Get back to nature on a hike through the Ihlara Valley and marvel at the fairy chimney rock formations of Cappadocia. Visit the Derinkuyu Underground City, learn about the traditions of the locals and more.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Duration 7 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English
Pickup included: Pick-up from your Cappadocia hotel. Ürgüp, Avanos, Ortahisar pick up 8:45 to 9:00 AM, Göreme 9:30-9:45 AM, Uçhisar 10:00-10:15 AM.

Highlights

Learn about the natural history of Cappadocia and its unusual rock formations
Visit the amazing Derinkuyu Underground City
Hike through the Ihlara Valley
Learn about monastic life at the Selime Monastery
Watch how onyx is shaped by a master craftsman

Full description

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel and get a panoramic view of Göreme en route to Derinkuyu Underground City. Marvel at the subterranean city, used by the Romans to shelter against invasions by the Arabs. Get explanations about the area's deepest underground city before moving on to the Ihlara Canyon, formed by volcanic activity from Mount Hasan and erosion by the Melendiz River. Learn how early Christians carved churches from the rock on a 3.5-kilometer hike through the Ihlara Valley, and pause for lunch at a riverside restaurant. Next, visit the rock-carved Selime Monastery and learn about monastic life in Cappadocia.

Continue to Pigeon Valley to learn how the locals have used pigeon eggs and droppings for different purposes and why they carved pigeon houses on the slopes of the valley. End with a visit to an onyx factory in Uçhisar and watch a demonstration about how volcanic stone is shaped by a master craftsman.

Includes

Hotel pick-up and drop off
Guide
Lunch
Derinkuyu Underground City entry fee
Selime Monastery entry fee

Drinks
Tips for the guide and driver

Not suitable for

Wheelchair users

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All required protective equipment is provided
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Traveler requirements

You must bring your own headphones
You will receive a mandatory temperature check

Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card
Sunglasses
Hiking shoes

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 30 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.9/5
Transportation
4.7/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Safety
5/5

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A relly nice tour. The hike is more of a walk than a real hike. Beautiful sights and places were part of the tour. Same here: we had to visit a jewelery place. I dont understand, why it has to be this way. Ruins the whole spirit of the tour.

June 1, 2022

It was an amazing experience !!!!! the guide was very attentive, he made many references to the history of each place. As a suggestion, it would be appropriate to leave a little earlier as winter is approaching and we left late in the morning, so we had to see the Goreme view point at night. thank you very much it was a cold but amazing experience

November 25, 2021

interesting history and amazing views, with an awkward stop

The guide Selim was friendly, helpful, entertaining and informative! The underground city was very interesting to visit! The hike in the Ihlara canyon was easy and very nice! The food was better than expected. The return drive was long and we stopped at a jewellery shop (more like a shopping trap) for 30 minutes. In general it was a good tour!

May 31, 2018

Cappadocia: Green Tour in the Ihlara Valley

Cappadocia: Green Tour in the Ihlara Valley

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interesting history and amazing views, with an awkward stop