Trekking in Cappadocia: Enchanted Valleys and Hidden Cities

April 21st to 27th, 2023
A journey to Cappadocia takes you into the most breathtaking nature, amidst rock formations with incredible colors and imaginative shapes—gifts of ancient volcanic eruptions and time itself, which sculpts the rock through erosion. Famous are the Fairy Chimneys, extraordinary mushroom-shaped pinnacles that ancient people believed were the dwellings of magical creatures. Then there are the various valleys, each more enchanting than the last. The most visited is the Rose Valley, where the jagged, sinuous rocks take on different hues, ranging from pink and yellow to blue. There is also the Imagination Valley, where you can spend hours spotting shapes and characters in the rocks, and the Ihlara Valley, which hosts ancient churches with well-preserved original frescoes and rock-hewn monasteries like the one in Selime within its spectacular canyon.
The main towns of Cappadocia are Göreme and Ürgüp, scenic villages carved into the rocks and places unique in the world. In Göreme, religious buildings with their chapels and monasteries create an open-air museum where you cannot miss a visit to Tokali and Karanlik, two magnificent rock-cut churches whose frescoes will leave you amazed. In Ürgüp, everything is carved from the rock: you sleep, live, and work in extraordinary and theatrical ancient rock formations. Other wonders include the numerous underground cities, among which the one in Kaymakly stands out.
Another great reason to visit Cappadocia is that this natural spectacle can be appreciated from the height of a hot air balloon. You set off at dawn and rise slowly to observe every nuance of color, every unique shape, and every ancient village. Finally, Cappadocia is also a place appreciated for its art; inside the rock-cut churches, you can contemplate frescoes with vivid colors that tell religious stories with the same expressiveness as in the past.                                                             

Price includes: € 850.00 - Local guide service, insurance, and excursion organization. Hotel accommodation in double or twin rooms, daily dinners and breakfasts, 4 lunches, and bus transfers with a driver for the entire stay, from arrival at Kayseri airport to departure.
Price does not include: Round-trip airfare to reach Kayseri airport (the meeting point with the group), 1 lunch, drinks, and extra expenses not specified under "Price includes". Single room supplement: € 40.00 per night.
The hot air balloon flight is not included and must be paid for at the time of your confirmation. Booking and payment (approximately € 200/250 per person) will be handled online by February 2023 for the entire group. In case of bad weather conditions, the balloon flight might be cancelled, in which case the fee will be refunded.
Deposit: € 250.00 at the time of registration. Upon confirmation of your participation, we kindly ask you to email us at [email protected] with your details for insurance purposes: full name, place and date of birth, place of residence, and tax code (codice fiscale). We also recommend sending a copy of your ID card.
Balance: € 600.00 to be paid 15 days before departure.
Meeting point: April 21st, 2023, at 18:00 at Kayseri Airport. For those traveling from southern Italy, we meet on April 21st at Catania airport at 07:00. The flight costs around € 400 if booked in advance! We recommend Turkish Airlines from Italy on the Catania/Rome/Milan to Istanbul-Kayseri route.
End of trip: April 27th, 2023, in the morning; the departure time will depend on your flight schedule.
Trip type: Stationary
Difficulty: Moderate.
Daily walking hours: 3 to 6 hours.
Accommodation: Hotel
Highlights: Enchanted valleys, underground cities, spectacular geological formations, hot air balloon flight, history, stunning landscapes, Turkish cuisine, and local culture.
Required equipment: Trekking clothing, hiking shoes, hat, shower sandals, rain poncho (k-way), sweater, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and personal toiletries.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights.
Booking deadline: March 1st, 2023, subject to availability.
Notes: The trip will be conducted in accordance with current Covid-19 regulations. One week before departure, we will send you an email with the latest information.
The itinerary may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, the guide will make the final decision.
Guide: Salvatore Marletta: contact – 3334987946
Email: [email protected] - www.ciaotrekking.com
Technical Organization: Cappadocia Excluisve Travel