Blue Tour
We organize Cappadocia daily tours as group tours and private tours. Daily group tours are up to 16 people. Small group tours are up to 8 people. In private tours, vehicle and tour guide are provided.
The Blue Tour also known as 'Soğanlı Tour' includes the typical Turkish villages. The main attractions of this tour are churches, villages, and the landscape around valleys of Mustafapaşa and Soğanlı.
Highlights
Intimate group experience max 16-19 people and small groups with a maximum of 8 people
Departure time approximately 9:30 and the tour takes 6 to 7 hours
Includes
+Transport by air-conditioned minivan.
+Hotel pickup and drop-off.
+Professional English-speaking tour guide.
+National Park and museum entrance fees.
+Lunch (drinks at lunch not included).
Itinerary
The Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys
Mustafapaşa Village (Sinassos)
Keşlik Monastery
Sobessos Ancient City
Soğanlı Valley
Derinkuyu Underground City
You will be picked-up from your hotel around 9.30 am in the morning.
The tour will start with visiting one of the most well known symbols of Cappadocia, The Three Beauties Fairy Chimneys. The Legend of Three Beauties takes its name from the fairy chimney of two adults and a child. You are going to learn more about the legend from your tour guide.
Our next stop will be Mustafapaşa Village, former name was Sinassos which means ‘city of the sun’. Mustafapaşa Village is an old Greek village which is famous for its beautiful arthitecture. It was one of the largest Greek settlements in Cappadocia until the beginning of the 20th century. Throughout the region the town is known for the ornate carved stonework of its houses.
The next visit will be Keşlik Monastery, which is consist of 3 churches, refectory, sleeping and living quarters that were carved out of the rock. The monastery is known as a one of the rare Iconoclastic examples of Cappadocia frescoes and it was used in Byzantine Era until the end of Ottoman Empire. We will have our lunch in Taşkınpaşa Village.
After the lunch break our tour will continue to Sobessos Ancient City which is accepted as the only Roman Ancient city in Cappadocia. Archeologists have uncovered the remains of the Roman Bath, Agora, Basilica and Bouleterion buildings. In terms of size it is not huge but it has two extremely impressive structures to boast about; the Roman Bathhouse with an impressive and intact underfloor heating structure and a covered walkway leading visitors around the intricate mosaics.
After visiting the excavation site we will proceed to Soğanlı Valley that hosts many cave churches and monasteries, most of which are from the period between 9lh and 13lh century. Soğanlı is famous for its worldwide known dolls that have become the symbol of the village. We will spend the afternoon hiking through the valley, enjoying the beautiful and untouched nature.
Our tour will end by visiting Derinkuyu Underground City which is the deepest excavated underground city in Cappadocia. You will reach 60 meters below the ground. This underground city was firstly used by the local people as a natural deep freeze, later by the late Romans as a shelter against potential Arabian invasions. At one time housing up to 20,000 people, there are many places to see in Derinkuyu underground city as it goes down 8 floors. The tuff soil formed by the lava flowing from the volcanoes was easily shaped by the human hand because of its soft structure. In this way, the cellars or shelters created by people under their homes have grown into a giant underground city. With the clear explanations of your guide, you will spend almost 1 hour here.
At the end of the tour we will drive you back to your hotel around 17:30