Ihlara Valley Exploration

The fairy chimneys and secret valleys offers fascinating walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. And It is spectacular feeling to waking up to the glorious hot air balloons floating across the valleys as well.

This trek will take us to the real villages, where you will get the chance to be witness to the daily life of local people. Trek in these untouched valleys with chimneys around will lead you to villages where people left their home during 1924. We will see very fine examples of late ethnic settlements and architecture.

This luxury cycling tour is the finest and most complete holiday in the Biking in Turkey portfolio, designed from the ground up to meet world class service standards and exceed expectations every step of the way. Based on our popular and highly praised Aegean Road Bike Touring programme, this tour breaks the route up into smaller, more manageable chunks, discarding anything other than the most perfect rides, and anchoring the evenings at superior boutique hotels throughout. With shorter distances averaging 50km per day the route retains enough hills to be challenging but leaves you with plenty of free time simply to enjoy your time with us. Whether you choose to explore historical sights, relax in blissful tranquility on little-known beaches or unwind and distress in the fine facilities of our hotels, you will relish the time and freedom. The route itself takes to a network of roads that link coastal mountains with paradise beaches and rugged peninsulas. It is a chance to experience the true beauty and character of Turkey’s less-developed seaside and coastal hinterland areas, far away from the hustle bustle of modern life.

A week of perfect cycle touring beside the blissful Mediterranean. Choose from guided or self-guided options to suit you best. Flexible tour lengths from 5 to 12 days. Explore the ancient city of Ephesus. Cycle the Bozburun peninsula with it’s beautiful coves and villages. Discovering little known beaches on the Dilek Peninsula. Dalyan’s protected turtle beach and unique fresh water lagoon. Lake Bafa National Park and it’s unique rock formations. Get away from it all in the remote wilderness of Latmos Mountains.

The Aladağlar massif boasts the region’s highest peak (Demirkazık summit, which stretches to 3756 m). The geology of the area is responsible for the interesting rock formations and waterfalls. The erosion of limestone has created a fascinating karstic topography and hydrography, especially in the Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) valley, where the karstic underground rivers and caverns collect the surface water.

It will be once in your lifetime to wake up in the middle of the night to the most clear milky way. Two nights nearby 1000m height lime stone walls and walk inside the valleys with stunning views here is the chance. Very well organized camp sites with toilet and shower facilities are waiting for you.

This relatively wild and challenging journey offers a true taste of Cappadocia’s finest landscapes, history and local hospitality without being too technical or physically intense. It connects incredible historical sights, off the beaten track villages and un-missable panoramas with wonderful cycling routes on dirt tracks, quiet roads and smooth flowing off road trails. The tour is a journey of discovery, spanning much of the region including the Ihlara Canyon, Soganli Valley, and “Fairy Chimney” lunar landscape that stretches from Mustafapasa to Goreme. It’s a mix of dirt road adventure bike touring, relaxed cycle touring and some great mountain biking that is suitable for all cyclists. The emphasis is on discovery, and there are plenty of sights, things to do and unforgettable photo opportunities throughout. This tour is a great choice for small groups, couples and families.

What do you think about photographing the majesty of almost 300 Yılkı horses in the heart of Anatolia just like shooting a piece for a film or documentary? Are you ready to capture the same great scenery as Nuri Bilge Ceylan did in Winter Sleep, his Golden Palm Award winning movie at the Cannes Film Festival? This Yılkı Horses Photography workshop is organised by Anadolu’ya Yolculuk, under the inspiring leadership of Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, an AFIAP award-winning photographer. Apart from catching the best images of the horses we also pay a visit to a Kyrgyz Otağı (a large nomadic marquee) in the Avanos district where you can relive the centuries old central Asian traditions! The magical eternity and powerful reflections of the Salt Lake with a horseman or people dressed in their traditional outfits, it will be a visual feast and magical atmosphere that you cannot even imagine! Whether you travel in the white snows of winter, between the fresh spring showers or in a huge dust cloud during summer, each season will offer you stunning images! This will be a tour focussing on PHOTOGRAPHY as you will visit the best photographical locations under the expert consultancy of professional photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu; a tour full of DISCOVERY as you will see the best viewpoints and the least known corners of the cities with our expert guide and lastly a definite GOURMET tour, as we include the best cuisine of the region and you won’t turn back until you have tasted every special food there is!

