Goreme Trip Overview
We would like to invite you to Cappadocia where man’s works blend unobtrusively into the surrounding natural moonscape. You will have informative local tours of our lovely region with your professional local guide, and lectures about how the natural fairy chimneys were formed. You’ll meet local people and understand their culture, their manners and their traditions. You’re going to get lost in the 8 layers of Cappadocia’s hidden cities, see miles of tunnels and guess what. You’ll even spend a night in beautiful Cappadocia’s traditionally carved and modelled cave style houses. You can even have a hot air balloon tour of the beautiful landscape over a sunset or sunrise. We’ll walk through the Goreme and Zelve Open-Air Museums paths, visit the region’s spectacular viewpoints, discover a dozen varieties of pink in the Red Valley during the sunset, and we’ll surely visit the wineries to sample the traditionally distilled local vine. What’s more? Just join us and tweak your imagination!
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Goreme, Turkey
Trip Category: Air, Helicopter & Balloon Tours >> Balloon Rides
Explore Goreme Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
We would like to invite you to Cappadocia where man’s works blend unobtrusively into the surrounding natural moonscape. You will have informative local tours of our lovely region with your professional local guide, and lectures about how the natural fairy chimneys were formed. You’ll meet local people and understand their culture, their manners and their traditions. You’re going to get lost in the 8 layers of Cappadocia’s hidden cities, see miles of tunnels and guess what. You’ll even spend a night in beautiful Cappadocia’s traditionally carved and modelled cave style houses. You can even have a hot air balloon tour of the beautiful landscape over a sunset or sunrise. We’ll walk through the Goreme and Zelve Open-Air Museums paths, visit the region’s spectacular viewpoints, discover a dozen varieties of pink in the Red Valley during the sunset, and we’ll surely visit the wineries to sample the traditionally distilled local vine. What’s more? Just join us and tweak your imagination!
Itinerary
Day 1: Devrent Valley – Monk’s Valley – Avanos – Göreme Open Air Museum
Stop At: Devrent Valley, Devrent Mevkii No:1 Urgup Yolu, 50500 Turkey
Arrive in Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport. Visit to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. We will walk through this amazing valley. Unlike other valleys, Devrent Valley has neither cave churches nor Roman palaces or tombs. It was never actually inhabited. What makes this lovely area is different from its lunar surface. Therefore we call moonscape Cappadocia. The Devrent Valley is only a 10-minute drive from Goreme, revealing many different rock formations. By their strange looks, the small fairy chimneys in the valley create a lunar scenery. There are also numerous animal rocks in the valley. It looks like a natural zoo of sculptures. Camel, snake, seal and dolphin are some of the most significant forms of animals if you like. Let your imagination free and you’ll find many others. You may even spot a pillar of the rock formation that tells you the Virgin Mary holds Jesus Christ.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Avanos, Avanos, Cappadocia
Thereafter visit Paşabağı (Monk’s Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. After visiting Pasabagi, drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. The charming town of Avanos, on the banks of the Kizilirmak River, displays attractive vernacular architecture and is known for its handicrafts. Every August the town hosts an Art and Tourism Festival where a creative and friendly atmosphere pervades. Pottery is the most popular handicraft and it is usually possible to try your hand at making a pot in one of the many studios. Rug weaving and knotting are also making a revival. Leaving Avanos in a southerly direction you come to an interesting Seljuk caravanserai
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Goreme Open-Air Museum, Merkez, Muze Cd., Goreme 50180 Turkey
Further to the time for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum featuring Dark Church to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. The Goreme open-air Museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes, is one of the best-known sites in central Turkey. Most of the chapels date from the 10th to the 13th century, the Byzantine and Seljuk periods, and many of them are built on an inscribed cross plan with a central cupola supported by four columns. In the narthexes of several churches are rock-cut tombs. Among the most famous of the Goreme churches are the Elmali Kilise, the smallest and newest of the group; the Yilanli Kilise with fascinating frescoes of the damned in serpent coils; the Barbara Kilisesi; and the Carikli Kilise. A short way from the main group, the Tokali Kilise, or Buckle Church, has beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the New Testament.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Your accommodation will be provided in one of the iconic cave style traditional Cappadocian hotels for tonight.
