Derinkuyu

Tours

Goreme Panorama Our first stop will be Goreme Panorama where you will be informed about the Cappadocia region, occurance of fairy chimneys and Goreme village itself. Pigeon Valley People used pigeons for several purposes for a long time. At the Pigeon valley you will be informed about those reasons and you will get the opportunity to feed the pigeons of the valley. Gemstone Store (Jewellery Store, Shopping Point) Turkiye is a real treasure when it comes to stones and we will spend some time at this beautiful store with an expert about stones all around Turkiye. We highly advise you to listen them carefully because you will want to know everything about color changing zultanite stone. Derinkuyu Underground City UNDERGROUND CITIES are the signs of cappadocia, these mega shelters will blow your mind. We will get inside of it and walk through narrow tunnels. You will get to see wineries, food storages and a lot of different parts of the underground city used defending and living. Ihlara Town (Lunch) About 80 km away from our starting destination we will find ourselves in IHLARA TOWN. We will have the lunch at a pleasant, cozy restaurant, just NEXT to the Melendiz river. Ihlara Valley After the lunch, we will hike almost for 60 MINUTES in the canyon ALONG the Melendiz river, where we can see a nearly 1000-year-old historical CHURCH and where you can experience the beautiy of nature. At the end of the hiking we will arrive BELİSIRMA village. Selime Monastery Selime Monastery is an astonishing rock cut structure including a 1300-year-old CATHEDRAL, a church with a gallery all around it, a chapel, a vast kitchen, stables with feeding troughs and other evidence of the troglodyte lifestyle… Spice-Dried Fruits Shop You can see an interesting Cappadocian type of coffee including pistachio and traditional dried fruits.

Get picked-up from your hotel. First, enjoy a panoramic view of Göreme and marvel at some of the best views in the region. Your guide will have plenty of knowledge to offer you about your surroundings. Afterwards, visit Underground City which is the biggest and deepest underground settlement. It has 8 levels connected with narrow tunnels. You will visit stalls, stores, churches, wineries, kitchens and the other sections which are open for visitors. While you are visiting the sections, your guide will complement the experience with their expert knowledge. Next, enjoy a local lunch in an authentic restaurant. After, visit Pigeon Valley which is located in Uçhisar town and offers another spectacular panoramic view. The next destination is Goreme Open Air Museum, where you can see rock-cut churches carved by early Christian monks. Your guide will give you information about Christianity and the Monastic Life of Cappadocia. You will have a tour of the town and then visit a pottery workshop and learn about red clay work and ceramics. One of the masters of the discipline will even demonstrate the ancient free-hand technique that has been used throughout history. Visit a rug workshop where all the products are made by hand in the traditional way. Afternoon you will visit derbent Walley and you will rest some time Then visit Paşabağı where spectacular mushroom-shaped rock formations can be seen. Paşabağı is also called Monks Valley because of the Chapel of Saint Simeon which is located in the valley.

On this full-day tour of Cappadocia you'll visit Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest excavated site of its kind in Turkey. At a depth of 85 meters the multi-level city could accommodate up to 20,000 people. Continue to the Ihlara Valley for a 4-kilometer trek. See cave churches from the 7th-11th centuries, most of which feature brightly colored frescoes. Stop at Belisirma, a typical Anatolian village, to enjoy lunch and visit some of the churches open to tourists. Stop also in Selime town, known for its rock-cut churches and one of the largest rock-cut monasteries in Cappadocia. In Goreme, enjoy the beauty of Cappadocia’s lunar landscapes and the many-colored rock formations.

Göreme Panorama First place in the tour is Panoramic view of Goreme. You get information about history, formation of Cappadocia while watching the fairy chimneys. Following the information, free time for photograph. Underground City After driving about 40 minutes, arrival to Underground City. 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. With the clear explanations of your guide you will spend almost 1 hour here. Ihlara Valley Ihlara Canyon is 52 km. away from Underground City.Approximately 45 minutes later, you will be in the entrance of Ihlara Valley.Ihlara Valley was formed by the volcanic actions of Mt. Hasan, next to Ihlara Valley. Afterwards, Melendiz River eroded the valley for millions of years besides the layers cracked and fell down. Eventually, 80 meter- deep canyon was composed. Whole Valley is 14 km. length. In the past, generally Christians lived in the several parts of the Valley; also they carved churches and painted them. You will hike about 3,5 km.Hiking will last 1hour 15m.Then you will arrive to Restaurant for Lunch Lunch 1 hour for the lunch in the valley, next to the River. You will start with the soup and salad, later you will able choose one of the main dishes from the list. Lunch will be over with season fruits. Selime Monastry Our tour will go on with another movie- set-like place, Selime Monastery. At first look, the monastery looks like a castle, but shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages and big cathedral proves us its being a monastery. You get information about the monastic life in Cappadocia. Pigeon Valley Climbing to Selime monastery will exhaust you, probably. But till you arrive to Pigeon Valley, you will have about 1 hour to rest. Also, our guide will mention about some traditions, cultures and stories about Anatolia on the way. 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 see the reason why people call them “houses”, when you see them. Onxy Factory The Last place in the tour will be a visit to onyx factory in Uchisar. Onyx is a volcanic stone which has various colors and contains different minerals in. As being a volcanic area, Cappadocia has some onyx deposits. In the factory, a master will give you information about the steps of onyx shaping and you will watch a shaping show. 5-6 pm back to hotel

