These excursions invite you to discover the extraordinary geological landscapes of Cappadocia, and their treasures of Byzantine art, in the course of lively and cultural strolls.

Situated at 1100 m, in the heart of Anatolia, Cappadocia is a high volcanic plateau shaped by millennia of erosion into a prodigious mineral labyrinth where you can wander between fairy chimneys and stone forests. History having also left its mark (it was here that the first Christians took refuge from the Arab invasions), we discover a hidden world of cave churches with magnificent frescoes and paintings in the secret of caves, underground cities ... And entering the heart of this setting is a daily enchantment.

 

 

 

·         visit to the rocky outcrop of Uçhisar, climb up to this 22-storey fortress town on the side of a rocky outcrop
·         descent on foot from Uçhisar, a fortress town on the side of a 22-storey rocky peak, through the Uzundere valley to Göreme (approx. 2-hour walk)
Lunch available at the end of the walk.

 

 

·         walk through the troglodytic village of Cavusin, now abandoned, with a visit to the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the few early Christian monuments in Byzantine Cappadocia (approx. 2-hour walk) 

·         short walk along the Amur valley

 

 

·         Kizilçukur valley with a visit to Ayvali church, “Saint John of Güllüdere no: 4” (approx. 3-hour walk)

 

 

·         Devrent valley,

·         the Zelve open-air museum, a fantastic forest of cones, superimposed with caves, ancient cave dwellings, chapels and dovecotes

·         the Pasabagi valley.

 

 

·         with a visit to the Göreme valley and its group of rock-painted churches: “St. Barbara”, “Snake”, “Sandal”, “loop”, “Apple”, including the beautiful “Dark” church (approx. 2.5 hrs.)

·         short walk in the Zemideresi valley

 

 

·         descent walking from Uçhisar, through the Amour valley to Cavusin (approx. 3-hour walk)

 

 

·         morning walk to Ortahisar and hike to Mustafapasa (ancient Sinassos) through the Üzengidere and Balkanderesi valleys dating back to the high Cappadocian Christianity of Mustafapasa (approx. 3 hrs walk)

·         the Greek church at Cemil

·         the Keslik “Archangelos” monastery

·         the site of Sobessos

·         the Soganli valley, home to one of the region's most original villages. This walk offers both a real insight into present-day rural life and the discovery of numerous Byzantine churches dating from the 11th to 13th centuries (Yilanli kilise, Karabas kilise, Tahtali kilise).

 

 

·         the rock monastery of Eski Gümüs (“Old Silver”), whose katholikon (main church) is decorated with superb, fully restored frescoes,

·         the Hasan Dagi region and hike from the village of Ihlara to Belisirma, visiting numerous rock churches (“Fragrant”, “Snake”, “under the Tree”, “Hyacinth”) with its marvellous wall paintings,

·         the Selime monastery

·         the gigantic 8-level underground city of Kaymakli.

 

 

·         Folklore evening with traditional dances from different regions of Turkey, belly dancing, unlimited drinks

 

 

·         Show with Whirling Dervish dances.

 

 

·         Hot-air balloon ride: see description.

 

 

·         Horseback riding: see description.