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Day 1: Join tour Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul and check into hotel.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Venera Hotel
Venera Hotel
Completely renovated in 2008, the Venera Hotel offers modern comfort and great service in the heart of Istanbul - just a short walk away from the Sultanahmet area. The modern rooms and bathrooms offer good facilities, whilst the hotel also boasts a small pool and sauna. From the top floor bar and restaurant you can enjoy great views over the city.
Day 2: In Istanbul, city tour; overnight train to Konya
Istanbul was known until the First World War as Constantinople, the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Nearly all of the city's main sites of historic interest are in Old Stamboul. We include a half day walking tour of the 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 board the night train to Konya.
Overnight sleeper train in 2 berth compartment. Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Arrive Konya, drive to Ihlara area
We drive from Konya to the well preserved 13th Century caravanserai of Sultanhani, an impressive reminder that we are travelling along one of the great trade routes which linked Europe to Asia. As we continue we begin to see the unique erosion in the volcanic soil for which Cappadocia is so famous. We start our first walk at Selime at the northern end of the peaceful Ihlara Valley.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Karamanli Konagi Hotel
Karamanli Konagi Hotel
Situated in Turkey's Cappadocia region, Karamanlı Konağı is situated in a century-old historic stone mansion. It offers a Turkish restaurant, free rental bicycles and free Wi-fi.Rooms at Karamanlı Konağı feature traditional Turkish décor, and include a coffee maker and work desk. Private bathrooms are stocked with slippers and a hairydrer.
Day 4: Walk in Ihlara Valley, drive to Goreme, walk to Cayagil
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. Later we drive via the Underground City at Kaymakli to Goreme. We walk to Cayagil in the afternoon and then drive on to our hotel in Ayvali. In the evening and there may be the opportunity to have a Turkish bath. An invigorating scrub followed by a relaxing massage is perfect at the end of a full day's walking!
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Gamirasu Cave Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
What more perfect place to stay in Cappadocia than a troglodyte house? This spectacular hotel is a complex of cave dwellings which wind around, across and even through the hillside like a maze. Formerly a monastery, a Byzantine church is still attached to the hotel; all of which have been exquisitely restored to a very high standard. Hiking trails through the volcanic landscapes run literally from the front door!
Day 5: Walk Akvadi Valley, visit Uchisar, walk Babayan Plateau
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 Babayan Plateau where we look down on the fertile valley below and the rocks take on different hues as the sun begins to set.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++) in Gamirasu Cave Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Walk through Gomede Valley to Mustafapasa
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! Wine drinking is considered to be against the preaching of Islam, and much of the wine is now grown for export and for the non-Muslims (such as tourists!) in Turkey. 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 (H++) in Gamirasu Cave Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Walk in Pancarlik and Kizilcukur valleys via Cavusin to Goreme
We spend the morning walking through the little visited Pancarlik Valley and admiring the unusual formations. 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 (H++) in Gamirasu Cave Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Walk up Bozdag mountain
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 (H++) in Gamirasu Cave Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Tour ends Goreme
Tour ends today after breakfast in Goreme. Ex London passengers fly to Istanbul.
Included meals: Breakfast