Day 2: Optional Balloon Tour – Rose Valley Trekking – Çavuşin Valley – Ortahisar – Kaymaklı Underground City – Pigeon Valley
Stop At: Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia, Avcılar, Mehmet Tan Cd. No:7, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
In recent years, balloon tours have become more popular in Cappadocia. Besides having fun, the beauty of the environment is just breathtaking. It’s also a kind of symbol of Cappadocia. The civilization of Cappadocia can easily be seen from the farthest point of view, and we bet that you have never had such beautiful scenery and experience in your life before. You may have been to Cappadocia before, but the balloon tour here is going to be your life’s day out. This tour requires an advance reservation and it’s optional.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Red Valley, Nevsehir Ortahisar, Nevsehir 50650 Turkey
The Red and Rose Valley is an iconic landmark in Cappadocia offering some of the best of the best rock formations carved by nature. When the sun goes down the region turns red and this is why Turkish people call this area “red” or “rose”. But wait, one must-do thing that few people know about is seeing a magnificent sunset along with regional wine and cheese. Sitting just below where the sun falls, one can only guess how much pinker the rocks would look in the golden hour. When the sky starts to darken, all the orchards, rock churches and fairy chimneys combine to create an incredible scene. To make the Red & Rose Valley an absolute must experience. This is the main reason why the valleys are rated as the number one sunset location of Cappadocia. Have this experience with us and have your camera ready.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Cavusin, Cavusin, Cappadocia
Çavuşin, located 2km from Göreme, is one of the oldest inhabited places in the region and the fresco scenes of Çavuşin church are distinctive because of their unusual compositions. Abandoned cave village of Çavuşin is one o the remarkable spots in Cappadocia where visitors enjoy the beauty of nature.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Ortahisar, Ortahisar, Cappadocia
On the Nevsehir – Urgup road you can’t miss Ortahisar and its rock carved fortress. The churches in the Balkan Valley are some of the oldest in the Goreme region. In the neighbouring Hallac Valley, the Hallac Monastery displays decorations from the 10th and the 11th centuries. North of Ortahisar, the Kizilçukur Valley is breathtakingly beautiful especially at sunset. In the valley is the 9th century Uzumlu church.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kaymakli Underground City, Derinkuyu Turkey
Kaymakli, one the largest and most important underground cities in Cappadocia, has all the accommodation needed for a community to live underground. The multipurpose rooms and halls are connected to one another by narrow corridors. Turkey’s Cappadocia region is famous for its subterranean safe cities carved from soft tuff. These underground cities, which are among the most interesting cultural richness of Cappadocia, take tourists from all over the world on a mysterious journey every year. The underground cities in Cappadocia, interconnected by corridors, were used as hiding places by Christians in the 7th century. These subterranean cities were self-sufficient cities with granaries, stables, rooms, kitchens and ventilation systems. The most famous underground cities uncovered until now around Cappadocia are found in Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Tatlarin, Ozkonak, Mazi and Ozluce. Derinkuyu Underground City and Kaymakli Underground City were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Pigeon Valley, Uchisar KasabasI Nevşehir Kapadokya, Goreme 50240 Turkey
The visit to the Valley of Guvercinlik is an excellent idea. Distance 4 kilometres to Goreme from Uchisar. There was insufficient land for agriculture for local residents of this area. They wanted to farm with high-energy lava fertiliser and dug many lava lavas at the slopes of the valley. They open the lava bucket once a year and gather the fertiliser from the pigeon bird. The most beautiful shape of the valley is the top of Uchisar ‘s historic castle. Well, Guvercinlik Valley, that famous for its colourful hot air balloons, is one of the best places to visit in Cappadocia. Every year millions of tourists visit the area and dream of visiting Cappadocia as a city of fantasy and legend. Yes, your dreams will come true here in this lovely region. The Guvercinlik Valley is combined with the interesting history and history of the Guvercinlik Valley which is named after a pigeon and which, from the past to the present, continues to be called “Pigeon.”
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Your accommodation will be provided in one of the iconic cave style traditional Cappadocian hotels for tonight.
