Walking in Cappadocia

Most Inspirational Moment

The churches I visited in the Ilhara valley, and the cathedral we visited on the final day (not one building, again a collection of beautifully decorated rock spaces with Christian wall paintings)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was patient, with a good sense of humour. He occasionally cam across as a little impatient and on one walk I rarely saw him as I was at the back taking photos and he stayed at the front. Every time I was nearing to catch up he set off again. He was probably on a time schedule and was frustrated. He was very good at sorting out everyone's requirements - ATM visits, people wanting to stop at pharmacies, tracking down the lost luggage of one of the group, and keeping us all informed (often having to repeat the same information 3 or 4 times) and answering all our questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure you want to walk for 6 days (or you can always miss a day and relax by the pool at the hotel!). Be prepared to get dusty. Do the balloon flight!

Reply from Exodus

We are grateful that Yolanda has taken the time to leave a review and are glad she had a good holiday, although we’re sorry that the star rating she has given does not reflect the usual positive experience our customers have on this trip. We’re confident that the information we give in the trip notes makes it clear that this is a dedicated walking trip, and believe that the stunning and unique scenery of Cappadocia, which we hope we show off in the ‘Gallery’ page for this trip, is one of the main draws of hiking here. However, there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and to engage with local Turkish culture; and as Yolanda says, our clients are welcome to take a day off to relax by the pool if they’d like.

Vivien Urban, Product Manager

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot air balloon ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable about the area (particularly history, geography, restaurants) and well able to adapt the walks to fit with the different weather conditions and fitness levels of the group. Only two minor criticisms: 1) Unlike on previous trips, we were not given the leader's mobile number, which could have posed difficulties for those who were unable to join the day's walk for any reason and needed assistance. 2) The leader tended to walk a long way out in front of the rest of the group on walks during the trip. This was occasionally problematic given the difficulty that less able members of the group faced with some of the descents in this area (i.e steep sections with loose gravel and sand).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for how exhausting the heat can be when walking in Cappadocia. Walks are not particularly long but there are some tricky descents. Also due to the heat there are no packed lunches on this trip so watch out for the tourist lunch buffets - two of the group suffered bad gastric bugs.

Suggestions

The Stone Sobek Hotel was excellent - beautiful rooms, friendly staff and good food. Turkish Airlines, with whom I have flown previously, maintained their very high standard. The new Istanbul Airport is amazing, if rather distant from the city. This was the first Exodus trip that I have done with full board. I can understand that it is difficult to provide packed lunches for walks due to the heat, but there was an excess of food provided at lunchtimes. The tourist lunch buffets (we had two during the week) are in my view to be avoided. I booked the hot air balloon ride in Goreme but was disappointed to hear on arrival that the cost per person (in a 26 + 2 person capacity balloon) was €230 (or £200) instead of the €175 mentioned in the brochure. The leader explained that this was due to high demand from Latin American visitors at the moment. However, my son who is visiting Goreme independently next month has been told by his hotel to expect to pay around £130 to £150 for a balloon ride.

Most Inspirational Moment

The churches I visited in the Ilhara valley, and the cathedral we visited on the final day (not one building, again a collection of beautifully decorated rock spaces with Christian wall paintings)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was patient, with a good sense of humour. He occasionally cam across as a little impatient and on one walk I rarely saw him as I was at the back taking photos and he stayed at the front. Every time I was nearing to catch up he set off again. He was probably on a time schedule and was frustrated. He was very good at sorting out everyone's requirements - ATM visits, people wanting to stop at pharmacies, tracking down the lost luggage of one of the group, and keeping us all informed (often having to repeat the same information 3 or 4 times) and answering all our questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure you want to walk for 6 days (or you can always miss a day and relax by the pool at the hotel!). Be prepared to get dusty. Do the balloon flight!

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being able to walk at a leisurely pace so that we could fully take in the magnificent landscape and awesome rock formations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent in every way! He dealt with a tricky situation diplomatically when we had a challenging member of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Proper walking boots are a must for the rocky, dusty paths.

Most Inspirational Moment

The chance to see the underground city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was always good humoured full of knowledge of all the sites. He was always prepared to come with us to see us ready to take on the system of shopping and other sightseeing. as well as available on the walks and meal times to give the instructions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of tea and coffee with you - the local stuff is undrinkable. Remember to buy some alcohol before the meal times!

Suggestions

No.

Most Inspirational Moment

The balloon flight spectacular 120 balloons in air at once .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alcan great friendly nothing to much trouble

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try this trip well worth a week of your life

Suggestions

This an ideal trip for those that like a steady but slightly challenging walk mainly a walk in the park with a few tricky bits but take a waterproof coat it can rain

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot balloon ride definitely. Cappadocia is the place to do it. Love Valley was a highlight too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alkan has a great knowledge of the area and looked after the group well. He was funny and engaged with us. Also offered to take us to places that were not part of the original itinerary. He has a real passion for his country and he wanted to share that with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a water bottle and your walking poles.

Suggestions

This trip is great value for money. My group flight was through Istanbul so I did a stopover on the way back. It is worth doing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first walk with the "fairy towers" landscope was a revelation. The balloon ride was breathtaking and well worth two false starts.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Firat Solak was excellent. He was both informative and humourous. His pace on the walks was just right for the various members. His checks on the state of the members showed a good understanding of what was going on during the day. The places we ate during the day and evening was a hit with everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go as soon as possible.

Suggestions

The roof area of the hotel was slightly tired but the helpfullness of people, the food and the position of the hotel was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The balloon trip,worth getting up at 4am.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fred was a star,looked after us 24/7

Advice for Potential Travellers

Possibly take a little more spends 100 sterling would be a bit tight for drinks and tips,150 each more like it.All prices are in turkish or euros,balloon trip was 150 euros or 130 sterling each

Suggestions

Just do it

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as it was all great. The valley walks are fascinating. We also went on an early morning (start before sunrise) balloon trip which was brilliant- well organised and magical. Over 100 balloons in the air at the same time. It was like fairyland as we set off in the early morning twilight seeing all the flames from the gas burners lighting up the balloons - never to be forgotten! Remember to take your camera! One thing that will always stay with us is one morning whilst walking through a local village an old lady gave us some freshly baked bread to taste and a man came across with some molasses he was preparing in which we dipped the bread - it was like nectar. Someone else then came over with grape juice to sample. What a nice gesture by a poor community.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ferat was an excellent leader, living up to the exodus high standards we have always experienced. Our driver was also excellent, very safe and thoughtful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a travel sink plug for the sink in the hotel - there wasn't one in it! Although the walks are easy you will still need good boots as the ground can be rough.

Suggestions

The hotel bedrooms / bathrooms were adequate & clean but not of the usual standards we expected. The sitting areas are comfortable & plentiful in traditional décor. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.