Ornitour Cappadocia

Snowcock and Crimson-winged Finch

The landscape of Central Anatolia is diverse varying from vast steppes with salt and fresh-water lakes to the forest areas of the Taurus Mountains. Cappadocia’s erosion landscape of bizarre tufa rock cones, deep valleys and extinct volcanoes is amazing. The Asian avifauna has expanded far into the west with species like Great Sand Plover, Crimson-winged Finch, Radde’s Accentor or Caspian Snowcock. Also of interest are Cinereous Bunting, Red-fronted Serin, Shore Lark, Saker Falcon, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and White-headed Duck.
Cappadocia is steeped in ancient culture. There are rock-cut churches with fresco paintings, fascinating underground cities and testimonials of Seljuk architecture.

Day 1

Arrival

Transfer to our Guesthouse Cappadocia in Mustafapaşa, an old, carefully restored greek villa, where we will remain until the end of the journey.

Day 2

Garden oasis Yeşilhisar

Walking-tour through heavily-watered gardens. Here, within the otherwise treeless steppe, a varied population of small birds can be found (Hoopoe, Scops Owl, European Roller, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Olivaceous Warbler, Penduline Tit).

Day 3

Soğanlı Valley

Walking-tour through the erosion valley (Saker Falcon and Rock Doves) and visit to several rock-cut churches in the steep cliff face. Descend to approximately 1200 metres. Despite the low altitude, Shore Larks, Snow Finches, Crimson-winged Finches, Rock Sparrows and Egyptian Vultures can be found here.

Day 4

Göreme, Çavuşin, Zelve, Ortahısar

Visit to the famous rock-cut churches with their fresco paintings. Short walking-tours in the valleys with fascinating tufa rock moonscape landscape (Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear).

Day 5

Erciyes, Kayseri

Rock areas, deep valleys and gentle meadows are the habitats on the Erciyes which we will visit today (Golden Eagle, Radde`s Accentor). Visit the bazaar, caravanserai, madrasah and Seljuk Turbes (tombs) in Kayseri.

Day 6

Derinkuyu, Nargölü

Visit to the underground city of of Derinkuyu (Deep Well) with its vast tunnel system networking eight stories of dwelling and storage areas. Then we will walk around the edge of an extinct volcano which holds Lake Narligol (Lake Pomegranate) in its crater where hot sulphurous springs bubble up all along the banks. Finsch’s Wheatear, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and BlueRockThrush are just a few of the many species of birds to be found here.

Day 7

Great Salt Lake Tuz Gölü

Drive southwards to the large but very shallow Lake Tuz Gölü in the vast central Anatolian Basin. We will find Calandra Larks and Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Kestrels in the settlements and maybe Egyptian Vultures on the steep cliffs on the eastern shore of the lake. Field trips to several places on the lakeshore, where Ruddy Shelducks, Common Shelducks, Avocets, Gull-billed Terns, Kentish Plovers, Lesser Short-toed Larks and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse can be found.

Day 8

Uzengi Valley

From Ayvalı a goat trail leads along a brook through the impressive Uzengi erosion valley. Walking tour to the natural hot mineral springs.

Day 9

Avanos, Kızılırmak shore

Visit to the small town of Avanos where in numerous rock vaults pottery is still produced traditionally. After visiting a pottery walking-tour along the Kızılırmak River (Black Stork, Bee-eater) to the restored caravanserai of Sarıhan.

Day 10

Seyfe Gölü, Hacıbektaş

The Seyfe Lake is an interesting shallow lake. Field trip through a small wood to the silted area. On the return journey visit the Hacıbektaş Monastery, where the Bektasi Sufi order was founded in the 14th century (islamic mystics).

Day 11

Taurus Mountains at Çamardı

Early morning departure. Drive to the base of the highest Taurus mountain, the Demirkazık near Çamardı, with a height of almost 4000 metres. Several hours mountain hike to find Caspian Snowcocks and Red-fronted Serins that are rare to observe.

Day 12

Reeded lake near Ovacık

Trip with a pole boat in a reeded lake within the drained former Sultan Marshes where we can expect to see Red-crested Pochards, White-headed Ducks, Reedlings and Reed Buntings.

Day 13

Ihlara Gorge

An approximately 10 kilometre walking tour of the idyllic Ihlara Gorge. Shade giving trees flank both sides of the meandering Melendiz River making the gorge a secluded and sheltered place. The many cave chapels from Byzantine times cut out of the sheer rock face contain frescoes and wall paintings. Saker Falcons have been sighted here.

Day 14

At your disposal

Last tour through the beautiful village of Mustafapaşa or shopping in Ürgüp.

Day 15

Departure

TTransfer Ankara airport. Return flight.