Private Green Tour (Ihlara Valley)

Cappadocia Green Tour (Private/Day Trip)

Hotel Pick-up:
Our shuttle service will pick you up from your hotel around 09:00-09:30 in the morning.

Göreme Panoramic Viewpoint:
This is a magnificent viewpoint from which you can see Cappadocia from a bird's-eye perspective. It offers a general overview of the region with its valleys, fairy chimneys, and natural formations. Your guide will provide preliminary information about the areas you will see during the tour.

 Kaymaklı Underground City:
Kaymaklı, one of the deepest and most famous underground cities in Cappadocia, has been used for defensive purposes throughout its history. This structure, which descends to eight levels, is awe-inspiring with its ventilation systems, places of worship, living areas, and shelters.

Ihlara Valley:
Doğayla tarihin iç içe geçtiği Ihlara Vadisi, Melendiz Çayı boyunca uzanan bir doğa harikasıdır. Vadi içerisinde 2-3 km civarında keyifli bir yürüyüş yapılır. Vadide kayalara oyulmuş kiliseler ve freskler bulunur. Ihlara Vadisi'ni yürümek istemeyenler için Cam Terası ziyaret ederek Ihlara Vadisi'ni panoromik olarak göreceğiz.

Belisırma Village – Lunch (Drinks not included):
Lunch is served at a local restaurant nestled in nature by the Melendiz River. You can enjoy traditional local flavors.

Yaprakhisar Panoramic Viewpoint:
This spot, where you can admire the unique view of the valley and the surrounding fairy chimneys, has also served as a filming location for some historical movies.

Selime Monastery (May not be visited depending on the itinerary)
Selime Monastery, one of the largest rock-carved monastery complexes in Cappadocia, is quite impressive with its cathedral, chapel, and living quarters. It also served as an educational center for early Christians.

Onyx Stone Workshop – Introduction and Shopping for Cappadocia Stones:
A workshop will be visited showcasing artwork made from onyx and other semi-precious stones extracted from the region due to Cappadocia's volcanic geological formation. Guests can also shop if they wish.

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• Uchisar Walnut
• Goreme Panorama
• Visit to the underground city
• Narlıgöl Crater Lake
• Ihlara Valley Trekking
• Selime Cathedral
• Yaprsakhisar
• Glass Terrace Visit for Those Who Don't Want to Walk
• VIP Vehicle, Private Guide, Private Ihlara Valley/Green Valley Tour

Kapadokya'nın en büyük ve en etkileyici yeraltı şehirlerinden biri olan Kaymaklı Yeraltı Şehri, Nevşehir'in yaklaşık 20 km güneyinde yer alır. Yumuşak volkanik tüf kayalara oyularak oluşturulan bu devasa yeraltı yerleşimi, yüzyıllar boyunca bölge halkına saldırılar ve savaş dönemlerinde güvenli bir sığınak sağlamıştır. 

Date: It is believed that the first sections of the underground city were created during the Phrygian period (8th-7th centuries BC), and that it was expanded and brought to its present form during the Roman and Byzantine periods. It was actively used by Christian communities, especially during the Arab-Byzantine wars. 

Structure:

• It has a total of 8 floors.
• Today, 4 floors are open to visitors.
• There are numerous rooms connected by narrow corridors and tunnels.
• The complex includes stables, living quarters, kitchens, storage areas, wine production areas, churches, and ventilation shafts. 

Notable Sections:

• Stables: It is located on the ground floor.
• Church: It is notable for its baptismal pool and apse.
• Wine and Oil Production Areas: It bears the traces of economic life conducted underground.
• Warehouses: It has enabled thousands of people to survive during prolonged sieges. 

Narlıgöl, Nevşehir'in Acıgöl ilçesi sınırlarında bulunan, Kapadokya bölgesinin en özel doğal oluşumlarından biridir. Yaklaşık 1.363 metre rakımda yer alan göl, eski bir volkanik kraterin zamanla suyla dolması sonucu oluşmuştur.

Narlıgöl'ün Özellikleri

• It is located approximately 1,363 meters above sea level.
• It covers an area of approximately 25 hectares.
• The water is slightly salty and mineral-rich.
• There are natural hot springs around the lake.
• It is an important spot for birdwatching and nature photography.

Where does the name come from?: Because the lake resembles a heart when viewed from above, it is also known as "Heart Lake" among the locals. According to legend, it was named "Pomegranate Lake" because the small island in the middle of the lake resembles a pomegranate.

