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The Green Tour · Southern Cappadocia Go underground, then into the green
The deeper southern route — descend eight floors into the deepest underground city open to visitors, then hike a green river canyon hung with thousand-year-old frescoes.
EN / TR guides Moderate · 4 km Narrow tunnels Instant confirmation
from €70 · Next available October 30
DurationFull day · ~9 hrs
From price€70 / person
GroupMax 16 guests
EffortModerate · 4 km hike
Why you’ll love it
The highlights
EN / TR guides Moderate · 4 km Narrow tunnels Instant confirmation
Descend 8 floors into Derinkuyu underground city
Hike the green Ihlara canyon by the Melendiz river
Byzantine cave churches with original frescoes
A riverside lunch in Belisırma village
The cathedral-sized Selime rock monastery
The story
A refuge eight floors underground
Long before it was a wonder, Cappadocia's soft rock was a hiding place. When raiders swept across the plateau, whole communities disappeared beneath it — and at Derinkuyu they went eight storeys down, roughly eighty-five metres, into a hidden refuge that could seal itself behind rolling stone doors, where families waited out the danger with their livestock and their stores.
Back in daylight, the Green Tour follows the Melendiz river through the Ihlara canyon, where Byzantine monks cut chapels into the cliffs and painted them with frescoes that still glow. Lunch is served at the water's edge in Belisırma, before the cathedral-sized rock monastery of Selime.
≈85 m
Derinkuyu depth
Eight carved floors below ground
Refuge
not a permanent city
Used in times of danger by people living above ground
14 km
Ihlara Canyon
Up to 100 m deep, river-carved
“When raiders swept the plateau, whole communities vanished underground and waited in the dark.”
Derinkuyu, Southern CappadociaStep by step
Your day, hour by hour
1Door to door
2Photo stop
385 m deep
44 km · easy
5Lunch included
6Rock-cut
What’s included
Everything’s handled. Just show up.
Licensed local guide
Riverside lunch in Belisırma
Hotel pickup & return
All site entrance fees
Air-conditioned transport
Bottled water
Not included
Drinks at lunchPersonal expenses & tips
Good to know
Questions, answered
Is the underground city claustrophobic?
Some passages are narrow and low, but it's well lit and ventilated. Your guide always offers an easier route, and you can wait above ground if you prefer.
How hard is the Ihlara hike?
About 4 km, mostly flat along the river — moderate and manageable for most. Trainers or light hiking shoes are ideal.
How long is the day?
It's the longest tour — pickup around 08:30 and back by roughly 17:30.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a riverside lunch in Belisırma is included. Drinks are extra.
Can I do this and the Red Tour?
Licensed local guides Fully insured Free cancellation up to 2 days before
Book your day
Ready when you are
Underground cities, a green river canyon and frescoed cave churches — the south's deep history in one day.
Plan your tour for a different day from your sunrise balloon flight, or for the afternoon of your flight day, so you’re never rushed.
from€70/ person
Next available October 30
Free cancellation up to 2 days before
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The Green Tourfrom €70 · Next available October 30 · Free cancellation up to 2 days before