Kaymakli Underground City & Ihlara Valley Private Tour

Descend into an underground city, then hike a canyon carved by river and time

A private tour of Cappadocia combining two UNESCO sites: the multi-level underground city of Kaymakli, built as a refuge during centuries of persecution, and Ihlara Valley, Turkey's largest canyon with a 3.8 km riverside hike. Includes a private English-speaking guide, admission to all sites, lunch and hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kaymakli Underground City2h · entry included
2. Ihlara Valley3h · entry included
3. Selime Monastery1h · entry included

Explore underground city and canyon hike

• Drive to Kaymakli Underground City
• Visit Kaymakli Underground City
• Drive to Nar Lake for photo break
• Drive to Ihlara Canyon
• Hike 3.8 km in Ihlara Canyon
• Visit Sarihan Caravanserai
• Visit Selime Monastery

The experience

The day starts before dawn with a drive to Kaymakli Underground City, where you descend through narrow passages and carved chambers that once sheltered entire communities. The site spreads across multiple levels, each one revealing how people engineered living spaces, storage rooms and defensive positions into the bedrock. After exploring the city, you drive roughly an hour north to Nar Lake for a photo stop, then continue to Ihlara Valley for the main hike.

The 3.8 km walk follows the river through the canyon floor, passing rock-cut churches and moving between the 2,670 plant species that thrive in the valley's distinct microclimate. The canyon walls rise around you as you walk. The river runs alongside. Partway through, you stop at Sarihan Caravanserai, a 13th-century stone structure that once housed merchants and their camels on the Silk Road. The hike ends at Selime Monastery, the largest religious building in Cappadocia, with a cathedral-sized church carved into the rock face.

Your guide speaks English and leads the entire day. The minivan is air-conditioned and seats your group alone. Lunch is included on the tour, and all admission fees are covered. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the hike itself is the day's main physical commitment.

What’s included

• All admission fees to Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery.
• lunch on the tour.
• private English-speaking guide.
• private air-conditioned minivan for your group.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local taxes and VAT.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pupa Travel

Is this one for you?The full day runs 6 to 8 hours, which fits two major sites and a substantial hike into one outing but leaves little room for other activities. Book this if you want to see both the underground city and the canyon in a single departure, and don't mind spending most of your day on the road and the trail.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What exactly is Kaymakli Underground City and why was it built?

Kaymakli Underground City is a multi-level refuge carved into bedrock where Christians sheltered during centuries of persecution and invasions. The site contains living quarters, storage rooms and defensive passages engineered into the rock.

How long is the hike in Ihlara Valley and what will I see along the way?

The hike is 3.8 km and follows the river through Turkey's largest canyon. You'll pass rock-cut churches, walk between canyon walls and see the unique plant life of the valley's microclimate before reaching Selime Monastery at the end.

What is Selime Monastery and why is it significant?

Selime Monastery is the largest religious building in Cappadocia, with a cathedral-sized church carved directly into the rock face. It marks the end of the Ihlara Valley hike.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks?

Lunch is included on the tour. Drinks at lunch are available as an optional add-on at checkout.