Cappadocia Green Tour
Post Overview: Helpful tips for visiting Cappadocia and interesting in Green Tours.
Cappadocia Green Tour is a most common and highly recommend Cappadocia sightseeing tour and one of the best way to see the top attractions of Göreme, Uchisar, Ortahisar and Ihlara.
Green tour Cappaodocia is a good option to see the most beautiful parts of the region. One of the most amazing parts of the green tour is Ihlara Valley and underground city. Ihlara Valley located in Aksaray city which is around one hundred km away from central Cappadocia. (Goreme Town) It is very difficult to go to Ihlara Valley and one of the underground cities with public transportation. So booking for Green Tour is always more reasonable.
Cappadocia Green Tour Overview
Underground City
Cappadocia, which has maintained its place on the list of world cultural heritage, is one of the extraordinary regions with beauties not for a few years, but for thousands of years. It’s usually known that only fairy chimneys form the magic of the region, but the beauties of Cappadocia are not limited to this. The beauty of Cappadocia, which is famous for its fairy chimneys, doesn’t only consist of fairy chimneys.
The underground cities in the region, which fascinates tourists from all around the world, are among the places that host thousands of tourists every year.
Why You Should See one of Underground Cities?
Cappadocia, which has maintained its place on the list of world cultural heritage, is one of the extraordinary regions with beauties not for a few years, but for thousands of years. It’s usually known that only fairy chimneys form the magic of the region, but the beauties of Cappadocia are not limited to this. The beauty of Cappadocia, which is famous for its fairy chimneys, doesn’t only consist of fairy chimneys.
The underground cities in the region, which fascinates tourists from all around the world, are among the places that host thousands of tourists every year.
Why and How were Underground Cities Built?
The idea of surviving against the attacks from the past years is definitely the first and the main reason why these underground cities were built. The ambition to live and survive creates favorable environments for people to think and produce new solutions by making the best use of materials in the environment. The structure, which consists of volcanic tuff can be easily formed, for that reason it becomes an extremely good solution for people to protect themselves in these underground cities. These lands witnessed many wars throughout history therefore they were also used for defense and increased the importance of underground cities.
The Story of Underground Cities
Cappadocia has been attacked very often throughout history. The people of Cappadocia who tried to escape from the Byzantine, Arab and Roman attacks, built their underground cities. The first rumor about these cities was first mentioned in Xenephon’s book “Anabasis” and their number is known to be around 200.
Xenephon told in his book that he stayed in Kaymakli underground city, Derinkuyu underground city in Cappadocia.
The ruins from Hittites in the underground cities is another proof that the underground cities witnessed a great death in history.
Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley is formed by a stream erosion by lava sprayed from Hasandağı volcano. Melendiz Stream (Melendiz Çayı), which led the canyon through these cracks to take its final form, was named “Potamus Kapadukus” which means Cappadocia River in ancient times. The 14 km long valley starts in Ihlara and ends in Selime.
Its geological explanation fits in a short paragraph, yet it has deep meanings just like the mystery of the creation of the world, without any comparison.
The Melendiz River hundred thousands of years ago. Don’t forget to wear sneakers for hiking.
Ihlara Valley Hike
Ihlara valley starts in Ihlara and ends in Selime. The standard walking route leads you to Belisırma Village before reaching Selime which shortens the 14 km route to 6 km. Both sides of the Melendiz Stream are suitable for hiking, which makes it possible to return to the starting point if you wish. You can go all the way from the valley to Selime and walk the whole valley in about 5 hours if you don’t finish the route in Belisırma Village.
Healing Melendiz River
The Melendiz Stream, which accompanies you with its sweet murmur while walking, was called ‘Potamus Kapadukus’, that is, the Cappadocia river in ancient times. The ancient inhabitants of the valley were called ‘Peristremma’, which means ‘the people of the swirling water’. Melendiz Stream is at its highest water level in spring and winter, besides there are also healing water sources in the valley. Thermal springs of Ziga bath cures are good for gynecological diseases and rheumatism.
