Cappadocia: Green Tour (include Guide, Lunch, entrance fees) Cappadocia Guided Green Tour including lunch
ID: GYG591639-996929
Category:
Country: Turkey
Duration:
09:00 hours
Description
Our green tour, also known as the Ihlara tour, is prepared for you to visit the points in the south-west of the Cappadocia region.
Pigoen Valley
Guvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley) earned its name from the countless man made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Since ancient times Pigeons have been used in the Cappadocia region for food and fertiliser for the infertile soil. While pigeons no longer play such an important role in the area, their rocky homes have still been maintained by locals and can be found atop rock pillars and inside excavated cave houses and churches throughout the region, however, they are particularly numerous in this valley.
Kaymaklı Underground City
One of the biggest and best-preserved underground cities in the area is Kaymakli Underground City, which is thought to have been created by the earliest Christians as a refuge to hide from persecution.
An intricate system of tunnels, chambers, and galleries has been excavated deep into the volcanic tuff rock at Kaymakli Underground City. There are eight floors in the city, although only four are accessible to the general public today. The underground city can hold up to 3,000 people and is over 85 meters deep. You will come across low, winding passages, steep stairs, and rooms that have seen a variety of uses as you explore Kaymakli.
ihlara Valley
The Ihlara Valley (or Peristrema Valley; Turkish Ihlara Vadisi) is a canyon which is 15 km long and up to 150 m deep in the southwest of the Turkish region of Cappadocia, in the municipality of Güzelyurt, Aksaray Province. The valley contains around 50 rock-hewn Christian churches and numerous rock-cut buildings.
Lunch at Belisırma Village
There will be prepared a decent lunch for everybody in this village
Selime Monastery
One of the most unexpected surprises in Cappadocia is the wonderful rock-cut monastery in Selime, at the end of Ihlara valley, 28 km from Aksarai. Selime was home to Hittite, Assyrian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Danişment, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations. One of the most important aspects of Selime fortress-monastery was that many leading clergymen were educated there. The military headquarters of the region was also located there. While the monastery is dated to 8th and 9th centuries, the frescoes in the structure date back to late 10th and early 11th centuries. The depictions include Ascension, Annunciation and Mother Mary.
Narligol Crater Lake
Narlıgöl, also known as Nar Lake, is a volcanic crater lake located approximately 45 kilometers away from Aksaray province. The lake is situated at an altitude of 1,363 meters, covers an area of 0.7 square kilometers, and has a depth of 21 meters. The lake's water is brackish due to the presence of thermal facilities in its surrounding hills.
Highlights
- Experience world's second largest canyon in ihlara valley
- Feel the ancient civilization's hidden life in Kaymaklı underground city
- See how ancient impires like Romans and Persians got educated in Selime Monastry
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.