Green Cappadocia Underground City and Valleys Tour. Lunch incl.

Derinkuyu is the star here: an underground city carved roughly 60 meters into volcanic rock, with rooms for food, worship, livestock, and thousands of people. I like that this day pairs it with Ihlara Valley’s river walk and the cliff-carved churches of Selime, giving you both human history and outdoor scenery.

I also like the small-group limit of 15, included hotel pickup, and lunch, all for about $54 per person. The catch is that the day can feel rushed, and some departures include an onyx or jewelry stop that many people would happily trade for more time at the main sights.

At a glance

• Derinkuyu reaches about 60 meters underground, with low passages, stairs, kitchens, wells, churches, and storage rooms.
• Ihlara Valley includes a 4-kilometer walk along the Melendiz River, though the exact route and access to its rock-cut churches can vary.
• Selime Monastery is the day’s dramatic finish, with churches and rooms cut into a large cliff.
• Lunch is served in Belisirma, beside the valley and river, and is included, but drinks cost extra.
• The group is capped at 15 people, with English guiding, air-conditioned transport, and Goreme hotel pickup and drop-off.
• The itinerary may include a 30-minute onyx or jewelry stop, so ask about this before booking if shopping is not your thing.

Why this south Cappadocia route earns a place on your schedule

Cappadocia is best understood from several angles. The famous fairy chimneys and viewpoints tell only part of the story. This tour takes you below the ground, along a river-cut canyon, and into an old Christian religious complex. That range is its main strength.

The day starts around 9:30 a.m. with pickup in Goreme and usually ends around 5 p.m. The drive south is not short, but the route covers places that are awkward to connect by local transport. For a first visit, this is an efficient way to reach Derinkuyu and Ihlara Valley without renting a car.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from more than 1,100 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, but the experiences are not identical. Guides such as Melissa, Eda, Ufuk, Emre, Edanur, Murat, and Ahmet have received praise for clear explanations, humor, patience, and help with photos. The quality of the day can depend heavily on who leads your group.

Goreme Panorama starts the day with wide views

The first sightseeing stop is a viewpoint about 2 kilometers from central Goreme. From here, you can look across Pigeon Valley toward Uchisar and, on a clear day, see Mount Erciyes, rising to 3,917 meters.

You get about 20 minutes for photos and orientation. This is a useful opening stop because it shows how the valleys fit together before you see them at ground level. It is also one of the easier stops physically, with time to sit and take in the view.

The stop is brief, so keep your camera ready. If your guide changes the order to avoid crowds, this viewpoint may come at a slightly different point in the day.

The onyx stop is the tour’s least convincing detour

The scheduled route includes about 30 minutes at a Cappadocian onyx workshop or jewelry store. The stated purpose is to explain regional stones and jewelry making, but the commercial nature is hard to miss.

Some groups have skipped this stop, while others have found it a clear sales visit. A few people have also reported a second stop for Turkish coffee or sweets. These visits are not automatically disastrous, but they use time that could go toward Derinkuyu, Selime, or the valley walk.

If you are interested in local stonework, you may enjoy the demonstration. If not, ask your guide at the start whether the stop is planned and how long it will last. Be cautious with sales claims, especially claims that a certain stone cannot be bought outside Turkey. Do not feel obliged to purchase anything.

Derinkuyu Underground City is the day’s essential visit

Derinkuyu is the reason many people choose this tour. The city reaches about 60 meters below the surface and was shaped from soft volcanic rock. It could support up to 20,000 people, along with animals, food, and supplies.

Inside, you can expect narrow passages, stairs, ventilation shafts, wells, kitchens, storage areas, churches, and a school. The point is not just that people went underground. It is seeing how a large community could function there during war or invasion.

Allow about an hour for the visit. Your guide adds the useful context, explaining how the rooms worked and why the city was built. Guides such as Melissa and Edanur have been praised for making this part easy to follow and less intimidating.

This is not an easy stroll. You will climb and descend steps, bend under low ceilings, and pass through tight corridors. One person reported walking about 10,000 steps over the full day, including the underground city and Selime. Wear shoes with a firm grip, and think carefully before booking if you have limited mobility or feel uncomfortable in enclosed spaces.

The underground city can also become crowded. Stay aware of your group and remember where you entered. One serious complaint involved the guide nearly leaving people behind at separate stops. That appears to be an operational failure, not the normal experience, but it is sensible to keep track of your group when the vehicle is parked.

Ihlara Valley brings fresh air and a slower pace

After Derinkuyu, the tour heads to Ihlara Valley, a canyon formed by volcanic activity and erosion from the Melendiz River. The valley is about 10 kilometers long and reaches roughly 100 meters deep.

The planned walk covers about 4 kilometers, or 2.5 miles. You follow the river through a greener setting than the dry rock formations around Goreme. Small shelters, trees, water, and old religious sites give this section a different feel from the rest of the day.

This walk is one of the tour’s best ideas, but it is also where expectations need adjusting. Some departures have included only a short section near Belisirma rather than a full official valley route. At times, churches have been closed because of safety concerns, yet the entrance fee was still collected. If the churches are closed during your visit, ask exactly what part of Ihlara you will see and what the admission covers.

The walk can feel long if you came mainly for underground sites and rock monuments. Others enjoy the chance to stretch their legs after the drive. You need moderate fitness, comfortable walking shoes, and tolerance for uneven ground. The route is not a strenuous mountain hike, but it is more than a quick photo stop.

