Day 1: Meeting
One can fly into Cappadocia and land in the city of Kayseri – 80 km away from your first hotel. Taxis are available to Cappadocia, but if you land on the early afternoon flight of Turkish airlines from Istanbul, your guide will meet you at the airport and drive you to Nevshehir (Nev- new; Sehir – town). The first Ottoman great vesir (prime-minister) of Cappadocian origin, Mustaffa-Pasha, did not forget his hometown, rebuilding it with a governmental budget; his monumental grave, the town citadel, and the great mosque are all contributions of his architects to the local heritage. This evening you will meet your guides, adjust bikes, and enjoy dinner together before having a good night’s sleep to overcome jetlag and forget your regular routine. Included are a 5 o'clock tea and dinner.
Lodging: Termalya Hotel or Dedeman Hotel, Nevshehir Day 2: Neveshehir to Mustaffapasha via Kimakli
48 Km of flat, easy cycling. Ride towards Kimakli, home of one of the famous underground cities of Cappadocia, now cleaned, illuminated, and marked for a safe visit. After the visit, and a lunch at a local restaurant, head east, passing some villages of the basalt plains before descending to the valleys of Cappadocia. As different layers of rocks are exposed to the surface, every descent reveals more and more weird-looking rocks, wild colors, and strange rock shapes that become bigger and bigger. Near Aivaly, cross a small canyon on an old bridge with a superb view of the strange colors and formations from a close range. Another 10km,takes you to the picturesque village of Mustafapasha, where sunset illuminates the rocks beautifully. Lunch in Kimakli, and dinner at the hotel.
Lodging: Gomeda Resort Hotel, Mustaffapasha Day 3: Mustaffapasha to the valley of Soganly (pronounce: “So'anly”)
74 km cycling, mostly flat or down hill with one 6km ascent. Your ride, a bit longer and a bit more demanding than yesterday, takes you to parts of Cappadocia that mass tourism has not yet spoiled. Descend eastward through Mustaffapasha, with carved facades, stone-arched balconies, and beautifully preserved windows and decorated doors, which deserve exploring before proceeding south along the river that feeds the Damsa Dam. See the latest excavations of ancient Sobesos – a Roman-byzantine town, with a magnificent mosaic floor depicting 8th century decorations. Climb (or take the van) through the village of Sahineffendi to cross a beautiful plateau before descending to the Soganly region. Soganly has hundreds of cones, containing churches, frescoes, houses, workshops, etc. all abandoned over the last three centuries, leaving this entire area for you to explore – as much as you like, as long as you have daylight left. Transfer back to your inn at day’s end. Picnic lunch and dinner included.
Lodging: same as last night Day 4: Mustaffapasha to Avanos and Uchisar: Fairy Chimneys
35 km of easy cycling, mostly downhill. Ride all the way downhill to the Kizilirmak (Red River), one of the longest rivers in Turkey, as far as the village of Urgup. This is the biggest village in Cappadocia, and it has an important Museum, a Hamam situated in a historic building, and some reputable wineries. Ride through Zelve, and stop at the orange colored rock formations, one of which resembles a giant camel. Descend westward toward the valley of Zelve, with the Open Air Museum that includes some of the finest Byzantine art inside neglected underground chapels and churches. From there, ride another 5 km to the "Monk’s Valley", a concentration of wild-shaped giant rock cones, perhaps some of which used to be the houses of hermit monks, and one of them is used today as a police station (photography of this particular "chimney" is prohibited). Climb to Avanos, where fine Hittite opottery motifs are abundantly available. After a short lesson in pottery, transfer before sunset to Uchisar, a small village that will be your base for the next day. Lunch and dinner included.
Lodging: Kaya Hotel or Maison de Cappadocia or Kale-Konake Day 5: Uchisar to Goreme via Ibrahim Pasha & Ortahisar
35 km. Rolling hills with three optional ascents. Today you will visit the true highlights of Cappadocia, beginning with Uchisar castle – a unique view point with a unique story. From there, a 10 km easy ride takes you to Ibrahim Pasha, a beautifully-built village somehow left out of the usual wave of tourism in Cappadocia. From there, a nice descent and steep ascent to Ortahisar – a stretch you might prefer to ride in the van, for a climb, on foot, to the castle. The 15-minute climb up ladders and stairs rewards you with breath-taking (puns aside) views. Next, ride to the Goreme valley, on a hilly road paved partly with cobblestones. Visit dozens of old Byzantine frescoes, in 1000-year old, abandoned churches, then ride to your hotel in Goreme village. Lunch and dinner provided.
Lodging: Kelebeck Hotel, Goreme Day 6: Hiking/walking day from Goreme
Today offers options. In the morning, hike 6km downhill to the magnificent "White Valley", a.k.a."Love Valley”, named for obvious reasons. After noon, hike 7km to the "Red Valley" to watch the sunset and descend through "Rose Valley". Alternatively, join one of the hot air-balloon flights over the area (best reserved ahead of time – please ask at booking), or go shopping in downtown Goreme, use the services of the local Hamam (Turkish steam-bath), or make a combination of any of these elements self guided. Just let Freewheeling Adventures know what's on your mind or where you are going to be - so they can help with transportation.
Lodging: same as last night Day 7: To the Ihlara Canyon
60 km. Optional two-hour hike on a canyon trail. Ride into a slightly different environment: the Basalt Plateau near Hassan Dahi, the neighboring majestic volcano. Transfer 40km to Derinkuyu, boasting the biggest underground city open to visitors, dated probably from the early Persian Time (5th century BC). Ride through the Anatolian Heights, and descend to the valley of the Melendiz river, overshadowed by the giant mountain of Hassan Dahi. A short ascent will take you to Guzilyurt, from where you can make a decision about your afternoon: Ride to where the Melendiz created a majestic canyon, descend a few hundred stairs, and hike a few km inside the canyon, visiting at least three ancient churches with beautiful frescoes at the bottom. Alternatively, cycle downstream to Belisirma on a cobblestone road to the canyon bed, and meet the hikers. Transfer back to Goreme for a last night together. Picnic lunch and dinner included.
Lodging: Same as last night Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Kayseri for outgoing flights. |
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