MAY 4 - 11 (BANK HOL) - CAPPADOCIA, Turkey's Fairytale Valleys

Backabush is heading back to Turkiye for another exciting week exploring the enchanting landscape of Cappadocia.

Cost from £599 - 7 Nights - Group Size 17 - Cave Hotel Accommodation

The rocky valleys surrounding the town of Goreme in Cappadocia have been sculpted by the wind and rain over many thousands of years to create a truly unique geological landscape of intricate folds. This area is famous for it's distinctive tufas or 'fairy chimneys' as well as the many ancient cave dwellings, pidgeon houses, canyons and of course the vast numbers of hot air balloons that fill the dawn skies each day.

We have booked the exclusive use of one of Goreme's traditionally styled cave hotels, with bedrooms that are partly set back into the rock. We have options for sharedrooms, private rooms and some larger, luxury private rooms. Our hotel has all the amenities that you would expect, en-suite rooms and a generous breakfast served each day. There is also an outdoor terrace seating area that overlooks the town, the perfect spot to view the balloon fights each morning.

Shared 4 bed room - £599.
Shared twin room - £629.
Private room - £729.
Large private room - £779.

Our plan is to spend a week around Goreme with 5 full hiking days to explore the surrounding valleys and villages. We will also have 1 rest day so we have the chance to take an optional hot air balloon ride and spend a bit more time checking out the town of Goreme.

Highlights of our suggested hiking itinerary include:

• Red Valley & Rose Valley, a dreamy landscape in a beautiful crimson colour.
• Love Valley & Honey Valley. Love valley has some of the most iconic, and also phallic, fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, hence the name.
• Pigeon Valley & the Uschisar Castle, littered with rock cut dovecotes and an intriguing castle perched on the highest point in the region with panoramic views.
• Zelve Valley & Goreme Open Air Museum - The museum covers a large area with over 30 rock cut churches from the 9th century onwards complete with frescoes.
• Derinkuyu underground city & the Ihlara Valley, visit an underground city built as a Christian shelter during the Byzantine wars and the only lush green valley in Cappadocia nourished by the Melendiz river.

DIFFICULTY

On this trip will be hiking up to 10 miles each day on rough trails. Although we will not be hiking up any mountains there will still be some moderate ascents and descents so a good level of fitness is required.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• 7 nights cave hotel accommodation (various room options available)
• All breakfasts
• 5 hiking days guided by an experienced local hiking guide
• Airport transfers and minibus transport to/from the hikes
• One trip organiser
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunches and evening meals (There are many local restaurants to choose from around our hotel)
• Flights (See below)
• Entrance fees into the sites (Ihlara Valley, Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Underground city)
• Optional hot air balloon excursion

RECOMMEDED FLIGHTS:

Our airport transfers will be organised to meet these flights, if you choose to book alternative travel to Cappadocia then you will need to meet us at our hotel in Goreme.

It is also possible to fly from several other UK Airports to Istanbul and then catch the same group connecting flight from Istanbul to take advantage of the the airport tranfers.

Outbound - Saturday 4 May

Turkish Airlines - TK1982 & TK2020 (connection in Istanbul)

Departs LGW London Gatwick 10:55

Arrives ASR Kayseri 19:40

Return - Saturday 11 May

Turkish Airlines - TK2027 & TK1997 (connection in Istanbul)

Departs ASR Kayseri 11:00

Arrives LGW London Gatwick 16:10

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:

To confirm your place on this trip use internet banking your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use CAPPADOCIA2 as your payment reference. The account details are:

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS

Sort Code: 090127

Account Number: 22440622

Only payment secures your place. Please email nathancapay@googlemail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks. :)

IMPORTANT NOTES

VISA: Please check if you need a visa to travel to Cappadocia. Turkey is NOT within the Shengen zone. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary documents, including visa.