Are you ready to capture the same great scenery as Nuri Bilge Ceylan did in Winter Sleep, his Golden Palm Award winning movie at the Cannes Film Festival? What do you think about photographing the majesty of almost 300 Yılkı horses in the heart of Anatolia just like shooting a piece for a film or documentary? This Yılkı Horses Photography workshop is organised by Anadolu’ya Yolculuk, under the inspiring leadership of Nuri Çorbacıoğlu, an AFIAP award-winning photographer. Apart from catching the best images of the horses we also pay a visit to a Kyrgyz Otağı (a large nomadic marquee) in the Avanos district where you can relive the centuries old central Asian traditions! The magical eternity and powerful reflections of the Salt Lake with a horseman or people dressed in their traditional outfits, it will be a visual feast and magical atmosphere that you cannot even imagine! Whether you travel in the white snows of winter, between the fresh spring showers or in a huge dust cloud during summer, each season will offer you stunning images! This will be a tour focussing on PHOTOGRAPHY as you will visit the best photographical locations under the expert consultancy of professional photographer Nuri Çorbacıoğlu; a tour full of DISCOVERY as you will see the best viewpoints and the least known corners of the cities with our expert guide and lastly a definite GOURMET tour, as we include the best cuisine of the region and you won’t turn back until you have tasted every special food there is!

Cappadocia, with its unreal rock formations, cave dwellings and “fairy chimneys” is undeniably one of Turkey’s most captivating, unique and unmissable areas and a perfect destination for a road cycling tour. This tour links Cappadocia with the nearby Aladaglar Mountains – a jagged alpine range of limestone peaks surrounded beautiful forests, canyons and waterfalls. Designed to satisfy keen cyclists without being overly demanding, the tour includes some long days but the effort is more than rewarded. We get the most from our time by using minibus transfers to cut out any unsuitable areas, leaving an itinerary jam packed with highlights and offering first class riding throughout. The tour is a true journey of discovery that covers much of this intriguing region. There is much to explore along the way, and beyond the usual scope of stop-learn-take photo you will genuinely be able to explore and discover yourselves. Cappadocia is a land that frees the Indiana Jones inside us all, with history around every corner and an incredible mix of colours and cultures.

Welcome to Turkey’s most awesome scenery: abounding with intense, technical ups, super fun smooth, flowing chutes and adrenaline fueled rock garden descents. This is Turkey’s trail biking paradise- a volcanic landscape offering challenging and rewarding slick rock; lush, green singletracks and unforgettable caves, tunnels and canyons. Accessible to all riders with a little off-road experience, the sandy terrain makes Cappadocia a perfect place for beginners, imp-rovers and experts alike. Biking in Cappadocia is so much fun, but what this sets this tour apart is quality of hotel accommodation and restaurants used throughout, complimented by a breadth of historical and cultural interest rarely matched on world class singletrack terrain such as this. Cappadocia has it all- great trails, friendly, welcoming people and a landscape that will blow your mind….

This self-guided trek takes in the Bozburun Peninsula, one of the 5 sections of the Carian trail. With 850 km, the Carian trail is the longest of Turkey's long-distance trekking routes. Located in the south western part of Turkey it runs through the provinces of Muğla and Aydın, passing by numerous monuments from the Carian civilization that thrived in this region during Antiquity. The region has its own unique architecture and many ancient villages, untouched coves, hills full of olive and almond trees, and ancient cities, some of which are only accessible on foot. Leaving busy tourist centres such as Marmaris behind, you hike from the blues of the sea to the greens of the hills, starting on forested slopes above Kumlübük and slowly making your way to the more barren hillsides of the southern part of the peninsula. You pass sleepy coastal towns and traditional mountain villages, on the way enjoying the ever changing, amazing views.

The 850 km Carian trail is the longest of Turkey's long-distance trekking routes. Located in the south western part of Turkey it runs through the provinces of Muğla and Aydın, passing by numerous monuments from the Carian civilization that thrived in this region during Antiquity. The region has its own unique architecture and many ancient villages, untouched coves, hills full of olive and almond trees, and ancient cities, some of which are only accessible on foot. This guided tour takes in the Bozburun Peninsula, one of the 5 sections of the Carian trail. Leaving busy tourist centres such as Marmaris behind, we hike from the blues of the sea to the greens of the hills, starting on forested slopes above Kumlübük and slowly making our way to the more barren hillsides of the southern part of the peninsula. We pass sleepy coastal towns and traditional mountain villages, on the way enjoying the ever changing, amazing views.

