Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley & Selime with Lunch
Overview
Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley & Selime with Lunch
In a single full day the Green Tour shows you the nature and history of South Cappadocia. A professional guide takes you down into Derinkuyu, among the most famous underground cities in the region, and then along the riverside paths at the bottom of the Ihlara Valley canyon.
Lunch, Selime and Pigeon Valley
Lunch is a traditional meal in a local restaurant. Afterwards you explore Selime Monastery, the biggest monastery cut into the rock in Cappadocia, and pause at Goreme Panorama and Pigeon Valley to look out over the fairy chimneys.
Green Tour Inclusions
The price covers pickup and drop-off at your hotel, transport throughout the day, entrance fees to museums and sights, and lunch.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Green Tour: Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley and Selime
Here is the route for the day:
- Pickup: we collect you from your hotel in Goreme, Uchisar, Urgup, Ortahisar or Avanos.
- Goreme Panorama: wide views across Cappadocia and the fairy chimneys.
- Derinkuyu Underground City: you go below ground in one of the most famous underground cities of Cappadocia.
- Ihlara Valley: a walk beside the river through the canyon.
- Lunch: a traditional meal in a local restaurant.
- Selime Monastery: the largest monastery carved from the rock anywhere in Cappadocia.
- Pigeon Valley: a photo stop looking out across the valley.
- Local shop: an optional stop to browse handmade local goods and souvenirs.
- Drive back: you are returned to your hotel at the end of the tour.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Pickup from and Return to Your Hotel
- ✓Professional Guide
- ✓Green Tour of Cappadocia (Full Day)
- ✓Lunch in a Local Restaurant
- ✓Transport Throughout the Tour
- ✓Tickets for Museums and Sights
- ✓Walk Through Ihlara Valley
- ✓Stops for Panoramic Photos
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Drinks During Lunch
- ✕Tips and Gratuities
- ✕Optional Activities
- ✕Travel Insurance
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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The Cappadocia Green Tour in brief
In a single guided day the Green Tour explores the south of Cappadocia, with prices from $80 per person. You visit Derinkuyu Underground City, walk in the canyon of the Ihlara Valley, eat lunch in a local restaurant, see Selime Monastery and stop for the panoramas at Goreme Panorama and Pigeon Valley. The price includes pick-up from and return to your hotel, a professional guide, transport and the entrance fees for every museum and attraction, so you pay nothing at the gates.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | Around 7 hours |
| Price | from $80 per person |
| Format | Group tour with a guide |
| Pick-up from | Goreme, Uchisar, Urgup, Ortahisar and Avanos hotels |
| What is covered | Lunch, guide, transport, the Ihlara Valley walk, entrance fees |
| What is not covered | Tips, travel insurance, optional activities, drinks with lunch |
How do the Red and Green tours differ?
Each covers a separate half of Cappadocia, with no shared stops, so lots of visitors book them on back-to-back days:
| Green Tour | Red Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Southern Cappadocia | Northern Cappadocia, near Goreme |
| Main sights | Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City | Love Valley, Avanos pottery, Devrent Valley, Zelve, Pasabag |
| On foot | Steps below ground and a walk through the Ihlara canyon | Brief walks from one viewpoint to the next |
| Driving | More time on the road between stops | Stops are near each other |
| Price from | $80 | $80 |
With time for just one, pick the Green Tour if you want history and nature that differ from the fairy chimneys already around your hotel, or pick the Red Tour for the classic fairy-chimney scenery.
Which stops does the Green Tour make?
| Stop | What makes it worthwhile |
|---|---|
| Goreme Panorama | A broad view across fairy chimneys and valleys |
| Derinkuyu Underground City | Among the most famous underground cities, cut downwards through many layers of soft rock |
| Ihlara Valley | A walk on the trails by the river, deep in a canyon |
| Lunch | Traditional food in a local restaurant |
| Selime Monastery | Cappadocia's biggest monastery cut into the rock |
| Pigeon Valley | Photo stop over a valley filled with carved dovecotes |
Can everyone visit Derinkuyu Underground City?
Most people find it easy, but some tunnels are narrow and low, and the way down uses steep steps. If you are claustrophobic or have trouble moving, it is not a good fit. Before you go in, the guide talks you through the route, and you are free to stay outside instead. Below ground it is cool in every season.
How much walking is there in Ihlara Valley?
You walk beside the river on the canyon floor, with churches carved into the cliffs above you. The path is mostly level, though steps lead down to the bottom of the valley. Good footwear helps a lot.
What pairs well with the Green Tour in Cappadocia?
Many people plan two days: day one for the balloon and the Red Tour, day two for the Green Tour and a show in the evening. Coming from Istanbul? The 3-day Cappadocia package with both Red and Green tours starts at $1,050 and covers flights, the hotel and both tours.
When is the Green Tour best?
It operates all year. For the Ihlara walk, spring and autumn are best. In summer the underground city offers a cool escape from the heat. In winter Ihlara may be snowy and icy: very pretty, but you need suitable shoes.
What should you pack?
Comfortable shoes with good grip for walking, a light extra layer for underground, a hat and sunscreen in summer, water, and a little cash for drinks at lunch and for the optional visit to a local shop.
How does booking work?
Pick your date here and submit the form, or send your Cappadocia hotel name to us on WhatsApp. Your pick-up time is confirmed in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Browse more Cappadocia tours and Turkey tour packages for other ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cappadocia Green Tour cover?
It is a guided full-day trip through South Cappadocia. The stops are Goreme Panorama, Derinkuyu Underground City, the canyon of Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery and Pigeon Valley, with a break for lunch at a local restaurant. The name comes from the river and the trees of Ihlara Valley. It pairs well with the Cappadocia Red Tour, which covers the north of the region.
How long does the Green Tour take, and when does it begin?
Allow around 7 hours from the moment you are picked up until you are dropped off. Pickup is in the morning from hotels in Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar, Avanos or Ortahisar, and we confirm the exact time for your hotel at booking. Most of the time on the road is spent between Goreme and the Ihlara area to the south, and you get back to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Which should I pick, the Red Tour or the Green Tour?
When there is only time for one, most visitors pick the Green Tour, because Derinkuyu Underground City and Ihlara Valley lie a long way from Goreme and are difficult to reach on your own. The Red Tour stays close to Goreme, visiting Pasabag, Zelve and Avanos, and has less walking. Each one starts from $80 including lunch. If you are staying two or three nights in Cappadocia, take both on different days.
Is the walk in Ihlara Valley hard?
Not really. The trail is flat and shaded, running beside the Melendiz river along the floor of the canyon, and anyone with average fitness can manage it. The tougher bit is getting down: there are about 400 steps into the valley. Wear trainers or grippy walking shoes, and let your guide know beforehand if anyone in your group struggles with stairs.
What does the Green Tour price include?
The $80 per person price covers collection from your hotel and the ride back, a professional guide, transport through the whole day, tickets for Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley and the underground city, and a meal at a local restaurant. Not covered: drinks at the table, tips, optional activities, personal spending and travel insurance. A lot of lower-priced offers leave out the tickets or the meal, so compare what is in each price before you book.
Can children or people with claustrophobia visit Derinkuyu Underground City?
Most children enjoy it a lot. Be aware, though, that the tunnels are narrow, some ceilings are low and a few staircases are steep. Anyone uncomfortable in confined spaces can stay on the upper floors or wait by the entrance while the others descend further. The temperature underground is cool in every season, so pack a light extra layer even in summer and keep your hands free to hold the rails.
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