Exploring Cappadocia with the Green Tour

The region of Cappadocia has an assortment of tour options for the curious traveler. In previous posts, I have shared my experience with the north tour and some tips for choosing a hot air balloon. Here, I will share my itinerary for a third day in Cappadocia: the green tour.

It is important to note here that Cappadocia is a region, not a city. We based ourselves out of the main tourist town, Göreme. The green tour can be booked a few different ways: online, by speaking with one of the tour companies in Göreme or nearby towns, or through your hotel receptionist. 

The green tour is a full day journey through the southern part of Cappadocia. The pick-up time from our hotel was scheduled the night before. Our bus arrived within the agreed time frame on the morning of departure, and we were off. Our guide Mehmet immediately showed his knowledge of Göreme, keeping us entertained with facts about the town while we picked up the remaining tourists. 

The itinerary stated that we would begin at the Göreme viewpoint. Mehmet explained that we would actually go there last, to avoid the crowds. It also meant that we would be able to view the sun going down over the valley. Everyone was happy with this decision. 

Derinkuyu YeraltI Sehri (previously Elengubu) – the underground city

Turkey may be most famously known for its ancient underground cities. This one happens to be the largest excavated underground city in the whole country. Construction is believed to have been done around the 8th century BCE. The Derinkuyu underground city may have once housed up to 20,000 people and their livestock. It extends about 85 meters/280 feet below ground. 

Mehmet led us through cave rooms that were once bedrooms, meeting areas, kitchens, churches, food stores and cattle holding areas. In some places we were barely able to fit through the narrow staircases. The taller members of our group had to crouch and crawl to make it through smaller passageways. That being said, many parts of the caves were spacious, well-lit and easy to navigate. Still, I wouldn’t recommend this part of the trip if you have a fear of tight spaces or caves.

Caves generally have cooler temperatures and can be damp in some places. I wore a dress with a light jacket over the top. I felt comfortable for the entirety of the tour. If you tend to get cold easily, long pants and layers are probably best. Some travelers had water resistant jackets with hoods for the damp parts of the cave. I didn’t feel that this was necessary for our visit in April, although maybe other months have wetter conditions. 

For more information about this historic underground city, you can read the BBC article linked here.

Ihlara Valley

Ihlara Valley is a canyon, 14 kilometers long. This gorge was likely inhabited as early as the 4th century A.D. by hermits and priests, some of which were escaping religious persecution from the Romans. Cave homes and churches can still be seen carved into the rocks along the path. Today this area is used as a relaxing river-walk.

We arrived late in the morning. Mehmet guided us down the main path with the river on our left. He pointed out a few caves and ancient rock paintings on the right. The path was well maintained and covered in a tree-top canopy for much of the way. It was a little humid near the water, but comfortable weather for April. There were many places to sit and relax, as well as take scenic photos. We were given about 30 minutes to explore on our own after the tour. 

More information about the canyon and its history can be found here.

Lunch

We worked up an appetite with our river walk. Luckily we didn’t have too far to travel for lunch. We had to exit the park area, but there was a strip of waterfront restaurants just past the entrance.

We were offered just 2 options for lunch: meat or fish. The meal came with a small salad and bread. These were included in the price of the tour. Drinks, mostly soda and water, were offered for an additional fee. The food was average, but the atmosphere was nice. We sat outside on a deck partially extended over the water. 

The restaurant’s name is Belisirma. It can be viewed on trip advisor, here.

Selime Monastery

The next stop on our tour was my personal favorite, an old monastery carved out in a series of caves. The Selime monastery is the biggest religious cave complex in Cappadocia. It is also where many leading clergymen were educated. The monastery dates all the way back to the 8th and 9th centuries. Perhaps most impressive is the cathedral-sized church carved into part of the rock.

The entrance to the caves can be seen from the road. They are an impressive size at a distance, but even more incredible up close. There is a steep incline to walk up to the main part of the caves. They can be explored on foot. Mobility is restricted for people who require a wheelchair or additional assistance. If you’re looking for souvenirs, there is a tourist shop at the bottom of the hill. There are also a few small restaurants and bathrooms (for a small fee). 

Pigeon Valley

The next stop on our trip took us to the overlook of pigeon valley. This was one of the less eventful stops. We took in the views of the valley from above. Mehmet gave us a brief history of the importance of pigeons to ancient civilizations. We were able to see the pigeon holes in the rocks, as well as the occasional pigeon nesting or flying around. Some people took pictures and some just rested. This was a quick stop. 

There are also walking trails around this valley. If we had more time, I think I would have enjoyed trying a few out. For more information about the history of pigeon valley, you can read here.

Sweets shop

Up to this point, we had already had a pretty full day and were low on energy. Mehmet promised to take care of us. We were brought to an unscheduled stop at a sweets shop. One of the store workers gave us samples of various types of baklava and other treats. We were also given sample cups of local coffee and tea. This stop was well timed. We were encouraged to shop around after the sampling. Since we were all hungry and tired at this point, we probably bought more than necessary. Still, it was an enjoyable time. I can highly recommend the chocolate covered pomegranates! 

Göreme Panorama 

To end our day we visited the panoramic overlook of Göreme’s old town, with its unreal backdrop of fairy chimneys and unique rock structures. In the early hours of dawn, this is where hot air balloons can be seen floating over the valleys. We arrived around 6 pm, when there were far fewer tourists than in the early hours. This was a great way to end our tour.

My experience

I found this tour to be an excellent way to see many of the major sites of Cappadocia without needing a car. The price in relation to what it included was great. All transportation, entrance tickets and lunch were included. I also felt that I learned a lot from our guide. Mehmet constantly shared bits of history, even when we were driving between locations. He gave us the honest and raw insider’s perspective of the region. He also provided extra tips for our remaining days in Göreme. It was a long, full day and worth every moment.

If you would like to book the green tour online, it can be done here through Viator.