ITINERARY

• RED TOUR The Göreme Panoramic Viewing Point is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Cappadocia. You cannot afford to miss the breathtaking views of the valleys, fairy chimneys, and colorful hot air balloons that fill the sky during sunrise and sunset. This spot is always teeming with tourists worldwide who come to relax and take in the astounding scenery. The viewpoint boasts unique features such as fairy chimneys, rock-carved settlements, colorful valleys, extraordinary soil structures, and luxurious cave hotels. While there are several viewing points to explore the panoramic views of Cappadocia, the Göreme Panoramic Viewpoint remains the most popular one. Do not hesitate, to make sure to add this must-see attraction to your itinerary in Cappadocia!
• Uchisar Castle is the highest point and most beautiful fairy chimney visible from all over Cappadocia. The top of the castle offers a panoramic view of Cappadocia from a bird's eye perspective, from Güvercinlik (Pigeon Valley) to Avanos. You can see all the valleys, Ortahisar Castle, Göreme Town, Göreme Open Air Museum, Kılıçlar Valley, Kızılçukur, Güllüdere, Çavuşin, Boztepe, Aktepe, Avanos, and the entire region of Cappadocia at your feet. At the top of the castle, you can find numerous carved jars, tombs, and large cisterns. If you look north from the castle, you can spot the Cevizli fairy chimneys, Nevşehir, and Oylu Mountain. Directly in front of the castle, there is New Uçhisar, and if you look towards the southwest, you can see the summit of Mount Hasan in the distance.
• Love Valley is a renowned destination for lovers and romantics. It is situated in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey and is considered the jewel of Cappadocia. The most distinguished feature of Love Valley is its fairy chimneys, which are peculiar rock formations that have been shaped by wind and erosion over centuries. As you wander through the valley, you will discover the enigma and magic of these fairy chimneys along rocky paths. Several caves in the valley have been utilized as dwellings since prehistoric times. Churches, monasteries, and underground cities are significant structures that reflect the rich history and cultural heritage of Cappadocia. Love Valley Cappadocia is the perfect destination to create unforgettable memories with your significant other. Its unique views, romantic ambiance, and rich cultural heritage make it an enchanting place that will leave you mesmerized.
• Devrent Valley, with its surreal fairy chimneys, is a must-see place for every local and foreign tourist. The resemblance of the fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley to animals takes you to a fantastic dream. See the fairy chimneys, which resemble many animal figures, as if you were walking outside the zoo. Giant fairy chimneys in camel shapes are one of the most important symbols of the valley. There are also human figures in the valley where we witness the sculptural art of nature. The name “Devrent Valley” means “pit and cliff”. The valley is completely filled with fascinating views. You can go trekking and horseback safari, and dream in the moonlight at sunset.
• Avanos is a town in central Turkey renowned for its centuries-old tradition of pottery making. The pottery demonstration in Avanos offers visitors a firsthand look at the intricate techniques involved in crafting these unique pieces. Skilled artisans showcase their expertise in shaping and decorating clay, often using techniques passed down through generations. Visitors can observe the potter's wheel in action as clay is spun and molded into various forms, ranging from functional items like bowls and plates to decorative pieces such as vases and figurines. The demonstration typically includes explanations of traditional methods and tools, providing insight into the rich cultural heritage of Turkish pottery. Additionally, visitors may have the opportunity to try their hand at pottery under the guidance of experienced artisans, creating their personalized souvenirs to take home. Avanos pottery demonstration offers an engaging and immersive experience for those interested in tradition.
• Monk's Valley There is a rumor that monks lived in seclusion in the region in ancient times. While this information was just a rumor before coming to this region, as soon as you enter the Valley of the Priests, you realize that there is a lot of truth to it. Because this is the quietest and most peaceful part of the Cappadocia region, it guarantees that you can sit here for hours without even having to talk. There is a gendarmerie area at the entrance of Paşabağı Valley. However, the place where the gendarmerie is located is inside a fairy chimney. In other words, the region has been adopted entirely for its appearance and is intended to be conveyed to other people as such.
• Zelve, 5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Paşabağları, is established on the steep and northern slopes of Aktepe. Zelve Ruins, consisting of three valleys, is the place where fairy chimneys are most dense. The fairy chimneys in the valley have pointed tips and wide bodies. Zelve was one of the important settlement and religious centers of Christians, especially in the 9th and 13th centuries; At the same time, the first religious seminars for priests were given in this region. Zelve is an open valley with a large cave settlement. The small area has fifteen Byzantine-era cave churches and remained a Turkish village until 1960. Today, Zelve is an open-air museum open to the public.