Step into the heart of Cappadocia’s magic on this unforgettable full-day tour, perfect for travelers looking to combine iconic landmarks, rich history, cultural experiences, and a touch of adventure. Your journey begins with convenient pickups available from six different locations: Ürgüp, Nevşehir, Avanos, Göreme, Ortahisar, and Mustafapaşa. From there, you’ll head to your first highlight: Goreme Open-Air Museum – Marvel at ancient rock-cut churches and frescoes on a guided tour through this UNESCO World Heritage Site (1 hour). Please note: entry requires an extra fee. Next, descend into the depths of the Özkonak Underground City for a fascinating guided visit (1 hour). Discover the incredible underground tunnels and living spaces once used by ancient civilizations for shelter and defense. Extra fee applies. Continue your adventure with a short stop at Uçhisar, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour and photo opportunity at this charming village crowned by its towering natural rock castle (20 minutes). Then, soak in the beauty of Love Valley, known for its stunning and surreal rock formations. Here you’ll have a 20-minute break to snap photos, explore, and hear stories about this enchanting landscape. Embrace the local spirit with a stop for a shopping and workshop experience in Cappadocia (1 hour). Watch artisans at work and find unique handmade treasures. After building up an appetite, head to Avanos for a delicious lunch and a relaxing break (1 hour). Avanos is famed for its pottery traditions and riverside charm. End your journey with another delightful shopping session in Cappadocia (1 hour), giving you time to pick out memorable souvenirs or gifts to take home. Throughout the tour, you’ll enjoy a balanced mix of guided visits, free exploration, and authentic local encounters. Whether you're diving into the region’s fascinating past, capturing its breathtaking landscapes, or discovering its vibrant crafts, this experience showcases the very best Cappadocia has to offer. Highlights include: Guided visit to Goreme Open-Air Museum Exploration of Özkonak Underground City Photo stops at Uçhisar and Love Valley Hands-on workshop and shopping time Delicious lunch break in Avanos Come and experience the wonder, history, and beauty of Cappadocia — a journey you’ll never forget!

This full-day small-group guided tour of Cappadocia covers some of the most famous attractions of the region including the Goreme Open Air Museum (ticket not included), the Underground City (ticket not included), Pigeon Walley , and the Fairy Valley. The tour includes pick up from your hotel and transportation in an air-conditioned van. You will be accompanied by a driver and a local guide who will provide insight into the history, culture and significance of the sites visited. The tour offers a great opportunity to experience the unique landscapes and monuments of Cappadocia, with a focus on the historic cave churches and underground settlements. Cappadocia (Pass By) Lying in south central Turkey, the moonscaped region of Cappadocia, southeast of Ankara, is most famous for unique geological features called fairy chimneys. The large, cone-like formations were created over time by erosion of the relatively soft volcanic ash around them. Past cultures have dug into them to create dwellings, castles (like Uchisar) and even entire underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, used as hiding places by early Christians. Nearby Kayseri is the gateway to the area. Goreme Open-Air Museum The Goreme Open-Air Museum resembles a vast monastic complex composed of scores of refectory monasteries placed side-by-side, each with its own fantastic church. It is obviously the first sight to be visited by any traveler in Cappadocia, standing as it does in the very center of the region with easy access from all directions. Pasabag Pasabag in Cappadocia is located on the road to Zelve, coming from Goreme or Avanos. Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General", the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nick name. This site is also called Monks Valley. The name was derived from some cones carved in tuff stones which stand apart. Currently, there is a vineyard and a number of tuff cones standing right next to the road. Pigeon Valley is a popular tourist destination located in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. The valley is known for its beautiful scenery, rock-cut dovecotes, and hiking trails. Some of the highlights of Pigeon Valley include: Rock-cut dovecotes: The valley is known for its rock-cut dovecotes, which were carved out of the soft volcanic rock by ancient people. These dovecotes were used to raise pigeons for food, and they are a unique feature of the valley. Visitors can see the dovecotes and learn about the traditional way of life in Cappadocia.

Today, you will explore the most breathtaking parts of Cappadocia. At 9:30 AM, meet your guide at your hotel and drive to the Visit Rose Valley; is an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp ridges, tinted in pink especially during sunset!the minerals in the sandstone have a pink tinge. Next Cavusin; is surrounded by a valley, which becomes gradually wider, called as Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous with its rock-chuches. Next; Pigeon Valley; earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. Next; Underground Cities; once a place of refuge for 15000 christians. These settlements were of enormous value to the development of christianity as they provided shelter and worship and were in use until the end of 7C AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-storey city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. Tour continue with Ortahisar; famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. At the end of the tour drives you back to your hotel.

