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Cappadocia Green Tour: A Journey Through Nature's Wonders of Ihlara Valley and Ancient Secrets

7 hours

Easy

The Cappadocia Green Tour is a popular tour option in Cappadocia, Turkey, that typically includes visits to several natural and historical sites in the region.

The Cappadocia Green Tour is a highly popular full-day excursion that delves into the natural beauty and historical depths of the southern Cappadocia region. It's renowned for offering a blend of stunning landscapes, ancient rock-cut structures, and a unique underground experience.

Tour Itinerary & Highlights:

  1. Hotel Pick-up: Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cappadocia to begin the day's adventure.
  2. Göreme Panorama: Your first stop offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Göreme landscape. This viewpoint provides a breathtaking vista of the fairy chimneys, settlements carved into the rocks, and valleys, setting the stage for the wonders to come.
  3. Derinkuyu Underground City: Descend into the depths of Derinkuyu, one of Cappadocia's largest and deepest underground cities. This ancient marvel, carved into volcanic granite, boasts all the usual amenities found in other underground complexes, including wine and oil presses, stables, and living quarters, designed to shelter thousands of people during times of siege.
  4. Ihlara Valley: Embark on a scenic walk through the stunning Ihlara Valley, a long gorge cut into volcanic rock by the Melendiz River. This lush canyon is home to numerous rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes, offering a serene and historical trekking experience.
  5. Belisırma: Enjoy a well-deserved lunch break at Belisırma, a charming village situated along the Melendiz River within the Ihlara Valley. Here, you'll have the opportunity to experience different types of delicious Turkish foods, often in restaurants set over the river itself.
  6. Pigeon Valley: Visit Pigeon Valley, famous for its thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rock formations. These conical formations are the result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, and the pigeon houses historically played a crucial role in providing fertilizer for the region's agriculture.
  7. Yaprakhisar & Selime Monastery: Conclude your tour with a panoramic stop at Yaprakhisar, offering another striking view of the grand Selime Monastery. Selime Monastery is the biggest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia, featuring a cathedral-sized church and an impressive complex of multi-story cave formations.

Additional Experiences (Optional Shopping Stops):

The tour often includes stops at local workshops and factories, providing insight into traditional Cappadocian crafts:

  • Carpet Weaving Village
  • Leather Factory
  • Pottery workshops
  • Onyx Demonstration
What's included?
    • Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English-speaking).
    • Lunch (drinks are usually excluded).
    • Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off.
    • Insurance.
    • Fully Air-Conditioned Vehicle.
    Exclusions
      • Drinks during lunch.
      • Personal Expenses.
      • Driver & Guide Tips/Gratuities.
      • Entrance Fees to attractions (payable locally to the guide for skip-the-line tickets):
         Ihlara Valley: Approximately €15 per person.
        Derinkuyu Underground City: Approximately €13 per person.
        Selime Monastery: Approximately €15 per person.
      Please note
        • Duration: Typically a full-day tour, approximately 7 hours.
        • Difficulty: Easy (though involves some walking, especially in Ihlara Valley).
        • Tour Type: Generally operated as a group tour.
        • Pick-up/Drop-off: Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for hotels within the Cappadocia region.
        • Public transportation nearby.
        • Not wheelchair accessible.
        • Not stroller accessible.
        • Not suitable for pets.
        • Infants must sit on laps.
        • Infant seats unavailable.
        • The tour involves some walking, particularly in Ihlara Valley and at Selime Monastery, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
        • The underground cities can have narrow passages and may not be suitable for those with severe claustrophobia.
        What to bring

          Comfort Shoe
          Suitable cloth Depends on Weather