High Taurus Trek
First we explore on foot the fantastically eroded landscapes of Cappadocia - a unique hiking experience - then embark on an adventurous trek through the stunningly beautiful Taurus Mountains.
On foot in Cappadocia
After a day in Istanbul we take the overnight sleeper train to Konya, then continue to Cappadocia to explore the surreal, moonscaped landforms of the region. We follow ancient pathways to the eerie remnants of a Christian civilisation fleeing persecution: monasteries carved out of soft volcanic tufa, rock-cut churches and the extraordinary underground city at Kaymakli.
8-day High Taurus Trek
From Pinarbasi village we quickly climb into the high valleys and pastures of the Taurus Mountains, using mules to carry our gear and staying in a series of fixed camps up to 3020m. In this magnificent and seldom visited area we enjoy the exhilaration of mountain walking at its very best. We expect to meet nomads roaming the upland pastures with their flocks and these frequent companions will almost certainly invite us into their camps as guests - a privileged insight into a way of life unchanged for centuries.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-4250-P) |
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International connections from London |
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Accomodation |
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9 Lunches |
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14 Breakfasts |
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9 Dinners |
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Price Excludes |
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Local payment from 100 GBP |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
ISTANBUL
Half day guided walking tour of old Stamboul.
KONYA
Home of Whirling Dervishes.
CAPPADOCIA HIKE
3 days warm-up hike and visits to troglodyte churches in the Goreme Valley region.
UNDERGROUND CITY
Visit the fascinating subterranean city of Kaymakli.
TRANS-TAURUS
Trek 8 days walking through the beautiful and remote Taurus Mountains.
Day 1. Sunday. Join tour Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul and check into our hotel. Overnight hotel H+.
Day 2. In Istanbul. Overnight train to Konya
The vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Istanbul is a dazzling mix of ancient and modern and truly
a city where East meets West. Our walking tour this morning takes in the great sites of
historic Sultanhamet, including the fine Blue Mosque with it’s Iznik tiling and the grand
Topkapi Palace, once the home of the Sultans and their Harems and now a treasure
trove of imperial artefacts. This afternoon is left free for personal exploration. and then in
the evening we board our train to Konya. Overnight sleeper train (included meals: B).
Day 3. In Konya; drive to Cappodocia Konya is situated on the high Anatolian
plateau and is considered to be Turkey’sholiest city.
This morning we visit the Mevlana Dervish Museum, originally a
monastery, it is still a very holy place as it is home to the Whirling Dervishes and contains
the tomb of their founder. This mystical Islamic sect, the Mevlana Dervishes believe
they achieve divine union through an ecstatic, whirling dance called the sema. We drive
from Konya to the well preserved 13th Century caravanserai of Agzikarahan, an
impressive reminder that we are travelling along one of the great trade routes which
linked Europe to Asia. As we continue we begin to see the unique scenery for which
Cappadocia is so famous. Goreme lies at the foot of three extinct volcanoes. Centuries
ago, volcanic eruptions covered the Goreme valley with mud, ash and sometimes with
blocks of hard rock. Over the ages this volcanic tufa was sculpted by erosion into
strange and improbable shapes; cones, needles of stone, pyramids of soft stone –
some 30m high. Into this remote spot came the Byzantine hermits, who carved churches,
houses, fortresses and even complete underground cities into the cones. Entire
troglodite villages and subterranean churches are hewn out of the soft volcanic rock and
make the whole place a spectacular sight to behold. Arriving in Cappadocia, we’ll take our
first walk in the Ihlara area visiting some of the cave dwellings as we pass through the
villages of Selime and Belisirma. Tonight we camp on the banks of the Melendiz River.
Overnight camp (included meals: B, L, D).
Days 4 & 5. Walks in the Goreme region
The next two days are spent exploring the remarkable landscapes of the Goreme Valley.
In the spring and summer there are wild flowers everywhere and isolated gardens
abounding with fruit and vegetables are surrounded by the lunar landscape of the
remote valleys. On the first day we walk through Ilhara Valley – narrow and steep
sided the Ilhara Valley is dotted with rock cut churches and was once the favourite retreat
of Byzantine monks. After lunch we walk through the Kizilcukur Valley where we will
see the 9th century Uzumlu church, with its remarkable frescoes of the crucifixion, and
the apostles. We continue our walk through the surrealistic rock formations and the
magnificently eroded red tuff before returning to our pension for the night. The following
day we trek through the Akvadi (White Valley) to Uchisar village via an area of spectacular
‘fairy chimneys’ and visit the extraordinary Uchisar castle, a honeycomb of caves and
passages. After lunch we hike up Pigeon Valley before returning to our pension.
Approx. 5-6hrs walking each day. Overnight pension H (included meals: Bx2).
Day 6. Drive to Pinarbasi village via Kaymakli underground city and start Taurus trek
This morning we drive to Pinarbasi village via the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli,
whose 8 subterranean levels stretch 57metres below ground. After lunching at
Pinarbasi village we start our Trans Taurus trek with a short 2 hour hike to Maden Valley.
350m ascent, 0m descent. Overnight camping C (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 7. Walk to Maden Gorge to Karagol Lake
Today we begin our trek through the Aladag Mountains. We trek up the Maden Gorge,
possibly seeing nomads on the Yayla or mountain pasture where we stop for lunch. We
then continue onwards up to our camp at Karagol Lake where fritillaries and grape
hyacinths abound in the summer. Here the hardy can enjoy a well earned (and rather
chilly) swim or those that wish may continue past the lake towards Sigirasan pass for some
superb views of the north face of Dermirkazik peak. Approx 6 hours walking; 650m ascent,
0m descent. Overnight camping C (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 8. Comce Lake to Yedigoller (seven lakes) Basin
Departing our campsite we have a beautiful walk to Comce Lake. We continue from here
through the Akcay valley pastures and then up to the Tekkekalesi pass (3200m) before
heading south towards our campsite at Yedigoller. Yedigoller means seven lakes and
got its name from the many lakes that form here at the beginning of summer when the
snow melts from the surrounding mountains. Towering above our campsite to the right are
the magnificent Mt Narpuzbasi (3622m) and Mt Direktas (3550m). Nomads often inhabit
this valley during the summer months and if we’re lucky we may meet some of them and
share a drink of “ayran”, a refreshing yoghurt based drink. About 6-7 hours walking; 600m
ascent, 180m descent. 2 nights camping C (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 9. On Yedigoller plateau, optional ascent of Mount Embler
The day is free to enjoy the scenery and unique setting, or for optional walks in the
area. You may take the opportunity to ascend Mt Embler at 3723m (sometimes also called
Engin Tepe). This is a non technical 4-5 hour roundtrip, but does demand some scrambling
and is considered moderate to strenuous. The views from the top, however, offer a
magnificent reward with visits towards the southern face of Mt Demirkazik. 4-5 hours
walking; 700m ascent, 700m descent. (Included meals: B, L, D).
Day 10. Walk via Celikbuyduran pass to Sokullupinar
After our breakfast, we walk along the Yalak Deresi trail to a narrow canyon, hopefully still
with natural spring water. Leaving the canyon we head over the rugged Celikbuyduran pass
(3450m) and then down past the amazingly bizarre sandstone rock formations to our
campsite at Sokullupinar. It is here we notice the contrast of its beautiful grassy setting in
comparison with the rocky outlook of Yedigoller. About 5-6 hours walking; 430m
ascent, 1450m descent. 2 nights camping C (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 11. Trekking around Sokullupinar
We take this day to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the northern face of Mt Demirkazik
and the impressive Cimbar Canyon. We stop for lunch at a local house in Demirkazik village
and have a chance to absorb the scenery and culture of this area. The lifestyle of the
inhabitants of this village hasn’t changed for centuries and if we’re lucky, we may see local
women spinning wool or working on their looms. We return to Sokullupinar campsite this
evening. 100m ascent, 450m descent. (Included meals: B, L, D).
Day 12. Walk to Emli Valley
Departing our campsite this morning we descend into the Tulu Valley before climbing
again to the high pastures of Eznevit Yaylasi. Depending on the time of year, we may
encounter nomads of the area grazing their flocks. After lunch we descend slowly to the
firm and oak forested valley of Emli where we camp for our last two nights. About 5-6 hours
walking; 500m ascent, 650m descent. 2 nights camping C (included meals: B, L, D).
Day 13. Optional walk to Alaca Plateau Today there is the opportunity to walk up to
the Alaca Plateau (2400m). Starting off on the southern slopes of the Taurus mountains
we head slowly upwards to Mangirci valley and onto the plateau itself. We stop for lunch
near a natural spring before a slow descent back to Emli Valley and our camp. About 6
hours walking; 600m ascent, 600m descent. (Included meals: B, L, D).
Day 14. Drive to Kayseri; fly to Istanbul
Reluctantly rejoining our vehicle we drive along a rough road, with final spectacular
views of the Taurus. We arrive at Kayseri, where we board our flight to Istanbul. Our
final afternoon is spent in Istanbul. Overnight hotel H+ (included meals: B).
Day 15. Sunday. Tour ends Istanbul (Included meals: B). |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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2 nights hotel
1 night overnight train
2 nights pension
9 nights camping |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
