were created by the monks who lived here more than fifteen centuries ago. Our walk will end in Selime village, where we will take a bus and return to Guzelyurt.
In the morning we leave for the village of Sivrihisar. This is where our today's route begins. Our way runs past non-tourist villages. We will often see traditional Turkish houses and flocks of sheep. Let`s go down a picturesque path with a view over the Lake Nar.
This huge body of water with an area of about a dozen football fields is located in the crater of an extinct volcano. However, seismic processes in the area are still active, and there are many hot springs near the lake. We will swim in the lake, head to Goreme and check into a guest house.
In the evening we will take a walk through this town, which fits perfectly into the natural rocky landscape. We will have dinner in one of the colorful cafes. Here you should definitely try the famous lentil soup merjimek chorbasy, local "pizza" pide and Turkish ice cream made from dried orchid roots.
This trip is of average physical grade. It is suitable for people with normal health and basic hiking experience. In six days we will cover about 40 kilometers - from 7 to 13 km per day. The total climb for the entire route is only 300 - 400 meters. We will spend the nights in guesthouses. We will have breakfast in guesthouses, and have lunch with dry rations on the route. In the evenings you can dine in cafes and restaurants of your choice.
