Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Valley Full-Day with Lunch

About this tour

This full-day Green Tour covers the quieter, southern side of Cappadocia. You'll head down into Derinkuyu, the deepest excavated underground city in Turkiye, where early Christians carved out homes, kitchens, stables and churches across many levels. From there you walk a stretch of the Ihlara Valley, a green river canyon dotted with rock-cut churches, before seeing the huge Selime Monastery and the viewpoints over Pigeon Valley. A licensed guide, all entrance fees, lunch in Belisirma, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Highlights

• Vast multi-level underground complex
• Wind through the tunnels, chambers and storage rooms carved into the rock
• Ancient living quarters and storage areas
• See the clever ventilation shafts that kept the whole city breathable
• Learn how early Christians used the city as a refuge from invasion
• Descend into the multi-level Derinkuyu Underground City
• Trek the Ihlara Valley past Byzantine rock-cut churches
• Stand beneath the massive Selime Monastery cut into the cliffs
• Take in the panorama over Pigeon Valley
• Hear the region's history and volcanic geology from an expert guide

Included / Excluded

Good to Know Before You Go

Pickups run from your hotel between 09:00 and 10:00, and the day wraps up with drop-offs back at your accommodation in the late afternoon, usually around 17:00 to 18:00. Plan on a full day out, since the schedule includes driving between sites, guided walks, and a lunch break, and exact timings shift a little by operator and season.

Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, as you'll be on your feet for the Ihlara Valley trek and climbing stairs inside the underground city. Dress in layers, temperatures swing between elevations and over the course of the day, and bring a hat and sunglasses for the outdoor stretches. Modest clothing is a respectful choice at the churches and monasteries. Note that Derinkuyu's own opening hours track daylight and vary by season, so it's worth confirming current times before you travel.

Available Days / Times

• Monday : 09:30
• Tuesday : 09:30
• Wednesday : 09:30
• Thursday : 09:30
• Friday : 09:30
• Saturday : 09:30
• Sunday : 09:30