Arrival to Cappadocia. Ortahisar to Çavusin Village guided walk; 4 miles, easy to moderate

The name Cappadocia is from the Persian for “land of beautiful horses,” and a minibus transfer upon your arrival flight takes you to the heart of the countryside. Your award-winning hotel is located in Ürgüp, a timeless village surrounded by ancient Christian cave churches and magnificent views of the landscape. After checking in and enjoying lunch, you embark on a short transfer with your expert guide to the starting point of the day’s walk. Well maintained trails take you through the spectacular Gulludere (Rose) Canyon and Kizilçukur (Red) Valley, and on to Çavusin Village. Hidden amidst this lunar landscape are Byzantine-era cave churches, adorned with frescoes. Time permitting, one stop may be at a potter’s workshop in a cave where you enjoy a hands-on pottery demonstration. Later you return to your unique hotel, comprising two former cave houses restored to complement the natural and cultural surroundings. Dinner this evening at the hotel’s restaurant is a bounty of Turkish fare.

Uçhisar Village to Goreme guided walk; 2 miles, easy. Goreme Outdoor Museum visit; 1.5 hours. Valley of the Spears guided walk; 3.5 miles, easy to moderate

A very early morning adventure is an optional balloon ride (advance reservation required, weather permitting, see below for details). Later, the first of the day’s guided walks begins in Uçhisar Village, considered one of the most picturesque of the region, with its cave homes carved out of volcanic rocks. An easy trail leads through Kodarak Canyon and ends in Goreme, at its outdoor museum. The 1½-hour tour takes you past 10 cave churches where your guide stops and provides a thorough explanation of the significance of this area in Christian history; its 4th-century philosophy developed here went on to shape later Christian doctrine. Please note that due to the popularity of the site, group visits to the museum are regulated and it is not possible to explore independently or alter the designed route; therefore, you may opt out of the tour entirely. Following lunch, you enjoy a guided walk through the Valley of Spears (Bagli Dere Valley), where some of the most striking fairy chimneys and tufa “phallic” formations are found. Returning to your hotel, you have time to refresh and dine before a very special evening attending an authentic Sufi whirling dervish “Sema” ceremony at the original 13th-century Seljuk Caravanserai of Saruhan. The site of this performance is located 30 minutes from the hotel and the estimated return time is 11:00 pm (attendance is optional).

Kaymakli Underground City. Selime Village and monastery. Ihlara to Belisirima Village guided walk; 3 miles, moderate

This morning a 45-minute drive takes you to the Kaymakli Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s largest. Eight levels deep below the ground, the city could accommodate up to 5,000 people throughout its extensive system of rooms and passageways, secured from invaders with “locking” rocks and labyrinthine routes. The top floor housed animals, and the spacious third floor was a grain and wine storage area. Next, you transfer to the village of Selime to explore its cliff-side monastery. The valley surrounding Selime was an important center of Christian monasticism from its beginnings in the 4th century until the 14th century. Following lunch along the Peristrema River, a 15-minute drive takes you to Ihlara. The afternoon walk begins with 250 steps down into the valley and continues to Belisirima Village on an undulating path along which Byzantine-era cave churches of a different style can be found. You dine on your own this evening at the hotel or at one of the many local restaurants.

Flight to Istanbul. Farewell

After breakfast you depart the region for the flight to Istanbul and your onward travels.