Sherpa Walking Holidays: England Great Glen Way

Tour code: TTM
Revised: Oct 03

Violent eruptions of the volcanoes Erciyes Dagi and Hasan Dag three million years ago covered the surrounding plateau with tuffa. From this brittle rock the wind and rain eroded Cappadocia’s spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines. Cappadocia is one of those rare regions in the world where the works of man blend unobtrusively into the landscape. Dwellings are known to have been hewn from the rock as far back as 400 B.C. when Xenophon mentioned them in his Anabasis.

We will follow old paths to visit the rock churches, monasteries, cave dwellings, fairy chimneys, remote canyons, bizarre formations and other strange and beautiful sights. At night we will camp mostly by the riversides or in rock churches, like local people used to do hundreds of years ago. After Cappadocia we will trek in the Aladaglar region of the rugged Taurus Mountains. Our route not only takes us close to the highest peaks, but into areas seldom visited except in summer by families of nomads who pasture their flocks in the high valleys. These are particularly the “Yoruk” – Turkoman in origin and on the trek we will often meet with the hospitality of these people and the local villagers of this area.

How the trek is organised
Trek personnel comprise an English-speaking guide and assistant. They are responsible for running the trek and organising visits, walks, campsites and food. A jeep and a string of pack animals carry all baggage, all you need carry is a daypack containing your daily needs.

Equipment and Clothing
All general camping and cooking equipment is provided. If you are already a hiker you may already have most of the clothing and equipment you will need. Major essential items are: sleeping bag (3-4 seasons), boots and a thick anorak. A detailed list of clothing and equipment will be sent with confirmation of reservation.

Accommodation
Accommodation in towns will be in moderate standard hotels, which are classed as three star (Istanbul rating!). On trek all camping accommodation is fully inclusive.

Health matters and Documents
A visa is required by UK passport holders and is issued at Ankara airport. It costs £10 sterling. This should be obtained from the immigration office just before passport control. No vaccinations are required by Turkish authorities. We recommend each person equip themselves with a small first aid kit. A suggested list of contents forms a section in our pre-departure booklet.

Grade
Whilst anyone in a good physically fit condition can take part in this trek, it has been planned for the regular hill-walker. The walking itself will vary from moderate to strenuous at times. Day stages generally involve about 5 hours walking. On all aspects of safety of the group, the trek leader's decision is final.

Climate
Between June and September, weather conditions should generally be settled. Below 2500m, expect day temperatures to be around 70F (20C). Above this elevation, while warm on sunny days, it will be cool at nights.

The following itinerary is intended as a working guide. It is subject to variation as a result of weather, local road and flight conditions, group conditions and governmental restrictions.

We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek at any time if necessary.

q Day 1: Fly London Heathrow/Ankara. Transfer to the hotel. Evening free, Try a traditional Turkish restaurant, dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel.

q Day 2: A four hours drive to Cappadocia, passing by the great salt lake of Tuz Golu. Enroute we visit Agzikarahan- (13th seljuk caravanserai). Arrive in Ihlara canyon and take a 2-hour trek down to Belisirma village. Overnight at campsite.

q Day 3: Today we'll make a 4-hour trek down the steep sided Ihlara valley dotted with rock churches. In the afternoon we'll join our bus and drive to Zelve. We trek another 2 hours in Pasabaglari via the spectacular peri-bacalari (Fairy-chimneys). Overnight at campsite.

q Day 4: Trek to Uchisar village from Akvadi (White valley) via the spectacular Peribacalari (Fairy chimneys). We visit Uchisar castle, the interesting town caves, and pass the many ruined churches and monasteries left from the Christian period. After lunch, we descend to Guvercinllk vadi (Pigeon valley) and overnight at the campsite in Goreme. (5 hours)

q Day 5: Morning trek to Zindanou valley to visit Elnazar and Sakli churches, two of the oldest troglodyte churches of Cappadocia (9th-10th century). We continue trekking upon Goreme, passing the better-preserved churches and monasteries here built into the rocks. Lunch will be in kizilcukur valley in a autentic family atmosphere. Afterwards, we trek on to our camp at Goreme through kizilcukur valley till Cavusin village. Then our bus will take us to our campsite (5-6 hours).

q Day 6: This morning we'll drive to Cukurbag village (2 hrs). En route we visit the fascinating underground city Derinkuyu. On arrival in Cukurbag, the trailhead village, we begin our Trans-Taurus trek with 3 hours hike to Emli valley and camp overnight (1850m). We might meet some nomadic families today.

