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IHLARA VALLEY EXPLORATION |
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This 13 km hike aimed at keen trekkers. Starting at 8.30 from Goreme, in front of the Middle Earth office, our bus takes us to Ihlara town centre (1.15 hours). After a short tea break, we walk about 3.5 hours and en route visit three rock-cut churches. After a late lunch at around 13.30, we continue walking by the river down to Selime town, and the walk ends nearby Selime Monastery. After visiting the monastery and climbing the 300 steps up the passages, we drive to a volcanic crater lake and stop for a quick swim. Returning to Goreme, we stop to admire the sunset. The trip ends in Goreme.
Price : 40 €
Available from April to November
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This trip introduces you to the traditional villages of Cappadocia. Our transfer takes us to rural Kavak; a farming town where tourists do not normally tread. We walk from here to Bahceli where we have a cup of tea at the local tea house. From here, we walk an undulating route to Ayvali, and lunch in a pension decorated with folk art. This is the only place in the region which offers organic food. After lunch we walk through Gomede valley to Mustafapasa which, until 1924, was an old Greek town known as Sinassos. The Greek population was exchanged with Turks living in Greece, an old, sad story common in the history of Anatolia. After visiting the town we return to Goreme where the tour ends.
Price : 35 €
Available from April to November
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HIDDEN CHURCHES OF CAPPADOCIA |
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This tour offers you the chance to explore the hidden beauties of Cappadocia. Climb out of town from the Middle Earth Office at 08.30 and pass over the Rock Top Cliff, down to El-Nazar Church, then again up another cliff to the Hidden Church. Until recently, it was impossible to reach this well-hidden church, but newly-built stairs give us access. After walking in the secret valley behind the Goreme open air museum, according to the season, we will enjoy the taste the fresh fruits on the trees, typically walnut, mulberry, cherry, apple, pear, quince, bitter almond, grapes and plums.
After this delicious break, we reach the Mirror Church, known for its symmetric rooms, and descend to the hidden crypt, before a cup of apple tea in the garden of the church. From here, we walk to Ortahisar, climb up to the castle and then have lunch (4 hrs including breaks).
After lunch, we walk 3 kms on tarmac to reach the Kizilçukur valley and visit the Grape Church and the winery. We walk down to Cavusin via long tunnels cut through solid rock, and the walk ends in Cavusin. Transfer to Goreme.
Price : 40 €
Available from April to November
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This tour is an opportunity to break away from the classical trekking routes in the area; it’s for people who like heights. Our bus picks us from the Middle Earth Office at 8.30 in the morning and departs 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 Bozdag mountain where a panoramic view of the region awaits, including Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Ortahisar and 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 Goreme.
Price : 40 €
Available from April to November
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THE GREEN VALLEYS OF CAPPADOCIA |
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This moderate walk will show you the hidden valleys of the area with their vineyards and orchards of walnut, quince and apricot trees. Our walk starts at 8.30, in front of the Middle Earth Office. Soon we leave the tarmac and start walking through the White valley, with small fields, lush vegetation and strange rock formations. The path takes us to Uchisar where we visit the castle to enjoy spectacular views, and have time to wander in the town before lunch. After our buffet lunch, we head for Pigeon valley, visiting some of the rock cut pigeon
lofts. Our gentle path leads us back to Goreme.
Price : 35 €
Available from April to November
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Meet at Middle Earth Travel office. Transfer to; Çavuşin, visit monastery and St Baptist Church, famous with it’s unique wallpainting Salome’s dance.
Paşabağ, famous with it’s multi headed fairy chimneys, where has been the jail of St. Simeon who raged
against the monastery life rules of Cappadocia.
Zelve Open Air Museum, where villagers lived until 1967. Has three valleys with cave houses and churches, which gives the chance to see the change at monastery life from primitive to modern. Explore caves via tunnels, pass through the trans valley tunnel of Zelve.
Avanos, the second biggest town of Cappadocia, where the longest river of Turkey passes through,
Kızılırmak (Red River or with its ancient name ‘Halys’). Have lunch in a local family restaurant. Avanos is famous with pottery art, which is in fact the cultural heritage from Hittites to Cappadocia.
Devrent valley, oppurtunity to walk through the strange rock formations for 30 minutes.
Ürgüp, the biggest town of Cappadocia. Known with it’s old greek name Prokopy and has been the main town
for the Greek population before 1924. Visit local wine factory Turasan, oppurtunity to taste.
Kızılçukur, visit the church of St Niketas, Grape Church, who has lived at his cave over the church, waiting to be ascented to the sky for 30 years. Grape Church is also famous of being one of the two churches left before the ikonoclastic period.
Transfer back to Göreme, end of trip.
Price : 50 €
Price includes guidance, vehicle transfers, lunch and all entrance fees; discludes the drinks.
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For More Information
sales@middleearthtravel.com |
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