Cappadocia Short Break – 4 days
Travel to Turkey and experience the rural culture of the Cappadocia region. A series of volcanic eruptions resulted in a landscape of porous rocks known as fairy chimneys, now the ideal hotspot for a balloon ride. The elements carved the terrain of Goreme, and later, the people discovered they too could carve the rocks into homes and churches. With a local guide who knows all the fantastic tales of old, discover Cappadocia’s many legends from the Byzantine era in this Short Break adventure.
Trip overview
- Start – Goreme, Turkey
- Finish – Goreme, Turkey
- Destinations – Turkey
- Physical rating – 2/5
- Group size – Max 12
- Discover an out-of-this-world landscape, made up of mystical fairy chimneys and cave-like dwellings.
- Visit one of Cappadocia’s famous local wineries and enjoy your glass with the best natural entertainment (sunset, of course).
- Walk past ancient architecture at your own pace, with heaps of free time and a flexible local guide to show you the way.
- Explore the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli, listen to local stories and admire artwork from the Byzantine-era.
- Hike the beautiful Red Valley or Love Valley and spark your imagination with the natural rock formations that dot the land.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our charitable partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey.
- On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local partners of ours, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
Itinerary
Merhaba! Welcome to Cappadocia, a central region of Turkey famous for the magical fairy chimneys and near-perfect weather. Soak in the horizon at sunrise, dotted with floating hot air balloons. Visit rock-hewn churches, cave homes and incredible underground cities. You are free to arrive at any time today. If you arrive early, maybe walk through the village of Goreme and get the lay of the land. Or, if you’re a photography buff, start your Short Break with a healthy dose of behind-the-lens exploration. Your guided tours will begin tomorrow, so tonight is yours to enjoy.
After breakfast this morning, your local guide will meet you at 9am to trekking to the region’s heart. You’ll set out to explore one of the many valleys of Cappadocia, maybe Love Valley (whose phallic-shaped formations are great for a giggle-induced icebreaker) or Red Valley(nestled within Goreme National Park and named after the other worldly red-hued landscape).Talk to your guide about how far and wide you would like to hike this morning. You’ll then enjoy free time for lunch in the village of Goreme, a spectacular valley town carved into volcanic rock and shaped by erosion. After lunch, you’ll conclude with a visit to the UNESCO Open Air Museum, with its many rock-cut churches and fascinating artworks from the Byzantine era. This evening is yours to explore. Consider a visit to an ancient Caravanserai and witness the mystical dance of the whirling dervishes(Sema ceremony).
If you want to hop on a famed hot air balloon ride this morning, you’ll need to ensure you book ahead of time. Our experienced operators guide these aerial tours and will always help you make your airborne adventureanincredibly memorable experience. This is an optional activity,and the cost varies depending on what type of flight you choose. Don’t worry,you’ll be back in time to enjoy breakfast.
Today, we head underground. After brekkie at your hotel this morning,you’ll bepicked up at 9am. Discover Kaymakli Underground City with your guide (only open to visitors since 1964) and walk through the subterranean corridors, tunnels and caves that make up this fascinating destination. From here, you’ll let your imagination run wild at Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valleyor Pink Valley) known for its whimsical rock formations. Make a stop at Pasabag Monks Valley and check out the three-headed fairy chimneys, the result of volcanic eruptions, wind and water. Enjoy a drop of wine from a local wine house or grab a bottle to go and watch the sunset over the mystic landscape.
Today is departure day, so after breakfast, you’re free to leave at any time. Hotel check-out will be 11am, so make sure you speak to your booking agent if you wish to stay longer.
Inclusions
Activities
- Cappadocia – Goreme Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia – Valley walk
- Goreme – Wine at Sunset in Cappadocia
- Cappadocia – Kaymakli Underground City
Add on activities
- Goreme – The Dark Church Entry – TRY130
- Goreme – Whirling Dervishes – Sema Performance – EUR30
