Central Turkey Walking Tour

Arrive Istanbul and check into hotel. As Constantinople, Istanbul was the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and so is steeped in history. Most of the sites of historic interest are around the area known today as Sultanahmet. Modern day Istanbul also has much to offer its visitors - not least its famous cuisine.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Venera Hotel

This morning we make a walking tour of the 'Old City', taking in the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome. The afternoon is left free: you may choose to visit the famous Sunken Palace cisterns one of the largest water systems in Turkey, originally holding about 10,000 tons of water and connected by an underground waterway to the Topkapi Palace. Alternatively there is the chance to take a boat trip on the Bosphorous which offers stunning views of the Istanbul skyline. In the evening we take a flight to Kayseri and then transfer to our hotel in Ihlara

Overnight Standard Hotel in Karamanli Konagi Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Waking up in Ihlara we begin to see the unique erosion in the volcanic soil for which Cappadocia is so famous. The narrow, steep-sided Ihlara valley, dotted with rock cut churches, was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by primeval earthquakes and the once rushing river is now a quiet stream. As we walk along the winding valley, with cliffs reaching up to 170m in some places, we see small garden cultures that originally would have provided for the colonies making them self-sufficient. There are many rock-cut churches in this valley with well preserved frescoes dating from the 9th century. We start our walk from Ihlara this morning walking via the village of Belisirma to Selime at the northern end of the peaceful Ihlara Valley before returning by bus to our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel in Karamanli Konagi Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Later we drive via the Underground City at Kaymakli to Goreme. After our visit we drive to Goreme where we will take an afternoon circular walk through Zemi valley.  The walk takes us through local farming areas and  follows a stream. The path is mostly downhill and will end at the hotel. In the evening and there may be the opportunity to have a Turkish bath. An invigorating scrub followed by a relaxing massage is perfect end to a day!

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Cave Deluxe Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we walk in Akvadi (White) Valley where we can appreciate the geology of the region. Three volcanoes erupted 10 million years ago, spreading ash all over the region. This hardened into a soft porous stone called tufa. Wind, water and sand have eroded portions of the tufa to form the almost alien landscape which we see today. This afternoon we explore the region of Uchisar, an area renowned for its number of ‘fairy chimneys’. These remarkable structures are formed as a result of a hard boulder being caught in the tufa so that as the erosion process occurs, it leaves the boulder delicately perched on top of the slender pillar. We also visit Uchisar castle which, situated high on a rocky outcrop, gives commanding views of the entire region. The afternoon is spent walking along the Pigeon Valley, renowned for it's pigeon houses.  These rock cut nests with decorative facades were once used to obtain pigeon guano to use as fertilizer.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Cave Deluxe Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After a short bus ride, we arrive in Kavak where we begin our day’s walk. As well as the landscape this region is also renowned for its wine as the fine volcanic soil is very fertile. Viticulture has been here since the Hittites, but it was the exiled Christians who really developed the vineyards and, for a while, wine was exported under the label of mineral water!  Other produce from these fertile soils include walnuts, mulberries and a variety of fruit. Often the largest rock cones are used as depots for citrus and other fresh fruit. Our afternoon walk is through the Gomede Valley.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Cave Deluxe Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We spend the morning walking through the little visited Pancarlik Valley and admiring the unusual formations. After lunch we continue onto Kizilcukur Valley. Sometimes known as the ‘red hole’, Kizilcukur is probably the hottest valley in the region. Hidden in its array of fairy chimneys is the Church with Grapes where there are frescoes depicting viticulture and fruit growing. The wine produced here now is very sweet and heavy. We reach the small village of 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. The atrium of the church at Cavusin has cascaded down, exposing some of the frescoes.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Cave Deluxe Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we explore the area around Cavusin. In the morning we have the opportunity to walk up Bozdag mountain (4 hours); the highest point in Cappadoccia for fine views over the area. In the afternoon there is free time in Goreme for any last minute sightseeing or shopping.

Overnight Comfortable Hotel in Cave Deluxe Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Tour ends today after breakfast in near Urgup. (Passengers on the group flights fly to London via Istanbul).

Included meals: Breakfast