Combined Cappadocia & Lycian Way
This tour is designed for those who would like to enjoy both the beauty of the Lycian Way and the mysticism of Cappadocia. CAPPADOCIA is a volcanic land, the erosion of the “tuff” (volcanic ash) that is abundant in the area has shaped the region. It has become a refuge for the early Christians escaping Roman persecution. Rich and varied cultural traditions continue to exist in the area, kept alive by the villagers even today. Walking possibilities are endless in the valleys full of cave dwellings and surreal rock formations. Turkey's first long-distance route, the LYCIAN WAY links ancient Roman roads and Ottoman caravan routes with muletrails and forestry tracks in a 509 km walk along the spectacular Turquoise coast. The route passes through ruins of many ancient Lycian cities and visits the most worthwhile spots on the coast.
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For tours without fixed departure dates you can email us at: info@middleearthtravel.com or you can contact us using the "Contact Us" page. We will provide you with a tailormade itinerary and quotation.
Prices
Please contact us for dates and prices.
Dates
Dates can be arranged on your request.
Included
all transfers (also from/to airport) and luggage transfers with private vehicle including driver and fuel
all accommodation
all meals: breakfast / lunch (picnic) / dinner
qualified English speaking guide
Excluded
international flights
domestic flight (we can arrange it on request)
soft and alcoholic drinks during meals
entrance fees to historical sites and museums
tips and gratuities
Equipment
Trekkers need good walking shoes, small day-sack, warm clothing (for winter, early spring and autumn), sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rain gear (preferably breathable such as Goretex ™ (for winter, early spring and autumn), waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers (if appropriate), walking T-shirt/shirts, walking socks, fleece or jumper, water bottle (1 litre). This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have his own preference.
Transfer
We will pick you up from your hotel/airport and transfer you to the hotel/airport at the end of the tour. We transfer your luggage between accommodations by car. Our aim is to make your holiday more enjoyable. During the walks, you walk with your day-sack only.
Accommodation
In Cappadocia, you don’t have to settle for an ordinary hotel. Instead, you can have an amazing stay in one of the cave hotels. Cave hotels of Cappadocia are carved out of the landscape, letting you experience the true culture and beauty of the region. All rooms have a private bathroom, central heating and hair dryer. On the Lycian Way, you will stay in places that make you feel good and safe in lovely villages surrounded by trees and mountains. They are small, local, family-run and friendly hotels and pensions with a personal touch.
Meals
During the tour, you will enjoy natural, regional and rich Turkish food accompanied by freshly pressed fruit juices, Turkish wine, beer or even raki - the famous aniseed spirit. Meals consist of a soup or salads, a main course and fruit or sweet for dessert. In Cappadocia we want to show you the different regional flavors every day. For this reason, we go to a different restaurant for each meal (lunches & dinners). On the Lycian Way lunches are picnics and trekkers are expected to carry some part of the food, but we don’t skimp on this: our packed lunches are wonderful and we include plentiful trail snacks such as dried fruits and nuts along the way. We love our cooking in Turkey. We believe it is one of the tastiest and healthiest cuisines of the world.
Day 1: TRANSFER - SOĞANLI
Meet at Kayseri Airport airport and drive to a beautiful corner of Cappadocia; Soğanlı valley. Soğanlı valley is a not much visited area and will give you an idea about the typical Turkish village life. Christian monasteries located on the skirts of hills are unique for their wall paintings among all Cappadocian churches. Driving along the table-top volcanic mountains we arrive at the town of Mustafapaşa (old Sinasos) an ancient Greek town with its spectacular houses: very fine examples of late ethnic settlements and architecture. Lunch is in a restored village house with traditional Turkish hospitality.
