1Göreme panorama point
The day starts at the viewpoint above Göreme, with the town, fairy chimneys and Swords Valley spread out below. It is one of the best photo spots in the morning light. From here the road heads south via Nevşehir to Derinkuyu.
Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley & Selime
Cappadocia's second face lies in the south – underground and deep inside a canyon. On this tour you descend level by level through the narrow tunnels of Derinkuyu, then walk along the Melendiz stream in the Ihlara Valley past rock churches, and finish at Selime Monastery, carved into the rock like a cathedral.
- 8 hours
- Cappadocia
- Nature
- Private – your group only
- Licensed guide included
- Free cancellation; please let us know at least 24 hours in advance
- Ventilation shafts, stables, wineries and huge rolling stone doors in the Derinkuyu underground city
- A bird's-eye view of valleys and fairy chimneys from the Göreme panorama point
- A pleasant 3–4 km walk along the Melendiz stream in the Ihlara Valley
- The frescoed Ağaçaltı and Kokar churches
- Lunch on platforms over the stream in Belisırma
At a glance
Descend into the Derinkuyu underground city, walk the Ihlara Valley along the Melendiz stream and explore the huge rock-cut Selime Monastery: South Cappadocia by private car, at your own pace. Suggested duration 8 hours; pickup from hotels in Goreme, Uchisar, Ortahisar and the rest of the region. Prices start at €320 per vehicle, paid to the driver on the day.
- Duration
- 8 hours · packages: 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours
- Region
- Cappadocia
- Pickup
- Goreme, Uchisar, Ortahisar, Urgup, Avanos, Nevsehir City and any hotel or address in the area
- Start time
- 09:30 (can be changed to suit you)
- Vehicles
- FirstClass Van (Mercedes Vito, 1–6) · Vip Sprinter (Mercedes Sprinter, 1–16)
- Licensed guide
- Required in this region; the fee is added automatically (€200 per day)
- Meals & hotel
- Lunch €15 · Dinner €15 · Hotel accommodation €60/night (per person, optional)
- Price
- Per vehicle, from €320 (6 hours, FirstClass Van)
- Payment
- To the driver on the day, cash or card
Last updated:
Tour overview
The Green Tour takes its name from the green floor of the Ihlara Valley, lined with poplars and willows. Compared with the Red Tour in the north, the stops are further apart: Derinkuyu is about 30 km from Göreme and Ihlara about 85 km. The programme therefore uses an eight-hour package and includes more driving.
The heart of the tour is the Ihlara Valley walk. You go down hundreds of steps at the valley entrance, see the Ağaçaltı Church and then walk about 3–4 km along the stream to the village of Belisırma. Your driver waits at the end of the valley, so you never have to walk back – one of the big advantages of a private tour.
The price is per vehicle, not per person: a Mercedes Vito (FirstClass Van) for up to 6 guests or a Mercedes Sprinter (Vip Sprinter) for up to 16. Lunch can be taken on platforms over the stream in Belisırma and added to the price in the form.
Highlights
- Ventilation shafts, stables, wineries and huge rolling stone doors in the Derinkuyu underground city
- A bird's-eye view of valleys and fairy chimneys from the Göreme panorama point
- A pleasant 3–4 km walk along the Melendiz stream in the Ihlara Valley
- The frescoed Ağaçaltı and Kokar churches
- Lunch on platforms over the stream in Belisırma
- Selime, the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia, and Pigeon Valley
What you will see
Stops are shown in a typical order; your driver waits at every stop.
2Derinkuyu Underground City
The deepest of Cappadocia's underground cities open to visitors, it reaches about 85 metres and many levels, part of which can be visited. Narrow tunnels lead to stables, kitchens, wine and oil presses, a school and a church. Huge rolling stone doors that sealed the corridors in times of danger are still in place. The tight passages can be challenging for anyone claustrophobic.
3Ihlara Valley
Carved by the Melendiz stream through the lava of Mount Hasan, the canyon is about 14 km long and in places more than 100 metres deep. Dozens of rock churches are cut into its walls. From the Ihlara entrance you go down the stairs, see the Ağaçaltı Church and walk along the stream to Belisırma to the sound of birds and water.
4Ağaçaltı, Kokar and Sümbüllü churches
The valley churches are painted in a style different from those in Göreme. In the Ağaçaltı Church a fresco shows the Ascension; in the Kokar Church the Annunciation and the Last Supper stand out. Some churches are reached by short flights of steps.
5Belisırma
The village at the end of the walk has wooden platforms built over the stream, where trout, stews and gözleme are served. You can cool your feet in the water after the walk. Your driver waits at the edge of the village.
6Selime Monastery
Carved into a rocky slope at the northern end of the valley, Selime is the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. A cathedral-sized church, kitchen, stables and communal rooms are linked together. From the upper levels the view over the valley towards Ihlara is the last great photo spot of the day.
Sample itinerary
Times are an example; your driver adapts the day to traffic, season and your wishes.
- Pickup at your hotel (Göreme, Uçhisar, Ortahisar, Ürgüp or Avanos).
- Göreme panorama point.
- Derinkuyu Underground City (about 1 hour).
- Ihlara Valley: down the stairs, Ağaçaltı Church, walk to Belisırma (3–4 km).
- Lunch by the stream in Belisırma (can be included in the price).
- Selime Monastery.
- Drive back; Pigeon Valley viewpoint.
- Arrival at your hotel.
Underground and inside the canyon: Cappadocia's hidden life
Cappadocia's soft tuff was carved downwards as well as upwards. The first levels of the underground cities are thought to have been dug very early as storerooms; in Byzantine times, especially during the raids of the 7th to 10th centuries, they were enlarged into refuges where thousands of people could hide with their animals for weeks. Ventilation shafts carried fresh air and well water down to the lowest levels.
