Begin your journey in Ankara, where the historic old city, the Mausoleum of Atatürk, and the Citadel offer a glimpse into Turkey’s modern and ancient past. A scenic drive across the Anatolian plateau takes you past the glistening Salt Lake, the 12th‑century Agzikarahan Seljuk caravanserai, and the subterranean depths of Derinkuyu underground city before arriving in the heart of Cappadocia. From there, the charming Greek‑heritage village of Mustafapasa welcomes you with its stone‑walled streets and traditional architecture.
Day after day, the trail leads you through a tapestry of volcanic landscapes. Walk the rock‑carved homes of Tahtali, the pigeon‑filled cliffs of Uzengi, and the terraced vineyards of Pancarlik Valley, where ancient churches such as Sarica and Kepez rise from the tuff. Continue to the lush Avcilar Valley, dotted with poplars and fruit trees, and the mushroom‑shaped fairy chimneys of Kiliclar. The open‑air museum of Zelve, the iconic Pasabag “priest” valley, the early Christian settlement of Cavusin, and the dramatic red hues of Kizilcukur, followed by Pigeon Valley, the rock fortress of Uçhisar and the slender chimneys of Akvadi, all form a continuous narrative of human adaptation to a surreal environment. Each step reveals frescoed chapels, carved dwellings, and the enduring beauty of Cappadocia’s unique geology.
The final walking leg takes you to the verdant Ihlara Valley, where a river cuts through a canyon lined with rock‑cut churches, with its frescoed Byzantine churches and lunch by the river in Belisırma. After a leisurely return to Ankara, you reflect on the unforgettable blend of natural wonder and cultural heritage that defines this region. Available as a private or a group departure, this tour is made for travelers who cherish immersive walking adventures, historic exploration, and the quiet charm of Anatolian villages.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 Days 7 Nights |
| Price | From €1,785 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 14 |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Welcome to Turkey! After a smooth arrival at Ankara Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel for check‑in. The rest of the day is yours to explore the capital at your leisure, at your own pace. Overnight in Ankara.
Start the day with a visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk and the Citadel of Ankara. You may choose to explore the Anatolian Civilisations Museum to see artifacts from surrounding archaeological sites. Afterwards, embark on a 4‑hour drive across the Anatolian plateau, passing the Salt Lake and the historic Agzikarahan Seljuk caravanserai. The tour continues to Derinkuyu underground city, where you will descend to its 8‑floor depths. In the afternoon, arrive in Cappadocia and visit the Greek‑heritage village of Mustafapasa. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
After breakfast, head to the trailhead for a day of walking through Tahtali’s rock‑carved homes and the cliff‑side pigeon houses of Uzengi. A picnic lunch is served in the scenic Pancarlik Valley, where terraced vineyards and pastel‑colored rock formations create a picturesque backdrop. In the afternoon, visit the carved churches of Sarica and Kepez before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Today’s trek begins in Avcilar Valley, a lush corridor of poplars and fruit trees framed by towering tuff walls. The walk continues into Kiliclar Valley, where mushroom‑shaped fairy chimneys and simple rock‑cut churches punctuate the landscape. A midday picnic lunch is provided. After a day of exploration, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Transfer to Zelve, a cave village inhabited until the 1950s and now an open-air museum. Continue to Pasabag, known as the “priest” valley, to see the iconic fairy chimneys. The walk then takes you through the historic village of Cavusin, home to the church of St. John the Baptist and its frescoes. The trail continues into the stunning red‑colored Kizilcukur Valley, where erosion has carved a dramatic canyon. Finish the day in the town of Goreme, where you can enjoy dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Today’s five-hour walk starts in the Göreme valleys and leads into Pigeon Valley, named after the countless dovecotes carved into its walls in the 18th century. Lunch is taken in Uçhisar village, followed by a climb to the rock “fortress” whose summit gives one of the widest views across Cappadocia. In the afternoon the trail follows the dry riverbed of Akvadi Valley, past fruit gardens, vineyards and unusually slender fairy chimneys. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
After breakfast you drive to the Ihlara area and walk along the Melendiz stream at the bottom of the gorge, where water keeps the valley green and full of birdsong. The cliffs are honeycombed with cave homes and chapels carved during the Byzantine era, and you enter some of the finest of them to see their well-preserved frescoes. Lunch is served on the riverbank in Belisırma village before the four-hour drive back to Ankara. Overnight in Ankara.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Ankara Airport for your departure flight. The tour concludes with memories of Cappadocia’s unique landscapes, historic sites, and unforgettable walking adventures.
Ankara → Ankara – Salt Lake – Cappadocia → Tahtali, Uzengi & Pancarlik Valleys → Avcilar & Kiliclar Valleys → Zelve, Pasabag, Cavusin & Red Valley → Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar & Akvadi → Ihlara Valley – Ankara → Ankara
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 37+2 Seats
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👥 16+1 Seats
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👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Ankara, Ankara – Salt Lake – Cappadocia, Tahtali, Uzengi & Pancarlik Valleys, Avcilar & Kiliclar Valleys, Zelve, Pasabag, Cavusin & Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar & Akvadi, Ihlara Valley – Ankara.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!