CAPPADOCIA'S CAVES AND VALLEYS

Transcription

1 CAPPADOCIA'S CAVES AND VALLEYS OCTOBER 10-14, 2018 HIGHLIGHTS TRIP SUMMARY Wandering among the fairy castles of Goreme Walking through valleys that each have their own personality Experiencing an authentic "Whirling Dervish" ceremony Visiting Christian cave churches that date from times of Roman persecution Experiencing the hospitality of an old culture that has always welcomed visitors Phone: Outside the US: Fax:

2 TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Oct 10-14, 2018 Location: Goreme, Cappadocia Cost: $1, Activities: Hiking, Cultural exploration Arrive: The trip will start with a flight from Izmir at the end of the Turquoise Coast trip. Depart: Anytime on October 14 (we will be at an airport near the main Istanbul airport) TRIP OVERVIEW Cappadocia is described as both a lunar landscape and a fairyland of bizarre geologic formations. Millions of years ago, extensive volcanic eruptions covered the land with a layer of soft volcanic ash, or tufa. Erosion, in the form of wind and water, then carved a myriad of formations, including mushroom shapes, pinnacles, caps, and cones, including the famous "fairy chimneys". This soft rock was easy to carve, and the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times by different populations that have scraped out caves and built underground cities. In particular it was a place of sanctuary for early Christians during the Roman era. This combination of unique beauty and interesting human history make Cappadocia a must see place on any trip to Turkey. Max group size: 12 RATING This trip is rated 3; the hikes are 3-5 hours on paths that are sometimes steep with loose rocks. All paths have ups and downs. In order to have the option of fully participating in all activities, prior to beginning the trip participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for minutes at least 3-4 times a week. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5. WHAT'S INCLUDED An experienced local guide. There will be an AGC guide if the group size is 5 or more Four nights double occupancy accommodation All meals from dinner on Monday through breakfast Friday except for one lunch All activities on the itinerary including guided hikes and a Whirling Dervish ceremony Transportation within Turkey, including internal flights What's not included: International travel to and from Istanbul, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, and trip insurance.

3 OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. Our itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to whatever ways best allow us to immerse ourselves in the landscape, history, and culture of this unique area. DAY 1 OCTOBER 10, WEDNESDAY Our trip officially starts at the Sabiha Gocken airport (SAW), Istanbul's domestic airport, for the 90 minute flight to Kayseri; the exact time will depend on 2016 flight schedules. From the Kayseri airport it is about about a 1 hour drive to our "cave hotel". There will be time to settle in and perhaps stroll around town before going out for our first dinner in Goreme. Goreme is a small village right in the center of Cappadocia. Its setting amidst towering fairy chimneys and majestic honeycomb cliffs, surrounded by the stunning Rose, Honey, and Pigeon Valleys, truly make it one of Turkey's unspoiled treasures. One of its remarkable qualities is the co-existence of a traditional way of life (farmers still work the fields among the fairy chimneys) with a modern tourism industry. Here you can see the old and new Turkey side by side as you wander past ancient cave houses still lived in by local families who have maintained their tradition of hospitality to visitors. D DAY 2 OCTOBER 11, THURSDAY Today and the next two days we will go for hikes with our local guide. Our hike today introduces us to the traditional villages of Cappadocia. Our transfer takes us to rural Kavak, a farming town that sees few tourists. We walk from here to Bahceli, where a cup of tea at the local tea house gives us a chance to take a break and absorb the local culture. From here, we walk to Ayvali and lunch in a pension decorated with folk art. This is the only place in the region which offers organic food. Our route is mostly undulating with occasional steeper ups and downs. After lunch we'll visit the Kaymakli Underground city, one of the many underground cities for which Cappadocia is known. Probably originally started as caves, they were expanded over the centuries as Christian inhabitants sought refuge from successive invasions of Romans, Arabs, Mongols, and Ottoman Turks. This underground city is one of the best excavated and most sprawling, and provides a fascinating look into a little known aspect of Turkish history. We return to Goreme for dinner and the evening. Hiking: 4 hours, about 5 miles B, L, D