Day 3: Ihlara Valley – Sinasos Greek Village – Cappadocia Home Cooking
Stop At: Ihlara Valley, Guzelyurt 68500 Turkey
Our day starts with one of the best landmarks in our region. That’s Ihlara Valley. The Melendiz River, at lhlara, has eroded the banks into an impressive canyon. Byzantine rock chapels covered with frescoes pierce the canyon walls. Some of the best known are the Agacalti (Daniel) Church, theYilanli (Apocalypse) Church and the SumbulIu (Hyacinth)Church. Guzelyurt is another valley with dwellings dating from prehistoric times. You can see the beautiful silhouette of Mt. Hasan rising like a crown above the town. The valley’s underground cities, buildings carved into the rock, interesting vernacular architecture, churches, chapels and mosques embody all of the characteristics of Cappadocia and give visitors a sense of historical continuity. A popular tourist destination, Guzelyurt’s hospitable residents, extensive accommodation and restaurants ensure a pleasant stay. You will love this region.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mustafapaşa, Ürgüp/Nevşehir, Turkey
The churches of St. Theodore and Pancarlık in Ürgüp have been decorated with a good amount of religious belief. The town of Sinasos (Mustafapasa) is six kilometres south of the town of Ürgüp, which is renowned for its splendid in stone. The chapel of St Basil has motifs that reflect the iconoclastic system of thought. Sinasos is a must-see old Greek town in the region.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Cappadocia Home Cooking, Ayvalı Köyü Yolu, 50400 Ayvalı/Ürgüp/Nevşehir, Turkey
Cappadocia Home Cooking School and Restaurant is a hidden gem in a small traditional village of Ayvali. A renovated and restored traditional stone arch house accommodates a cooking school run by a family. Owners are asking you to feel that their home is your home. The family proudly enjoy reflecting worldwide known Turkish hospitality and traditions. They only use organic fruits, vegetables and spices grown their very own garden. You just get to savour of this authentic Turkish food in their family restaurant, after they help you to prepare together! They are living in a traditional stone arch house of Cappadocia, which they are lovingly restored to accommodate family-run Home Cooking School. Don’t be surprised that the recipe is your lunch or dinner. What could be a better home away from home experience in this holy land? Join us!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Uchisar Castle, Uchisar Turkey
Uçhisar is first mentioned in a 14th-century chronicle by Aziz ibn Ardasir. The general area had been occupied much earlier, however. The Hittites may have used the natural structures of the cliffs as refuges and strongholds against possible attacks. In the seventh century AD, the Byzantines created a ‘buffer zone’ in the area against Islamic expansion. The nature of the terrain was conducive to defence, while the camouflage of the buildings provided an improved defence against attackers. After their conquest of the region, the Muslims also made use of the defensive possibilities of the area, creating small centres with caravanserais in the region. Today, for those who climb the steps to the top of the Uchisar Fortress, the whole region unfolds below. Rugs and kilims, and popular souvenirs can easily be purchased from the shops which line Uchisar’s narrow streets.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Derinkuyu Underground City – Pottery Workshop in Avanos
Stop At: Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri, Derinkuyu Turkey
Derinkuyu, one of the deepest, most extensive and amazing underground cities of Cappadocia, was discovered in 1966 during an excavation. This underground city has eight levels and lots of secret corridors. The floors include the churches, kitchens, places to tie up prisoners, sections for animals. Turkey’s Cappadocia region is famous for its subterranean safe cities carved from soft tuff. These underground cities, which are among the most interesting cultural richness of Cappadocia, take tourists from all over the world on a mysterious journey every year. The underground cities in Cappadocia, interconnected by corridors, were used as hiding places by Christians in the 7th century. These subterranean cities were self-sufficient cities with granaries, stables, rooms, kitchens and ventilation systems. Derinkuyu Underground City and Kaymakli Underground City were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Avanos Carsi Seramik, Ataturk Cad. Hukumet Konagi Karsisi, Avanos Turkey
Are you ready for an extraordinary experience? You will be a student and your teacher will teach you how to make pottery from a piece of red clay. Avanos, located 18 km from Nevšehir, is famous since the Hittite era for its traditional pottery. Now take up your position behind the wheel if you wish to give it a try. But before you do that, don’t forget to wear your protective apron. What happens next is totally up to your hands’ skills, and your imagination. The nearby Master potters will give you their support, and maybe give you a few pointers, some hints and tips while you are trying to keep the clay steady. You will see and examine what kind of rocket science you deal with. It surely won’t be as easy as it seems. When you leave, do not forget to take an example or two of the work of the artisans as a memento of your time you spend or a battle per se.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport, Tuzköyü, Nevşehir Kapadokya Havaalanı Girişi, 50900 Gülşehir/Nevşehir, Turkey
Transfer to the airport in Kayseri or Nevsehir and end of our service.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
