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8 Hour
Free Returns
Tour Detail
Explore the stunning landscapes of South Cappadocia on this immersive full-day tour. Discover Turkey’s largest excavated underground city, trek through the breathtaking Ihlara Valley, and visit iconic landmarks such as Selime Monastery and Yaprakhisar village. Enjoy panoramic views, a delicious buffet lunch, and a rich cultural experience in one of Turkey’s most historic regions.
Brief Itinerary
Experience the best of South Cappadocia on this full-day tour, including:
- Pick up from your Cappadocia hotel.
- Visit Göreme Panoramic View Point, Selime Monastery, and Ihlara Valley.
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (open buffet).
- Explore Yaprakhisar Village and Derinkuyu Underground City.
- Drop-off at your hotel after the tour.
- Maximum 16 participants for a small-group experience.
- End of services.
Detailed Description
Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel at approximately 09:00 AM. You will be driven to the stunning Ihlara Valley, which was formed from the ashes of the volcanic Mt. Hasan. A trek along the Melendiz River through the valley will reveal breathtaking landscapes and ancient rock-cut churches. Afterward, visit the Selime Monastery, a remarkable structure carved into the rocks, featuring citadels and churches where fairy chimneys rise dramatically from the hillside.
Stop at Yaprakhisar Village for a photo opportunity with scenic views of the unique rock formations. In the afternoon, the highlight of the tour is a visit to Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest excavated underground city in Turkey, featuring dwellings, stables, storage rooms, churches, and even wineries. This underground refuge was historically used by Christian communities seeking shelter.
The tour concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel. End of services.
I went on vacation this past September to Turkey with two other guys (all in our late 20’s and early 30s). We decided to make Istanbul the hub of our limited time in Turkey but we also wanted to see the ancient sites of Ephesus and Cappadocia as well. We decided it would be inefficient to try to see these sites on our own so we elected to go with a guided tour and found Tour of Istanbul Company. At first we were hesitant to use the online form on their website but quickly realized it was just a means to start email coordination with Ms. Banu Kurban. We basically laid out what we wanted: 1 day in Ephesus and 2 days in Cappadocia. Banu quickly replied, was very accommodating, and with a few email exchanges over a couple of days we had a full itinerary including hotel-airport transfer, plane tickets, meals, and sites to be visited. Highlight: the tour guides are phenomenal! If you’re going to Ephesus request Gül Demir as your guide. She is a lovely local girl, with a warm heart, and her love of Turkey shows when she describes the geography and history of Ephesus. She also taught us some Turkish phrases; it was a lot of fun. If you’re going to Cappadocia request Aykut Babadogan. He is very knowledgeable of the region and was funny; it was like hanging out with one of the guys. He was also attentive when one of the members of our group got sick. Overall, they are both wonderful human beings and when people in my country ask what Turkish people are like I will speak of them. Critique: The driver had trouble rounding up all the people that required shuttle service at the airport upon our return to Istanbul. So getting back to the hotel took longer than expected, but that sort of thing should be expected being in a busy airport with no cellphone service in a foreign country. However, the awesomeness of the trip overshadowed this issue. Tour of Istanbul is legit and reasonable priced. I highly recommend them! — Roxanne C., USA