Cappadocia: Green Tour with Kaymakli Underground City & Ihlara Hike

Summary

Hiking Ihlara Valley, exploring Kaymakli’s tunnels, watching onyx take shape

You’ll wander through Pigeon Valley’s quiet cliffs, squeeze into Kaymakli Underground City’s cool tunnels with a guide who knows every twist, hike beside the river in Ihlara Valley, and watch onyx stones become art before heading back with Cappadocia dust on your shoes. It’s less about ticking boxes—more about small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, we almost missed the start because my friend forgot her hat in the hotel — so there was this little scramble in the morning. Our guide, Cem, just grinned and said something about “Cappadocia time” (I think that’s code for ‘don’t stress’). The minibus was already humming with quiet chatter and that faint smell of coffee someone had snuck in. First stop was a lookout over Göreme — I didn’t expect the landscape to look so soft in the early light, like it’d been dusted with flour.

Pigeon Valley was next, and yeah, there really are tiny pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Cem told us locals used to collect their droppings for fertilizer — he laughed when someone wrinkled their nose. It’s weirdly peaceful there; you can hear doves cooing if you stand still enough. Then came Kaymakli Underground City. I’m not usually claustrophobic but those tunnels are tight — cold stone brushing your shoulders and sudden pockets of silence. Cem pointed out a rolling stone door (like a giant millstone) that people used to block invaders. It made me wonder what it would’ve felt like to live down there for weeks at a time.

Lunch was somewhere along the Melendiz River in Ihlara Valley — trout and lentil soup, nothing fancy but honestly perfect after hiking under that pale sun. The valley itself is longer than it looks (my legs noticed), full of old cave churches and wildflowers growing out of cracks. A couple of us lagged behind just to listen to the water for a minute; it’s one of those sounds you don’t realize you miss until you hear it again.

We ended up watching an onyx craftsman work near Nar Lake — his hands moved so fast I couldn’t follow half of what he did. He let me try saying “zultanite” in Turkish; everyone laughed because I definitely butchered it. By then, my shoes were dusty and my head felt full (in a good way). Still thinking about those tunnels sometimes — how quiet they were compared to everything above ground.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cappadocia natural history

• See panorama point of Goreme
• Visit pigeon houses in caves
• Tour Kaymakli Underground City
• Hike in Ihlara Valley
• View special stones like zultanite
• Drive between points of interest
• Visit Nar Lake

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Cappadocia to Ihlara Valley?

The tour lasts a full day, including stops at Kaymakli Underground City and Ihlara Valley.

Is lunch included on the Cappadocia Green Tour?

Yes, lunch is included during the day trip.

Are guides provided during visits to Kaymakli Underground City?

A professional tour guide leads you through all sites including Kaymakli Underground City.

What should I wear for hiking in Ihlara Valley?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there is hiking involved in Ihlara Valley.

Is transportation included between sites on this tour?

An air-conditioned vehicle provides transport between all points of interest during the tour.

Can infants join this Cappadocia Green Tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, guidance from a professional local expert throughout stops like Kaymakli Underground City and Ihlara Valley, plus a simple lunch along the river before returning—no need to worry about logistics or entry fees along the way.