• GREEN TOUR Don't miss the Göreme Panoramic Viewing Point when visiting Cappadocia. This spot is perfect for witnessing the sunrise and sunset with breathtaking views of valleys, fairy chimneys, and colorful hot air balloons. The viewpoint boasts of unique features such as rock-carved settlements, colorful valleys, extraordinary soil structures, and luxurious cave hotels. It's a must-see attraction and the most popular viewing point in Cappadocia.
• Guvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley) earned its name from the countless man-made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Since ancient times Pigeons have been used in the Cappadocia region for food and fertiliser for the infertile soil. In this valley, there are small rock carvings for pigeon nests, done by people who live nearby. They wanted to get fertilizer from pigeon droppings. There are so many pigeons here. When the flock flies that's wonderful.
• There are more than 200 underground cities in Cappadocia. The first inhabitants of the Cappadocia area opened deep cavities within the volcanic rocks due to escape from the attacks of the wild animals and hard winter conditions and then they enlarged these cavities according to their daily needs, they opened new cavities and created the underground cities connecting these cavities with tunnel and labyrinths. In all of the underground cities there are ventilation chimneys reaching place by place to a depth of 80 and until the underground waters. These chimneys were opened to meet the need for both ventilation and water. Within the cities that are tepid in winters and cool in summers there are kitchens, cribs, wine houses, depots for cereals, meeting saloons, toilets shortly every kind of living space necessary for living. Within all the cities there are locking stones that can be opened and closed only from inside against the threats which may come from outside.
• Nar Lake (Nargolu or Pomegranate Lake) is a volcanic crater lake. The view is amazing. You will also see caves in the mountains. Located on the Aksaray-Niğde border, Narlıgöl (Acıgöl) thermal water, which is said to be good for various diseases because it is very rich in calcium, sodium, and bicarbonate, is waiting to be discovered by local and foreign tourists. Narlıgöl, the crater lake that fascinates its visitors with its different natural beauties in four seasons, also attracts attention with its thermal tourism potential thanks to its water at a temperature of 65 degrees.
• Ihlara Valley is a deep river canyon in Western Cappadocia with stunning nature and medieval cave churches. The Melendiz River flows year-round through a 14-kilometer valley floor. The flowing river, lush vegetation, historic churches, and towering cliff faces make Ihlara Valley a top destination in Cappadocia. The most popular portion of Ihlara Valley is the first five kilometers from Ihlara village to Belisırma. This section contains most of the churches and 100-meter-tall rock faces. From Belisırma, the Melendiz River continues another nine kilometers to Selime but this section has no churches or cliff faces. The most popular portion of Ihlara Valley is the first five kilometers from Ihlara village to Belisırma. This section contains most of the churches and 100-meter-tall rock faces. From Belisırma, the Melendiz River continues another nine kilometers to Selime but this section has no churches or cliff faces.
• Belisirma is a gifted village thanks to its location. The landscape is more forgiving around Belisirma. As a result, Cappadocians built the village from the top to the bottom of the Ihlara Valley. That creates a scene full of cute little stone houses scattered to the slopes of Ihlara Valley. Even if the houses look very tiny from a distance, each house reaches a big cave system in thunder ground carved into the natural volcanic tuff. The houses reach the bottom of the valley where you can find many restaurants established right by the water. Some have wooden lodges built right on the water. Restaurants offer limited types of foods, but a cold beverage is well deserved after a four or seven-kilometer walk in the valley. After rejuvenating on or by the Melendiz Stream in Belisirma Village, you can either continue your hike in the valley or explore the village.
• Selime monastery is the biggest religious building in Cappadocia with a cathedral-size church. Inside the cathedral, there are two rows of rock columns. These columns divide the cathedral into three sections. The size of the church is astonishing. The columns and arches of the church, cut directly from the tuff within the Selime monastery, still bear the tell-tale markings of various generations that once occupied it. Rudimentary icons from the early days can be seen more clearly, but detailed frescoes, painted later, are barely visible under the years of soot that covers the surfaces from when the Turks used the room for cooking. The monastery also contains monks’ quarters, a large kitchen, and even a stable for mules. The walls of the chambers were at one time adorned with frescoes but little of these remain. The top section of the monastery has a fortress-like structure, the walls and trenches of which are still visible today.