Global Adventure - Tour the Underground Civilizations of Cappadocia, Turkey

Join the Lycian Way trekking itinerary on 8 May, 2015 in Antalya, Turkey and take an overnight bus to Goreme (bus cost included), or fly to Goreme on 9 May (flight cost not included).  Bus to Goreme and tour Cappadocia from 9-12 May 2015, and fly out from Kayseri Turkey on the 13th via Istanbul.

Download a preliminary itinerary.

Itinerary Highlights:   On this 6-day extension to the Lycian Way trekking adventure, first we’ll take an optional tour of the ancient Greek ruin of Termessos high in the Taurus mountains, and also visit the Karain neolithic cave site along the way.  Then we'll board an overnight bus and head north and east to Goreme, the hub of the Cappadocia region.  After a day to rest and explore in Goreme, we’ll spend two days touring the unique fairy-chimney landscape, rock-cut churches with their elaborate and colorful Byzantine frescoes, and underground cities of Cappadocia out of the town of Goreme, with an underground civilization cut from the rock.  Finally we'll enjoy an 8-mile hike along the dramatic Ilhara gorge to the village of Selime, along the way visiting several monasteries cut from the solid rock.

Time of Year: We’ll travel during early May, when wildflowers are at their peak, snow is melting from the peaks, and weather is warm but not hot and crowds haven’t yet begun to swarm.

Lodging:   Comfortable  3-star hotels (double occupancy), supported camping (shared tents) on the Mt Hasan climb.

Food:   We’ll enjoy simple traditional Turkish meals in small casual restaurants along our route.  Turkish food is an addictive mix of sun-ripened vegetables with olive oil, spices and roasted meats, a fusion of Asian, Ottoman and Western.

Leader’s Experience:  Cheryl Talbert has been a Mountaineers hike and backpack leader since 2009, and a Global Outings leader since 2011.   She has led or co-led a number of extended backpacks in the US as well as  successful trips and treks to Turkey, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Belize, Patagonia and Nepal.  

Participant Requirements:   Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up to date waiver on file.   Participants need to be in excellent cardio-vascular condition with the endurance, balance and confidence to travel on steep rough trail for 10+ miles a day for several days in a row.  Recent active schedule of strenuous multi-day backpacking, trekking or hiking, plus a positive attitude and ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions, will be very important.  

Trip Price Detail:  $1100 for the 6-day Cappadocia extension (final prices may vary depending on the final headcount and itinerary), including all lodging, ground transport and guided tours, luggage transport, and nearly all meals and supported camps, plus Mountaineers admin fee and leader’s costs.   Does not include domestic airfare back to Istanbul ($100), additional hotel nights after the itinerary, some lunches, snacks and drinks in town, optional tours, or any personal items.

Registration Instructions:  Please download and complete this application form and email it to the leader, indicating that you are applying for the Cappadocia extension. After the leader’s approval, you can pay the full trip amount with a credit card on the Mountaineers website, or mail a check for the $500 deposit to the Mountaineers c/o Member Services at 7700 SAND POINT WAY NE, SEATTLE, WA 98115  with a note indicating the Global Adventure activity that you want to register for.  Either option will hold your space on the roster for this extension.   Registration will close and the final trip payment will be due on January 15.  

Cancellation Policy:  If you cancel because of an emergency, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee.