Cappadocia is one of the most important places to visit in Turkey with its unique atmosphere. The landforms of Cappadocia that have been formed over the centuries are unique in the world. Cappadocia, which covers a very large area, includes a few cities. It is recommended to take a private guided tour of Cappadocia to get to know such a special place.
In this article, I will introduce you to the places you can see on a private tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Of course, it may take even a week to visit Cappadocia fully. However, we will reference a tour of 3 nights and 4 days.
BarefootPlus Travel has been organizing private guided tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia since 2004. In this article, you can see the details of BarefootPlus Travel’s Cappadocia in Depth tour.
However, this is not the only tour option related to Cappadocia. There is also Cappadocia Patchwork tour for 3 days and Cappadocia Love tour for 2 days. If your time is limited, you can also choose the Cappadocia in Brief tour, which promises a day trip to Cappadocia.
These tours from Istanbul to Cappadocia can be organized in two ways. The first is budget tours where you can participate in small group tours. The second is private tours organized just for you. Traveling with a private tour guide in Cappadocia gives you the opportunity to move on your own pace and get more information.
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Private Guided Cappadocia Tour in 2022
There are valleys, underground cities and hills to visit on a private guided tour of Cappadocia. The Fairy Chimneys, formed over thousands of years by the erosion of the wind, are breathtaking.
In this article, I will be introducing you the Cappadocia in Depth tour, which will allow you to understand the history of Cappadocia in all its aspects. However, if you do not have four days to travel to Cappadocia, you can review other tour options in the bottom lines of the article.
We have listed the things to do in Cappadocia under 12 headings. These include places to see and things to do on the first time in Cappadocia. As I mentioned before, this itinerary can be booked both by participating in a small group tour or as a private tour.
1. Devrent Valley
The most important feature of Devrent Valley is that the fairy chimneys here have very interesting shapes. These shapes that stimulate people’s imagination resemble various animal and human figures.
The camel-like fairy chimney in Devrent Valley is the most famous of these. But there is another fairy chimney that looks like a praying nun with open hands towards the sky. Some people liken this figure to the Virgin Mary.
2. Monks Valley
Monks Valley (aka Pasabag Valley) was the place of those who wanted to leave earthly life and retreat in the Byzantine period.
Most of the monks who lived here were inspired by the life of Simeon Stylites. Simeon, who lived in the 5th century, made a breakthrough in monasticism and spent his life on a column.
There is also a church in the Monks Valley dedicated to Saint Simeon, an important figure in early Christian history.
3. Avanos
Avanos is a place with pottery workshops in Cappadocia. Thanks to the pottery presentations in Avanos, detailed information about this ancient art is given.
The history of pottery in Cappadocia goes back to the Hittite period. Pottery made with clay collected from the bed of the Red River helped people at that time to save food and survive famine.
4. Goreme Open Air Museum
Cappadocia holds a very important place in the history of early Christianity. Early Christians who escaped from the persecution of the Roman Empire lived in underground cities in Cappadocia and worshiped in churches carved into the rocks.
You can trace Christianity from the early period to the Middle Ages at the Goreme Open Air Museum. The churches named Buckle, Apple, Snake, Dark and Saint Barbara give us many clues about the history of Christianity.
Goreme Open Air Museum is the last stop on the first day of the private guided tour of Cappadocia.
5. Red Valley
The first place on the second day of the Cappadocia guided tour is the Red Valley (aka Kizilcukur Valley). This valley takes its name from the red pumice rocks. Offering a magnificent view as the sun sets, Red Valley is also known as the sunset point in Cappadocia.
6. Rose Valley
Rose Valley (aka Gulludere Valley) is part of a 4-kilometer hiking trail that begins with the previous Red Valley.
Rose Valley has a rich Christian heritage. The Church of Three Crosses and Ayvali Church built by the Christian communities that lived here are really worth seeing.
7. Cavusin Village
The trekking route, which starts from Goreme and continues through the Red and Rose valleys, ends at Cavusin Village. Cavusin Village is one of the oldest Christian settlements in Cappadocia.
Cavusin hosted Christians who were hiding from Roman soldiers and invaders. Cavusin Church and St. John the Baptist Church are among the places to see in this old village.
8. Pigeon Valley
After the Red and Rose Valley hike and Cavusin Village visit, a lunch break is given on the guided tour of Cappadocia.