Drinking water cure is believed to cure various diseases like liver, gall bladder, stomach and intestinal diseases.
Churches in Ihlara ValleyCHURCHES IN IHLARA VALLEY
Churches located along the valley can be divided into two groups: The murals of the churches close to Ihlara have an eastern influence, far from the Cappadocian art while the areas near Belisirma are decorated with Byzantine type wall paintings.
Byzantine type churches
Direkli Kilise (Pillared Church)Saint Georgeus (Kırkdamaltı) Church
Karagedik Church – Saint Ermalaos
Ala Church
Bezirhane Church
Bahattin Samanligi Church
Batkin Church
Cappadocian type churches:
Yılanlı ChurchSümbüllü Church
Kokar Church
Pürenliseki Church
Eğritaş Church
Selime Monastery
One of the largest cave monasteries in this area is Selime Monastery and it has a wonderful view. It is rock-cut construction and the largest religious structure in the Cappadocia region. Inside, original frescoes can be found although some have been damaged by weather. Signs of early civilizations are also present at the ancient site: Persians, Romans, Early Christians, Hittites, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans are some of the many inhabitants to have settled here in Cappadocia. While sheer rocks were perfect for security, Melendiz Stream supplied the water they would need. Selime monastery is located at Güzelyurt, Aksaray.
Pigeon Valley View Point
By the end of the day you can have an amazing view of Pigeon Valley with Erciyes volcanic mountain in the background.
The Pigeon Valley that covers a 4 km area took its name from the pigeon nests carved into the rocks in Göreme. These pigeons were fed by the local dwellers who lived there and they used the manure of these pigeons in the vineyards and their eggs were used in the plaster of frescoes. This valley is a MUST if you want to see the magnificent pigeon nests and the unique vegetation nature presents. There is a 15m long fall in the valley, too.
Onyx Workshop
Cappadocia is a volcanic area and you can find many different types of volcanic stones and jwelleries made by them.
Green Tour Cappadocia Includes
- English,Spanish, Porteguese, Russian Speaker Cappadocian Guide
- Launch (beverages non-include, prices about 1,5-2$)
- Museum Tickets
- Pick up and drop to hotel
Cappadocia Green Tour Prices
Please note that you will be hiking in ıhlara valley and it is better to choose clothes according to the season. Check our page ( Cappadocia Seasons ) for the seasons and climate conditions in Cappadocia.
Green tour includes underground city visit please check our page ( Cappadocia Underground City ) and be sure that you don’t have serious heart disease or claustrophobia.
Price: €50 – €60
Which is better red tour or green tour in Cappadocia
There are places close to the town centers in the red tour. You can go places by yourself without using a lot of vehicles. However, the places in Green Tour Cappadocia are a little bit far away from the town, places to go by car, and guide narration is definitely required.
What is Cappadocia green tour
It is a tour where visitors who come to Cappadocia for a limited time, tourists pay daily and participate in the company of a car and guide.
What to wear Cappadocia green tour
- Comfortable Shoes.
- Loose Trousers.
- Headwear.
- Sunglasses.
- Camera.
- Accesserios.
Pick you Up from Hotel
Green Tour staff will pick you up from your hostel/hotel at the time that was agreed before.
You’ll begin your adventure about 9.00am. (it’s all-season planning time after balloon tours ended, you can schedule with your plans same day balloon ride and green tour)
Cappadocia is full of history and natural beauty. Daily tours with a professional tour guide are the best way to explore Cappadocia. You can join either a regular group tour or a private tour. Always ensure that you are travelling with an agency which is a member of TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) and of course you have a licensed tour guide. Mostly daily tours cover your guide, an air conditioned van, museum entrances and lunch. Here are the most famous tour programs in Cappadocia and Cappadocia Green Tour is NO:1 sightseeing great tour in Cappadocia.
