From CAD $1,580 Was CAD $1,770
Guarantee
Small Group
Unknown
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Explore the unique landscapes of Cappadocia on this immersive week-long walking tour. Discover \ fairy chimneys\ in the shadow of Uchisar's rock citadel before trekking the enchanting Gomeda and Pancarlik Valleys, where you'll find the 11th-century Pancarlik Church and the geometric murals of Kepez. Experience the full 12-kilometer majesty of the Ihlara Canyon, a riverside oasis teeming with Byzantine history. Along the way, delve into the Mazi underground city, witness traditional pottery-making, and savor authentic Turkish cuisine before concluding your journey in the historic Greek village of Mustafapasa.
Volcanic scenery - Uncover the fairytale scenery that the central region of Turkey is famous for.
Goreme - Wake up to views of air balloons filling the sky from our base in the charming town of Goreme.
Uchisar - Climb the rock-cut 'castle' and take in the breathtaking views over Cappadocia.
Highlights
Hike Cappadocia's uniquely sculpted volcanic landscape from our premium hotel base|Moderate grade walks through multi-coloured valleys past the famous fairy chimneys|Try local food of the region at Uschisar in female run restaurant
Trip Details
Product Code: 20493
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: BusTaxi
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Supplier Code: WGV
Starts:
Finishes:
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Unknown
Includes
- Explore Tour Leader
- Driver(s)
Accommodation
Zemi Hotel (or similar)Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1580 (CAD $198 /day)
Itinerary
Our trip starts today in Goreme - this honey-hued town will be our base for the week as we explore the impressive landscapes of Cappadocia. Cappadocia is world-renowned for its unique geological formations and a history stretching back to the Hittites (2000 BC).
Our tour leader plans to meet us in the hotel reception at 7.30pm for those that wish, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner. Due to the number of later arrivals, we will hold the welcome meeting on the morning of day two.There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Goreme at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Kayseri Airport (ASR), which is around a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive away. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
Our hotel for the week is the recently renovated Zemi Hotel, located near the centre of Goreme. The hotel sits within a stone's throw of the Open Air Museum and offers a perfect vantage point to watch the sunrise balloon ascent. It also features spa facilities and a seasonal outdoor pool (normally open May to early October), ideal for relaxing in after a day out walking.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - No
- Breakfast Provided - No
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: None
After breakfast our tour leader will hold a welcome meeting. Our first full walking day is a great introduction to Cappadocia's iconic landscapes.
We set off through the town of Goreme before connecting to White Valley and one of Goreme's two Love Valleys, followed by an ascent out of White Valley and up to Uchisar, a town based around the fortress carved into a massive fairy chimney (also known as a 'Hoodoo'). Lunch is included today, we'll get to sample regional specialities prepared by local women as part of a community-led development initiative.
This afternoon we'll make a descent into Pigeon Valley, named for its pigeon lofts or houses as they're known locally, returning on foot to our hotel midafternoon.
Today's 11.5 kilometre/7.25 mile walk is expected to take around five to six hours with a total ascent of 350 metres/1,150 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
If you're interested in the optional sunrise balloon trip, we recommend booking it for your second morning in Cappadocia. This gives you plenty of time to rebook in case of cancellation due to poor weather. Please see the optional excursions details for more information.
Our first visit of the day is to the Goreme Open Air Museum, located next door to our hotel, to see its famous rock-cut churches and frescoes. Next, we'll trek up a narrow valley from the museum to the site of the Aynali church, which was both a place of worship and place of defence. It's worth noting that we\ ve left this as optional as the building has extremely narrow passages that might not be suitable for those with claustrophobia.
From here we enter the rarely walked Meskendir Valley and descend to the town of Cavusin. We'll take the bus down to the town of Avanos, on the banks of the Kizilirmak River (the \ Red River\ and the longest in Turkey). The river is the source of fine clay, used to make the pottery that the town is famous for. You'll have the chance to visit one of the potteries as well as the underground workshops to see how the river's red clay is transformed into art pieces - it's like a true Aladdin's cave!
Today's 7 kilometre/4.5 mile walk is expected to take around two to three hours with a total ascent of 180 metres/590 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, we take a short five minute transfer back to Cavusin, which lies on top of a collapsed section of an early Christian cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide which, together with earthquakes and natural erosion, caused a split in the plateau.
