Cappadocia: Green Tour with Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley Hike & Selime Monastery

Summary

Fairy chimneys, ancient tunnels and a river walk through Cappadocia’s wild heart

You’ll walk through stone corridors deep beneath Cappadocia in Derinkuyu Underground City, hike along the Melendiz River in Ihlara Valley past ancient cave churches, eat lunch under shady trees in a village café, and climb up to Selime Monastery’s echoing chambers—all with a local guide who knows every story. There’s something quietly moving about seeing sunlight filter through Pigeon Valley at day’s end.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the way the morning light slid across those weird, pointy rocks at Göreme Panorama. Our guide (I think his name was Murat?) waved us over and started talking about how these fairy chimneys were shaped by volcanoes and wind—honestly, I was mostly distracted by the smell of wild sage in the breeze and the distant calls of crows. He gave us a few minutes to take photos; I just stood there for a bit, trying to imagine what it must have looked like before all the tourists (including me) showed up with cameras.

Derinkuyu Underground City came next. It’s colder down there than you’d expect—like stepping into a stone fridge. The tunnels twist around so much that I lost my sense of direction after three turns (if you’re claustrophobic, maybe skip this part). Murat pointed out old kitchens and wine cellars carved right into the walls. He told us stories about people hiding here from invaders centuries ago. There was this moment when everyone went quiet except for some kid’s sneakers squeaking on the stone—it felt oddly sacred.

The drive to Ihlara Valley took longer than I thought—maybe 45 minutes?—but it was worth it. The canyon is deep and green, with birds darting between cliffs and the river making this soft shushing sound as we hiked. My shoes got dusty fast but I didn’t care; we passed old cave churches with faded paintings inside, and Murat tried to translate some of the ancient graffiti for us. Lunch in town after that was simple: soup, salad, then grilled chicken or something veggie if you wanted. The peaches for dessert tasted like sunshine—no exaggeration.

Climbing up to Selime Monastery nearly did me in (my legs are still mad), but seeing those rooms carved straight into rock made me forget about being tired for a minute. On the way back toward Pigeon Valley, Murat shared little stories about local traditions—something about pigeons bringing good luck if they nest near your house? We watched them wheel around above us as the sun started dipping lower. Not sure why that stuck with me, but it did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cappadocia Green Tour Highlights

• Visit Goreme panoramic viewpoint
• Drive 40 minutes to Underground City
• Explore Derinkuyu Underground City
• Drive 45 minutes to Ihlara Valley entrance
• Hike 3.5 km in Ihlara Valley
• Lunch in Ihlara town
• Visit Selime Monastery
• Rest and travel to Pigeon Valley
• Explore Pigeon Valley
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the Green Tour from Göreme?

The tour lasts a full day including pickup from your hotel in Göreme and drop-off at the end.

Is lunch included on this Cappadocia Green Tour?

Yes, lunch is included—a set menu with soup, salad, main dish options and fruit.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by adults; infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap.

How much hiking is involved in Ihlara Valley?

You’ll hike about 3–4 km (around one hour) along relatively easy trails beside the river.

Is hotel pickup included for all areas?

Pickup is included from hotels in Göreme; if staying in Mustafapaşa or Nar Village you need to come to Göreme yourself.

Is Derinkuyu Underground City suitable for claustrophobic travelers?

No—it’s not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia due to narrow tunnels and enclosed spaces.

Are entry fees included?

If you book with museum tickets included, entry fees are covered as part of your tour price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Göreme, all transport by air-conditioned minivan, entry fees if booked with museum tickets, a professional local guide throughout each stop—including Derinkuyu Underground City—and a traditional lunch with fresh fruit before returning to your hotel at sunset.