Cappadocia in spring

• Meeting at Nikola Tesla airport at 7:00 am. Flight by Turkish Airlines at 9:20 a.m. to Cappadocia with a stopover in Istanbul. The journey with a transfer takes a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes. Arrival at Nevsehir airport at 14:50 local time (+ 2 hours compared to the clock in Belgrade).
• Transfer to the town Göreme in Cappadocia lasting about 40 minutes. Accommodation in a boarding house and accommodation in rooms (double and triple rooms with private bathrooms). Free time. You can visit the center of Göreme and visit some of the traditional Turkish restaurants. Traditional dishes you can try are:
  • Kebab test: A meat specialty baked in a clay pot that breaks when served. This dish is a symbol of Cappadocia.
  • Manti: Small Turkish ravioli, usually filled with meat, served with yogurt and spices.
  • Gözleme: A thin pie filled with cheese, spinach or meat, baked on a pan.
  • Kuru fasulye: A traditional dish of white beans in tomato sauce, often served with rice.
  • Baklava and Turkish tea: A favorite dessert with a traditional drink.
• Optional excursion - ceremony (performance) of whirling dervishes at 9 p.m
  • Transfer from the hotel and departure to whirling dervishes ceremony (also known as Sema), which is held in the authentic ambiance of ancient caravanserais or specially decorated halls, which provide a special atmosphere and a touch of history. The performance lasts about an hour and represents a unique spiritual and cultural experience that symbolizes the journey toward divine love and spiritual enlightenment. It comes from the tradition of Sufism and the teachings of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi, a famous Sufi mystic and poet from the 13th century. It is known for its harmonious combination of music, dance, and prayer, where dervishes (practitioners) in white robes spin and dance to live music, reciting songs and prayers. The whirling dervish ceremony is not just a dance, but a deep expression of devotion, accompanied by traditional instruments such as the nei (reed flute) and drums.
• Return to accommodation. Overnight stay.

• Breakfast. After that, a tour of the nearby Göreme open-air museum lasting about an hour, where you will learn about the rich history of Cappadocia through ancient rock-hewn churches and frescoes.
• Göreme Open-Air Museum is one of the most famous cultural and historical sites in Cappadocia and part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1985. The complex is a unique monastic center from the early Christian period, with churches, chapels, monasteries and dining halls carved into the volcanic rocks. The most famous churches of the museum are decorated with frescoes from the 10th and 11th centuries depicting scenes from the life of Christ. The complex provides an insight into the spiritual, artistic and daily life of early Christian communities.
• Going on a hiking tour through Red Valley and Rose Valley on one of the most beautiful trails in Cappadocia, with beautiful rocks in shades of red and pink. Lunch at a local authentic restaurant.
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • The length of the track is 10 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 400 m. It can be crossed in about 4 hours and belongs to the easy category. You will also have enough time to photograph the fascinating rock formations.
• After the hiking tour, a visit to one of the pottery shops, where you can get acquainted with the hand-crafting of clay dishes.
• Povratak u smeštaj u večernjim satima.
• Overnight.

• On this day, the group is divided and they have different programs on the third and fourth day.

Group I

• Breakfast. Departure of the first group on a hiking tour where we will explore the other side of Cappadocia. Love Valley is known for its unusual and imposing pillar-like rock formations, which have been shaped by erosion. Pigeons' Valley connects Göreme and Uçhisar, it is known for its numerous pigeon houses carved into the volcanic rocks. Uçhisar is a picturesque village known for the imposing rock Uçhisar Castle, which is the highest point in Cappadocia. This natural castle offers a fantastic view of the surrounding valleys and fairy chimneys. The village is also rich in historical sites, handicraft shops and restaurants. Lunch at a local authentic restaurant.
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • The length of the trail is about 15 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 450 m. It takes about 6 hours with breaks and falls into the easy category.
• Return to accommodation. Overnight stay.

II group Derinkuyu underground city, hiking tour in Ihlara Valley

• Breakfast. Transfer for about 35 minutes to the underground city of Derinkuyu and tour for about an hour. Hidden deep beneath the volcanic soil of Cappadocia, Derinkuyu is one of the largest and most fascinating underground cities in the world. It extends to a depth of 60 meters and has 18 levels. It was used for centuries as a shelter from invaders, natural disasters and religious persecution. Its first inhabitants were the Hittites, back in the second millennium BC, but the city was later expanded by the Byzantines, who used it as a refuge during the Arab invasions in the 7th and 8th century. Derinkuyu could accommodate more than 20,000 people, along with livestock and food supplies, thanks to an ingenious system of ventilation and wells. It houses a church, a school for missionaries, kitchens, warehouses, and even wine and oil making rooms.
• Continue driving towards the Ihlara Valley. It represents the green oasis of Cappadocia, completely different from the known dry and rocky landscapes of the region. This spectacular gorge, about 14 km long and up to 150 meters deep, was created by the erosion of volcanic rocks shaped over the centuries by the Melendiz river. It was once home to early Christian monks who built more than 100 churches and cave dwellings in the rocks, many of which are still visible today, with preserved frescoes from the 9th-11th centuries.
• A hiking tour through the unique landscape and lush vegetation along the Melendiz River. Along the way, we will visit several rock-cut churches, such as Ağaçaltı Church (Church under the Tree), with frescoes from the early Christian period, and Yılanlı Church (Snake Church), famous for its frescoes which depict scenes of the Last Judgment.
• About halfway we reach the Belisırma village, where there are several traditional restaurants by the river. We will take a lunch break there. Local specialties are grilled trout and Turkish tea.
• The final part of the 4 km trail leads to Selima Monastery, the largest cave complex in Cappadocia. This monastery from the 7th century was used as a religious center and offers a phenomenal view of the valley.
• Information about a hiking trail:
  • The length of the trail is about 13 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 200 m. It can be crossed in about 4 to 5 hours with breaks and belongs to the easy category.
• Transfer lasting about 30 minutes to Helvadere where we will camp near an abandoned ski hotel located at 2000 m above sea level. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Group I

