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Day 1: Join tour Istanbul
Arrive Istanbul and check into hotel: Overnight hotel H+.
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Day 2: In Istanbul, city tour; overnight train to Konya
Istanbul was known until the First World War as Constantinople, the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires: Nearly all of the city's main sites of historic interest are in Old Stamboul. We include a half day walking tour of the city, taking in the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome.
The afternoon is left free, you may choose to visit the famous Sunken Palace cisterns one of the largest water systems in Turkey: Originally holding about 10,000 tons of water and connected by an underground waterway to the Topkapi Palace.
Alternatively there is the chance to take a boat trip on the Bosphorous: which offers stunning views of the Istanbul skyline: In the evening we board the night train to Konya: Overnight sleeper train in 2 berth compartment (included meals: B).
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Day 3: Arrive Konya, drive to Ihlara area
We drive from Konya to the well preserved 13th Century caravanserai of Sultanhani, 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 erosion in the volcanic soil for which Cappadocia is so famous: We start our first walk at Selime at the northern end of the peaceful Ihlara Valley and overnight in the valley itself: Overnight pension H.
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Day 4: Walk in Ihlara Valley, drive to Uchisar, walk to Cayagil
The narrow, steep-sided Ihlara valley, dotted with rock cut churches, was once the favourite retreat of Byzantine monks. This valley was formed by primeval earthquakes and the once rushing river is now a quiet stream: As we walk along the winding valley, with cliffs reaching up to 170m in some places, we see small garden cultures that originally wouldhave provided for the colonies making them self-sufficient.
There are many rock-cut churches in this valley with well preserved frescoes dating from the 9th century. Later we drive via the Underground City at Kaymakli to Uchisar. We walk to Cayagil in the afternoon and arrive back in Uchisar in the evening and there may be the opportunity to have a turkish bath. An invigorating scrub followed by a relaxing massage are perfect at the end of a full day's walking: 5 nights pension H (included meals: B).
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Day 5: Walk Akvadi Valley, visit Uchisar, walk Babayan Plateau
This morning we walk in Akvadi (White) Valley where we can appreciate the geology of the region: Three volcanos erupted 10 million years ago, spreading ash all over the region. This hardened into a soft porous stone called tufa. Wind, water and sand have eroded portions of the tufa to form the almost alien landscape which we see today. (Included meals: B).
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Day 6: Walk through Gomede Valley to Mustafapasa
After a short bus ride, we arrive in Kavak where we begin our day's walk. As well as the landscape this region is also 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. Our afternoon walk is through the Gomede Valley. (Included meals: B).
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Day 7: Walk in Pancarlik and Kizilcukur valleys via Cavusin to Goreme.
The little visited Pancarlik Valley is close by and we spend the morning walking through it admiring the unusual formations. We continue onto Kizilcukur Valley. Sometimes known as the "red hole", Kizilcukur is probably the hottest valley in the region.
We reach the small village of Cavusin which lies on top of a collapsed section of an early Christian cave city. This was caused by a huge rockslide which, together with earthquakes and natural erosion, caused a split in the plateau. (Included meals: B).
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Day 8: In Goreme; walk up Bozdag mountain
We spend today in and around Cavusin. In the morning we have the opportunity to walk up Bozdag mountain (4 hours); the highest point in Cappadoccia for fine views over the area. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit the charming town of Avanos, well known for its pottery, much of which is still moulded exactly as it was 1000 years ago. (Included meals: B).
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Day 9: Tour ends Istanbul
This morning we fly to Istanbul from Kayseri where the tour ends. (Included meals: B).