Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Valley Hike, Full Day with Lunch (Tickets Not Included)
KTLY062172
+8
Cappadocia
Free Cancellation
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About this tour
This full-day Green Tour covers Cappadocia's western sights with a licensed guide, hotel pickup, and lunch in Belisirma village. You'll head underground at Derinkuyu, a multi-level city carved into volcanic rock that once sheltered early Christians, then hike the Ihlara Valley canyon past rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes. The route also takes in the cliffside Selime Monastery and a viewpoint over Pigeon Valley. Site entrance fees are included, and the day runs roughly 8 to 10 hours.
Highlights
- Descend into Derinkuyu, a multi-level underground city carved from volcanic rock
- Wind through a network of tunnels and connected chambers
- See ancient living quarters, stables, and storage rooms
- Working ventilation shafts that kept the deep levels breathable
- A refuge used by early Christians during times of invasion
- Explore the multi-level Derinkuyu Underground City
- Hike the Ihlara Valley canyon past rock-cut churches
- Visit the towering cliff-carved Selime Monastery
- Take in the panorama over Pigeon Valley
- Learn Cappadocia's geology and history from an expert local guide
Included / Excluded
- Full-day tour along Cappadocia's Green route
- Licensed professional guide
- Entrance fees to all sites
- Lunch in Belisirma village
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Ortahisar, Mustafapasa, Avanos, Nevsehir, Cavusin, Ürgüp, Göreme, Uçhisar)
- All local taxes and insurance
Good to Know Before You Go
Plan on a full day out, about 8 to 10 hours once you factor in driving between sites, the guided visits, and the lunch stop. Exact timing shifts a little with the season and the operator's schedule.Wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, since you'll be on your feet for the Ihlara Valley hike and climbing stairs inside Derinkuyu. Dressing in layers is smart, as temperatures swing across the day and between elevations. There's no formal dress code, but modest clothing is the respectful choice at the churches and monastery, and a hat and sunglasses come in handy for the outdoor stretches. Derinkuyu itself keeps daylight hours that vary by season, which the tour is timed around.
Check the official site for current visiting times before you go.Available Days / Times
- Monday : 09:30, 10:00
- Tuesday : 09:30, 10:00
- Wednesday : 09:30, 10:00
- Thursday : 09:30, 10:00
- Friday : 09:30, 10:00
- Saturday : 09:30, 10:00
- Sunday : 09:30, 10:00
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FAQs
How deep is Derinkuyu Underground City?
It reaches more than 85 meters (279 feet) below the surface.
How many people could live in Derinkuyu?
Estimates suggest it could shelter as many as 20,000 people, along with their livestock and stored food.
When was Derinkuyu built?
The earliest levels are credited to the Phrygians in the 8th to 7th centuries B.C.
Why was Derinkuyu built?
It served as a hiding place from invaders and from religious persecution.
Is Derinkuyu the only underground city in Cappadocia?
No. Cappadocia has several underground cities, and Derinkuyu is among the largest.
What kind of facilities were inside Derinkuyu?
It held living quarters, kitchens, stables, churches, storerooms, and ventilation shafts.
Is it safe to visit Derinkuyu?
Yes, it's safe, though you'll want to watch your step in the narrow passages and mind the low ceilings.
Are there guided tours available at Derinkuyu?
Yes, and a guide is worth it to make sense of the site's history as you move through it.
What does the Cappadocia Green Tour include?
It covers Derinkuyu Underground City, an Ihlara Valley hike, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley, plus a licensed guide, hotel transfers, lunch, and entrance fees to all sites.
How long is the Full-Day Cappadocia Green Tour?
It's a full day, generally 8 to 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.
What is Derinkuyu Underground City?
It's the largest excavated underground city in Turkiye, a multi-level warren carved into soft volcanic rock that early Christians used for shelter during invasions.
What is special about Ihlara Valley?
It's a roughly 100-meter-deep canyon cut by the Melendiz River, lined with greenery and rock-cut churches painted with Byzantine frescoes, many of which you'll pass on the hike.
Is lunch included in the Green Tour?
Yes, lunch is included, served at a local restaurant, often right by the Melendiz River. Drinks are usually charged separately.
Are entry fees included in the tour price?
Yes, this tour includes entrance fees to all the sites you visit, so there's nothing extra to pay at the gates.
What should I wear for the Green Tour?
Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for the Ihlara Valley hike and uneven ground, layers for the shifting temperatures, and a hat and sunglasses for the sun.
Is the Green Tour suitable for children?
It's fine for active kids, but the amount of walking, the Ihlara Valley hike, and the tight spaces underground can be tough for very young children or anyone with limited mobility.
How strenuous is the Ihlara Valley trek?
It runs about 3 to 4 kilometers over uneven paths and some stairs, a moderate walk most fitness levels can handle in decent footwear.
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