Trekking in Cappadocia and the High Taurus
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at Kayseri Airport. KE Land Only package services begin with a 2 hour group transfer to Cukurbag village in the Aladaglar Range. We have our first night's camp here.
Day 2: After a traditional Turkish breakfast, we start our first trek walking through the foothills of the Aladaglar Mountains. Our trek takes us into the Aladaglar National Park and after approximately 4 hours walk we will reach our camp in the Emli valley. Total ascent of approximately +300m.
Day 3: Our trek today takes us through the Mangirci Gorge and onwards, through cedar and junniper woodland to the grazing area at Alaca Yayla.We then descend back to the Emli Valley by way of the seasonal shepherds' camp at Oluk Sekisi. 5 - 6 hours walking. +650m. Camp.
Day 4: Today, we trek into the Siyirmalik Valley, passing a nomadic camp at Eznevit and continuing to Sakartas with good views over the surrounding area. We camp at Sokulupinar. 6 - 7 hours walking. Ascent/descent: +788m./-538m.
Day 5: A lovely day-hike from camp today, up to Dipsiz Lake (2900m / 9514ft), passing the grazing area of Arpalik Yayla. High up, we may see ibex in this area. Return to camp at Sokulupinar. 6 - 7 hours. 900m.
Day 6: We climb up to the Arpalik plateau and descend through the Cimbar Canyon, which is only 15 meters wide in parts with walls 100 metres high.at the bottom we reach a village where we take lunch with a local family. There will be time to explore this small Anatolian village before returning to camp by a different route. 4 - 5 hours. +/-500m.
Day 7: Making an early start, we follow the Karayalak valley and climb to the summit of Emler (3723m). This is a spectacular viewpoint and if the weather permits, we will see several Anatolian volcanoes including Hasan (3268 m) and Argeus (3916 m) and the Bolkar range is also visable. The climb to the summit takes around 6-7 hours with approximately 2-3 hours for descent. + / - 1723m.
Day 8: After breakfast we transfer in 4X4 vehicles to our camp at Karagol. From here we start today's trek which climbs to the green pastures southeast of Karagol. After approximately 2 hours we reach the Teke Kalesi area used in the summertime by nomadic shepherds. After taking our lunch here we return to Karagol by the same route. Overnight in Karagol. Approximately 4 hours of walking.
Day 9: Our last day of trekking in the High Taurus will take us down the Maden Gorge to the roadhead, where we have lunch. 4 - 5 hours. -200m. In the afternoon we will drive to Guzelyurt in Cappadocia where we check into the group hotel.
Day 10: Today we start walking in the Ihlara Valley, a 14km long canyon with hundreds of rock cut rooms and churches. In the late afternoon we transfer to northern Capapdocia and on the way visit Derinkuyu underground city. 4 hours walking. We stay overnight in a comfortable hotel in Mustafapasha.
Day 11: Today's walk takes us through the Meskendir Valley. We follow a trail through the Cappadocian rock formations passing ancient cave houses and complexes from the old Christian civilization. From the Meskendir Valley we cross over to the Red Valley, considered the most beautiful in Cappadocia with its formations and colours. 5 hours walking. We spend a second night at the hotel in Mustafapasha.
Day 12: After breakfast, we will drive to Kayseri Airport, where KE Land Only package services end.
Altitude
This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude.