• Breakfast. After that, a trip to the Ihlara Valley and a tour of the Derinkuyu underground city. The description is the same as for the II group of the previous day.
• Return to Göreme in the evening. Overnight stay.

Group II Mount Hasan Dağı and the ascent to the highest peak

• Early awakening and breakfast. Departure for the ascent over uneven ground shortly before sunrise.
• Hasan Dağı is one of the most famous extinct volcanoes in Turkey, at an altitude of 3,268 meters. It is located in the province of Aksaray, in central Turkey, about 80 km from Göreme. Geographically, it belongs to the Central Anatolian region, but is often associated with Cappadocia because it is one of the volcanoes that shaped its unique landscape. The mountain is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and offers spectacular views of Cappadocia, and its summit is a popular destination for hikers and adventurers.
• Climbing Hasan Dağı is an unforgettable experience that combines the challenge of mountaineering with the unique beauty of Cappadocia.

Description of the ascend

The ascend to the highest peak of Hasan Dağı is challenging but exceptional

• Departure: Ascending usually starts early in the morning, in order to reach the summit before the midday heat. The starting point is at an altitude of about 2,000 meters.
• Trail: The trail passes through grassy expanses, rocky terrain and volcanic remains. During the ascent you will enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding plateaus and valleys.
• Duration: The hiking tour lasts about 8–9 hours, and good fitness is required for hiking. The height difference of about 1300 m to the very top is overcome.
• Finish: At the top at 3268 m, where we arrive around noon, a wonderful panoramic view of Cappadocia and its "fairy chimneys" awaits you. In good weather, views of the Aladaglar and Bolkar mountains, Tuz Golu-Salt Lake (another the largest lake in Turkey) are breathtaking.
• Necessary equipment: deep hiking shoes, poles, sun protection, waterproof and windproof jacket, cap, gloves are mandatory. A backpack with necessary mountaineering equipment for a two-day hike (40 l), enough water (1.5-2 l per day), energy bars, fruit, spare shirts, long hiking pants, raincoat, headlamp, sleeping bag. In case of snowy conditions during the ascent, it is necessary to use crampons.
• After resting at the top, descent to the camp and transfer to Helvadere. Late lunch in a restaurant where trout is a local specialty.
• On the way back to Göreme, we stop for a short swim in Lake Nar.
• Return to accommodation in Göreme. Overnight stay.

Climatic conditions for ascend to Hasan Dağı in May

May is a great time to climb Hasan Dağı (3,268 m) because the temperatures are pleasant, and the snow is mostly retreating from the higher parts of the mountain, although there may be less snow on the top.

🌡 Temperature:

• Foothills (1,500 m): 15–20°C during the day
• Medium altitudes (2,500 m): 5–10°C
• Peak (3,268 m): Around 0 to 5°C, but it can be windy and colder in the morning.

🌤 Weather conditions:
✔ Stable weather, but the possibility of strong winds at the top.
✔ Sunčano tokom dana, ali temperature brzo opadaju nakon zalaska sunca.
✔ Rare rainfall, but in the higher parts, light morning frost is possible.

• Breakfast. Free time until 12:30 pm to visit local shops and buy souvenirs.
• Transfer to Nevşehir Airport. Flight to Belgrade at 3:35 p.m.
• Arrival in Belgrade at 19:40 local time.

Balloon flight as an optional excursion

• It can be organized from the second to the last day of the tour in the early morning hours.
• Balloon flight is one of the most famous activities in Cappadocia. An unforgettable experience where you will enjoy spectacular panoramas of "fairy chimneys", valleys and rock formations that make Cappadocia a world-famous destination. Flights are most often organized in the early morning hours, when the light conditions are ideal for photos, and the sunrise scenes leave you breathless. With expert pilots and top safety measures, this is an experience not to be missed and remains a memory for a lifetime.
• Duration: About 1 hour in the air, with additional time for preparation and return.
• Recommendation: Bring your camera and warm clothes, as morning temperatures can be lower.