12 Ihlara Valley Tours for a Short Stay

1.Green Tour – Ihlara Valley & Underground City

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 378 reviews · 8 hours · from $71Our pick

Spend a full day beyond Göreme, from fairy-chimney views to Derinkuyu’s tight underground passages and a riverside walk in Ihlara Valley. Your guide explains the region’s geology, history, and customs, then leads you to Selime Monastery and an onyx workshop. Hotel pickup, lunch, and a choice of ticket options are included.

“Our day tour was very informative & interesting. We enjoyed all the activities/sights that we visited. Although towards the end of the tour after lunch, we felt a bit rushed especially the other guests who could not keep up with fast pace hiking the canyon. But overall, it was a great experience!”

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2.Full-Day Tour in Cappadocia with Ihlara Hiking and Underground City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 320 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $45Top rated

Spend 7 to 9 hours exploring Cappadocia by air-conditioned vehicle, with hotel pickup, a 3.5 km Ihlara Valley walk, Kaymakli Underground City, Selime Monastery, and lunch. Guides including Mehmet, Ferman, Yusuf, and others have led outings. The group is capped at 15, but entrance fees and drinks cost extra.

“This tour was fantastic. We only paid 37 bucks because of the off season and Corona virus. I would highly recommend this tour. The only reason it's not 5 starts is because of the small money making details like, drinks are extra and "now we will hear a short presentation from this gem salesperson." Our guide was Mahmut and he was perfect. Have him a healthy tip.”

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3.Cappadocia Green Tour with Derinkuyu Nar Lake and Ihlara Valley

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $60

Travel from Göreme-area hotels to Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley, Nar Lake, and Selime Monastery in a small-group tour of up to 18 people. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with lunch, bottled water, and air-conditioned transport included. Guide assignments can vary; Elfi has led the tour.

“Wondering around the stops and looking at the country side between attractions. Elfi was a fabulous host and our driver pot on.”

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4.Cat/Ihlara Valley Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · from $249

Set out before dawn from one of seven Cappadocia towns for a balloon flight above Cat Valley or Ihlara Valley. You’ll get hotel transfers, a safety briefing, about an hour in the air, a champagne toast, and a personalized flight certificate. English- and Turkish-speaking staff lead the experience; the exact launch valley depends on the day’s arrangements and conditions.

“Most memorable experience Good pilot and Coworkers polite genuine loving people”

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5.Derinkuyu, Selime, Nar Crater Lake & Ihlara Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 48 reviews · from $72

Visit Derinkuyu’s underground passages, the rock-cut Selime Monastery and Nar Crater Lake, then have lunch and hike in Ihlara Canyon. An English-speaking guide leads the 8 to 9-hour day, with hotel pickup in several Cappadocia towns. Guides Kübra and Gokan have led the tour.

“Overall, this was one of the best tours I’ve ever taken! Since I was the only English-speaking customer that day, I had the privilege of a personal tour with her and she truly made the experience unforgettable. Kübra was fantastic - so polite, professional and deeply knowledgeable about the history of the sites. Her storytelling brought the fascinating history of Derinkuyu to life and she patiently answered every question I had about the cave’s intricate structures and past. It was clear that she’s passionate about what she does, and her enthusiasm made the tour all the more engaging. Narli Lake was equally magical - its serene beauty is something you…”

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6.Full-day Cappadocia Green Tour to Ihlara Valley

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about seven hours exploring South Cappadocia with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 13. Walk Derinkuyu’s narrow underground passages, follow the river through Ihlara Valley, visit Selime Monastery and stop at two viewpoints. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and Turkish lunch are included. One guide named in a past account was Ferman, though guide assignments can vary.

“Had an amazing tour with Ferman. We went with a small group with only 9 people. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the region and was happy to answer all of our questions. The driver that we had was also AMAZING, and maneuvered the van like a pro! We had a great experience, made friends along the way, and learned so much about Cappadocia.”

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7.Green Tour to Ihlara Valley with Underground city

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 8 hours · from $77

Take an eight-hour Green Tour from Cappadocia, with hotel pickup, an English- or Turkish-speaking guide, museum entry, lunch and stops at Göreme Panorama, Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Pigeon Valley and Nar Lake. Expect a long day on the road, a short walk in Ihlara and an onyx display. Guides named Kalim and Furkan have been praised, but your guide may differ.

“very nice day tour of the area. the guide was fantastic.”

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8.Private/Shared Green Tour with Derinkuyu and Ihlara Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews

Spend 8 to 9 hours exploring Cappadocia’s Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery, with stops at Göreme Panorama, Narlıgöl and Pigeon Valley. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide are included. Check your chosen option carefully: lunch and entrance tickets may be included only with specific booking choices.

“This is the best tour to do if you’re in Cappadocia for a short while. My tour guide was Alburn (I hope I am spelling it right!). He was very well informed of the history of each spot, the sweetest and a great photographer honestly! The views were insane, the ride was comfortable, the lunch was good (drinks not included btw guys). I think overall this is a bit expensive, but in terms of the whole experience, it was definitely comfortable and the itinerary is well worth it.”

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9.Cappadocia Underground City and Ihlara Valley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $100

Spend about eight hours visiting Göreme Panorama, Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, and an onyx workshop. A guide leads the day, with a 3.5-kilometer valley hike, riverside lunch, hotel transfers, and a minivan ride. Guides named Selim and Berk have led tours; entrance fees and drinks cost extra.

“Awesome experience, specially our tour guide Selim was amazing and knowledgeable. Great experience. Selim made a huge difference!”

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10.Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Valley Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 7 hours · from $210

This seven-hour tour pairs Derinkuyu’s five-level underground complex with a four-kilometer walk through Ihlara Valley, lunch near the Melendiz River and a final visit to Selime Monastery. A guide leads a small group of up to 15 in an air-conditioned vehicle. Guides speak Spanish, English, French or German.

“Abbiamo visitato la cittysotterranea di kaymakli al posto di derinkuyu su suggerimento della guida ed è stata un’ottima scelta. Bellissima anche la visita al santuario di Selime. Molto preparata e utile la guida. Passeggiata lungo il fiume meno interessante e pranzo (pagato a parte) non soddisfacente in un ristorante in cui ci ha portato la guida molto turistico e con scarsa igiene.”

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11.Cappadocia Delux Green Tour with Walking and Selime Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $53

Set out from your hotel at 10 a.m. for a six-hour guided trip to Göreme Panorama, Pigeon Valley, Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Valley, and Selime Monastery. Private transport, lunch, and listed entrance fees are included. Expect a two-hour valley walk and narrow underground passages. Serhat is a named guide, while Furkan handles tour planning and communication.

“World of tomorrow travel arranged for this mazing tour with a very knowledgeable guide and a good driver. Communication with Furcan was top notch and he arranged for a tailored itinerary for us.”

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12.Green Tour with Underground City & Ihlara Valley

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 3 reviews · 7 hours · from $20Best value

From Göreme, this seven-hour guided tour visits Kaymaklı Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Belisırma, and Pigeon Valley, with lunch, entrance fees, and hotel transport included. Expect a 45-minute guided visit underground and a planned two-hour stop in Ihlara. English- and Turkish-speaking guides are offered; one guide has been named Harun, though guide assignments can vary.

“Die Reiseroute wurde nicht eingehalten Ilharaschlucht wurde mit einer Ausrede ausgelassen. Dafür 2 Shops”

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