The Hidden Gems of Cappadocia The Red Valley Hiking and Underground City

About this tour

The most ideal approach to completely comprehend a place is by walking. Put on your boots and let’s go hiking in one of the most captivating valleys of Cappadocia. The RED VALLEY is a 2.5 mile (4km) one-way hike, where we’ll encounter astonishing, red-dominant rock formations that will transport you to another planet. During our hike, we will cross local farmers’ farmlands and, when it’s seasonally appropriate, we’ll have the chance to pick fresh fruit from trees. We’ll also explore churches inside caves and observe pigeon houses from the outside.

At the midpoint of the valley, we’ll take a break at a cave café. While delighting in the spectacular landscape, we’ll quench our thirst with fresh orange juice. When we finish the hike, our driver will meet us to head to the so-called ghost town (CAVUSIN VILLAGE). For centuries, locals lived inside the caves, finding places in suitable locations to form a communal life. Cavusin is a prime example of this. The village was inhabited until the 1960s, when it was evacuated due to erosion and an increasing population. Let’s explore the old town.

Once we’re finished exploring, we’ll travel to LUNCH PLACE to sample THE POTTERY KEBAB. It’s a meat stew that’s cooked for three hours in a seamless pot, and then served on your plate after the top is removed.

Our next stop is AVANOS, a town located alongside Turkey’s longest river. The town is renowned for its local art, including family-owned local pottery shops and carpet workshops. Are you interested in supporting the local crafts economy, or do you just want to learn about them? Let’s go inside and listen to carpet and kilim experts. After visiting the carpet place, we’ll drive to one of the largest underground cities. KAYMAKLI UNDERGROUND CITY is the largest among the excavated ones in the region. These unique shelters were used for thousands of years by different civilians for multiple reasons.

Our final stop is Ortahisar Town, where we’ll take in panoramic views of the castle and old town. Ortahisar Town is a must-see destination for its stunning views and rich history. The castle is an impressive sight with its unique architecture and commanding presence over the town. Additionally, the old town is a charming place to wander around, with its narrow streets and traditional buildings. We hope you enjoy this final stop on our journey.

SPECIAL NOTES

• For your safety and comfort, we highly recommend using sunscreen during the 2-hour hike (one way). Additionally, don’t forget to bring your hat during the summer season. Make sure to wear comfortable hiking or trekking shoes. Please note that this tour is not suitable for individuals with disabilities.
• The tour is private, so you can start it at any time of the day. However, please note that the tour guide and driver are only available until 4:00 pm/5:00 pm.
• Children under the age of 6 are free of charge, but please make sure to take their passports to declare their age at the entrance of the museums.