Green 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 Green Tour, also known as ‘Ihlara Valley’ tour, includes the southern part of Cappadocia and is a fairly long tour compared to the other tours. In Green Tour you will visit both historical and natural attractions of Cappadocia. The major attractions of the Green Tour are the Kaymaklı Underground City which is a spectacular ancient underground town and the Ihlara Valley, which allows hiking and breath-taking views. One of the best things that is included in the Green Tour itinerary is a visit to an underground city in Cappadocia. You’ll have Kaymaklı Underground City on the list.
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.
While you visit Kaymaklı Underground City; if you are claustrophobic, you would be uncomfortable.
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
Kaymaklı Underground City
Nar Crater Lake
Ihlara Valley Hiking
Belisırma Town
Selime Monastery
Pigeon Valley Panaroma
You will be picked-up from your hotel around 9.30 am in the morning.
Our first stop will be Kaymaklı Underground City that has been listed as a part of UNESCO World Heritage List. Once you enter the underground city you will be impressed by the various amenities including ventilation shafts, sleeping quarters, food storage room, living rooms to churches and graveyards. Kaymakli's ventilation system ensured all rooms had equal access to oxygen via air shafts on every level. Kaymakli used to be inhabited by 5000 people. The most interesting and impressive aspect of Kaymakli is its organized, carved, and exceptionally well-thought nature.
On our way to Ihlara Valley we will stop by Nar Crater Lake. The lake basin formed as a result of volcanic activity and the view is so amazing. You will also see caves in the mountains and will have time to take beautiful photos.
Our next stop Ihlara Valley, one of the most spectacular canyons in Turkey. It was formed by the volcanic actions of Mount Hasan, next to Ihlara Valley. The Valley is fourteen kilometers long. In the past, generally Christians lived in the several parts of the Valley. We will hike through the canyon for about 1 hour along the river, passing by Byzantine rock-cut churches decorated with frescoes. It is also surrounded by various types of trees such as walnuts, poplars, weeping willows, various fruit trees and surprisingly pistachios. We will have our lunch in Belisirma, in a riverside restaurant.
After lunch, we will drive to Selime Monastery located in the end of the Ihlara Valley. Selime Monastery looks like a castle, but shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages and big cathedral proves us its being a monastery. Experts believe it took more than 200 years to shape the monastery which could house some 5,000 people. You will learn more about it from your tour guide.
Upon arrival to Pigeon Valley, pigeons will meet you on the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been important for Cappadocian people. Their eggs and droppings were used for different purposes. For this reason, local people carved houses for them to the slopes of valley. You will learn more about Pigeon Valley from your tour guide.
At the end of the tour, we will drive you back to your hotel around 17:30.