Cappadocia
Hiking in Cappadocia and the Taurus Mountains
Réf : TCAPTAU8X
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationTürkiye / Cappadocia
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AgeAccessible to all ages
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CO₂-Emissions142 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
Treat yourself to an unforgettable trekking experience in Cappadocia , Turkey! Your adventure guides you from village to village along ancient trails, where you will discover the remains of forgotten churches, cave amphitheaters and underground cities.
Your journey begins with a discovery of these ancient civilizations amidst the majestic scenery of Central Anatolia , traversing a vast plateau of volcanic tuff with rugged, eroded landscapes dotted with fairy chimneys and cones . Along the way, you'll encounter warm and welcoming local people. You'll savor delicious cuisine and fine wines . In the evenings, you'll stay in charming guesthouses in an authentic setting .
Next, you'll explore the Taurus Mountains in the south of the country, where lunar landscapes and wild mountains will unfold before your eyes with every step. Between valleys, forests, canyons, and high plateaus, your hikes will offer spectacular views of the massif's imposing peaks , and you might even encounter a few nomadic encampments . A perfect immersion to discover all the riches of this incredible Turkish region!
The highlights
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The best of Cappadocia on a hike
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The lunar landscapes of the Taurus Mountains
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The discovery of troglodytic culture
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to hike for up to 6 hours a day and/or cover an elevation gain of 600 to 800 meters, both on and off-trail. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in a sporting activity once a week, hike regularly, and are in very good physical condition.
In figures
Autre
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 298 m
- Average daily descent: 248 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Supervisor
Supervisor
During your trip, you will be accompanied by a French-speaking Turkish guide.
Program
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KAYSERI
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Individual arrival in Kayseri. Transfer* to the hotel on your own. Check-in and tour briefing with your guide in the early evening. Dinner at your leisure. *Airport-hotel transfer included if you booked your flights with us. If your arrival in Kayseri is too late, the welcome and tour briefing will take place the following morning after breakfast.Day 1 -
KAYSERI - PINK VALLEY AND RED VALLEY
- Transportation 01h
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Arrival in the early afternoon in the heart of Cappadocia. Hike to Gulludere and Kizilcukur, the legendary Rose and Red Valleys. This is the most beautiful collection of valleys in the region, their red hues illuminated by white streaks and punctuated by sulfurous patches, at the foot of the enormous Bozdag Plateau that overlooks central Cappadocia. Hundreds of meters thick, erosion has carved these more or less soft rocks into their folds, creating a succession of truly surreal landscapes that combine perfect detail with harmonious colors, gentle forms with the sheer scale of the terrain, contrasting the lush greens of the gardens with the superb pastel tones of the rock. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.Day 2 -
VALLEY OF THE DOGEON HOUSES - GUVERCINLIK
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we hike in the White Valley, where erosion has sculpted the volcanic tuff into such magical shapes. We then arrive at the village of Uçhisar and visit the fortress perched on a rocky promontory, dotted with cave dwellings. After lunch, we continue our exploration of this region in the Valley of the Pigeons. Indeed, from the 18th century onwards, many cave dwellings were converted into dovecotes. Today, it is still possible to see some with decorated facades. We then descend into the village of Göreme through the valley of the same name, which abounds with strange formations such as cones and penitents shaped like meringues. Upon arriving in Göreme, we encounter a cluster of gigantic fairy chimneys.Day 3 -
GOMEDE VALLEY - CEMIL VILLAGE
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure for the Zeminderesi Valley, dominated by high cliffs of soft rock, constantly sculpted by the flow of water, and dotted with numerous vineyards and apricot orchards. We gradually ascend to the plateau where a few dry-stone sheepfolds stand. We then arrive at the village of Ibrahimpasa, renowned for the warm welcome of its inhabitants and its houses with sculpted facades. We continue our walk through orchards and vineyards, from valley to valley, to reach the Gomede Valley. Short transfer to the village of Cemil. Overnight stay with a local family. This evening, our hosts will share the secrets of their delicious cuisine with us, and if we're so inclined, we can try our hand at cooking.Day 4 -