Day 2: ON TOP OF CAPPADOCIA
Optional: Hot-air Balloon in the morning. This tour is an opportunity to break away from the classical trekking routes in the area; it’s for people who like heights. This is one of our favorite day tours as it provides many great views and interesting learning opportunities about the churches carved within the caves. There are only two ways to get a whole view of Cappadocia, either fly with a hot-air balloon or do the trekking up to Bozdağ Moutain (1300m). We depart for Cavusin Village. After a short wander in the village, we ascend through the deserted houses to reach the little known church of John the Baptist, with its unique paintings. Our path continues to the summit of Bozdağ Mountain where a panoramic view of the region awaits, including Uçhisar, Göreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Ortahisar and the Zelve open air museum. With the spectacular views of Mount Erciyes, we follow a smooth path over the plateau and descend for lunch in a small family run restaurant in Red valley. We visit the winery and the Grape church and start our afternoon walk in Rose Valley. We visit the pigeon houses and the Cross Church en route to the end of our walk in Göreme.
Day 3: IHLARA VALLEY EXPLORATION & UNDERGROUND CITY
We have a long day today, first stop is at one of the underground cities, one of the wonders of Cappadocia. The settlement was dug as deep as 5 layers below ground level and was used for hiding for many centuries. You will experience being underground, feel what it was like to live in a city in the earth; saving people from dangers, starvation, cold and enemies. Then we have a 1 hour drive to get to Ihlara Valley, a 13 km (10 mi) long gorge cut into the volcanic rock. After a short tea break, we walk about 3,5 hours and a route visit some rock-cut churches. The walls in the valley are carved with churches and some have really unique paintings inside. It is generally an easy walk, following the river. Willow and poplar trees will decorate our way with the beautiful birds gliding around. After a late lunch we visit a rock-cut mosque and a church next to each other. We continue walking by the river down to Selime town, and the walk ends nearby Selime Monastery. After visiting the monastery, we drive to a volcanic crater lake and stop for a quick swim (seasonal opportunity).
Day 4: REGIONAL CAPPADOCIA TOUR & FLY TO ANTALYA - LYCIAN WAY
Optional: Indulge in an Turkish hamam (traditional Turkish bath). Today is spent exploring the well-known sites of the Cappadocia region. The Open-Air museum of Göreme was a very important monastic settlement in the early Christian ages and has a number of churches hollowed out of the rocks and painted with wall paintings. Paşabağ is one of the most beautiful corners of the region with hermitages hollowed out of the volcanic tufa. Looking at the rock formations in Devrent valley is like looking at the clouds. They seem to take the shape of whatever you imagine about them. Lunch is in a local restaurant in the town of Avanos which is a pottery producing center since ancient times. In the afternoon we have an optional visit to a Turkish bath for relaxation and a massage. Transfer to Kayseri airport for flight to Antalya. Your hotel is located in the historical center of Kaleiçi in Antalya. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 5: WALK ON MOUNT OLYMPOS
Yayla Kuzdere-Beycik (15km / 6hrs / +970m / -1020m) We transfer to Yayla Kuzdere where we start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). We climb the pass from here (alt. 1850m). Then we descend via a mule path to the village of Beycik (alt. 900m) where we meet our transfer vehicle that takes us to our pension in Çıralı. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çıralı.
Day 6: VISIT ANCIENT OLYMPOS and WALK TO CHIMAERA (YANARTAŞ)
After breakfast we make an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (total approx. 6km along the beach). After lunch there is free time until dinner. You can swim and lie on the beach or do other activities as desired (eg. sea kayak). After dinner we make a short night walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera (a natural gas coming from the bowels of the earth in the location called Yanartaş) in the dark. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çıralı.
Day 7: WALK ÇIRALI – ADRASAN
(16km / 6hrs / + 750m / -750m) We start directly from our pension in Çıralı and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dağ (Moses Mountain; alt. 650m). After having a picnic lunch near an old hut we descend through the forest, past deserted farmhouses to reach the beautiful bay of Adrasan. The trek ends on day 7 with a transfer to Antalya airport.
Personal wishes
But what if you want to explore more ancient sites, absorb more culture or, on the contrary, simply enjoy and find more time for relaxation? We will be happy to design a tailor made program for you fitting your personal wishes and budget.