Cappadocia & Taurus Trekking

Turkey has been underrated as a trekking destination. Its many coastal and cultural attractions are well known but much less visited are its mountains. Apart from Mt. Ararat in the east, it cannot boast any really high or well known peaks, but central and western Turkey includes several ranges of great natural beauty, which also offer very good walking. Perhaps the best known are the Taurus - quite a complex mountain system which dominates both inland and coastal areas, and it is this area which we explore on this trek.
The Ala Dag constitutes the highest and most compact group of peaks in the eastern Taurus mountain range. It occupies an area less than 750 square kilometres, however the complexity of its system of mountains and valleys is such that when trekked through it gives the impression of covering a very much larger area. The landscape consists almost exclusively of naked limestone, often moulded into savage outlines typical of this rock, softened by forests to the south and east of the area. The Ala Dag supports a very rich flora and wildlife, attracting numerous botanists and ornithologists every year. The July departure should be particularly good for flowers.
Ancient Cappadocia, situated just an hour's drive away offers the opportunity for some of the most fascinating day-walking to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. The famous troglodyte (underground) villages and the amazing scenery are best enjoyed on foot. The lunar landscape of Cappadocia is formed from tufa - compacted volcanic ash which erodes easily and is very suitable for making caves. Since the earliest times men have burrowed into this rock, making underground houses, churches and even large cities. There are dramatic cave houses at Zelve and Uchisar, and a complete underground monastery at Goreme. The insides of the caves are decorated with religious frescoes in the Greek Orthodox style, almost a complete record of Christian art over almost 1,000 years. One of the oldest and largest settlements in Cappadocia is Derinkuyu, a complete underground city, with seven levels of tunnels said to extend for 14 kms.
ITINERARY dossier: 15 days

Day 1 - ANKARA
Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel *** BB.

Day 2 ANKARA - IHLARA Valley
We will depart by road for Cappadocia, about 4 hours drive. On the way we'll pass the Great Salt Lake of "Tuz Golu" and stop to see the 13th century Seljuk caravanserai of A?zykarahan. Afternoon arriving at the beginning of the Ihlara canyon, in Selime village. Here we'll have opportunity to discover some ancient cave dwellings, before staring our 2 hours walk to Belisyrma village. We'll spend our first night in Ihlara area. Overnight at pension.BLD

Day 3 IHLARA Valley - Cappadocia
The Ihlara valley, due to its morphological formation, has proved to be a potential seclusion and worship area for monks and priests and to highdeaway and defence area for people. During our 4 hours walking, we'll have opportunity to visit several churches with good conserved frescoes. Our lunch-breach is in Ihlara village. In the afternoon we join our bus and drive to the centre of Cappadocia where we'll spent night in regular camp with shower and WC.

Day 4 AKVADI - GOREME
We trek through the Akvadi (White valley) eroded so perfectly by time, rain and wind during centuries. Lunch-break in a restaurant in Uchisar village and visit of the densely settled citadel. A great panoramic view of the surrealist area is available from the top. Walking in the pigeon valley, we descend to Goreme village, where the fairy chimneys go hand in hand with houses. Overnight at pension. BLD. 5 h.

Day 5 GOREME - KIZILCUKUR (Red valley)
In the morning hike to Zindanonu valley. Then through vineyards and tree gardens, our way brings us to Ortahisar village. Lunch-break in typical restaurant and walk to Kizicukur valley to see the surreal rock formations and the magnificent work of the erosion on a red tuff. Some churches will be seen from the Christian period. Overnight at pension.. BLD. 5 h.

Day 6 Cappadocia - MT. TAURUS ( Pynarbasy camp site) 2000m.
We meet our minibus, to drive directly to the second range of the Taurus: the Alada?lar. On arrival in Pynarba?y Village 1600 m, the trailhead village we have a lunch in a guesthouse. Then trek to our firs camp site in Pynarba?y. 2h 30 trekking time. Overnight at camp with all meals. Ascent: 400 m - Descent: 900 m.

Day 7 Comce Gol
More impressive scenery as we trek through the Maden Canyon, We continiue to ascent to Meydan Yayla where we can meet with the nomads. We pause here . Arrive to our camp site in Comce lake at ( 2750m). Overnight camp with all meals. 5 hours trekking times. Ascent : 750 m. Descent : 0

Day 8 Comce Gol - Yedigoller
We begin trekking to the Yyldyz lake at 2800m., part of the Alada?lar range. Our way passes several still cool mountain lakes and three will be chance for a refreshing (bracing) swim later in the afternoon. After picnique we climbe to Teke kalesi pass ( 3200m.) where we will have very nice wiews on to Yedigoller plateau (Seven lakes) at 3000m. While we are here we expect to meet a family of friendly nomads who inhabit this plateau during the summer months and whose black goat-hair tents are usually pitched close to our camp. We may be invited to join them for some traditional , a refreshing yoghurt based drink. Overnight at camp with all meals. Ascent : 450m. Desent : 200m.

Day 9 Yedigoller - Mt. Embler 3723 m)- Tulu ( 2000m.)
We start trekking moderately until Celikbuyduran pass ( 3450m). You may take the opportunity to ascend mount Embler ( 3723m). This is a non technical 1 hours climbing from the pass. The view at the top however, offer a magnificent reward with a vista towards the southern face of Mount Demirkazyk, Bolkar range, Mt. Hasan and Mt. Erciyes. Then we descend into the Yalakderesi trail, a narrow canyon with water spring. Arrive to Tulu base camp for overnight with all meals. 5 hours trekking time. Camp at 2000m. Ascent : 723m. Descent : 1723 m.

Day 10 Tulu - Emli valley ( 1900m).
Yn the morning we gradually ascend up to the hight pastures of Eznevit Yayla (2450m). Depending on the time of year, we may encounter the semi nomads of this area grazing their flocks. After lunch we gradually descend to the Syyyrmalyk valley and then through a fragant pine forest join our camp in Emli valley at 1900m. 5 / 6 hours trekking time. Overnight at camp with all meals. Ascent : 450m. Descent :550m.

Day 11 Alaca Plateau (2400m.)
After breakfast, we trek up to the Alaca Yayla (2400m) passing trough the Mangyrcy valley. After 3 hours trekking we arrive to Alca Plateau. On the warm-up trail we may see some semi nomads coming from different villages of the area then picnic will be here. After the lunc we continue to descent to our camp from the Olukseki valley. 5 / 6 hours trekking time. Ascent / Descent : 500m.

Day 12 Emly -Elekgolu-Alagoz
Trekking in the range into direction of Elekgolu village where our tents are pitched. We go over a pass and walk along a stream. We arrive to the village where take a lunch in the tea house and we will have opportunity to discover their life and the hospitablty. After lunch we go down to Ecemi? river to have svimming opportunity. We will arrive to our camp site to pass through fruit gardens. This camp will be also our last camp site in Taurus mountain. Overnight at camp with all meals.

Day 13 - Kayseri - Istanbul
In the morning drive to Kayseri airport and fly to Istanbul. Transfer to Hotel and afternoon free. Overnight hotel BB

Day 14 - Istanbul
A full day to take in all the sight of what was the capital of the civilised world. We visit the Topkapi palace, the Blue Mosque, chapel of St Sophia. Stroll in the world's biggest covered market then spend the Afternoon shopping or visiting sites of interest at your leisure. Overnight at hotel *** .

Day 15 - Istanbul - Home
Transfer to Airport, fly home.