Cappadocia: Green Tour, Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Hike

Summary

Derinkuyu tunnels, Ihlara Valley hike and Selime monastery with real local stories

You’ll walk ancient tunnels beneath Derinkuyu Underground City with a local guide, hike along the river through Ihlara Valley’s golden trees, and taste fresh valley food over lunch before climbing up to Selime Monastery’s windswept heights. It’s a day for anyone who wants real stories mixed with Cappadocia’s wild landscapes.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first real chill to hit me underground. We’d just squeezed through this low stone tunnel in Derinkuyu — our guide, Ece, ducked her head and grinned at my clumsy backpack shuffle. The air down there felt ancient, almost damp but not musty, like old bread. She pointed out where families hid from invaders for months. It’s weirdly quiet under all that rock; you can hear your own shoes scuffing. I kept thinking about what it would feel like to live here during those times — not sure I could do it.

Back in daylight, we drove past Göreme’s strange moonscape (honestly, you have to see those shapes in person — photos don’t cut it), then stopped for the Ihlara Valley hike. The river was louder than I thought it’d be, and the poplar trees were just starting to turn gold. Ece told us how monks carved homes into these cliffs centuries ago. There was a moment when we all just stopped talking — birds overhead and nothing else but water sounds and our feet crunching on gravel. Lunch came after: soup that tasted slightly smoky (I never figured out why), warm bread, cheese that squeaked between my teeth, and baklava so sticky my fingers stayed sweet for ages.

After lunch we wandered up to Selime Monastery. The wind picked up as we climbed — dust in my mouth, sun on my neck — and Ece showed us how camels used to rest here on old trade routes. Someone in our group tried saying “Selime” properly; Ece laughed and made us all repeat it until we got close enough (I still probably say it wrong). There was tea at the end somewhere near Nar Lake; honestly by then I’d lost track of time a bit — just warm cup in hand watching steam curl up into the blue sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore underground city and nature

• Visit Derinkuyu Underground City
• View Göreme and Lunar Cappadocia
• Lunch in Ihlara Valley
• Hike 3 km in Ihlara Valley
• See Nar Lake geothermal crater
• Visit Selime Monastery and Caravanserai
• Enjoy coffee break and tea tasting

Top questions

How long is the Cappadocia Green Tour?

The tour lasts a full day with several stops including Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley hike, lunch break, Nar Lake visit, and Selime Monastery.

Is hotel pickup included on this Green Tour?

Yes, pickup is included from your accommodation in Cappadocia.

Are entrance fees covered?

Museum entry tickets are included unless you choose otherwise during booking.

What kind of lunch is served?

The tour includes a special menu with soup, salad, local cheese, fish or meat options (vegetarian available), plus baklava dessert.

How difficult is the Ihlara Valley hike?

The walk is about 3 km along mostly flat paths suitable for most fitness levels.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Infants can join in strollers or prams; children must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What languages does the guide speak?

The standard tour includes an English-speaking expert guide.

Does the tour include shopping stops?

No shopping stops are included; time is focused on sightseeing and cultural sites.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off around Cappadocia, museum tickets if you want them covered upfront, bottled water throughout the trip, an English-speaking expert guide sharing stories at each stop, air-conditioned transport between sites like Derinkuyu Underground City and Selime Monastery—and a valley lunch with soup, salad, local cheese or fish/meat (vegetarian too), plus sticky-sweet baklava before heading back home.