The Lycian Way is well known for its famous stages passing by Ölüdeniz Beach, Gelidonya Lighthouse or Mount Olympos. The Teke Peninsula is however home to many more natural beauties and historical treasures! In Central Lycia, the region between Demre and Kaş, some great walks and interesting visits can be made from comfortable, well-located accommodations. This guided tour will introduce you to this rocky Mediterranean coast where the Lycian Way leads past beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, as well as some impressive remains of ancient Lycian cities and early Christian monasteries.

This one week 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.

Mount Erciyes (3917m.) is one of the best mountaineering and winter sports centers in Turkey. This dormant volcano rises south of the city of Kayseri. Erciyes is exposed to every kind of atmospheric movement and winter brings heavy snow on it. On a historical note: there is a fire worshippers’ (Zoroaster/ Zarathustra) temple around the summit. Monks in historic times have visited this summit several times. The first known successful climb in modern times was performed by WJ Hamilton in 1837. On the way we visit Soğanlı Valley, it is an ideal introduction to the riches of Cappadocia, helping you to understand how different cultures have shaped the development of this region steeped in history.

If you have limited time to breathe the culture and geography of Mystic Cappadocia, this program will make you happy.

Daily tours offer the maximum amount of freedom and choice in any Turkish bike tour. We frequently operate centre based tours from our base in Göreme, Cappadocia: an incredibly scenic area which is fast becoming a hub for all kinds of biking experiences! These guided daily tours are less technical than our Singletrack Tour selection, and are suitable for all. Tours are on a mix of sandy dirt tracks and quiet, asphalted back roads. Tours include professional guide, lunch and bike/helmet hire.

Mount Hasan (3268m.) ranks as the second highest mountain of central Anatolia. This tour starts with a long but easy walk in the Ihlara Valley. On the way it is possible to visit one of the famous underground cities. Ihlara Valley -13 km hike- is one of the most popular day treks. The walls in the valley are carved with churches and some have really unique wallpaintings inside. The ascent of Mount Hasan takes place on the second day.

You can explore the myriad valleys with their extraordinary rock formations beside the churches. And churches and tunnels take you to another lifestyle.

The tour is a chance to explore the central part of Turkey known as Cappadocia. The area is unique with volcanic formation in the world. You will explore fairy chimneys, deep valleys, rock-cut churches with wall paintings, underground cities, rock dwellings and traditional life and cuisine of Turkey.

We combined two of our greatest passions into a new tour concept: Nature and Music. As the amazing Israeli band Anna RF and Middle Earth Travel we are collaborating for this new project in the Kaçkar mountains, a musical, mystery, hiking tour. We will do day walks in amazing places in nature, somedays short, some days longer and everywhere we go we will make music. Sometimes a workshop, sometimes a mini acoustic concert and sometimes jamming with local musicians of the Black Sea. We will reach beautiful places in nature, waterfalls, lakes, cloud covered ridges, even some of the lower summits and play music, sing and dance to the rythms of the Black Sea and nature. This is a one week program, sleeping in mountain huts and village pensions, eating amazing local food and immersing ourselves in the Black Sea culture, musically and otherwise.

This tour takes in the lower slopes of the Kaçkar and can already take place in July, the beginning of the trekking season in this mountainous region. It is relatively quiet and trekkers have a greater chance of observing wildlife than in the more crowded weeks of August. Wild flowers cover every slope and the snowmelt streams gush in every valley. This is a tour for those who don’t aspire to do the summit and prefer to stay in village houses and pensions. July and August are the best times to visit this heaven on Earth. We will walk from one mountain yayla (pasture) to the other and see glacial lakes, flowers and snowcapped peaks along the way.

This one week hike crosses the high passes of the Kaçkar Mountain range from north to south, including an optional ascent to the peak of Kaçkar (H: 3937m). We stay in pensions in the local villages and camp in the high pastures for our summit ascent.

This 14 day guided trek follows a large section of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath – the Lycian Way. The famous route snakes its way above the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of 'the Land of Light' Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya. The trek continues on coastal paths around the sheltered harbour and tiny islands of Simena and Kekova lagoon, famous for the underwater ruins of the Sunken City that can be visited by boat. We end the tour at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.