We'll then ascend Bozdag Table Mountain for views of the surrounding area from Cappadocia's highest point at 1,300 metres/4,265 feet above sea level. The summit offers a balloon's eye view of the colourful rock strata below and the distant volcanic peak of Mt Erciyes. After descending, we'll visit the Uzumlu church and take in the views over Red Valley (Kizilcukur). Meaning 'red-pit' Kizilcukur is possibly the most colourful valley in the region. Finally we'll enter the Rose Valley, visiting the stunning Column church (also known as the White church) before ending our walk back in Goreme.
Today's 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 450 metres/1,475 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - Yes
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner
Today, we transfer to the citadel of Uchisar, a massive fairy chimney that has served as a refuge for centuries. These remarkable structures are formed as a result of a larea of harder rock like basalt protecting the soft tufa underneath it so as the erosion process occurs, it leaves the boulder delicately perched on top of the slender pillar. We'll also visit Uchisar 'Castle' built into this huge turret of rock blessed with commanding views of the entire region. Visiting the castle in the clear morning light we'll have the best photo opportunities.
Our hike then follows a ridge before a steep descent into the deep, shaded Zemi Valley. As the valley widens, we'll come upon the beautiful El Nazar Church and the Gorkundere Valley, famous for its distinctively shaped rock formations.
This evening, we'll have a wine tasting in the hotel garden, with a selection of some of Cappadocia's fine wines, a many millennium-old tradition, the vines are fertilised with the guamo from the dovecots.
Today's 9 kilometre/5.6 mile walk is expected to take around four hours with a total ascent of 120 metres/400 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today's walk is slightly further afield in the Ihlara Valley, located a 90-minute drive from Goreme. We'll also visit the fascinating Mazi Underground City, a subterranean settlement carved into soft volcanic tuff that served as a refuge for early Christians.
Carved by the Melendiz River, Ihlara Valley is a breathtaking 14-kilometer canyon reaching depths of 120 meters. This lush, river-fed oasis features a vibrant microclimate of walnut and pistachio trees. Along its winding length, explorers discover hundreds of ancient Byzantine rock-cut churches and dwellings, culminating at the monumental Selime Monastery.
Today's 11.5 kilometre/7.15 mile walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 350 metres/1,150 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
Today's scenic trek begins in the shadow of Ortahisar's monolithic rock citadel, descending through the vibrant Pancarlik Valley, where the 11th-century Pancarlik Church stands - famous for its exceptionally well-preserved green-toned frescoes. Along this route, we'll also explore the Kepez Church, a fascinating rock-cut site featuring unique geometric decorations and ancient murals.
Next, we descend into the enchanting Gömeda Valley. Often called "Little Ihlara," this valley offers a serene trail alongside a trickling stream, flanked by multi-story pigeon houses and mysterious cave dwellings carved into white tuff cliffs. After exploring these cooling tunnels and historic sanctuaries, a short transfer brings us to Mustafapasa, a historic Greek village renowned for its elaborate stone masonry and the Saint Nicholas Monastery. Following a leisurely exploration of the village's Ottoman-era mansions, we'll take a final transfer back to the heart of Göreme, completing a perfect day of nature and history.
Today's 11 kilometre/7 mile walk is expected to take around five hours with a total ascent of 260 metres/850 feet.
Accommodation:
- Type - Hotel
- Accommodation Name - Zemi Hotel (or similar)
- Grade - Comfortable
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Goreme at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kayseri Airport (ASR) which is around a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive from the hotel.
