ULTRA TRAIL CAPPADOCIA – Deferred to 2022

Cappadocia Ultra Trail

An Ultra-Trail World Tour event, passing through high plateaus and valleys of Cappadocia to run it from one side to the other! Explore the heart of Cappadocia by running along natural towers, fairy chimneys and high hills dominating the landscape. Passing through Ortahisar and Goreme, discover the most beautiful valleys of the Goreme National Park by running!

Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail® has been added to the Ultra-Trail World Tour calendar as an official race since 2017, as other 28 Ultra-Trail World Tour races. This status helps to raise international awareness and the quality of the competitors joining the event in Cappadocia. The aim is to increase interest in Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail® by guaranteeing certain standards in the organisation as stipulated and monitored by ITRA (International Trail Race Association) and offering higher points to the domestic and international runners to qualify to UTMB and Western States 100 races.

Cappadocia lies in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevsehir Province of Turkey. The relief consists of a high plateau over 1000 m in altitude that is pierced by volcanic peaks. Sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams and ignimbrite deposits that erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago underlie the Cappadocia region. The rocks of Cappadocia near Goreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and chimney-like forms.

Cappadocia was known as Hatti in the late Bronze Age, and was the homeland of the Hittite power centered at Hattusa. After the fall of the Hittite Empire, Cappadocia was ruled by a sort of feudal aristocracy, dwelling in strong castles and keeping the peasants in a servile condition. It was included in the third Persian satrapy, but continued to be governed by rulers of its own. After bringing the Persian Empire to an end, Alexander the Great tried to rule the area through one of his military commanders. Around 60 BC, Cappadocia became a Roman province.

Cappadocia contains several underground cities, largely used by early Christians as hiding places before Christianity became an accepted religion. People of the villages at the heart of the region also carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits. The region became a monastic centre in 300–1200 AD. The Goreme Open Air Museum, which is along the path of Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Trail, is the most visited site of the monastic communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. The complex contains more than 30 carved-from-rock churches and chapels, some having superb frescoes inside, dating from the 9th century to the 11th century.

Dinler Hotel - Urgup

Located 1km from the race village in Urgup, the 5-star Dinler Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with views of Kayakapi. The extensive grounds include 3 restaurants and a fitness centre with a sauna and Turkish bath.

The rooms and suites are all equipped with flat-screen satellite TV. They have private bathrooms, some of which contain a spa bath. Most rooms open out onto a balcony and free Wi-Fi is provided.

An extensive buffet breakfast is offered at the Urgup restaurant. The Avanos Restaurant offers fine-dining with a local wine list. There are a range of bars where guests can relax by an open fire or the pool.

Day 1 - Wednesday 13th October 2021 - Arrival in Cappadocia

You will be welcomed at Kayseri or Nevsehir Cappadocia Airport before being transferred to your hotel.

Succeeding hotel check-in, you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 2 - Thursday 14th October 2021 - Guided Cappadocia Tour

Bus departure from your hotel with your guide.  The tour begins with a descent towards the centre of the earth, with a trip to the underground city of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. From here we drive to the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. These are found in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings dating from as early as the 10th century. From here we stop over at Avanos, a centre of terracotta art since 2,000 BC, for a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

After lunch, we visit Pasabag’s “fairy chimneys”, where the voice of the wind harmonises with the songs of the fairies. We end the tour with a visit to Sarihan Caravanserai, a very fine example of the Turkish Seljuk art, built in the early 13th century on the legendary Silk Road, for the accommodation of the traders and their camels.

Day 3 - Friday 15th October 2021 - Race Village Visit

Today we collect race numbers and enjoy the festivities at the race village.

Day 4 - Saturday 16th October 2021 - Cappadocia Ultra Trail

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the start of the race. Good luck and ENJOY!

After completing the race, facilities available at the race village are a finishers buffet, physio service and showers. The evening we enjoy a celebratory meal together to share experiences of the race.

Day 5 - Sunday 17th October 2021 - Optional Hot Air Balloon & Award Ceremony

For those interested in doing the Hot Air Balloon ride, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the take off lounge. You will enjoy flying over Cappadocia to view the sunrise over the clouds. The ride is 60 minutes long and you will be transferred to your hotel afterwards.

You are welcome to make your way to the race village for the award ceremony at 10:30

Day 6 - Monday 18th October 2021 - Return Home

Hotel check-out and transfer to airport.

Tour Package - Cappadocia Ultra Trail

Single Breakfast & Dinner                           R8500    per person

Twin / Double Breakfast & Dinner             R7000    per person

Triple Breakfast and Dinner                        R6500   per person

Race Entry Fees

120 KM                                                               R1 600 per entry

64 KM                                                                R1 300 per entry

39 KM                                                                 R1000 per entry

Package Includes:

• Airport transfers
• Hotel Accommodation in Urgup, Cappadocia for 5 nights
• Breakfast & Dinner
• Guided bus tour of Cappadocia with a local guide
• Tour coordinator to ensure your trip runs smoothly
• Tourist Tax

Package Excludes:

• Race Fees (Available to purchase during booking, see race fees above)
• Flights
• Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Hot Air Balloon ride (Available to book during your stay)
• Anything not mentioned in the included

We are accepting a R1000 fully refundable deposit to claim your booking for this tour. If for any reason you would like to cancel your booking before the final payment date (31 August 2021) we will be refunding your deposit in full.

As the year progresses we will continue to be in contact with ASATA (Association of South African Travel Agents) as well as the race organizers with regards to COVID-19 developments in both Turkey as well as South Africa.

Once the final payment date (31 August 2021) for this tour has been reached, we will be following our COVID-19

policy: https://disfruta.co.za/covid-19-policy/

Should you require any further information, please contact us on customerservice@disfruta.co.za