Cycling in Turkey

Cycling In Turkey Tour Highlights
Heart of Cappadocia – Enjoy four nights in a small town in the heart of Cappadocia
Unique Landscapes – Cycle this unique landscape of enchanting valleys, ‘fairy chimneys’ and cave dwellings
Ihlara Valley – Discover rock-cut churches and well-preserved Byzantine frescoes by bike
Kaymakli Underground City – Historic city carved out as an underground safe haven for local inhabitants in turbulent times
Uchisar Castle – Climb the rock-cut castle for wonderful views

Why Book this tour Cycling In Turkey
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday, you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a pump, lock, spare inner tube and tyre levers. All you need bring is your own helmet.

Climate
Turkey
Evenings and early mornings can be cool in the early and late season (before mid May and after early October). Summers are hot and dry with refreshing sea breezes. It is often cooler on higher ground and in the mountains and can be cold at night, even in the summer. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up to date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.

Cycling In Turkey Tour Highlights Cycling Information
On this tour we cycle 156 km over six days (an average of 25km per day) with further optional rides available. The terrain is generally flat, following the valley floors. We cycle mainly along unsurfaced farm tracks and minor rural back roads. A support vehicle accompanies the rides throughout the tour. We have graded the route as easy.

Cycling In Turkey Day 1: Join tour Kayseri airport
Joining the tour at Kayseri airport we then transfer to our first night stop at Selime. Located at the head of the Ilhara Valley, Selime is home to one of the largest rock cut monasteries in Cappadocia. Chance to acquaint yourself with your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Overnight: Simple Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: None

Cycling In Turkey Day 2:Drive to Cappadocia area; cycle Dogantarla Village to Selime
This morning we spend time getting aquainted with our bikes and then we set off. We first cycle to Selime Monastery for a short visit before continuing to Dogantarla village. From the village we follow the Melendiz river valley. As we cycle along we see small gardens that originally would have been planted by the monks to allow them to be self-supporting. Many of the rock-cut churches have well preserved frescos dating from the 9th century. Finally we return to Selime and our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 33 kilometres
Overnight: Simple Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 3: Drive to Kaymakli; cycle to Mustafapasa
In the morning we drive to nearby Kaymakli village to visit its fascinating underground Byzantine city. Several underground ‘cities’ were constructed by early Christians in the seventh century, as they fled from persecution. They sheltered in these safe and well-hidden complexes from the iconoclastic strife of Byzantium as well as from other invasions. The cities were a complete and self-sufficient environment, including rooms for grain storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and ventilation shafts. After our visit, we cycle from Kaymakli to the small, sleepy village of Mustafapasa, via Ayvali. Mustafapasa was formerly called Sinasos, before the Greek population living there were forcibly repatriated to Greece in the exchange of populations of 1923. The attractive architecture of many of the stone built houses and churches of the village reflect their Greek origins.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 28 kilometres
Overnight: Simple Guesthouse
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 4: Cycle to Goreme via Kizilcukur Valley to Goreme
We start with a morning ride through Mustafapasa valley making our way to the attractive natural Damsa Lake. Later we cycle to the Pancarlik Valley, with stops en route to take in the dramatic landscapes. We then cycle along the Pigeon Valley renowned for its beautifully decorated rock-cut pigeon houses in which locals obtain pigeon guano to be used as viniculture fertilizer. This 200 year old custom is perhaps one of the unique assets of the region. Finally we cycle on the short distance to our hotel just outside Goreme.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 26 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 5: Day ride to Kavak and Uchisar
This morning there is a short transfer to Kavak village from where we will begin today’s ride. Kavak is a village renowned for its wine as the fine volcanic soil is very fertile. Other produce from these fertile soils include walnuts, mulberries and a variety of fruit. Often the largest rock cones are used as depots for citrus and other fresh fruit. Ibrahimpasa is an old Greek village where, until the turn of 20th century, Orthodox Anatolian Greek communities lived. We will have some tea in local café then make a short transfer to Kizilcukur village in time for lunch. Hidden in its array of ‘fairy chimneys’ (tall columns of tufa rock with basalt tops protecting them from erosion) is the ‘Church with Grapes’ – where there are frescos depicting viniculture and fruit growing. Wine production has continued in Cappadocia since the Hittites were here 3,000 years ago, as the volcanic soil is very fertile. It was the exiled Christians who really developed the vineyards, as well as fruit orchards. Often the largest rock cones are used as depots for citrus and other fresh fruit. In the afternoon we visit the citadel from where there is a panoramic view of the whole region, returning to Goreme via Akvadi, White Valley.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 24 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 6: The Valley of the Hermits and Avanos
We then continue on to reach Cavusin, which lies on top of a collapsed section of an early Christian cave city. The atrium of the church at Cavusin has fallen down, exposing some of the finest frescoes in the region. The richness and variety of these frescoes makes them among the best works of early Christian icon painting. Pasabaglari, sometimes called the ‘Valley of the Hermits’ due to the number of rock cones that were carved out by hermits in the early Christian period. Here the ‘fairy chimneys’ are amongst the most impressive in the region. We also pause to visit Zelve, a troglodyte village that was still inhabited as late as 1952, and is now a warren of tunnels and interconnecting dwellings. Then we cycle on to Avanos, on the banks of the Kizilirmak river. Avanos is known for its handicrafts, in particular its pottery, rug weaving and knitting. After lunch we cycle on in the direction of Sarihidir village, a lively tourist centre at the foot of a rock ridge riddled with old dwellings. On the road we visit Sarihan Caravanserai, whose gate is a fine example of Selcuk architecture and is a reminder that we are travelling on one of the ancient caravan routes linking Asia with Europe. We return to Goreme for our last night in the town.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 26 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 7: Rose Red Valley and Urgup
After a short bus ride our last day of riding is spent exploring the route from Rose Red Valley, Dervent Valley and Urgup. Our route follows an old farm track between the apricot orchards and vineyards and past the now familiar fairy chimneys. Viticulture has been here since the Hittites, but it was the exiled Christians who really developed the vineyards and, for a while, wine was exported under the label of mineral water! Things have changed little and today most wine is still bottled for export. Arriving in Urgup we have some free time for last minute shopping before driving back to Goreme for our final supper.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 19 kilometres
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey Day 8: Tour ends Goreme
The tour ends in Goreme after breakfast this morning.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling In Turkey: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.

Cycling In Turkey: What’s Included:
Equipment
A puncture repair kit and lock are provided – we recommend you bring your own helmet. We strongly advise that helmets are always worn whilst cycling. Bring a water-bottle that clips on to the bike. Wraparound sunglasses help protect your eyes. For added comfort you may like to bring a gel seat cover. A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies.
Bike Details
Your included bike is a 21 gear Mosso Wildfire Tourney mountain bike with front suspension and will be the correct frame size for your height. A water bottle holder is included as well as the facility to fit your own pedals or saddle if you wish to bring them. A support vehicle accompanies the rides throughout the tour. We provide spare parts and take care of the day to day maintenance. All you need to bring is your own helmet.

Cycling In Turkey: What’s NOT included:
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Baggage handling & luggage forwarding

Accommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Cycling Tour, make an inquiry now