The extinct volcano Ağri Dağı (Mount Ararat) is, at 5,165 metres, the highest peak in Turkey. It is the final cone in the chain of volcanoes which march across the bare savannah of the central Anatolian plain. The ascent follows the southern route spreading the climb over three days up and one day down. We will be using two campsites at 3200m and 4200 metres, and mules to carry supplies to the first camp. The trek starts from Eliköyü, an abandoned village in the foothills and sticks to a ridge for much of the way, thus avoiding the Ulker glacier which careers down the face into deep and jumbled gorges below. The path, though rocky, is clearly marked. Above 5000m are permanent ice fields, so crampons, ice axes and ropes are required. The summit is reached via a long ridge and is no more than a rounded hump marked by cairns.

It is one of the favorite as it provided many great views and interesting learning opportunities for the churches carved within the caves. There is only one way to have whole view of Cappadocia, either fly with balloon or do for trekking up in Bozdag. (1300 m)

This challenging self-guided trek follows the highest and most rugged section of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath. The route winds up and down along the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos. It finishes at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya.

This challenging guided trek follows the highest and most rugged section of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The route winds up and down along the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to finish at the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya.

This exciting self-guided trek follows the prettiest parts of the Lycian Way, Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath. The route meanders over bare hillsides and through scented pine forests overlooking the blue Mediterranean. It dips down to wonderful hidden beaches where sparkling waves lap smooth sands. The region south of Fethiye is known as the Seven Capes, a stunning coastline where steep hillsides drop abruptly into the sea. We start in Kayaköy close to the famous Ölüdeniz lagoon and follow well-preserved foot paths that meander along this coast, sometimes staying high above it in Faralya and Alınca; but also passing through tiny, secluded coves such as Kabak with white, sandy beaches that give ample opportunity for a swim. The trek ends at the impressive ruins of Patara, one of the principal cities of ancient Lycia, located near one of the finest and whitest beaches of Turkey.

This exciting guided trek follows the prettiest parts of Turkey’s first ever long-distance footpath - the Lycian Way. The region south of Fethiye is known as the Seven Capes, a stunning coastline where steep promontories drop abruptly into the sea. The route meanders over bare hillsides and through scented pine forests overlooking the blue Mediterranean. We start in Kayaköy close to the famous white sands of Ölüdeniz lagoon and follow well-preserved foot paths to Faralya, Alınca and Yediburun enjoying the vast sea views from their elevated locations. In between, the route dips down to wonderful hidden beaches such as Kabak where sparkling waves lap smooth sands, idyllic places for a swim. The trek ends at the impressive ruins of Patara, one of the principal cities of ancient Lycia and located near one of the finest beaches of Turkey.

This self-guided trek starts on the shores of lake Eğirdir and follows the eastern branch of the Saint Paul trail, the long distance walk between Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç) deep in the Taurus mountains and Perge near the coast. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; you will often stay in village houses, see the local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Roman city of Selge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Our trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself!) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.

This guided trek starts from the ruins of Perge (east of Antalya) and follows parts of the eastern branch of the long distance walk from Perge to Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç), deep in the Taurus mountains. The trek allows us to immerse ourselves in the way of life of the inhabitants of the old stone and timber villages along the route; we will frequently stay in village houses, see the local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy the tasty village foods. The trip includes a visit to the major Greek/Roman city of Perge as well as many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds during the walks. Our trail follows beautiful sections of Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times (and perhaps even walked by st Paul himself) in this spectacular area of forests, canyons, rivers and peaks.

The love valley gives you chance to have great shots of Cappadocia with small fields, lush vegetation and strange rock formations. Pigeon Valley is named for the many pigeon houses or dovecotes carved into the rocks and cliffs. Even though they are few pigeons only.

The fairy chimneys and secret valleys of Cappadocia offer the opportunity for some of the most fascinating day walks to be enjoyed anywhere in the world. The famous troglodyte villages and the amazing scenery are best enjoyed on foot. In this one week tour, walking possibilities are endless in this area of cave lived valleys and surreal rock formations. The walking is of moderate difficulty and is generally between 4 and 5 hours each day. There is also time to visit some of the attractive villages on route.

Capturing the highlights of Turkey in one tour is not easy, but this 14 day culture & hike program comes close. It gives you a chance to discover the rich history of Istanbul, the city that embraces two continents and to admire the 'out of this world' natural and cultural wonders of Cappadocia. Next, you can strengthen your legs on some of the most beautiful sections of the Lycian Way, before ending the holiday with a visit to one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey, Ephesus.