Accommodation:
- Type -
- Accommodation Name -
- Grade -
- All Inclusive - No
- Any Meal Provided - Yes
- Breakfast Provided - Yes
- Dinner Provided - No
- Lunch Provided - No
- Meal Name - Meals Provided: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Ray - Traveled, May 2025
A very good walking tour, Plenty to see and do, A Trip I have wanted to do for a long time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
EMF - Traveled, May 2025
A lovely trip through a beautiful part of Turkey. The walking was relatively easy (not sure why this trip is rated as "moderate"), the accommodation was very nice, and the guide was quite knowledgeable and helpful. The itinerary could use some tweaking, e.g. the time we spent at some of the museums; it would have been nice to have more at some and less at others. I'm very glad the wine tasting was earlier in the week, but the outdoor museum at the end of the week seemed superfluous after walking through the region.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2025
Eupalinos of Megara - Traveled, May 2025
This was a very good trip and most enjoyable. The scenery was weird and wonderful and the rock-cut dwellings and churches were always interesting. The walking was of modest pace and duration but, in view of the very hot weather and strong sun, this was fine. One needed to be quite sure-footed on some of the steeper descents and I suspect that these would not suit everyone. I would maybe have liked a bit more variety in the walks, most of which were along valley floors. The hotel was excellent and did a great breakfast every morning. Our tour leader and guide, Aykut, did a very good job, as did our somewhat taciturn driver. The one included dinner was very disappointing; there seemed to be nothing local or characterful about the restaurant and the food was poor. Our brief visits to the underground city and the Goreme open-air museum seemed unpleasantly busy and touristy after the relative solitude of the walking. Perhaps some alternative sites, a little off the beaten track, could be found instead? The tour group was large (15) but full of interesting people and everyone got along well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Mike - Traveled, May 2025
The trip is a great introduction to a region of Turkey many of us are unfamiliar with. The scenery I would say is unique. The tour leader Aykut was very good adapting the itinerary to ensure we had the best experience. He imparted his comprehensive knowledge of the area and its history. Although expensive (300 EUR) I would recommend doing a balloon ride if not done before. Also the whirling dervishes option. Both were quite magical experiences in their own ways. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Valerie - Traveled, May 2025
Well led tour of a fascinating landscape . Daily walks were just the right length and always so many interesting sights to see. Accommodation was very comfortable, and situated within easy access to the town for evening meals out. The swimming pool at the hotel was an added bonus at the end of each day. Definitely recommend this walking tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
A fabulous week walking in a stunning landscape - it really has to be seen. The itinerary is well planned to take us through different valleys and trails, winding around jaw-dropping geological formations, caves, and cave-churches. Our hotel was great, very spacious and with lovely pool and gardens. The location is superb, slightly away from the bustle of Goreme but only a short walk to shops and restaurants. Our guide had superb knowledge of the area and led us with great care and adaptability for changing circumstances during the week. Best of all - the balloons! Take a balloon trip if you can and don’t miss the stunning dawn balloonscape!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2025
Sue - Traveled, April 2025
Aycuk was a superb leader. He was very organised and gave clear and detailed instructions about the walk, the terrain, meeting times etc so everything ran smoothly. He was very knowledgeable and gave us the right amount of information about Cappadocia and what we were seeing etc. He was happy to answer any questions and give more details when asked. He was attentive and checked we were all ok and even suggested alternative ways to shorten or adapt walks and arranged transport. He had a sense of humour and went above and beyond what was expected of a tour leader. I would certainly recommend the trip and his leadership.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/17/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
I loved my time in Cappadocia. The hotel was great, our guide Aykut was brilliant, the walks a little bit but not too challenging and our group lots of fun. We had two lovely drivers who couldn’t do enough for us. Thoroughly enjoyed all the “sightseeing” activities as we got a break from walking but we learnt more about the history of Türkiye and its people. Being in Cappadocia for a week enabled us to get to know the area so well and see so much more of its wonderful geography and culture.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2025
Loved walking in this fabulous environment and our guide Aykut was terrific. Our weather went from seriously freezing at the start with snow, rain and wind, to scorching hot at the end. He completely rejigged the hiking itinerary so we did everything on the list but in a different order to fit in with changing conditions. Hotel lovely and in a great position for balloon watching and a short walk from the noisy town, but sadly lacking in any sort of common room for congregating in groups. Staff super helpful especially for organising balloon flights, and did their best to try and solve a plumbing issue in our beautiful room.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2025
Nicola - Traveled, April 2025
This was my first time with Explore and it turned out really well. I liked the single base for a week of walking which was more relaxed than moving on every couple of days. The walks themselves were fabulous - amazing scenery and good lengths for me (7-8 miles a day with a good lunch break). The weather in April was very varied - 4 seasons in a week, from snow and cold to sunburn! There were opportunities to skip walks or even just morning / afternoon parts and the driver was super helpful in connecting people up with the group on these occasions. Excellent local guide (Aykut).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/01/2025
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