4 DAY 3 OCTOBER 12, FRIDAY Today we'll break away from the classical trekking routes in the area. Our bus picks us up at 8.30 in the morning and departs for Cavusin Village. We'll wander the village that is largely deserted because of continuous rock falls. On our path out we'll visit the little known church of John the Baptist, the biggest cave church in Cappadocia. It was first built in the 5th century and houses unique paintings from the 6th - 8th century. Our path continues steeply up to the summit of Bozdag mountain, where a panoramic view of the entire region awaits, including Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Ortahisar and Zelve. Enchanted by spectacular views of Mount Erciyes, we follow a smooth path over the plateau and descend for lunch in a small family run restaurant in Red Valley. When we say family run, we mean that literally; we eat on their patio and our meal is likely to be served by the grandmother. We'll also visit the Grape church, built right in a fairy chimney. After lunch we'll visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. Containing the finest of the rock cut churches with beautiful frescoes, it is one of the must sees of Cappadocia. Depending on our time and energy, we might walk or take our bus back to hotel, where we'll have time for a shower before another trip highlight. Tonight we'll attend a whirling dervish ceremony. This ceremony, called Sema, is the inspiration of Rumi ( ) and symbolizes the different meanings of a mystic cycle to perfection. The Sema ceremony represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through love, finding the truth and arriving to the "Perfect". Then he returns from this spiritual journeys as a man of maturity and greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to all creatures without discriminating in regard to belief, class, or race. No matter what you believe, it is an experience that stays with you. Our evening ends with another dinner at a nearby restaurant. Hiking: 4 hours, about 5 miles B, L, D DAY 4 OCTOBER 13, SATURDAY Although we have not included a hot air balloon ride in the itinerary because they are quite pricey ($200 or more) and not everyone's cup of tea, they are incredibly popular here. If you have ever had the urge to take a hot air balloon ride, this would be the place and our hotel can easily arrange it for you. It's an early morning activity so you can do it and still be back in time for our hike. Our walk today will show you the hidden valleys of the area with their vineyards and orchards of walnut, quince, and apricot trees. Our walk starts in Goreme where we soon leave the paved road and start walking up the Pigeon Valley. This valley is known for small fields, lush vegetation, and somewhat phallic rock formations. The path takes us to Uchisar, home of the "Uchisar castle", a massive rock on top of a hill with many carved rooms and spectacular views from the top. After our buffet lunch, we head for White Valley, where the path, with occasional steep descents, offers spectacular views of the natural cliffs and the man-made caves, and passes through a few tunnels carved into the rock. Our path leads us back to Goreme where we'll have time to clean up and have dinner before transferring to our late flight back to Istanbul tonight. Hiking: 5 hours, 6 miles with 800 ft elevation gain to the top of Uchisar. B, L, D DAY 5 OCTOBER 14, SUNDAY You are free to leave anytime today. However, when planning your return flight, you should consider that you won't be getting back to Istanbul until quite late (e.g. midnight) the night before and you will need to leave the hotel 3 hours before your flight time. And if you have time, there is still lots more to see and do both in Turkey and the region. B

5 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE Our trip will start in Izmir at the end of the main trip, with a flight to Kayseri or Neveshir instead of returning to Istanbul. ACCOMMODATIONS We will spend one night in a tourist class Istanbul hotel and three nights at the Sultan Cave Suites ( or similar, a "cave hotel" in Goreme<br> WEATHER October is typically warm and dry, with daytime temperatures between 75 and 89 degrees F, and nighttime between 55 and 65 degrees. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use as your location number on the Get A Quote page.