After dinner, you set out for Pigeon Valley. This valley takes its name from the rocks that were home to pigeons. Locals feeding the pigeons used their eggs to create frescoes in rock churches.
9. Cappadocia Underground Cities
At the end of the second day, after visiting Pigeon Valley, the Kaymakli Underground City is visited from the two most important underground cities of Cappadocia.
The morning of the third day begins with a visit to another underground city. Derinkuyu Underground City has served as a refuge for locals for centuries. The locals who lived underground in times of war built a living space for themselves there.
10. Ihlara Valley
Ihlara Valley is among the most beautiful natural wonders in Cappadocia. The 14-kilometer valley, formed by the Melendiz River eroding soft rocks, was a paradise for medieval Christians.
Frescoes in the rock churches in the valley are among the most important works of early Christian art. You will have to descend hundreds of steps to reach these churches in the Ihlara Valley, but it is definitely worth it.
It is recommended to visit the churches in Ihlara Valley with a private tour guide in Cappadocia. Some of the most important examples of early Christian art are here.
11. Selime Village
Selime Village is reached after a 4-kilometer hike in Ihlara Valley on a guided tour of Cappadocia. Selime Village is a world famous place thanks to the monastery complex inside.
Inside the monastery carved into the rocks, there is a religious school used for girls and boys in the Middle Ages. The Selime Monastery, which includes many chapels and a cathedral, takes you on a fascinating journey through history.
12. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour
On the 4th day of the Cappadocia tour, you have free time to explore the surroundings. Our suggestion is that you join the Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon tour on your last day.
Balloon tour is a must-do activity in Cappadocia. You can take amazing photos during this tour. As BarefootPlus, we offer two types of balloon tours. One of them is budget and the other is deluxe balloon tour.
You can book the Cappadocia hot air balloon tour as an extra when purchasing the Cappadocia in Depth tour from the agency. Thus, you will crown the private guided Cappadocia tour, which you have enjoyed for three days, with a magnificent activity.
Private Cappadocia Tours from Istanbul
BarefootPlus travel agency has been organizing private Cappadocia tours from Istanbul for about 16 years. The places I introduced in the first half of the article can be seen in the 4-day tour, the most comprehensive of these tours.
However, this is not the only option to join a guided tour in Cappadocia. There are 4, 3 and 2-day Cappadocia tours offered by BarefootPlus, as well as a daily Cappadocia tour from Istanbul.
1. Cappadocia in Depth Tour (4 Days)
Cappadocia in Depth Tour is the best option to discover the region. You can discover Cappadocia’s rock churches, valleys and unique landforms on this tour.
11 of the 12 titles listed at the beginning of the article are included in this tour. The last title, the hot air balloon tour, is considered an extra and must be booked separately.
2. Cappadocia Patchwork (3 Days)
Cappadocia Patchwork begins by visiting the Red and Rose valleys. Ihlara Valley and Cavusin Village are also visited. Kaymakli and Derinkuyu underground cities and Goreme Open Air Museum are also included in the program. Finally, Pigeon Valley, Avanos, Dervent and Monks Valley are also visited.
This itinerary is very close to the previous one, and what is missing is only the Selime Monastery and free time that can be enjoyed by participating in the balloon tour on the last day.
3. Cappadocia Love Tour (2 Days)
Cappadocia Love is a two-day tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia. The tour, which starts from Devrent Valley, includes the Zelve Open Air Museum, unlike other tours.
Cappadocia Love tour includes Kaymakli Underground City, Avanos and Goreme Open Air Museum. In addition, Cavusin Village, Red and Rose Valleys and Pigeon Valley are also visited.
4. Cappadocia in Brief (Day Tour)
Cappadocia in Brief is a tour program designed for those with limited time. It is a private guided tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
This tour includes Devrent Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum, Red Valley and Kaymakli Underground City.
You can have a general impression of Cappadocia on this private day tour. It is a concentrated tour that chooses the most important places that can be visited in a day.
Contact Us
BarefootPlus is a licensed travel agency founded in 2004. If you would like us to help you with your travel plans to Cappadocia, you can write us through CONTACT US page. We can organize a private guided tour from Istanbul to Cappadocia for you or arrange for you to join small group guided tours.
Ephesus is one of the most important places to see after visiting Cappadocia. If you are also curious about Ephesus tours, the blog post titled Ephesus guided tour may also interest you.
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