Belisirma provides lunch beside the river

The group stops in Belisirma for lunch and free time, usually for about 45 minutes. The setting beside the river is a welcome change from the bus and gives you time to rest after the walk.

Lunch is included, and several departures have received good marks for tasty, warming food, especially lentil soup. Other meals have been described as modest, ordinary, or disappointing. Expect a simple group meal rather than a carefully chosen food experience.

Drinks are not included. Carry some Turkish lira or another accepted payment method, since water and soft drinks cost extra. The tour does not provide complimentary drinks as a standard feature.

The restaurant experience can also vary. One account praised the meal, while another found the setting poorly maintained and was bothered by wasps near the tables. I would treat lunch as a practical break, not a central reason to book the tour.

Selime Monastery delivers the most dramatic rock architecture

Selime is one of Cappadocia’s most striking historic sites. The monastery and churches are cut into a large cliff, with rooms, religious spaces, and broad views over the valley.

You may have around 45 minutes here, though some departures have allowed closer to 25 minutes. That can be enough for a quick look, but not enough for a relaxed exploration and many photographs. The site has uneven surfaces, steps, and climbs, so keep your walking shoes on.

I consider Selime one of the strongest stops because it combines scale, setting, and history. The underground city feels hidden and defensive. Selime feels open, monumental, and religious. Together, they explain two very different ways people used Cappadocia’s volcanic rock.

Check whether the entrance fee is included in your booking. The tour information specifically lists underground city and Ihlara admission as included only when that option is selected. Selime admission is listed separately, so confirm the exact package before paying.

Pigeon Valley closes the day with an easy viewpoint

The final sightseeing stop is Pigeon Valley, named for the pigeon houses carved into its soft rock. These small chambers collected bird droppings, once valued as fertilizer for local fields.

The stop is short, about 15 minutes, but the view is worthwhile. You can see the valley’s unusual formations and understand how people used the rock for practical purposes, not just churches and homes.

Pigeon Valley has occasionally been shortened or skipped when the day runs late. That is frustrating because it is an easy, high-value stop with no demanding walk. If your group has lost time to a vehicle problem, a long lunch, or a shop visit, ask whether this stop will still happen.

Transport, timing, and group size

The tour uses an air-conditioned vehicle and includes pickup and drop-off at Goreme hotels. A group of up to 15 is small enough for a more personal guide experience, though the vehicle may still feel full.

The total duration is about 7 hours and 45 minutes. Much of the route is spent on the road, especially between Goreme, Derinkuyu, and Ihlara Valley. That travel time is the price of seeing Cappadocia’s southern sights in one day.

Several people have praised punctual pickup and comfortable transport. Others have reported long waits, driver breaks, or a vehicle breakdown. A breakdown cannot always be prevented, but the company should communicate clearly and protect the time available at the main sites.

Keep your belongings with you when you leave the vehicle. One person reported losing sunglasses on the bus and not getting them back. This is a simple precaution, but useful on any group excursion.

Is $54.42 a fair price?

At about $54.42 per person, the tour offers good value if your booking includes the advertised entrance fees. You are paying for transport, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and access to several major sites over nearly eight hours.

The value drops if you pay separate fees for Ihlara or the underground city without realizing it, or if planned stops are shortened. Check the package details carefully, especially the wording about the €14 underground-city fee and €16 Ihlara Valley fee.

The tour is cheaper and simpler than arranging private transport, but you give up control over the schedule. A rental car or private guide would let you spend longer at Selime, skip shops, and choose your own lunch. For a solo visitor or couple who wants a low-cost route with no driving, this group tour makes more sense.

Who should book this tour?

Book it if you want to see south Cappadocia’s main sights in one day, like having transport arranged, and are comfortable with a moderately active schedule. It suits first-time visitors who want both major monuments and a valley walk.

It is less suitable if you dislike group schedules, sales stops, long drives, or enclosed spaces. It is also a poor fit if you need generous time for photography or have difficulty with stairs, low ceilings, uneven ground, or a 4-kilometer walk.

Before booking, confirm three things: which entrance fees are included, whether Ihlara’s churches are open, and whether the onyx stop is part of your departure. Those answers will tell you far more about the day than the headline price.

Should you book the Green Cappadocia tour?

I would book this tour for the combination of Derinkuyu and Selime, especially if you have limited time in Cappadocia. The price is fair, the route reaches places that are difficult to connect without a car, and a good guide can turn the underground city into the most memorable hour of your trip.

I would not book it blindly. Ask about current Ihlara access and the planned shopping stop, and be ready for a full day of driving and walking. If the operator keeps the schedule, includes the fees you expect, and assigns a strong guide such as Melissa, Ufuk, Eda, Emre, or Edanur, this is a useful south Cappadocia day. If you want a slower, more authentic pace, a private tour or self-drive plan may serve you better.

FAQ

Where does the Green Cappadocia tour begin?

The tour begins with pickup from your Goreme hotel. The stated start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes, or about eight hours, including transport and sightseeing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch in Belisirma is included. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Goreme hotels are included, using an air-conditioned vehicle.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. Past departures have also included a Chinese-language guide option with Kazim, but you should confirm the language when booking.

How many people can join the group?

The group has a maximum of 15 people.

How much walking is involved?

The planned Ihlara Valley walk covers about 4 kilometers, or 2.5 miles. The underground city and Selime Monastery also involve stairs, uneven surfaces, and some climbing.

Are the entrance fees included?

The underground-city fee of €14 and Ihlara Valley fee of €16 are included only if the selected booking option includes them. Confirm your package before booking. Selime admission is listed separately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.