TAURUS MOUNTAINS - CIMBAR GORGE - SOKULLUPINAR CAMP
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We return to the Gomede Valley, which we left the previous day. Initially quite wide, it is then protected by high cliffs pierced with numerous openings: veritable apartment buildings for pigeons! It's truly magnificent. Then we depart for the Taurus Mountains, a stunning range that stretches across southern Turkey, along the coast to the Asian border. We arrive in the village of Cukurbag or Demirkazik and have lunch with a local family. We then enter the impressive Cimbar Gorge. We ascend this narrow canyon, with its steep and vertiginous walls, to our camp. Depending on the season, we may encounter nomads. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp (2,000m).Day 5 -
SOKULLUPINARS - EMLI CAMP VALLEY
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 438 m
- Negative elevation 638 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We gain altitude via a trail that climbs the slopes of Mount Karasay and leads to the Eznevit plateau at 2,438 meters. We then descend into the Emli Valley, through a coniferous forest crowned by the numerous peaks of the massif, towards our camp at Emli (1,800m). Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.Day 6 -
EMLI: ASCENT TO THE ALACA PLATEAU (2450m)
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 650 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, we set off for the Alaca Plateau. We first cross the forest zone, composed of thuya, juniper, and fir trees. After a short break above the forest, we begin the long ascent of an increasingly rocky side valley, dominated by beautiful glacial creeks. We reach the plateau where we can sometimes see a nomadic camp (depending on the season). In summer, the semi-nomads of the region move up with their flocks of sheep to reach the cooler high-altitude pastures. After a walk offering splendid views of the massif's major peaks, we descend to a second shepherd's camp located on a flat clearing in the middle of a beautiful coniferous forest. Dinner and overnight stay at the previous night's camp.Day 7 -
TAURUS - KAYSERI
- Transportation 03h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Last breakfast in the Taurus Mountains before heading to Kayseri (3-hour drive). Transfer to the airport.Day 8
Note
- Depending on weather and operational conditions, as well as summer temperatures, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary, the hikes, or the elevation changes for your safety and that of the group. Please note that it can get very hot in summer, especially in Cappadocia, which can make hiking more difficult.
- On this trip, on some departures, you may find participants undertaking another, longer trip that includes part of this program.
Accommodation
- Days 1 to 7
- 3-star hotels selected for their location and most often with a swimming pool
- Overnight stay in a shared dormitory with a local family
- Overnight camping : three-person dome tent used for two people. The campsites are fixed; you don't have to pitch and take down the tents.
Access
Departure
Kayseri
Day 1
End of stay
Kayseri
Day 8
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isAéroport de Kayseri
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Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in shared twin rooms: in 3-star hotels, in dormitories with local families, in 2-person tents at campsites
- Camping equipment (two-person tents, mattresses and cooking utensils)
- Transfers by minibus
- All meals (except in town)
- Supervision by a French-speaking tour guide
The price does not include
- The international flight Paris / Kayseri A/R
- Airport-hotel round-trip transfers
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees to monuments, historical sites and museums (for Istanbul, Antalya and Kayseri)
- Accommodation for day 1 is included unless you booked your flight with our partner.
Options
- Flight booking + airport transfer : CHF86.91 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Camping and cooking equipment for nights spent in the campground
Equipment to bring
- High-top hiking boots, water-resistant (with a Gore-Tex type membrane) or lightweight low-cut hiking boots
- Walking sandals for easy strolls or relaxing in the evening
- Sunglasses with a protection rating of 3
- Walking stick(s) (optional)
- 1 sleeping bag (comfort temperature -10°C minimum)
- 1 sleeping bag liner
- Plastic bags to keep your belongings dry
Clothing to bring
- 1 pair of quick-drying synthetic trekking trousers
- 1 or 2 pairs of shorts
- Breathable synthetic underwear with long and short sleeves
- 1. Fleece for its durability, warmth, lightness and quick-drying properties
- 1 windproof mountain jacket with a breathable-waterproof membrane (Gore-Tex or Omni-Dry for example)
- Gloves
- 1 beanie
- 1 hat or 1 cap for sun protection and/or
- 1 Buff-type neck warmer
- Synthetic socks
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1440 reviews)
• 453 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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