Geological Significance: Narlıgöl, Kapadokya'nın volkanik geçmişini yansıtan önemli jeolojik alanlardan biridir. Bölgedeki sıcak su kaynakları, yer altındaki jeotermal hareketliliğin günümüzde de devam ettiğini göstermektedir.

Cappadocia is known not only for its fairy chimneys and underground cities, but also for its workshops where onyx, agate, amethyst, turquoise, and various semi-precious stones are processed. The stone workshops in the region offer visitors the opportunity to both observe the production process and purchase handmade jewelry and souvenirs. 

What can you see during a visit to the precious stone workshops in Cappadocia?

• The process of transforming onyx stone from its raw form to a processed product.
• Stone cutting and polishing techniques
• Handmade ring, necklace, earring and bracelet production.
• Kapadokya'ya özgü dekoratif taş objeler
• Properties and uses of semi-precious stones. 

Onyx

• Kapadokya'nın en ünlü taşlarından biridir.
• It occurs within volcanic and limestone formations.
• It can be found in shades of black, white, green, brown, and honey.
• It is used in jewelry, chess sets, vases, and decorative items.

Agate

• It is known for its colorful layers.
• Shades of red, orange, brown, blue, and green can be seen.
• It is commonly used in jewelry and ornaments.

Amethyst

• It is a type of purple quartz.
• It is one of the most sought-after semi-precious stones.
• They are processed into necklaces, rings, and collectible stones.

Turquoise (Firuze)

• It is also known as Turkish stone.
• It stands out with its shades of blue and turquoise.
• Tarih boyunca Anadolu'da süsleme ve takı yapımında kullanılmıştır.

Jasper (Jasp)

• It comes in shades of red, yellow, brown, and green.
• They are preferred for decorative purposes due to their natural patterns.

Quartz

• It is known for its transparent or white crystalline structure.
• It is used in jewelry and collectible items.
• It is one of the most common minerals in the world.

Tiger Eye

• It stands out with its play of golden and brown light.
• It looks quite impressive when polished.

Obsidian

• It is known as volcanic glass.
• Kapadokya'nın volkanik geçmişi nedeniyle bölgede önemlidir.
• It has black, glossy, and sharp surfaces.
• Historically, it was used in the making of arrowheads and cutting tools.

Selime Monastery, Kapadokya'nın en büyük kaya manastır komplekslerinden biri olup, Ihlara Vadisi'nin sonunda yer alır. Yüzyıllar boyunca keşişlerin eğitim gördüğü, ibadet ettiği ve yaşadığı önemli bir dini merkez olarak kullanılmıştır. Devasa kaya oyma yapıları, kiliseleri, şapelleri, mutfakları ve yaşam alanlarıyla Kapadokya'nın en etkileyici tarihi yapılarından biridir.

Date: Selime Manastırı'nın ilk bölümlerinin 8. ve 9. yüzyıllarda inşa edildiği düşünülmektedir. Bizans döneminde bölgenin önemli dini merkezlerinden biri olmuş, çok sayıda keşiş ve din adamına ev sahipliği yapmıştır. Ayrıca İpek Yolu güzergâhına yakın olması nedeniyle ticaret ve kültürel etkileşim açısından da önemli bir konuma sahipti.

Architectural Features

• Kapadokya'nın en büyük kaya oyma manastır komplekslerinden biridir.

• It contains a large cathedral, chapels, monks' quarters, and storage areas.

• Kitchens and living spaces carved into the rock have survived to this day.

• Its location atop high cliffs allows it to offer impressive panoramic views.

• It boasts one of the largest rock-carved cathedrals in the region.

Cathedral: Manastırın en dikkat çekici yapısıdır. Yüksek tavanları ve geniş iç hacmiyle Kapadokya'daki kaya oyma dini yapılar arasında özel bir yere sahiptir.

Monk's Rooms: There are numerous rooms where priests and monks lived. These rooms are connected to each other by tunnels and corridors.

Kitchen and Storage Areas: In the monastery, where communal life was maintained, areas for food preparation and food storage can be seen.

Viewpoints: Selime'den Melendiz Çayı'nın şekillendirdiği vadiler ve çevredeki volkanik kaya oluşumları izlenebilir.

Cultural Significance: Selime Manastırı, Kapadokya'da Hristiyanlığın gelişiminde önemli rol oynamış dini merkezlerden biridir. Bölgedeki keşişler burada eğitim görmüş, dini metinler hazırlamış ve uzun yıllar boyunca manastır yaşamını sürdürmüştür.