Cappadocia: Ihlara Valley Hike, Underground City & Monastery Tour

Summary

Hiking Ihlara Valley tasting village lunch exploring Kaymakli caves

You’ll hike through Ihlara Valley’s green canyon, taste homemade village lunch, explore Kaymakli’s ancient underground city with a local guide, and step inside Selime Monastery’s rock halls. Expect moments of quiet awe and laughter—with everything from pickup to entry fees included.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the wind—kind of sharp, carrying that dry-earth smell as we stepped out at Göreme Panoramic Point. Our guide, Emre, pointed out the weird shapes in the valley below (he called one “the camel,” but honestly it looked more like a melted candle to me). You could hear birds somewhere far off, and for a second it felt like Cappadocia was just holding its breath. We piled back into the minivan, still half-awake, and headed toward Kaymakli Underground City.

I didn’t expect to feel so small down there. The tunnels twist under your feet—sometimes you have to duck or shuffle sideways—and Emre told us stories about people hiding here centuries ago. He even let us try saying “Kaymakli” properly (I butchered it; he laughed). It smells faintly of stone and something older than dust. When we came up again, the light felt too bright for a minute.

Lunch was in a little village along the Ihlara Valley hike—a spread of bread, lentil soup, something with eggplant that I can’t pronounce. There was this old woman who smiled at us from her doorway; she had hands like tree roots. The walk itself is green in a way you don’t expect from Cappadocia—shady trees, water running over rocks, birds darting around. My shoes got muddy and I didn’t care at all.

Selime Monastery is carved right into the cliffside—huge rooms echoing with our footsteps and sunlight slanting through holes in the rock. Afterward we stopped at Pigeon Valley for one last view across to Uçhisar Castle. Someone pointed out the onyx workshop nearby; I wandered in just to see how they cut those stones by hand. Still think about that quiet moment looking out over all those strange valleys—felt like time slowed down for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore southern Cappadocia highlights

• Visit Göreme Panoramic Point
• Tour Kaymakli Underground City
• Explore Selime Monastery
• Hike 3 km in Ihlara Valley
• See Uçhisar Castle view at Pigeon Valley
• Visit onyx workshop

Top questions

How long is the Green Tour in Cappadocia?

The Green Tour is a full-day trip covering several sites in southern Cappadocia.

Is lunch included on the day trip to Ihlara Valley?

Yes, a classic village lunch is included during the tour.

What sites are visited on this Cappadocia tour?

The tour visits Göreme Panoramic Point, Kaymakli Underground City, Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley hike, Pigeon Valley viewpoint, and an onyx workshop.

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

Pickup is included; check if your accommodation is within range when booking.

Are entrance fees covered in this Green Tour?

Yes, all admission and entrance fees are included in your booking price.

How difficult is the hike in Ihlara Valley?

The hike is about 3 km through mostly easy terrain but can be muddy or uneven in spots.

Can infants join this Cappadocia day trip?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and baby seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or nearby point, all entry tickets for each site including Kaymakli Underground City and Selime Monastery, a classic village lunch along the Ihlara Valley hike (with vegetarian options), comfortable transport by air-conditioned minivan throughout southern Cappadocia—and you’ll be back by evening after seeing Pigeon Valley’s views and visiting an onyx workshop if you want.