Cappadocia, Pamukkale Tour
€950.00
Destination Guide
About Cappadocia
Cappadocia's fairy chimneys were sculpted by wind and rain from thick layers of volcanic tuff laid down by ancient eruptions of Mount Erciyes, Mount Hasan and Göllüdağ. Centered on Nevşehir, the region stretches from the Ihlara Valley in Aksaray to Soğanlı on the Kayseri side. For centuries people carved homes, frescoed churches and monasteries into the soft rock, and dug multi-level underground cities such as Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the landscape looks like nowhere else on earth.
Most Cappadocia tours follow one of two classic routes. The Red Tour covers the north, with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar, Paşabağ and Avanos, while the Green Tour heads south to an underground city, the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery. Many travelers add a sunrise hot air balloon ride, a sunset ATV or jeep safari, horseback riding through the valleys and a pottery workshop in Avanos. Because balloon flights depend on the weather, staying at least two nights gives you a backup morning. TurTalebi lets you compare Cappadocia tours from local firms and book securely by card.
Tours and Activities
Cappadocia Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
3 tours shown
Highlights
Top Things to See
01
Göreme Open-Air Museum
This cluster of rock-cut monasteries and churches is decorated with remarkable Byzantine frescoes. The Dark Church, which received little daylight over the centuries, holds some of the most vividly preserved paintings in the region.
02
Sunrise Balloon Flights
Hot air balloons lift off at dawn and drift over the Göreme, Red and Pigeon valleys. Flights depend entirely on wind and weather, and the authorities may not allow takeoff on a given morning, so keep your schedule flexible.
03
Uçhisar Castle
A towering rock outcrop honeycombed with rooms, rising from one of the highest points in the area. From the top, views on a clear day stretch across Pigeon Valley and Göreme to distant Mount Erciyes.
04
Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı
These underground cities descend many levels below ground, with stables, kitchens, ventilation shafts and narrow passages sealed by huge rolling stone doors. Derinkuyu is known for its depth, Kaymaklı for its warren of interconnected chambers.
05
Ihlara Valley and Selime
In Aksaray province, the Ihlara Valley is a deep, green gorge along the Melendiz stream with rock churches set into its walls. The hike is usually paired with Selime Monastery, a vast complex carved into the cliffs.
06
Avanos and Paşabağ
Avanos, on the Kızılırmak River, is famous for pottery made from the river's red clay, and you can watch potters at their wheels. Nearby Paşabağ, also called Monks Valley, has some of the most photogenic multi-capped fairy chimneys.
Planning
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
April to June and September to October are the best months for Cappadocia, with mild days that are ideal for hiking the valleys. Summer brings hot afternoons, cool nights and the biggest crowds. In winter, snow dusts the fairy chimneys and the scenery is magical, but cold temperatures and wind make balloon cancellations more likely. Mount Erciyes near Kayseri also draws skiers in the winter months.
Getting There
The nearest airports are Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport and Kayseri Erkilet Airport, and transfers to Göreme or Ürgüp take roughly 40 minutes to an hour. By road, Ankara is about three and a half to four hours away, and overnight buses run from Istanbul and other major cities. Distances inside the region are short, but public transportation is limited, so tours, hotel transfers or a rental car are the easiest ways to get around.
Practical Tips
- Book your balloon flight for your first morning so that, if it is canceled, you still have another chance before you leave.
- Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes for valley hikes and underground cities, where you may need to stoop through low, narrow tunnels.
- Pack a warm layer even in summer, because pre-dawn balloon launches and early tours can be surprisingly chilly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Two to three nights is ideal for most travelers. That gives you time for both the Red and Green tours, a sunrise balloon flight and a spare morning in case it is canceled. Add a fourth day if you want longer valley hikes, an ATV ride or a trip to Soğanlı on the Kayseri side.
For most visitors it is the highlight of the trip, floating over fairy chimneys and valleys as the sun rises with dozens of other balloons around you. Keep in mind that flights are weather dependent and may be canceled by the authorities on the morning itself, so book early in your stay and stay flexible.
The Red Tour covers northern Cappadocia around Göreme, typically including the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar, Paşabağ, Devrent Valley and Avanos. The Green Tour heads south for an underground city, a walk in the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery, making for a longer day. First-time visitors often do them on consecutive days.
Start with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Paşabağ, Devrent Valley and an underground city such as Derinkuyu. Catch the sunset in the Red and Rose valleys, hike the Ihlara Valley and browse the pottery studios of Avanos. The old stone mansions of Ürgüp and the abandoned rock village of Çavuşin are also worth a stop.
Some passages in Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are narrow and low, and you will need to stoop in places. The visitor routes are lit and ventilation shafts keep air moving, but if enclosed spaces make you uneasy, stay on the upper levels or skip this part of the tour.
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