10 Oct 2026
Twin share
£1,220pp
Single from £1,535
Escorted tour
Walking in Cappadocia: Valleys, Cave Churches & Ihlara Canyon – 8 Days
Six days of guided walks through Cappadocia's valleys, canyons and cave churches, from one hotel in Göreme.
8 days
From £895
Tour overview
This 8-day small-group walking holiday explores Cappadocia on foot, from a single base in the town of Göreme. A tour leader guides every walk, and travellers must be 16 or over. You stay all week in a characterful hotel in Göreme, with private bathrooms, gardens and views across the valleys, so there is no packing and unpacking. Breakfast is included every day, with a Turkish dinner cooked by local women in Uçhisar. Short bus and taxi transfers take you to the start of each walk. The trip is land-only, starting and ending in Göreme.
Cappadocia's landscape was shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions and centuries of erosion, leaving valleys of pale rock, tall fairy chimneys and cliffs honeycombed with cave homes and churches. Your first walk links the White, Love and Pigeon valleys to the fortress town of Uçhisar. Next day, after an optional sunrise balloon flight, you visit the frescoed churches of the Göreme Open Air Museum and walk to the Aynalı church through the Meskendir valley.
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The middle of the week climbs Mount Bozdağ for panoramic views before descending through the Red and Rose valleys to the white Column Church, followed by a dinner prepared by women in Uçhisar. Another walk follows the fairy chimneys of the Görkündere valley to the citadel of Uçhisar, a vast rock pinnacle that has served as a refuge for centuries, with an evening wine tasting.
Further afield, you walk along the Ihlara Canyon, a deep gorge lined with rock-cut churches beside a river, and explore the underground city of Mazı. The final walk runs from the rock citadel of Ortahisar through the Gomeda valley to the old Greek village of Mustafapaşa, with its carved stone mansions. Along the way there is a pottery demonstration in Avanos and a visit to the underground city of Kaymaklı.
The walking is graded moderate, on dirt paths, sandy tracks and some steep, uneven sections, for around four to six hours a day, with plenty of stops for photographs and tea. On winter departures, snowshoes are provided if needed. This trip suits keen walkers who want to see Cappadocia properly, away from the busiest viewpoints.
Trip highlights
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The White, Love and Pigeon valleys to Uçhisar (Day 2)
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The Göreme Open Air Museum and an optional balloon flight (Day 3)
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Mount Bozdağ, the Rose and Red valleys and a village dinner (Day 4)
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Uçhisar Citadel and a wine tasting (Day 5)
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The Ihlara Canyon and Mazı underground city (Day 6)
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The Ottoman Greek village of Mustafapaşa (Day 7)
Your route
8 stops from Göreme to Ortahisar
- Göreme Days 1–8
- Çavuşin Day 2
- Avanos Day 2
- Kaymakli Underground City Day 3
- Ihlara Valley Day 3
- Uçhisar Day 5
- Mustafapasa Day 6
- Ortahisar Day 6
Why choose this tour
Six guided walks show Cappadocia's hidden valleys and cave churches away from the crowds. One hotel for the whole week, so there is no packing and moving on.
Best suited to
- Keen walkers who enjoy moderate day hikes
- Travellers who prefer one base to a touring trip
- Photographers drawn to unusual landscapes
- Anyone interested in early Christian history
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Göreme, Turkey to Göreme, Turkey
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Day 1 · Göreme Arrive in Göreme
Arrive in Göreme, a honey-coloured town at the heart of Cappadocia and your base for the week, and meet your leader and group.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
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Day 2 · White Valley, Love Valley, Pigeon Valley, Uçhisar White, Love and Pigeon valleys
Walk out of Göreme into the White and Love valleys, with their tall fairy chimneys, and follow Pigeon Valley up to the fortress town of Uçhisar.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Göreme Open Air Museum, Meskendir Valley Göreme Open Air Museum
Take an optional sunrise balloon flight, then visit the frescoed rock churches of the Göreme Open Air Museum and walk through the Meskendir valley to the Aynalı church.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Çavuşin, Mount Bozdağ, Rose Valley, Red Valley Mount Bozdağ and the Rose Valley
From Çavuşin, climb Mount Bozdağ for panoramic views, then descend through the Red and Rose valleys to the white Column Church. In the evening, enjoy a Turkish dinner cooked by local women in Uçhisar.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Görkündere Valley, Uçhisar Citadel Görkündere Valley to Uçhisar
Walk through the fairy chimneys of the Görkündere valley to Uçhisar Citadel, a huge rock pinnacle riddled with rooms, with views across the region. Join a wine tasting in the evening.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Ihlara Canyon, Mazı Underground City Ihlara Canyon
Drive about 90 minutes to the Ihlara Canyon and walk beside the river past rock-cut churches, then explore the underground city of Mazı.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Ortahisar, Gomeda Valley, Mustafapaşa Ortahisar to Mustafapaşa
Walk from the rock citadel of Ortahisar through the Pancarlık and Gomeda valleys to Mustafapaşa, an old Greek village of carved stone mansions.
- Hotel
- Characterful hotel with pool
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Göreme Trip ends in Göreme
The trip ends after breakfast. Luggage storage is available at the hotel if your flight is later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Göreme (7 nights) Characterful hotel with pool
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights in a hotel in Göreme
- Meals 7 breakfasts and a Turkish dinner cooked by local women in Uçhisar
- Six guided walks through Cappadocia's valleys and villages
- Transport bus and taxi transfers for walks and visits
- Visits the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Kaymaklı and Mazı underground cities and a pottery demonstration in Avanos
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Kayseri or Nevşehir
- Airport transfers
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities, such as the balloon flight
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You want a sightseeing tour without much walking
- You want most meals included — breakfasts and one dinner
- You are under 16 — the minimum age is 16
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Turkey
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £895 per person, twin share, tour only. 19 upcoming departures.
24 Oct 2026
Twin share
£1,120pp
Single from £1,435
31 Oct 2026
Twin share
£1,120pp
Single from £1,435
19 Dec 2026
Twin share
£910pp
Single from £1,225
10 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
24 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
01 May 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
15 May 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
29 May 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
19 Jun 2027
Twin share
£895pp
Single from £1,220
28 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
11 Sep 2027
Twin share
£1,145pp
Single from £1,470
25 Sep 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
Single from £1,520
02 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
Single from £1,520
16 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
Single from £1,520
30 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
Single from £1,520
06 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,195pp
Single from £1,520
22 Dec 2027
Twin share
£895pp
Single from £1,220
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard are the walks?
They are graded moderate, on paths, sandy tracks and some steep, uneven sections, for around four to six hours a day. Good walking boots are essential.
Is the balloon flight included?
No, it is optional. It is best booked for Day 3, leaving time to rebook if the weather cancels it.
Do we change hotels?
No. You stay all week in one hotel in Göreme, with transfers to the start of each walk.
Can I walk in winter?
Yes. Winter departures can bring snow, and snowshoes are provided if needed.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day and a Turkish dinner cooked by local women in Uçhisar. Göreme has plenty of restaurants for other meals.
Which airport should I fly to?
Kayseri or Nevşehir, both about an hour from Göreme. Transfers are not included but can be arranged.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary