
Hike the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia in Winter
Head to Turkey to walk through ancient valleys, float above unique landscapes in a hot air balloon and sleep in a cosy cave hotel
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesBoutique Hotel
4 nights in a boutique cave hotelMeals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
Crampons, should snow and ice conditions require themSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?






























Hike among ‘fairy chimneys’ and explore cave cities in the UNESCO-listed Cappadocia region – without the crowds
Choose to fly in a hot air balloon at sunrise, or watch the dreamy spectacle from the rooftops of Göreme
Cook regional dishes with a local family in their authentic Cappadocian home for a traditional Turkish evening
Bunk down in a cave hotel with views over the jaw-dropping Rose Valley and indulge in the ritual of a Turkish bath
Key Information
Day 1
Touch down in Turkey

Hoşgeldiniz – welcome to Turkey! Your host will collect you from Kayseri Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Göreme, a fairytale hamlet in the heart of Cappadocia. Your base for the next four nights is a cosy, boutique cave hotel, a restoration of unique historical ruins. Enjoy some free time to wander around the picturesque town before sunset, including an optional visit to the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open Air Museum – a splendid cluster of monastic Byzantine artistry with rock-cut churches, chapels and monasteries. Take in the breathtaking views of snow-capped houses cut into the rock from the panoramic terrace of your hotel, then join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2
Hike amongst Cappadocia's iconic fairy chimneys

Hiking
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then head out to explore the White and Honey Valleys (the latter is also more popularly referred to as the 'Love Valley'). Set off on your first short hike amongst the iconic fairy chimneys that Cappadocia is famous for: there are hundreds of these towering rocks, formed by volcanic ash over millions of years ago and eroded by the wind. Hiking here in winter is incredibly picturesque – not only will you avoid the summer crowds, but the views of these rock formations dusted in snow (weather depending!) is even more magical. Warm up with a hot meal and head to Uchisar Castle for jaw-dropping moonscape views of Cappadocia. Back in Göreme, you'll be welcomed by a local family in their house for an authentic Turkish evening – cosy up and help your hosts fire up a traditional dinner, then head back to your comfortable hotel for the night.
Day 3
Explore the Red and Meskendir Valleys and indulge in a Turkish Bath

Hiking
Wake before sunrise for an unforgettable, bucket-list experience (optional; payable locally) – a hot air balloon ride, floating above the historic cave dwellings of Cappadocia. (Flights are always subject to weather conditions, so you'll have a few chances to try it until your departure day, should today's trip get cancelled.) If you're not a fan of heights, you can always enjoy the dreamy spectacle from the rooftop terrace of your hotel. Later, hike through the Red and Meskendir valleys, exploring the pinkish-red glow of these surreal rock formations, ancient cave churches and natural tunnels. Reach Çavuşin Old Roman village by lunchtime and explore the rock-cut dwellings and elegantly carved stone houses here, dating back to 150 BC. This afternoon, you'll have a few free hours at leisure before indulging in a quintessential Turkish experience – a traditional hammam ritual, including a blissful scrub and massage session in a Turkish cave bath.
Day 4
Derinkuyu underground city and Ihlara Valley

Hiking
Start the day early and drive to the impressive site of Derinkuyu, an ancient, multi-level, underground city of the Median Empire which extends to a depth of around 85 metres. It is large enough to have sheltered as many as 20,000 people, together with their livestock and food stores, and to date, it is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey. After your visit, drive to the Ihlara Valley for a final trek into the canyon along spectacular rugged walls, water streams and ancient monasteries carved into the rock. Back at the hotel, warm up with a hot shower or bath and toast your adventure with your group!
Day 5
Goodbye Cappadocia!

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Bid farewell to your fellow adventurers before you’re transferred to the airport in time for your onward journey home. As most international flights from Kayseri Airport fly via Istanbul, you may also decide to extend your winter adventure with some extra days in one of the greatest cities in the world!
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Kayseri Erkilet Airport
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Kayseri Erkilet Airport
Any time on Day 5
Transfers
On Day 1, your host will meet you on arrival at Kayseri Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the city. The guide will hold a meeting for the group at the hotel around 18:00, before a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, so a flight arrival by 16:00 is recommended. On Day 5, your host will transfer you from Cappadocia to Kayseri Airport in time for your onward flight. Transfers will be arranged at set times depending on the arrival/departures times of the rest of the group – so occasionally there may be some waiting time, should the other travellers in your group be arriving and departing at slightly different times than you. If your flight time does not match the arranged pick-up services, there are also regular buses connecting the airport with Göreme (journey time approximately 1hr 15 mins and €5 per person).
For those arriving early, or wanting to stay on longer, extra nights at the hotel and private airport transfers can be arranged with your host at an additional cost. Please see Optional Extras for more information.
Travel options
There are indirect international flights to Kayseri from the UK, as well as direct and indirect flights from various major hubs in Europe which transit via Istanbul. If you wish to include an overnight stay in Istanbul, it may be cheaper to consider separate tickets with different airlines (e.g. Wizzair or other low cost airlines from the UK to Istanbul; then internal flights between Istanbul and Kayseri Airport with Turkish Airlines or others).
Alternatively, you can choose to fly into Nevsehir Airport (40 minutes away from Göreme) or travel from Istanbul to Göreme via an overnight bus – your host can arrange pick-up transfers from any place in Cappadocia on request. Please contact them for further info and ad hoc rates.
From the US, there are indirect flights from various major hubs which transit via Istanbul and Frankfurt.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?

The food in Turkey is more than just your classic kebab, with traditional and local meals as varied as the country's history. Many dishes make good use of seasonal vegetables, with fresh bread always in easy reach. A classic Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) is a mezze-type affair with bread, butter, olives, white cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, jam and honey, alongside strong coffee or freshly brewed Turkish tea. For lunch or dinner, you could be served dolma (stuffed vegetables packed with rice, spices, pine nuts, and dried fruits) or lahmacun (flatbread topped with minced meat and seasoning). Many types of kebap or köfte are popular, along with sweet or savoury börek (filo-based pastries), followed by sweet specialities.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?

Göreme
You'll spend all four nights at the comfortable, boutique Taskonak Hotel, right the the heart of the Cappadocia region. An authentic stone building dating from 1885, the property is built into the surrounding rock according to the regional architecture. It is within walking distance of the village's lively centre, with its bars and restaurants. You'll stay in en suite cave rooms on a twin-share basis, each of which blend unique design and charming furniture with comfort. The hotel also has a dining room, a bar and free WiFi, as well a beautiful rooftop terrace with breathtaking views over Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price.
This trip has been rated as Easy
This is a relaxed trip that combines cultural exploration with relatively gentle activity. The hiking sections are short and will involve being on your feet for a maximum of four hours with no significant ascents or descents involved. However icy, snowy or very cold weather conditions can make the going a bit slower, or slightly more challenging than usual.
To enjoy this trek you need to have an average level of fitness and no previous hiking experience is needed. Depending on the snow conditions, you may be walking with crampons (included and hired locally, if needed) and you will be shown how to use these effectively and safely.
If you don't exercise regularly, please consider factoring in some light to moderate physical activity in the weeks leading up to the trip to ensure you're ready to enjoy the experience.
What if i need to skip an activity?
You can skip any activity you like on this trip. If you're not feeling up to anything at any stage, just speak to your guides. Some extra downtime may be possible at the hotel if you skip an activity.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which can be left at the hotel, and then a small daysack to carry personal items during each day of hiking.
Cappadocia is without doubt one of the most beautiful places in Turkey, and in winter you are in for a treat! Even just a light sprinkling of snow gives the landscape a magical, fairytale atmosphere and every view is quite simply breathtaking. Snow often falls from late November to early March, but in the desert it rarely snows everyday. However, even without snow, every activity included in the trip will still be equally worth it. Make sure you pack plenty of warm layers as temperatures often drop below zero.
A major added bonus is that winter is the perfect time to beat the crowds, so it's not unusual to share the trails only with a few other travellers. The quieter winter season allows your host to take you to some locations which would otherwise be too crowded to visit in the summertime. Travelling outside of the peak summer season also provides the opportunity for the local people to have year-round work, which is an important element in sustainable tourism.
A memorable New Year in Cappadocia!
This was a great trip with a good mix of "easy" hiking, cultural experiences and free time to explore Goreme. The landscape is stunning and being able to both hike and see it from above during the optional balloon trip meant that you had the opportunity to take it all in. Sefa was excellent and very knowledgeable - his passion for the area was evident. Highly recommended!



Uplifting adventure
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. Sefa has put together a really lovely, gentle itinerary that nevertheless includes a considerable range of Cappadocia highlights. The hikes are indeed "easy" as advertised - the longest one was 7 or 8 km, and there were no major climbs, though I expect the terrain is a bit more challenging in snowy conditions. We had blue skies and sunshine every day, and enjoyed the beautiful colours in the rock formations. The food was excellent - we didn't have a single disappointing meal - and it was particularly nice to be supporting women's cooperatives. The cave hotel had underfloor heating and hot showers, and a great view from the breakfast room / rooftop terrace. This would be a really good first MBA trip, so if you're not sure if adventure holidays are for you, give this one a go!
Amazing few days
This was a fantastic trip, with a brilliant guide Sefa, who was insightful and lots of fun.
The itinerary is really well thought out, with just enough downtime, minimal bus time, and lots of points of difference.
The hiking is pretty leisurely but that gives more time to soak up the incredible views and the history. Getting to go on a balloon at sunrise was the icing on the cake. I could not recommend this trip more - with the added bonus that our little group gelled so well. A great way to spend four days.
Balloons were amazing!
The scenery is amazing and like nothing I have seen before - there are cave houses everywhere, and outside of the museum, a lot are empty, so you can explore for yourself. The balloon ride was fantastic. This is an optional extra, but well worth it. We were lucky to have a clear sunrise. The hiking was significantly easier than expected - so if you are a hiker and you're doing this in winter, bring extra layers - the slow pace means you won't warm up. There wasn't any snow, but it was below freezing every day. Despite being advertised, we didn't actually stay in a cave, which was a huge disappointment as it was one of the main things we wanted to do. Photos attached show the dreary accommodation (clearly not a cave), and the terrace covered in wire.




Unbelievably beautiful
I can’t give this trip any less than 5 stars. Sefa our guide was amazing & the landscapes were just so phenomenal. The itinerary had a good mix of walks, food & cultural activities - we also usually had at least a few hours of free time each day in the afternoon.
The hiking is definitely “easy”. The hikes were beautiful & practically deserted but I would have loved longer routes. The pacing was also quite slow/lots of breaks. In our group a few of us went out on longer hikes during free time/breaks which I’d definitely recommend. Doing the 2nd half of the Pigeon valley was an absolute highlight.
I would definitely recommend this trip & have already booked another with MBA.
Awesome Experience
Great trip with amazing and beautiful scenery. It's not the most energetic trip in relation to hiking but there's loads to see and do. Our guide Sefa was brilliant and really knowledgeable about the local area. The hot air balloon is a must do!! It was an amazing experience over breathtaking scenery. You really get a good insight into the local culture on this trip that you'd miss out on doing it solo. The group I had was friendly and fun and the food was awesome. Doing it over New Year made it even better as Göreme really knows how to celebrate with epic firework displays!
New Year in Cappadocia
A magical experience immersing yourself in to the variety of landscapes Cappadocia has to offer.
Just fantastic
The itinerary is just what I have been looking for; gives a great insight to what it is to be a “Cappadocian”. This tour keeps you away from the commercialised tourists. The guide is passionate about what he does and goes to great lengths to to make it a fantastic tour for all in the group.






A trip to remember!
This was an absolutely fantastic trip! Each hike took us to a different (but equally beautiful and remarkable) landscape and away from any crowds. We were also lucky enough to have the chance to go hot air ballooning which was lovely and provided another perspective on some of the places that we had seen from the ground.
The guide, Sefa, was outstanding. His genuine passion for and extensive knowledge of the region's geology and history was clear and he was always happy to answer any questions or offer any other support that we might have required.
The food was also delicious and at times it felt like we were on a food tour which was an unexpected bonus!
We fitted a lot into a relatively short trip (although it never felt rushed and there was plenty of free time) so that it felt like we had been away for much longer.
The weather this year has apparently been unseasonably warm so we saw very little snow, but I don't feel that had any impact on the trip, It actually allowed us to appreciate the colours and layers of the rocks that we might not have been able to see in snowier conditions.
Overall I can't speak highly enough of the trip - I would recommend it without hesitation and wish that I could relive the whole experience.

Just fabulous
From start to finish this was an awesome trip! Extremely well organised, everything ran smoothly, from airport pickup to drop off. Nothing was too much bother. Sefa, our guide, was absolutely brilliant! Kind, funny, helpful, informative and patient. Just perfect, as were my fellow travellers. The hiking was easy and at a good pace for photo stops, it was beautiful and varied. There so much to see. The hot air balloon was fabulous, again really well organised. The food is delicious, the local people really friendly and if you like sparkly things the shopping in Goreme will tick that box too! The trip fits a lot in to a few days but there's plenty of time to relax aswell. I'll certainly be recommending this trip to lots of friends!