1. Red Tour – Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey which is famous for its “fairy chimneys”. Fairy chimneys are tall and cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and Monks Valley, which were inscribed under UNESCO world heritage site. The unusual rock formations were created as a result of the geological process that began millions of years ago. Ancient volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash, which later solidified into a soft rock talked “tuff”. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the weaker parts and only the harder elements were left behind to form the mushroom, capped and conically shaped formation that can be seen today, stretching as tall as 40 meters into the sky.
2. Red Tour – Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey which is famous for its “fairy chimneys”. Fairy chimneys are tall and cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and Monks Valley, which were inscribed under UNESCO world heritage site. The unusual rock formations were created as a result of the geological process that began millions of years ago. Ancient volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash, which later solidified into a soft rock talked “tuff”. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the weaker parts and only the harder elements were left behind to form the mushroom, capped and conically shaped formation that can be seen today, stretching as tall as 40 meters into the sky.
3. Red Tour – The Exterior of the Karanlık (Dark) Church in Göreme
Dark Church was a monastic church built in the mid-11th-century and Cappadocia’s most famous and beautiful cave church which is located inside the Göreme Open Air Museum. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to take pictures inside the churches of Goreme Open Air Museum. So you can only take photos from the outside.
It is called the Dark Church because it gets very little light from the window in the narthex, and for this reason, the colours are still very bright.
Dark Church, along with Apple Church and Sandal Church, are known as the three “Column Churches” because of their architectural and artistic similarities. Dark Church was the main church for the monastic complex.
4. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
5. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
6. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
7. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
8. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
9. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
14. Red Tour – Rock Castle at Uchisar
The rock castle at Uchisar is the highest point of Cappadocia. The top of the Uchisar Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance. Also, you can see Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley. Many rock-cut churches have been discovered not only on the outskirts of the castle but also inside it.
15. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
16. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
17. Red Tour – Cave Dwellings in Fairy Chimneys
Cave houses built into fairy chimneys by the prehistoric dwellings who carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground. During the Roman era, the area was served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians—the underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
18. Red Tour – Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
A rock formation which a shape likes a camel. Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley) in Cappadocia is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.
19. Red Tour – Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
A rock formation which a shape likes a camel. Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley) in Cappadocia is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.
20. Red Tour – Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
A rock formation which a shape likes a camel. Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley) in Cappadocia is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.
21. Red Tour – Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
A rock formation which a shape likes a camel. Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley) in Cappadocia is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.
23. Red Tour – Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey which is famous for its “fairy chimneys”. Fairy chimneys are tall and cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and Monks Valley, which were inscribed under UNESCO world heritage site. The unusual rock formations were created as a result of the geological process that began millions of years ago. Ancient volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash, which later solidified into a soft rock talked “tuff”. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the weaker parts and only the harder elements were left behind to form the mushroom, capped and conically shaped formation that can be seen today, stretching as tall as 40 meters into the sky.
24. Red Tour – Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey which is famous for its “fairy chimneys”. Fairy chimneys are tall and cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and Monks Valley, which were inscribed under UNESCO world heritage site. The unusual rock formations were created as a result of the geological process that began millions of years ago. Ancient volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash, which later solidified into a soft rock talked “tuff”. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the weaker parts and only the harder elements were left behind to form the mushroom, capped and conically shaped formation that can be seen today, stretching as tall as 40 meters into the sky.
25. Red Tour – Fairy Chimneys
Cappadocia is a region in central Turkey which is famous for its “fairy chimneys”. Fairy chimneys are tall and cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Göreme and Monks Valley, which were inscribed under UNESCO world heritage site. The unusual rock formations were created as a result of the geological process that began millions of years ago. Ancient volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash, which later solidified into a soft rock talked “tuff”. The rivers, flood water running down the hillsides of valleys and strong winds eroded the weaker parts and only the harder elements were left behind to form the mushroom, capped and conically shaped formation that can be seen today, stretching as tall as 40 meters into the sky.
26. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
27. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
28. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
29. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
30. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
31. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
32. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
35. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
36. Green Tour – Ihlara Valley Hike
Part of South Cappadocia (Green) Tour with 4km Trekking in Ihlara Valley. The trekking begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village. It was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. The total length of the canyon is 14 km, and depth is approximately 100 m. Ihlara Valley has many cave churches dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Most of them are decorated with paintings in bright colours and display scenes dissimilar to the scenes shown in other Cappadocian churches.
37. Green Tour – Rock Castle at Uchisar
The rock castle at Uchisar is the highest point of Cappadocia. The top of the Uchisar Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance. Also, you can see Rose Valley and Pigeon Valley. Many rock-cut churches have been discovered not only on the outskirts of the castle but also inside it.
39. Green Tour – Güvercinlik (Pigeon) Valley
Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for trekking in the marvellous Cappadocia region, Central Anatolia and located between Goreme and Uchisar. The pigeon valley earned its name from the countless man-made 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. While pigeons no longer play such an essential role in the area, their rocky homes have still been maintained by the locals and can be found atop rock pillars and inside excavated cave houses and churches throughout the region.
40. Green Tour – Underground City of Cappadocia
The underground city of Cappadocia was discovered in 2013 when construction workers demolishing low-income homes found entrances to a network of rooms and tunnels. The city halted the housing project, called in archaeologists and geophysicists, and began investigating. In 2014, those tunnels led scientists to discover a multilevel settlement of living spaces, kitchens, wineries, chapels, staircases, and bezirhane—linseed presses for producing lamp oil to light the underground city. The artefacts found, including grindstones, stone crosses, and ceramics, indicated that the city was in use from the Byzantine era through the Ottoman conquest. When danger loomed, Cappadocians retreated underground, blocked the access tunnels with round stone doors, and sealed themselves in with livestock and supplies until the threat passed.
41. Green Tour – Underground City of Cappadocia
The underground city of Cappadocia was discovered in 2013 when construction workers demolishing low-income homes found entrances to a network of rooms and tunnels. The city halted the housing project, called in archaeologists and geophysicists, and began investigating. In 2014, those tunnels led scientists to discover a multilevel settlement of living spaces, kitchens, wineries, chapels, staircases, and bezirhane—linseed presses for producing lamp oil to light the underground city. The artefacts found, including grindstones, stone crosses, and ceramics, indicated that the city was in use from the Byzantine era through the Ottoman conquest. When danger loomed, Cappadocians retreated underground, blocked the access tunnels with round stone doors, and sealed themselves in with livestock and supplies until the threat passed.
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Turkey (Cappadocia) Land Tour: 5th – 8th October 2019
After taking the hot air balloon, you can watch spectacular valleys of Cappadocia from the land. If you took the red tour, you could visit Dark Church, the Cappadocia’s most famous and beautiful cave church built in the mid-11th-century, which is located inside the Göreme Open Air Museum.
Then you could visit the Rock Castle at Uchisar, which is the highest point of Cappadocia. The top of the Uchisar Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance. Then you could visit Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), which is a beautiful valley full of unique rock formations, many of which are said to resemble animal shapes.
If you took the green tour, you could take 4 km trekking in Ihlara Valley to explore and witness hundreds of churches carved into walls of the gorge, which dated from the 7th to 11th centuries. Then you could visit Pigeon Valley, which filled with countless human-made pigeon houses and dovecotes.
After hiking through the colourful and breath-taking fairy chimneys, you could descend to the underground city of Cappadocia, walk through narrow corridors and discovers numerous rooms and storages carved into the soft volcanic stones.