Cappadocia Freewheel

An amazing 8 days cycling trip in Turkey!

Rock-cut Churches of Ihlara

Our first ride takes us through the narrow valley of Ihlara, where majestic cliffs rise on either side - up to 170 metres in places. Dozens of rock-cut churches puncture the cliff sides, carved here in the Byzantine era by early Christians who painted wonderful frescoes in black, orange and carmine on the vaulted ceilings and walls.

Amongst the Fairy Chimneys

We explore the extraordinary underground city of Kaymakli and then cycle into the heart of the region, through valleys lined with cones and 'fairy chimneys' (tall columns of ash rock protected from erosion by blocks of basalt perched precariously on top). Whilst the landscape itself is dramatic the route we follow is relatively undemanding, following gentle trails along the valley floor.

Anatolian Villages & Hospitality

Cycling from village to village and staying in small, family-run pensions, we encounter the hospitality for which Turkey is famous. Plenty of time is allowed each day for unplanned breaks: pause to watch the harvest being brought in, accept an invitation for tea or join the locals in a game of 'tavla' (backgammon). During our time in this remarkable landscape we cycle through the perfectly contoured White Valley to Uchisar - a near vertical tower of rock honeycombed with tunnels and passages - climbing to the top for panoramic views of the whole region: a truly magical sight.

Transport: 21-27 gear mountain bikes with front suspension, waterbottle/ holder, pump, lock and rear pannier.

What to Expect: Grade A/B - 130km/6 days (average of 27km). We cycle mainly on small, unsurfaced farm tracks and minor rural back roads. There is relatively little ascent/descent, but routes can easily be extended for keener cyclists. Cycle on 50% farm tracks; 50% asphalt.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Ihlara - Rock-cut churches.
Kaymakli - Fascinating underground city.
Mustafapasa (Sinasos) - Unspoilt former Greek village.
Kizilcukur Valley - Fairy chimneys.
Byzantine - Frescoes.
Zelve - Troglodyte village.
Goreme - Market town in heart of Cappadocia region.
Uchisar - Medieval fortress.

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Join tour Ankara
Arriving in Ankara, we transfer to our hotel in the city and check in.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: Drive to Cappadocia area; cycle Dogantarla Village to Selime
Leaving the capital city behind, we head south-east towards Cappadocia. As we travel across the Anatolian plateau we pass the massive ‘Tuz Golu’- one of the largest salt lakes in Turkey at 1500 square km. Continuing to Dogantarla village, we spend some time getting acquainted with our bikes and then set off! We begin the ride from Dogantarla village to Selime by following the Melendiz river valley. As we cycle along we see small gardens that originally would have been planted by the monks to allow them to be self-supporting. Many of the rock-cut churches have well preserved frescos dating from the 9th century. Finally we reach Selime and check into our pension. (Approx 18km cycling).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Drive to Kaymakli; cycle to Mustafapasa
In the morning we drive to nearby Kaymakli village to visit its fascinating underground Byzantine city. Several underground ‘cities’ were constructed by early Christians in the seventh century, as they fled from persecution. They sheltered in these safe and well-hidden complexes from the iconoclastic strife of Byzantium as well as from other invasions. The cities were a complete and self-sufficient environment, including rooms for grain storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and ventilation shafts. After our visit, we cycle from Kaymakli to the small, sleepy village of Mustafapasa, via Ayvali. Mustafapasa was formerly called Sinasos, before the Greek population living there were forcibly repatriated to Greece in the exchange of populations of 1923. The attractive architecture of many of the stone built houses and churches of the village reflect their Greek origins. (Approx 28km cycling).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Cycle to Goreme via Kizilcukur Valley to Goreme
We start with a morning ride through Mustafapasa valley making our way to the attractive natural Damsa Lake. Later we cycle to the Pancarlık Valley, with stops en route to take in the dramatic landscapes. We then cycle along the Pigeon Valley renowned for its beautifully decorated rock-cut pigeon houses in which locals obtain pigeon guano to be used as viniculture fertilizer. This 200 year old custom is perhaps one of the unique assets of the region. Finally we cycle on the short distance to our pension just outside Goreme. (Approx 26km cycling).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Day ride to Kavak and Uchisar
This morning there is a short transfer to Kavak village from where we will begin today’s ride. Again Kavak is a village renowned for its wine as the fine volcanic soil is very fertile. Other produce from these fertile soils include walnuts, mulberries and a variety of fruit. Often the largest rock cones are used as depots for citrus and other fresh fruit. Ibrahimpasa is an old Greek village where, until the turn of 20th century, Orthodox Anatolian Greek communities lived. We will have some tea in local café then make a short transfer to Kizilcukur village in time for lunch. Hidden in its array of ‘fairy chimneys’ (tall columns of tufa rock with basalt tops protecting them from erosion) is the ‘Church with Grapes’ – where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing. Wine production has continued in Cappadocia since the Hittites were here 3,000 ago, as the volcanic soil is very fertile. It was the exiled Christians who really developed the vineyards, as well as fruit orchards. Often the largest rock cones are used as depots for citrus and other fresh fruit. In the afternoon we visit the citadel from where there is a panoramic view of the whole region, returning to Goreme via Akvadi, White Valley. (Approx 24km cycling)

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: The Valley of the Hermits and Avanos
We then continue on to reach Cavusin, which lies on top of a collapsed section of an early Christian cave city. The atrium of the church at Cavusın has fallen down, exposing some of the finest frescoes in the region. The richness and variety of these frescoes makes them among the best works of early Christian icon painting. Pasabaglari, sometimes called the ‘Valley of the Hermits’ due to the number of rock cones that were carved out by hermits in the early Christian period. Here the ‘fairy chimneys’ are amongst the most impressive in the region. We also pause to visit Zelve, a troglodyte village that was still inhabited as late as 1952, and is now a warren of tunnels and interconnecting dwellings. Then we cycle on to Avanos, on the banks of the Kizilirmak river. Avanos is known for its handicrafts, in particular its pottery, rug weaving and knitting. After lunch we cycle on in the direction of Sarihidir village, a lively tourist centre at the foot of a rock ridge riddled with old dwellings. On the road we visit Sarihan Caravanserai, whose gate is a fine example of Selcuk architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling on one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia with Europe. We return to Goreme for our last night in the town. (Approx 26km cycling).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Rose Red Valley and Urgup
After a short bus ride our last day of rides is spent exploring the route from Rose Red Valley, Dervent Valley and Urgup. Our route follows an old farm track between the apricot orchards and vineyards and past the now familiar fairy chimneys. Viticulture has been here since the Hittites, but it was the exiled Christians who really developed the vineyards and, for a while, wine was exported under the label of mineral water! Things have changed little and today most wine is still bottled for export. Arriving in Urgup we have some free time for last minute shopping before driving on to Ankara. (Approx 08km cycling).

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Tour ends Ankara
Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

7 nights Standard Hotel (H+)

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sat 24 Sep - Sat 01 Oct 2011 - 990 GBP Single Room Price 215 GBP
Sat 05 May - Sat 12 May 2012 - 1020 GBP Single Room Price 215 GBP
Sat 26 May - Sat 02 Jun 2012 - 1020 GBP Single Room Price 215 GBP

0844 499 0901