6 PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair of lightweight or midweight hiking boots: they should be well broken in and comfortable 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes, such as athletic shoes or Teva sandals 1 pair slippers/treaded socks: shoes are not worn on board, but it can be cool in the evening so you may want something to keep your toes warm. 2-3 pairs of socks (2 should be wool/synthetic) CLOTHING 1-2 pairs of comfortable lightweight supplex/nylon long pants/capris for hiking. Zip offs work well. 1 pair of shorts (optional) or hiking skirt 1-2 lightweight, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts to protect you from the sun- button up front is the best 2-3 T-shirts or sleeveless shirts; synthetics are much easier to wash out and dry faster than cotton 1 medium-weight top layer: wool shirt/pull-over or synthetic equivalent ( expedition weight long underwear, microfleece). A fleece, synthetic, down or wool vest is good for this layer as well. 1 warm lightweight jacket for cool mornings and evenings on the boat - can be any material 1 rain jacket or parka: coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex Underwear/nightwear 1 wide-brimmed hat, visor, or baseball cap for sun and high fashion 1 or 2 sets of casual clothes to wear around town or on the boat Bathing suit EQUIPMENT/ESSENTIALS 1 daypack, 1 pack cover or large plastic bag to line backpack for waterproofing 1 liter water carrying capacity (water bottle or hydration system) Passport and a photocopy of your passport Sunscreen and lip block with SPF of at least 15 Sunglasses (100% UV blocking) and retention strap Capacity to carry 2 liters of water: 2 one-quart water bottles or a hydration system that fits in your pack. If you bring a hydration system for hiking, you may also want to bring 1 water bottle for other times Earplugs Watch, travel alarm TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia (bring extras), sanitary supplies, soap, shampoo, washcloths (these are often not provided in Europe) Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 (absolutely essential) Personal medications, if any. If you re taking a prescription drug, bring a copy of the prescription or its generic name Small personal patch kit : Band-Aids, Compeed or Second Skin, moleskin, cloth athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, if any. Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an anaphylactic kit. NOTE: Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an anaphylactic kit. Please consult your personal physician. OPTIONAL (not required, personal preference) Camera (extra battery) and film Clothesline, clothspins, detergent (for hand washing clothing) Folding umbrella (great for hot days) Eye mask Book, notebook, journal, pencil/pen Trekking Poles (optional but recommended for this trip) Watch, travel alarm 1 wet suit top or long sleeved (if you get cold easily) lycra surf shirt called a rash guard 1 or 2 bandannas

7 NOTES ON PACKING NOTE: THERE IS A 15KG WEIGHT LIMIT FOR INTERNAL FLIGHTS Daypacks: You will need a daypack that is large enough to hold the following items: 1 liter of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), lightweight gloves, warm hat and any other desired personal items such as camera, journal, etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1600 and 2000 cubic inches or liters, and preferably with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps and lifters, all of which will make your pack more comfortable. If you re not sure if your pack is large enough, try packing it with everything you need for the day. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy boots or trail shoes are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general hiking, lightweight or midweight cordura or leather boots with a Vibram sole work well. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get boots that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. Even boots billed as waterproof need to be treated with a waterproofing product. Clothing: No formal or especially dressy clothes are necessary during the trip, though a casual skirt or dress can be a nice change from shorts or pants. All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Raingear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Your wind/rain pants should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. An inexpensive plastic poncho will both leak and tear easily and is not recommended. Hydration: Being able to easily access your water without assistance, so that you can drink frequently, is important to your safety and enjoyment. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and MSR bladder bags, which are collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. The bags fit inside or outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder so that you can access your water as you hike. Bladder bags can hold 1-3 liters of water. Personal First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with familiar medicine and first aid supplies you might need. Recommendations include the following: blister or foot remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, or similar, a small role of duct tape (always useful!), remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach ailments, sore muscles or joints. The guides will have a first aid kit but having what you know works well for you is a good idea. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are optional but recommend for this trip. Trekking poles are always recommended for our hiking trips.) Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. If you are not familiar with trekking poles, read this blog post that addresses the most commonly asked questions: If you are purchasing trekking poles for your trip please make sure they meet the following guidelines: 1. Height of the poles can be adjusted 2. They have an upright (as opposed to cane-like) handle 3. Have wrist straps that can be adjusted.