ANATOLIAN MOUNTAINS AND MEDITERNEAN CRUSING

A few days are spent hiking or warming-up in the fantastically eroded valleys of cappadocia. After that we’ll embark on a
Challenging and adventurous 5-day trek through the taurus mountains towards the rich and fertile plains of southern turkey. But first we discover the uniqueness of cappadocia. In the summertime it’s real joy to walk through this amazing area. There are wild flowers everywhere; isolated gardens that abound with fruit and vegetables, and you’ll be thrilled at the salvador dali-like landscapes of the remote valleys. We follow old paths to visit the rock-cut churches, monastery and cave dwelling, all of which are set against a textured moonscape of bizarre volcanic erosions. After we explore capadocia region we drive to bolkar mountains. The second important massif of the taurus range is the bolkar mountain: there is plenty of limestone reef (just as porous as karst but lees sharp) and a handful fantastic panoramas. There is always the horizons, studded with peaks of grey, tan and purple; and a magnificent scenery at your feet - the beautiful mountain lakes of bolkar. The high meadows or pastures are inhabited by semi-nomadic groups during the summer, in the months of june to september - in particular, by the yoruk, who are turkoman in origin and whose traditional occupation is grazing their goats and sheep. On our trek, we will often meet with the hospitality of nomads and local villagers of this area. After our trek in bolkar mountains we will drive to coast of turkey. We sail in the most beautiful coastal area of the turkish mediterranean. Known to the ancients as lycia this fabled coast of clear turquoise blue water is rich with archaeological sites. Fragrant pine forests tumble down a back cloth of mountain slopes to end abruptly in red cliffs, secret coves and sandy beaches.... With its excellent climate, guaranteed sunshine, this delightful coastal offers to spend holidays sailing in a culture, history and nature combining area.

Cappadocia & mt. Bolkar & sailing & istanbul 15 days

Day 1 : ankara
Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel for overnight

Day 2: ankara - cappadocia - kızılcukur (red valley) bld
Early in the morning we'll depart by road to cappadocia, 4 h driving, via tuz gol, the great salt lake with a superficies of 1700 m². Then we'll get into the surrealistic moonscape of cappadocia with its rock churches monasteries, another features which few visitors are aware of. We begin our 2 h trekking in the red valley, a fairy land where wind and rain have made appeared the different red coloured layers of volcanic tuff. . We visit we visit grape church and its frescoes with apostles and also visit a vinegary and learn from local people how to make the wine. Overnight hotel in goreme . 3. Walk.

Day 3: cappadocia : akvadi – guvercinlik via uchisar village bld We trek thorough the akvadi (white valley) eroded so perfectly by time, rain and wind during centuries. On our way following a seasonal river, many strange curious rock formations and fairy chimneys round us. If we are lucky we can also see some wild birds.(like hoopoe) and some wild animals(like fox). In 3h walk our way gets us up to uchisar village where we have lunch break in a restaurant. Uchisar village is settled around a high promoter, which is called citadel. We visit it walking to the top where we have rewarding panoramic view on all the surrealist cappadoccia area. In the afternoon we follow a path to the guvercinlik (pigeon valley). The piginaries mainly date from the 19th century with a few from the 18th and 20th centuries are really very holy for moslem people because of the koran (holy book of islam) and prophet mohammed. Local people of the region use pigeon’s fertiliser for their vine fields. The path will take us to goreme town. Overnight hotel .5 h walk

Day 4 : cappadocia – -cukurbag village -taurus mountains bld
Our final walking day in this region is spent walking in pasabagları, known as the valley of the priests. Many of the chimneys here are only partially divided, showing us the continuous erosion process. Interestingly too there is a small minaret transformed from a church belfry indicating that this place was inhabited by moslems after the christians. This valley is also noted for the many caves in the fairy used by hermits for their retreats . After walking we will be transferred to cukurbag village. On our route we’ll visit the fascinating underground city of kaymaklı. (8 floors on 57 m under the ground ). On arrival in cukurbag village, the trailhead village, we will have our lunch here . We begin our trans-taurus trek with a 2 hours hike to emli valley 1900 m . Overnight camp with all meals. Ascent = 350m - descent

Day 5: emli - sokulupınar basecamp : (2000 m) bld Departing our campsite we ascend the emli valley, before climbing up again to the high pastures of the eznevit yaylası (2538 m). Depending on the time of year, we may encounter the semi nomads of this area grazing their flocks. After lunch we gradually descend to our campsite at sokulupınar (2000 m). About 6-7 h. Walking. Overnight camp with all meals. Ascent = 688 m - descent =538 m.

