Cappadocia Highlights: Full-Day Historical and Natural Tour

Explore Cappadocia’s top attractions with a full-day guided tour, including Derinkuyu Underground City, Selime Monastery, and a scenic Ihlara Valley hike.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ihlara Valley - It will take approximately 45 minutes to reach Ihlara Canyon, which is 52 km from the underground city. You will be at the entrance of Ihlara Valley. Ihlara Valley was formed by the volcanic activity of the adjacent Hasan Mountain. Later, as the Melendiz River eroded the valley over millions of years, the layers cracked and fell down. Eventually, an 80 meter deep canyon was formed. The entire valley is 14 km long. You will do a hike of about 3.5 km. The walk will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Afterwards, you will arrive at a restaurant for lunch.

While exploring the unique natural beauty of Ihlara Valley, you will also experience its historical and cultural significance. You will witness the rich history and spiritual atmosphere of the region as you hike through the valley where churches have been placed on carved rocks. As you rest for a lunch break, you can enjoy your day watching the impressive view of the valley.

  • Goreme Panorama - The first stop of the tour is the panoramic view of Goreme, which offers a unique view of Cappadocia. Here you can take photos, enjoy the view and make unforgettable memories. Goreme’s mesmerizing scenery and rich history make it the perfect starting point for your Cappadocia adventure.
  • Derinkuyu Underground City - After a journey of about 40 minutes, you will arrive at the underground city. This underground city was first used by the locals as a natural deep freeze, then as a refuge against potential Arab attacks during the Late Roman period. You will spend about 1 hour here with clear explanations from your guide.

While exploring the underground city, you will feel the mysterious texture of the past and have the opportunity to understand the living conditions of that period by delving into its historical depths. Your guide will explain the history, purpose and important details of the underground city so that you can better understand this unique structure. Then, you can freely wander through the labyrinths of this mystical underground city, explore the mysterious corridors and follow the traces of time. The underground city offers an exciting experience of discovery into the unique history of Cappadocia.

  • Belisirma - You will have a 1-hour break for lunch by the river in the valley. Lunch will start with soup and salad, then you will be able to choose one of the main dishes from the menu. The meal will end with seasonal fruits.

You will enjoy a delicious lunch in the lap of nature, accompanied by the sounds of the river. Starting with soup and salad, you will have a healthy and light start. Then, choose from a selection of main courses to satisfy your hunger and enjoy the view of the valley. At the end of the meal, you will sweeten your lunch with fresh and delicious seasonal fruits and leave the valley full of energy.

  • Narligol Krater Golu - Narlıgöl, also known as Narlı Lake, is a volcanic crater lake located in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. It is situated at an altitude of around 2,165 meters (7,103 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest lakes in Turkey. The lake’s name, Narlıgöl, translates to “Pomegranate Lake” in Turkish, owing to the reddish color of its water, which resembles the color of pomegranate juice. The lake is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and is a popular destination for hiking, picnicking, and camping, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
  • Pigeon Valley - The climb to Selime Monastery will probably tire you out but you will have about 1 hour of rest time until you reach Güvercinlik Valley. Also, our guide will tell you about some of the traditions, cultures and stories of Anatolia along the way. Upon your arrival at the Pigeon Valley, you will be accompanied by pigeons at the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been important for Cappadocians. Their eggs and droppings were used for different purposes. For this reason, locals carved houses for them on the slopes of the valleys. You will understand why they are called “houses” when you see them.

When you reach the top of the Pigeon Valley, you will have the opportunity to observe more closely the habitat and importance of pigeons while enjoying the impressive views and prehistoric atmosphere. This unique experience will allow you to enjoy exploring the natural and cultural heritage of Cappadocia.

What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Museum Tickets
  • Lunch
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Professional Tour Guide
What's Not Included
  • Drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Additional Information

Discover more of Cappadocia with a full-day tour visiting both the historical and natural attractions of Cappadocia. Take in the views from Goreme Panorama and Yaprakhisar Panorama, enter the underground chambers of Derinkuyu Underground City and see ancient rock-carved churches at Selime Monastery. Also, take a pleasant 1-hour hike in the scenic Ihlara Valley and visit Pigeon Valley. Lunch, entrance fees and hotel pick-up and drop-off are also included.

This full-day tour covers the most important and impressive highlights of Cappadocia and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the historical and natural beauty of the region. This guided tour allows you to experience the unique atmosphere and rich cultural heritage of Cappadocia up close. In addition to lunch, entrance fees and comfortable transportation, hotel pick-up and drop-off services are also provided, offering visitors a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Location
Göreme
We will meet opposite the Metro office stop at Goreme bus station. Just behind the ATMs.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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897kaurs
Jul 14, 2024
Awsum green tour - We had a great experience with them tour operator was very friendly and helped us out through out , we had amazing time with this and enjoyed the green tour as well. My family liked everything about this tour and we loved the experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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