We will pick you up from your hotel with our guide, bus and driver at 09:30 – 10:00. We go directly Goreme Panoramic View Point. You can watch nicely Goreme view and almost all of Cappadocia and take excellent photos. Also your guide explain important informations about Cappadocia. You will have free time to take photos and explore the area yourself. Our second stop will be Derinkuyu Underground City which biggest, largest and deepest underground city of Cappadocia. Derinkuyu Underground City has 8 level at the under of ground. You will see different sections on each level (kitchen, sitting room, restroom, tombs, stable, missionary school etc.)… Your guide explain informations about levels and formations. After underground city, we forward to Ihlara Valley. Here is biggest and deepest canyon of Cappadocia. We visit Agacalti Church after walk approximately 300-400 m. You can see a church which keep the history very well. Than starts a walking nearby the Melendiz River through to the Belisırma Village placed in hearth of Ihlara Valley about 3 km. You will spend enjoyable times in natural life of valley while walking . After 1.30 hour walking we will arrive Belisırma Village. You will have a nicely lunch near the Melendiz River. After lunch we drive to Selime Monastery. Here is also known as a cathedral and oldest cathedral of Cappadocia. You will see kitchen, missionary school, church, small churches while visiting here. But it is a little difficult to see frecoes. Somebodies say a few chapters of Starwars movie taken from here or desired take here. There is an excellent landscape on roof. Almost one hour later we will arrive Uchisar, Pigeon Valley. You can see unique panoramic view of Pigeon Valley, take photos, see hundreds of pigeon houses, feed the pigeons. Our last stop will be Onyx Workshop. Giving informations about valuable and half-valuable stones from the Cappadocia region on here. After Onyx Workshop our lovely tour finishes and we take you back to your hotel or wherever you want.

Step back in time as you see the UNESCO-listed underground city of Derlnkuyu and the 8th-century Selime Monastery with an archeologist guide. Enjoy a tasty lunch in the Ihlara Valley before going on a guided hike. Immerse yourself in local culture with a tea ceremony at a local bazaar. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in Goreme, Uchisar, Ortahisar, Ürgüp, Avanos, Çavuşin or Nevşehir. Relax on the transfer to a panoramic viewpoint that overlooks the Pigeon Valley, which is well-known for its fantastical fairy chimneys. Head to the Derinkuyu Underground City with a local guide and discover an ancient multi-level underground city that dates back 4,000 years. Discover well-preserved walls, hidden passages, and staircases carved from stone. Continue on to see the verdant waters of Nar Lake, which likes in a circular crater. Venture to the Selime Monastery to experience the early history of Christianity at this ancient rock-carved site. Savor a mouthwatering lunch in the stunning Ihlara Valley before going on a guided hike through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ihlara Canyon. Meet some locals with a coffee and tea ceremony amid the vibrant bustle of a local bazaar. Return to your accommodation with unforgettable memories.

☑️ The first stop in this tour is goreme Panoramic View point, located at the highest point of Goreme, from where a stunning view of the village itself, rock hotels, nearby valleys and Uchisar castle opens up. The guide will give you detailed information about the region, its geological and historical past. ☑️ Derinkuyu Under Ground City: Underground cities are a unique feature of Cappadocia, they appeared due to the fact that the layer of soft tuff sometimes reaches a thickness of several tens of meters. It was easy enough for people to expand and deepen their buildings. Underground cities saved people from raids. In total, 36 underground cities have been discovered in Cappadocia. At first, these were more underground villages with a small number of rooms, but gradually, especially in the Byzantine period, they grew to the size of cities, accommodating up to thirty thousand people. The underground city of Derinkuyu, which translated from Turkish means "deep well", has eight underground floors and goes 55,5 meters deep. There are rooms for pets, warehouses, a dining room, a kitchen, wine cellars, a church and even a missionary school, a confessional and a font. The ventilation shafts of that time still function here, and the tunnels and halls are quite well lit. ☑️ Ihlara is a stone canyon that divided the plain into two "banks" like a deep ravine. Its length is about 14 kilometers, and its depth in some places is up to 150 meters. The canyon stretches from the village of Ihlara to the village of Selime. The small river Melendiz flows along the bottom. Ihlara served as a refuge for Christian monks, and therefore dozens of rock-cut churches and hundreds of residential caves were found here. The walking tour through the valley lasts 3.5 km. ☑️ Ihlara Valley Hiking: The murmur of the river, birdsong, delicious local cuisine - what you need to relax, gain strength and continue your journey! ☑️ Selime Monastery is located on the northern edge of the Ykhlara Canyon and is the highest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. The views from it are amazing! It is also notable for the fact that in one composition you can see all the components of the monastery ☑️ Pigeon Valley: The pigeons are very important in Cappadocia. Because if you need to grow herbs, vegetables, grapes etc. you need to fertalise the soil. otherwise the harvest will be inefficient and unhealthy. So you can see here lots of pigeon houses with lots of flying pigeons around. ☑️ Sweet Stop: the local sweets, nuts, delights whatever local here in Cappadocia you will have chance to try and buy.