Day 6 : sokulupınar – bolkar range – meydan valley bld
The day is to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the northern face of mount demirkazık (3756 m). More impressive scenery as we trek through the impressive cimbar canyon. We pause in the demirkazık village (1550m) for a while to absorb the scenery and have lunch-break in a village house. We’ll contact with the habitants of the village whose lifestyle hasn’t change for centuries. It may be possible to observe some women spinning wool and working on their looms. After lunch we will be transferred to bolkar mountains (2.30 h ) arriving at maden village. We follow walking up in the arpalik valley, to the meydan plateau (place) to join our camp site at 2300 m. (3h)overnight camp with all meals

Day 7 : meydan – karagol- cinigol - meydan bld
3 hours walking on the plateau surrounded by the peaks of the highest mount of the range and we make a trekking up to ascend the cınıgol (2700m),. Then we descend down to the maden village (1665 m high), where the life style has not changed for centuries. Overnight camp with all meals

Day 8 : meydan - darbogaz village– konya bld Through valley and hills we follow the paths sloping down to darbogaz, a rather rustic settlement at 1450 m high. After a pause-tea in a local tea-house, in order to meet the population. We drive (3h) to konya city the official capital of seljuk empire 12/13th century we visit mevlana dervish museum with its dome turquoise tiles. The museum was originally a monastery and is still a very holy place, home to the whirling dervishes and containing the tomb of their founder. Overnight at hotel in konya.

Day 9 : konya – finike (overnight on board- sailing ) bld
In the morning 5 h driving to finike where we will board to out boat a lovely spot surrounded on three sides by forested mountains. We get into our boat. Overnight on board. Bld

Day 10 :finike – kekova village (sail) bld
We sail today to kekova island. Along the northern shore of kekova, earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city. Visit of the simena citadel, offering a bird’s eye view of the bay. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 11 : kekova village - kalkan village (sailing) bld
About 3 hours sail to kalkan, a lovely small hilltop town overlooking a tiny bay. Its quaint traditional, white washed houses, shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with brilliant flowers cascading to the streets below make it the ultimate in a peaceful holiday town. Overnight on board. Bld

Day 12 : kalkan – oludeniz – gocek (sailing ) bld Sail to oludeniz, the stereotypical turquoise coast paradise. After lunch-break on board, we make an excursion walking up to kayakoy 3h , the largest greek ghost town in asia minor. Then return back down to oludeniz, an idyllic sea bay and a quiet lagoon set against a wild mountain backdrop of dense forest. Chance to swim. Sailing along some small wild virgin bays until the gocek golf, one of the mediterranean best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. Dinner and overnight on board nearby the gocek village. Opportunity to spent evening in the village. Bld

Day 13 : gocek bay – istanbul bb
Transfer to dalaman airport and fly to istanbul. You have a half day to discover this town which was known as constantinople until the first world war, capital of byzantine and ottoman empires. Nearly all the city’s main sites are in the old stamboul: topkapı palace, blue mosque, basilica cistern.. Overnight hotel. Bb ***

Day 14 : free days in istanbul
Free days in istanbul. Overnight at hotel. ***

Day 15 : istanbul bb
Transfer to airport and fly home.


Tour condition

Land cost includes:
All transfers and transportation
An english speaking guide
All meals, except in big cities (ankara and istanbul)
The yacht and the meals on board.
All entrance fees included in the dossier (except in istanbul)
All camping equipment (tents et cooking utensils), cook.
Accommodation: camp, hotels and yacht. Hotel istanbul *** and ankara 3 star, cappadocia ottoman style pension
Wooden gullet boat 6,7,8 cabins, cabins have wc and shower inside, cooks, captain, boat crew

Land cost does not include:
International and domestic flights.
All meals in big cities (ankara et istanbul)
All drinks and personal expenses.
Entrance fees not included in istanbul

Season : june, july, august, september

For price details and more information, please contact us