Cappadocia: Green Tour with Kaymakli Underground City & Ihlara Valley

Summary

Fairy chimneys, hidden cities & valley walks in Cappadocia

You’ll walk among Cappadocia’s wild rock shapes, wander deep into Kaymakli Underground City with your guide, and taste homemade Turkish food by a riverside in Belisırma village. The day is full of small surprises—like holding onyx stones fresh from the workshop or pausing by Narlıgöl crater lake when everything goes still for a moment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cappadocia's natural and historic sites

• Visit Göreme Panorama viewpoint
• Walk through Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley
• See local artisans at Onyx Stone Workshop
• Tour Kaymaklı Underground City
• Enjoy Turkish lunch in Old Belisırma Village
• Relax and dine at Yaprakhisar Panorama
• Visit Narlıgöl (Nar Crater Lake)

Top questions

How long does the Cappadocia Green Tour last?

The tour is a full-day trip covering several locations around Cappadocia.

Is lunch included on the Green Tour?

Yes, an authentic Turkish lunch is included in Belisırma village during the tour.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

The tour visits Göreme Panorama, Pigeon Valley, an onyx workshop, Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Valley area with lunch in Belisırma village, Yaprakhisar Panorama, and Narlıgöl crater lake.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in your booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

The tour includes pickup from your accommodation in Cappadocia.

How far is Kaymakli Underground City from Göreme?

Kaymakli Underground City is about 25 kilometers from Göreme.

Is this tour suitable for children or strollers?

Infants can ride in prams or strollers; however, some sections may be challenging due to uneven ground underground.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Cappadocia, all entry fees for sites like Kaymakli Underground City and Pigeon Valley, air-conditioned transport throughout the route plus parking fees—and a traditional Turkish lunch served riverside in Belisırma village before heading back late afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the landscape around Göreme to feel so otherworldly—almost like someone had left giant sandcastles out to dry. Our guide, Ayşe, met us right at the hotel and by the time we reached the first viewpoint, I was already fumbling for my camera. The wind up there smelled faintly of sage and dust. I tried to take it all in but honestly, it’s hard not to just stand there gawking at those fairy chimneys.

Pigeon Valley was quieter than I thought it’d be. You could hear doves somewhere above, and Ayşe explained (with a little grin) how people used pigeon droppings for vineyards—she made us guess before telling us. We wandered along the path, past old stone houses with tiny windows. At one point an old man waved from his garden; he was feeding chickens and didn’t seem fazed by tourists at all.

The onyx workshop was a bit of a surprise—I’ve never seen anyone carve stone that quickly. One of the guys let me hold a half-finished pendant; it felt cold and heavier than it looked. Then came Kaymakli Underground City, which… wow. My shoulders brushed rough walls as we ducked through tunnels, and you could almost imagine families hiding out down there centuries ago. It’s about 25 km from Göreme but feels like another world entirely.

Lunch in Belisırma village was simple—fresh bread, grilled vegetables, something called gözleme (I probably said it wrong). The river beside us made everything feel slower for a bit. After that we stopped at Narlıgöl crater lake; nobody really talked much there. Maybe everyone was just tired or maybe it’s the kind of place that makes you want to whisper instead of talk loud. I still think about that quiet water sometimes.