4th June: Depart Malta
Meet at Malta International Airport for our flight* to Cappadocia with a transit at Istanbul Airport. Cappadocia consists of a number of towns and villages and for this upcoming adventure we will be staying in Goreme. Goreme is right in the centre of Cappadocia and its setting, amidst giant rock cones, towering fairy chimneys, majestic honeycomb cliffs and stunning valleys, makes it one of Turkey’s unspoiled treasures. Here is where hot-air balloons ascend from to the sky.

Every morning we will be waking up to the sight of hundreds of colourful balloons… a truly magical experience! At sunset, the sound of drums in the distance and the image of village women baking the evening meal’s bread in ancient rock ovens create an unforgettable vision of rural life. And Goreme is also the perfect place to unwind as it has plenty of cave bars and the best Turkish Hammam in the area! *According to the current flight schedule we are expected to depart at 10.35am arriving in Cappadocia at 17.30hrs

5th June: Valleys of Cappadocia (B, L)
Today we start by exploring the beautiful valleys of Cappadocia. We will take a pleasant full-day walk in Rose Valley, Love Valley, White Valley and Pigeons Valley. The hidden valleys of the area are surrounded by fairy chimneys, vineyards and orchards of walnut, quince and apricot trees, small fields and lush vegetation. Later in the evening we will join in the vibrant Turkish night life in one of the surrounding towns; cave bars and colourful shops are just a few places we will be exploring.

A truly amazing site in Cappadocia is watching sunrise and sunset. Together we will walk to a terrific spot to witness stunning views of the majestic landscape which offers a plethora of opportunities to capture striking photographs. Get ready to immerse yourself in the fairy-tale experience!

6th June: Rock Formations (B, L)
We will continue to explore Cappadocia on foot. The first stop is Goreme Valley, where we will traverse through the rock formations. Later we drive to Uchisar to visit the cave dwellings which are surrounded by huge conical rock structures. We have tea & coffee break before we visit Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we can
find the most preserved frescoes of rock cut churches and monasteries. We will stop for a buffet lunch and then we will head to Wishing Hill to enjoy a 360 degree view of Urgup…a spectacular sightseeing spot, whilst also visiting the fairy chimneys here. Finally, we have a short walk in Devrent Valley where we can see so many more different figures of rock outcrops.

7th June: Experience authentic rural village life (B, L)
This trip introduces us to the traditional villages of Cappadocia, Kavak and Gomeda. We will walk an undulating route through the farming towns where time has stood still and where tourists do not normally tread. This is the perfect place to spend some time taking in the pace of life whilst having a cup of tea at the local tea house. Here villagers are very welcoming and they will be thrilled to share with us some of their experiences. As we reach Gomeda we will notice a change in scenery. Gomeda is a lush paradise with its valleys, streams and pools.

Later in the afternoon after lunch we will head back to Goreme for our next adventure…a jeep safari among the fairy chimneys!! The route will follow a trail which will take us to the perfect sunset spot. We will stop and take some time to take in the breathtaking 360 degree view of the magnificent landscape below before we head back to our hotel.

8th June : Ihlara Valley, Kaymakli Underground City (B, L)
Today we will head to Ihlara Valley, or better, Ihlara Canyon, for a pleasant hike with stops along the way. Ihlara Valley will offer us a totally different scenery as we will walk through vineyards to the soothing sound of rushing water, and surrounded by a rich wildlife of birds, lizards, frogs and butterflies. The walk through the gorge is blissfully serene, with farmers tilling their fields, and shepherds grazing their flocks. In the afternoon we will visit the biggest underground city of Kaymakli. Kaymakli is an underground city with extensive subterranean dwellings and secret tunnel passages that various people utilized for shelter across the centuries. At a depth of more than 250 feet with a capacity of up to 20,000 people, this multi-leveled city contained everything an entire population would need to survive a history riddled with invasions; stables, cellars, schools, chapels, refectories, and at the bottommost level was even a cruciform church carved directly into the rock. All the while, a 180- foot ventilation shaft provided both oxygen and water to those living below. This is a truly magnificent site! We will also make a stop at the Nar Crater Lake during our journey.

9th June: Back home (B)
After breakfast we will have some free time for our last minute shopping and exploration.
We will then take a transfer to the airport for our flight* back home.

*According to the current flight schedule we are expected to depart at 13.25hrs arriving in Malta at 18.20hrs

We look forward to share this Experience with you ☺

*Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight at Sunrise!* (Optional activity)
The Hot Air Balloon Tour offers a minimum 1 hour flight time in the air. We will be collected from our hotel early in the morning, usually before sunrise and driven to the take-off site. While we are having a light breakfast, we will watch the inflation of the balloon then get a passenger briefing which explains basic rules & safety measures for the balloon flight. Then it’s time to climb into the basket for the ride of a lifetime! The take off is gentle – soon we’ll be taking hundreds of pictures over the valleys of Cappadocia. After the flight lands, there is a small celebration with champagne and we will receive our flight certificate. We will be driven back to our hotel around 08:30am just in time for breakfast.