Ihlara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground City Tour - CAP15

Ihlara Valley and Derinkuyu Underground City Tour - CAP15

The 6 km hike in the Ihlara Valley will be the highlight of our day. The Melendiz River has carved an impressive canyon through the verdant valley and we will walk about two hours along the river, passing Byzantine rock chapels decorated with frescoes. Especially the first half of the hike where we will be the only tourists walking, is totally peaceful.

After lunch, we stop at the biggest rock-cut monastery of Cappadocia, Selime Monastery and Cathedral. Selime is the biggest rock-cut cathedral of Cappadocia and located at the end of Ihlara Valley. It has has been used as a fortress by both Byzantine and Seljuk armies during 10th to 12th centuries.

Derinkuyu Underground City. Previously known as Melagobia, this was one of the biggest settlements in Cappadocia and its 8 level underground city is the deepest of the region today. With its floors extending to a depth of about 60 m, it was large enough to shelter approximately 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores.

Our tour starts at 09:30 by pick-up from your hotel. After our guide’s introduction to Cappadocia at the Goreme panoramic view point, we drive about 1 hour and visit the most spectacular gorge of Turkey: Ihlara. The 6 km hike in the Ihlara Valley will be the highlight of our day. The Melendiz River has carved an impressive canyon through the verdant valley and we will walk about two hours along the river, passing Byzantine rock chapels decorated with frescoes. Especially the first half of the hike where we will be the only tourists walking, is totally peaceful. We end the hiking portion of the tour near Belisirma village, where we will have lunch in a quaint riverside restaurant.

After lunch, we stop at the biggest rock-cut monastery of Cappadocia, Selime Monastery and Cathedral. Selime is the biggest rock-cut cathedral of Cappadocia and located at the end of Ihlara Valley. It has has been used as a fortress by both Byzantine and Seljuk armies during 10th to 12th centuries.

Derinkuyu Underground City. Previously known as Melagobia, Derinkuyu was one of the biggest settlements in Cappadocia and its 8 level underground city is the deepest of the region today. We will explore the caves of this interesting city and your guide will explain about the way of life here. With its floors extending to a depth of approximately 60 m, it was large enough to shelter approximately 20,000 people together with their livestock and food stores. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is one of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia. Derinkuyu itself connects to Kaymaklli via an 8 km tunnel.

We will then drive back to your hotel and finish the tour around 17:00.

Options:
• Hot-Air Balloon Ride: 200 Euros per person (no child reduction)
• Whirling Dervishes Show: 40 Euros per person
• Turkish Night (traditional folk dances, belly dancers, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 3-course meal, transfer to and from your hotel): 60 Euros per person
• Turkish Baths (Hamam): 40 Euros per person
• Horseriding: 30 Euros per person (1 hour)
• ATV / Quad: 30 Euros (1 hour)

Traditional Arts and Crafts in Turkey - Gifts and Souvenirs from Turkey:

Turkey has a rich history of authentic traditional handicrafts. Most famous Turkish items come from Cappadocia and goods were handmade here and transported along the Silk Road to Istanbul and the coastal areas.

Carpets and kilims: Carpets and kilims from Central Anatolia are world-famous. In Cappadocia, carpets are still handmade on authentic looms using natural dyes for the wool. You can see a free demonstration to see these age-old techniques still in use today.

Ceramic and pottery: Cappadocia has been famous since Hittite times for the beautiful and unique pottery and ceramics.