Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu & Ihlara Valley, Lunch

KTLY062172

Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu & Ihlara Valley, Lunch, photo 4

Cappadocia, Turkey

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About this tour

This full-day Green Tour runs along Cappadocia's western route with a licensed guide handling all the driving and logistics. You'll head down into Derinkuyu, an ancient multi-level city carved into the volcanic rock, then walk a stretch of Ihlara Valley past rock-cut churches, stop at the towering Selime Monastery, and take in the view over Pigeon Valley. Lunch in Belisirma Village and hotel pickup and drop-off are part of the day.

Highlights

Vast multi-level underground complex
Intricate network of tunnels and chambers
See the ancient living quarters, storage rooms, and ventilation shafts carved into the rock
Impressive ventilation system
Learn how early Christians used the city as a hideout during invasions
Descend through the multi-level tunnels and chambers of Derinkuyu Underground City
Trek a section of Ihlara Valley and its Byzantine rock-cut churches
Visit the massive cliff-carved Selime Monastery
Take in the view over Pigeon Valley
Hear the region's history and geology from an expert local guide

Places You Will Visit

Map of Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley

Open map

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

Exact times shift a little by season and by how the group's day flows, so plan for a full day out.

Derinkuyu's own opening hours track daylight and change with the season, but that's handled for you since the tour is timed around them. Wear comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots, because you'll be on uneven ground during the Ihlara Valley trek and up and down stairs in the underground city. Dress in layers, as it can be cool below ground and warmer on the trail, and bring a hat and sunglasses for the outdoor stretches. Modest clothing is the respectful choice at the churches and monasteries.

Check the official site for current visiting times before you go.

Weather in Cappadocia

Today 68°F20°C 45°F7°C Rain 0%

Tomorrow 67°F20°C 49°F10°C Rain 0%

Sun, Oct 25 69°F21°C 48°F9°C Rain 0%

Mon, Oct 26 71°F22°C 52°F11°C Rain 0%

Tue, Oct 27 70°F21°C 52°F11°C Rain 35%

Wed, Oct 28 57°F14°C 48°F9°C Rain 51%

Thu, Oct 29 54°F12°C 50°F10°C Rain 57%

Local time 5:35 AM, UTC+03:00

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

Last updated: Oct 23, 2026

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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 up to 20,000 people, plus their livestock and stores of food.

When was Derinkuyu built?

The earliest levels are credited to the Phrygians, around the 8th to 7th centuries B.C.

Why was Derinkuyu built?

It served as a hiding place during invasions and periods of religious persecution.

Is Derinkuyu the only underground city in Cappadocia?

No. Cappadocia has several, but Derinkuyu is among the largest.

What kind of facilities were inside Derinkuyu?

It held living quarters, kitchens, stables, churches, storage rooms, and ventilation shafts.

Is it safe to visit Derinkuyu?

Yes, though the passages are narrow and the ceilings low, so watch your head and footing.

Are there guided tours available at Derinkuyu?

Yes, and this tour includes a guide who explains the site's history as you go.

What does the Cappadocia Green Tour include?

This tour covers Derinkuyu Underground City, an Ihlara Valley trek, Selime Monastery, and Pigeon Valley, with a licensed guide, hotel transfers, entrance fees, and lunch in Belisirma Village.

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 Turkey, a multi-level warren carved into soft volcanic rock and used by early Christians for shelter during invasions.

What is special about Ihlara Valley?

It's a roughly 100-meter-deep canyon cut by the Melendiz River, known for its greenery and its rock-cut churches painted with Byzantine frescoes, which you pass on the trek.

Is lunch included in the Green Tour?

Yes, lunch is included in Belisirma Village, near the Melendiz River. Drinks are usually extra.

Are entry fees included in the tour price?

Yes. Entrance fees to all the sites on the route are covered.

What should I wear for the Green Tour?

Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for the Ihlara Valley trek and uneven ground, plus layers for shifting temperatures and a hat and sunglasses for the sun.

Is the Green Tour suitable for children?

It works well for active kids, but the walking, the trek, 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 with some stairs, a moderate walk most fitness levels can handle in good footwear.