Destination

Cappadocia

Cappadocia gets its name from the ancient civilization that once spanned east-central Anatolia, but today is synonymous with a landscape of rock-cut ruins, underground cities, dramatic valleys of rock formations, and hot air balloons that float over it all.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park was formed by the effects of erosion on its soft volcanic rock, creating miles and miles of mushroom-capped towers, whirling cones, green valleys, and caves.

Cappadocia’s endless trails and world-renowned views make it a mecca for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. In addition, the deeply rooted history and traditions of the region summon history buffs and travelers of all kinds, who come to see its cave churches, Byzantine frescoes, underground cities, and authentic villages.

“Rock formations/unique landscape, byzantine ruins/churches, smooth trails with no rocks (one of the best place in Turkey for mountain biking), good and numerous luxury hotels.“

May til October

Biking, Hiking, Walking, Kayaking, Cuisine, Sightseeing, Family, Hot Air Balloon, Horseback riding

3-4 Days

HISTORY
LOCAL CUISINE
BIKING
HIKING
CULTURE
KIDS
ITINERARIES

Savor a sunset drink overlooking Cavusin

Hike the Martian skirts of Akdag on the Balcony Route

Explore ancient winemaking methods at Gelveri Wines

Treat yourself to a private dinner in the Ihlara Valley

Cruise over Cappadocia on a sunrise balloon ride

Discover the forgotten villages of Cemil and Sahinpasa

Scour local villages for delicious handmade specialities

Bike in the shadow of Mount Hasan

Witness the peak of Byzantine art in the Dark Church

Roam the tunnels of the rarely visited Ozluce Underground City

History

Artifacts found in Cappadocia attest to human presence as early as the Neolithic Period. The region saw the passage of the Hittites, the Persians, and the Romans. However, the majority of the region’s historic importance and remaining artifacts spring from the Christian/Byzantine Period. In addition to an early Christian influence and strong Christian ideals, Cappadocia became a center for monasticism thanks to the work of Saint Basil the Great. Saint Basil the Great was a native of modern-day Kayseri. He studied the earliest Christian monasteries in Egypt before bringing the practice to Anatolia in the 4th century CE.

After raids by tribal groups in the 5th century and the Arabs from the 7th to the 10th century CE (which is likely when Cappadocia’s famous underground cities were constructed or expanded), the 10th and 11th centuries brought prosperity to Cappadocia.

Construction of churches and monasteries–cut into the soft volcanic rock–surged during this time. Most of the well-preserved and highly decorated churches that tourists flock to today date back to this period of wealth and stability and are rooted in the earlier monastic traditions of the region.

Local Cuisine

The dry plains of Central Anatolia lend themselves to animal husbandry, as well as wheat and potato production. Wheat is used to make an endless variety of savory breads and pastries. Meat is also often eaten in this region, with lamb being the most popular. As in most of Turkey, beans and lentils provide easy nutrition and are often enjoyed in various dishes. This simple diet of wheat, beans, meat, and the few vegetables grown in Cappadocia’s green valleys is enriched with the wide variety of fruits that grow here.

In fact, Cappadocia is famous for apples, quince, cherries, and apricots, which are used in both sweet and savory dishes. One of the most important agricultural products in Cappadocia is grapes. Grapes are used for winemaking–a longstanding tradition that continues to this day, much thanks to tourism–as well as for a sweet syrup. The grape syrup is commonly eaten for breakfast and used to add a bit of sweetness to savory meals while grape leaves are stuffed with rice and meat and serve as a delicious meal in their own right.

Biking

While the trails in Turkey are perfect for the pack-animal travel they were constructed for, most are far too steep and rocky for all but the most advanced mountain bikers. The same can’t be said about Cappadocia, however. Thanks to the region’s soft volcanic rock, the trails here are smooth. They wind through water-eroded spires of rock, along the trickling streams that paint valleys green, past innumerable cultural artifacts and unforgettable views.

For larger groups with varying skill levels, we often offer two separate biking options: an experienced and a beginner’s group that run near parallel to each other, but over different terrain. Our rides average around 30 km per day, but can be tailored to suit your experience levels and needs. We visit all the incredible valleys between Cavusin and Goreme, in addition to lesser-known sites like the Gomeda and Gorkundere Valleys, even pedaling out to remote villages such as Nar and Sivrihisar.

Hiking

In addition to some of the best mountain biking routes in Turkey, Cappadocia is home to some of the country’s top day hikes. The trails here are smooth and gently sloping enough to allow beginners to soak in the view and so beautiful that even experienced hikers will be kept occupied and excited all day.

Hiking routes commonly run through the famous valleys of Cappadocia, passing rock-cut churches, traditional pigeon houses, perfectly groomed gardens, and the otherworldly rock formations the area is famous for. With history and tradition deeply ingrained into the landscape, our hikes give visitors the chance to experience more than just nature and begin to truly understand the culture of the region.
We often include a mix of the more popular trails, such as Love, Pigeon, Ihlara, and Red Valleys with some less traveled, but equally interesting treks over routes like Zemi, Gomeda, Balkan Deresi, and Meskendir Valleys, and along the skirts of Mt. Akdag over the Balcony Route.

Culture

Thanks to the region’s rich past and modern traditions, our sightseeing tours can be tailored to a variety of interests, whether its history, cuisine, or local culture that excites you the most.

For first time visitors we are sure to visit all the popular, must-see Cappadocia spots like the Open Air Museum, Ihlara Valley, and the many underground cities to get a feel for the area. Then we dive deeper into the area, exploring less frequented churches like those of Gulsehir, the neolithic settlement of Asikli Hoyuk (one of the first sites of animal domestication), and quaint villages like Cemil with its beautiful church and Mustafapasa and Sahinefendi with their ancient ruins.
In addition to these historic sites, we can include culinary explorations. Such options include tracing the history of regional winemaking with visits to ancient wine presses and modern-day wineries or local market tours–investigating traditional products like ‘pottery cheese’ (aged in clay pots in the ground), dried pastirma (the predecessor of pastrami), and the fruits of Cappadocia’s valleys.

For those who appreciate pottery, Cappadocia is a great location. Its long tradition of pottery making continues today, and we can trace the process from start to finish, harvesting our own soil, kneading it into clay, and throwing our own pottery.

Kids’ Activities

For groups that include children, we offer activities designed for kids. We keep the kids’ bodies and minds active with various hikes down into Cappadocia’s valleys and through its ruins as they search for clues on their very own treasure hunt. Along the way the kids meet a plethora of characters, like the pigeon master Grigorius and a hidden order of monks that bring them closer to finally finding the treasure. Our children’s team consists of professional actors and guides that are sure to keep your kids entertained and engaged throughout the trip, teaching them about the history of the region in an interactive way.

See some sample itineraries to inspire your adventure in Cappadocia.

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Saint Augustine

Our tours are run by Adventure Roots Travel
a member of TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)
Licence No: 14159