q Day 7: (Total Ascent 600m, Descent 600m): The trekking continues around the Emli Valley, climbing gradually up to Alaca plateau (2450m) passing through pine forest. The walk is not too difficult and as we ascend the cool mountain air refreshes us. Arriving at the pass we are rewarded with panoramic views to the south of the Aciman Alps and sweeping views of mountain peaks. Descend back to our camp in Emli valley (1850m). Total walking 6 hours hours.

q Day 8: (Total Ascent 638m, Descent 488m): Trek to the Siyirmalik Valley, passing through the Buyuktulu highlands, and hopefully meeting semi nomadic groups. Continue uphill to Eznevit Yayla (2538m), where there is a magnificent panoramic view of all the southern slopes of the Aladag range. Descend to the campsite (6hours). Overnight at a tented campsite at Sokullupinar (2000m).

q Day 9: (Total Ascent 1450m - Descent 300m): Continue to the Yedigoller (Seven Lake) valley, surrounded by spectacular sheer mountain walls offering some great photoviews. Cross the Celikbuyduran pass (3450m). Descending to our camp, maybe we will be lucky enough to be invited into the black goat hair tents of the nomads for refreshment. We camp overnight (3105m) where a campfire should be arranged (6-7 hours trekking time).

q Day 10: (Total Ascent 623m Descent 623m): Trek to Mt. Embler and take advantage of the easy ascent to the summit (3723m). From here some splendid scenery opens up with the chance to see the whole Taurus range including Mt. Bolkar and other summits. The ascent and descent takes about 4 hours. The afternoon is free to relax or visit the lakes and nomads. Camp at 3100m. Chance to see the two volcanos of Cappadocia.

q Day 11:(Total Ascent 0m Descent 1300m): Visit the canyon like Hacer valley and camp at Sogukpinar (cold Spring) at (1800m and six hours of trekking time). On the way to our campsite, we will pass through beautiful pine forests. Lunch in the oldest forest of Turkey. Hopefully meet the Yoruk nomads. The campsite tonight is impressive with majestic views of the Hacer valley and a night fire will be arranged.

q Day 12: (Total Ascent 0m Descent 800m): Once again walking through pine forests, we camp close to some waterfalls at 1000m after 6 hours of walking. On the way we pass through Barazama village where life has not changed very much for centuries. Materially the people have a modest standard of living, but they are very friendly and (as usual) hospitable. In the afternoon we continue on to our camp by the waterfalls (Selale) along the Barazama River. Enroute there will be some pools that should entice people in for a swim. Overnight at camp, down to the waterfalls at the small village of Kucuk Cakir.

q Day 13: Drive to Kayseri, Transfer to airport, fly to Istanbul. Transfer to and overnight at hotel, we suggest you to have dinner at the Bosphorus restaurant (not included).

q Day 14: A full day to take in all the sights of what was the capital of the civilised world. We visit the Topkapi palace, the Blue Mosque, underground chapel of St. Sophia. Stroll in the world's biggest covered market. Then spend the afternoon shopping or visiting sites of interest at your leisure. Overnight at hotel (dinner not included).

Included
International flights London/Istanbul, domestic flight from Kayseri to Istanbul, all ground and air transport as specified in the itinerary, bed and breakfast in 3*accommodation in Istanbul and Ankara, all meals on trek (except in the cities of Ankara, Istanbul an Kayseri) sightseeing as per itinerary, bilingual trekking guide and culture guide in Istanbul. All camping equipment and food whilst out on trek (tents, mattresses, chairs, tables and utensils). Ponies to carry luggage on the tour. Cappadocia entrance fees.

Not included
Passport, visa, insurance, immunization fees, entrance fees into museums (Tokapi), city meals other than breakfast in Istanbul and Ankara (Our ground operator has quoted a minimum figure of £30 for the 5 meals not included). Water is available on camp but other drinks need to be paid for by yourself. It is useful therefore to have plenty of small change to purchase drinks. Prices are approximately as follows: Beer £1, Cola 75p, Wine £5, Raki £4. It is also customary for the group to give tips to the guide and to the crew (cook and driver) when you leave each campsite, the amount given is at the clients own discretion, however as a guideline £3-£4 per person should be sufficient. We recommend that one person from the group collects the money and gives it to the crew.