ATV riding in Cappadocia: Red Valley, Avanos & underground city

The underground city sits seven stories below the surface, carved by hand centuries ago.

A full-day tour of Cappadocia combining a morning hike through Red or Pigeon Valley, a stop in the pottery village of Avanos, an optional ATV ride, and entry to Özkonak Underground City: one of seven subterranean refuges where early Christians sheltered during persecution. Lunch at a local restaurant and an English-speaking guide are included. Hotel pickup is provided. The day runs seven to eight hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Avanos
2. Özkonak Underground City45m

Cappadocia hiking and sightseeing

• Morning hike in Red or Pigeon Valley
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Tour inside Avanos
• Photo break at panorama viewpoint
• Visit Özkonak Underground City

The experience

The morning starts with a hike through Red or Pigeon Valley, weather permitting, giving you an hour or two on foot to see the landscape before the heat builds. After that comes lunch at a local restaurant, then a drive to Avanos, the pottery-making village where you can walk through the town and stop for photos at a panorama point overlooking the valleys.

The optional ATV ride lets you cover ground on your own machine rather than watching from a vehicle seat. After that comes the main event: Özkonak Underground City, where you descend into a seven-story warren of chambers, passages and living spaces carved into the rock. The first Christians in Cappadocia used these tunnels to hide during invasions and persecution, and the scale of the excavation (rooms for storage, sleeping, worship) makes the history concrete in a way a surface site cannot.

An air-conditioned vehicle moves the group between stops, and your guide speaks English throughout. Children from age three are welcome, and infants can sit on a lap or use a specialized seat. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transport options are nearby if you need an alternative to pickup.

What’s included

• Morning hike through Red or Pigeon Valley.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• stops in Avanos with a panorama photo break.
• entry to Özkonak Underground City.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turkey Trip Planners - Istanbul-Cappadocia

Is this one for you?The morning hike and seven to eight hours on the road suit travelers who are comfortable with a full day and some walking, but not extreme exertion. The optional ATV ride lets you choose whether to add that element. Without it, you move by vehicle and on foot only.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much of the day involves walking or hiking?

Red or Pigeon Valley takes approximately one to two hours on foot in the morning, weather permitting. The rest of the day is spent in the vehicle, at photo stops, or walking through Avanos and the underground city at your own pace.

What is Özkonak Underground City like inside?

Özkonak is a seven-story subterranean complex carved into the rock, with chambers, passages and storage rooms used by early Christians as a refuge. You walk through the tunnels and rooms yourself, descending into the cooler depths where the carved architecture shows how people lived and worshipped underground.

Is the ATV riding included in the price, or do I pay extra?

The ATV ride is optional, so you choose whether to add it at checkout. The rest of the tour (the hike, Avanos, the underground city, lunch and transport) is included in the base price.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is included, so the guide collects you from your accommodation in the morning. The full day runs seven to eight hours from start to finish.