Derinkuyu was rediscovered by chance: in 1963 a villager renovating his house found a passage behind a wall, and the work that followed revealed the vast underground city. Today Derinkuyu and nearby Kaymaklı are the largest underground cities open to visitors.
The Ihlara Valley was known in Byzantine times as Peristrema, a settlement of monks. Cutting through the lava flows of the volcano Mount Hasan, the Melendiz stream created a valley hidden from the outside world, with water and gardens – an ideal place for hermits.
Prices by duration and vehicle
Prices are per vehicle and include fuel, motorway and bridge tolls, parking and the driver. Guide, meals and hotel are added as options.
| Duration | FirstClass Van (1–6) | Vip Sprinter (1–16) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 hours | €320 | €420 |
| 8 hours | €440 | €560 |
| 12 hours | €580 | €780 |
| 24 hours · 1 night | €720 | €820 |
| 36 hours · 1 night | €1060 | €1450 |
| 48 hours · 2 nights | €1560 | €1980 |
| Add-on | Price | How it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide required | €200 | Per day, whatever the group size |
| Lunch | €15 | Per person, for each lunch in the package |
| Dinner | €15 | Per person, for each dinner in the package |
| Hotel accommodation | €60 | Per person per night (sharing a double room) |
Example – 2 persons, 8 hours, FirstClass Van: Private vehicle & driver + Licensed guide + Lunch = €440 + €200 + €30 = €670
What is included
Included
- A Mercedes vehicle reserved for your group only (FirstClass Van or Vip Sprinter)
- A professional, SRC-certified driver who waits at every stop
- Fuel, motorway and bridge tolls, parking fees
- Pickup at your hotel or address and drop-off at the end
- Free water, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and leather seats on board
- A licensed tourist guide (required in this region; the fee is shown in the total)
Can be added as options: Lunch, Dinner, Hotel accommodation.
Not included
- Entrance tickets to Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery
- Hot air balloon flight
- Meals and drinks you have not booked
- Personal expenses and tips
Pickup areas and suggested package
Distances are approximate road kilometres to the main sight (one way). We also pick up from hotels and addresses not listed – just enter yours in the form.
| Area | Distance | Suggested package | Airport transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goreme | ≈ 85 km | 8 hours | Goreme transfer |
| Uchisar | ≈ 80 km | 8 hours | Uchisar transfer |
| Ortahisar | ≈ 88 km | 8 hours | Ortahisar transfer |
| Urgup | ≈ 92 km | 8 hours | Urgup transfer |
| Avanos | ≈ 95 km | 8 hours | Avanos transfer |
| Nevsehir City | ≈ 75 km | 8 hours | Nevsehir City transfer |
| Kayseri City | ≈ 160 km | 12 hours | Kayseri City transfer |
Practical tips
- Tickets for Derinkuyu, Ihlara and Selime are not included; current fees are on muze.gov.tr.
- Ceilings in the underground city are low and some passages must be walked bent over; claustrophobic guests can stay on the upper levels.
- Non-slip trainers and water are essential for the Ihlara walk; parts of the path are earth and stone.
- It is cool underground all year (about 13–15°C) – bring a light top.
- If you prefer not to walk, you can view the valley from Ihlara's upper viewpoint and drive straight to Belisırma.
Who is it for?
Ideal for those who enjoy both walking in nature and history, active families and anyone spending a second day in Cappadocia. The walk is moderate; the narrow passages underground are fun for small children but can be hard for claustrophobic guests.
Our tours in Cappadocia are accompanied by a licensed tourist guide; the guide fee is added to the price automatically. In Turkey, only licensed tourist guides may give explanations at museums and archaeological sites (Tourist Guiding Profession Law No. 6326).
Why a private tour with Vixride?
Only your group
No other passengers and no waiting for anyone – the car is yours all day.
Your own pace
The order and length of stops are flexible, with no compulsory shopping stops.
Fixed price
The price is fixed at booking and paid to the driver on the day.
Licensed agency
Vixride is a TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency (licence 14798); vehicles and drivers are insured.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ihlara Valley walk difficult?
The stairs at the valley entrance (several hundred steps) are easy going down, and the path along the stream is mostly level. The 3–4 km walk takes about 1.5 hours with photo stops. Because your driver waits at the end of the valley, you don't walk back.
Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı?
Derinkuyu is deeper with more levels to visit; Kaymaklı is wider and a little easier. You can choose one with your driver depending on the crowds. Seeing both adds about an hour to the day.
Can it be combined with the Red Tour on the same day?
Fitting both tours into one day is very tiring and rushes every stop. The best plan is one day for the Red Tour and one for the Green. If you only have one day, a 12-hour package can combine the highlights of both in a shortened programme.
Is a guide required?
The guide rule and fee for this region are shown in the booking form; where a guide is required, the fee is added automatically. How the underground cities were used and the frescoes in the Ihlara churches make far more sense with a guide.
Can we join from Kayseri?
Yes. Kayseri city centre is about 160 km from Ihlara, so we recommend the 12-hour package with an earlier pickup.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
The tour price is per vehicle: the package costs the same whether one or six people travel in the van. Only lunch, dinner and hotel accommodation are charged per person. The guide fee is per day and does not depend on the group size.
How do payment and cancellation work?
Nothing is charged online at booking; you pay the driver on the day of the tour in cash (EUR, USD, GBP, TRY) or by card. Free cancellation and date changes; please let us know at least 24 hours in advance.
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