Cappadocia Green Tour: Ihlara Valley Walk & Underground City

Cappadocia Green Tour with the Ihlara Valley walk: the key facts

The Green Tour is a guided group day trip to the south-west of Cappadocia, to sights the Red and Yellow routes do not cover. After hotel pick-up you stop at Esentepe panorama, go down into an underground city (Derinkuyu or Kaymakli), walk about 3.5 km through Ihlara Valley past rock-cut Byzantine churches, have a riverside lunch in Belisirma village and finish at the Yaprakhisar panorama.

It suits travellers who have already seen the fairy chimneys of the north, or who want one active day with a real walk in it. You need to be comfortable with stairs and a few kilometres on foot. The price is from $77 per person.

How long is the Ihlara Valley walk, and how hard is it?

The page describes a canyon walk of about three and a half kilometres. The path follows the river on mostly flat ground, with some roots and rocks, but getting down into the canyon means a long flight of steps; travel sources count roughly 300 to 400, depending on the entrance. The walk ends near Belisirma, where lunch is served. Take it slowly, wear shoes with grip and carry water. If you have knee trouble, tell us before you book so we can talk through the day with you.

Which underground city do we visit?

The page says the tour visits either Derinkuyu or Kaymakli underground city, and describes one that goes eight floors deep. It does not say how the choice is made on the day. If you have a preference, mention it when you book and ask us to confirm it in writing. Inside, the tunnels are narrow and low in places and you will stoop. If you are uneasy in tight spaces, tell the guide at the start so you can plan how far down to go.

What time does it start and finish?

The FAQ gives a 09:30 pick-up and a finish at around 17:30. The booking form shows start times from 08:00 to 14:00, with 09:00 marked as suggested, which does not match the FAQ. Treat 09:30 as the plan and ask us to confirm your pick-up time in writing; it depends on where your hotel is in the group's route. The page says it is about one hour longer than the Yellow Tour, so it is the longest of the three standard day tours.

What is the difference between the Green, Red and Yellow tours?

The Cappadocia Red Tour, from $50 per person, covers the north: Devrent, Pasabag, Avanos and Zelve, with little walking. The Yellow Tour, from $50 per person, covers Red and Rose valleys, Cavusin and an underground city. The Green Tour goes further south-west to Ihlara and has the most walking. Many people do the Red Tour first and the Green Tour the next day. Our Green Tour guide explains the route in more detail.

Is Selime Monastery included?

Not on this tour as it is listed. The day plan on this page names Esentepe, the underground city, Ihlara Valley, Belisirma and Yaprakhisar, but not Selime Monastery. Some links on the site use a title that does mention Selime, so if seeing it matters to you, ask us before booking and get the final stop list in writing. A separate listing, the Green Tour with Ihlara, Derinkuyu and Selime, starts from $80 per person.

Is lunch included, and what should we bring?

Lunch is included at a riverside restaurant in Belisirma village, after the valley walk. Drinks with lunch are not included, so carry some Turkish lira. Bring a refillable water bottle, sun cream and a hat for the summer months, and a warm layer in the colder months, as the underground city stays cool. Wear trainers or light walking shoes rather than sandals. A small backpack is easier than a shoulder bag on the stairs and in the tunnels.

Which guide languages are available?

The inclusions list an English-speaking licensed guide. The FAQ adds that you can choose English, Spanish or Italian, and that the price may change with the language. The page does not give the price for each language, so if you need Spanish or Italian, ask us for a written quote for your date before paying. Each booking can be for 1 to 12 guests, and the group is shared with other travellers.

Can we add a balloon flight or a second tour?

Yes, these are separate bookings. A sunrise hot air balloon flight, from $111 per person, ends at about 08:00, which can leave time before a 09:30 pick-up, but ask us to check the timing for your date. The page also suggests the 2-day Cappadocia tour from Istanbul with Goreme and Ihlara Valley if you are coming from Istanbul. More options are on the Cappadocia tours page and the Ihlara Valley guide.

How do we book the Green Tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. Send your hotel name, guide language and any preference for Derinkuyu or Kaymakli. We confirm the pick-up time, the stops and the price, and send the plan to you in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).