Tekelli is a fantastic base for exploring Cappadocia’s highlights, with a variety of tours that cater to different interests and pacing. Whether you want to see the famous fairy chimneys, explore underground cities, or wander along river valleys, Tekelli offers enough options to keep you busy. We particularly enjoy the Cappadocia Red Tour+Underground City for its comprehensive approach, covering key sites with expert guides and ending with an underground adventure—perfect if you want a balanced taste of history and scenery. The Cappadocia Highlights Tour is another excellent choice for a quick, well-rounded overview, especially if you’re short on time.
If you’re after a more immersive experience, the Ihlara Valley, Kaymakli, & Selime Monastery Tour provides a deeper dive into the natural landscapes and ancient structures. For a full day exploring various facets of Cappadocia’s unique geology and culture, the Green Tour combines history, panoramic views, and local crafts. Each of these tours brings something different, ensuring that every traveler can find an experience suited to their interests and schedule.
Quick Overview
Our list features five top tours, each with its own focus and charm. From the comprehensive Red Tour+Underground City (see details here) to the more specialized Ihlara Valley & Monastery Tour (more info here), you’ll find options that explore underground cities, fairy chimneys, valleys, and historical sites. All tours include notable sites like Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum, and Pasabagi Fairy Chimneys. Pricing varies, but each offers a distinct experience for different budgets and time constraints.
Below, we break down each tour, highlighting what makes each one special and who it’s best suited for.
1. Cappadocia Red Tour+Underground City
For around 6.5 hours, the Cappadocia Red Tour+Underground City offers an all-in-one introduction to the region’s most iconic sights. This tour covers Zelve Open Air Museum, Love Valley, and Avanos, with plenty of opportunities for photos and walking. It ends with an exploration of the Özkonak Underground City, which adds a fascinating underground dimension to your trip. The tour includes convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off, which makes getting around hassle-free.
What makes this tour stand out is its well-rounded itinerary, touching on both surface and subterranean attractions. The guided visits of Pasabag (known for its fairy chimneys) and Zelve are highlights, especially for first-time visitors. The underground city tour at the end provides a cool contrast to the open-air sites, emphasizing the ingenuity of ancient Cappadocians. Reviews often praise the smooth logistics and knowledgeable guides, making this a popular choice for those who want a complete overview.
This trip is perfect if you want to see many top sights in one day without sacrificing depth. It’s especially good for travelers who appreciate a busy schedule that covers major attractions with ease.
Bottom Line: A balanced, well-organized tour ideal for first-timers seeking a full Cappadocian experience.
2. Cappadocia Highlights Tour Underground City+Open Air Museum
This tour is designed to cover the best of Cappadocia in one day with a focus on both history and scenic views. It visits Uchisar Castle, the Kaymakli Underground City, and the Goreme Open Air Museum—a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring rock-cut churches and chapels. The tour also takes in the Goreme Panorama for a sweeping view of fairy chimneys and the whimsical Love Valley and Devrent Valley for their unusual rock formations.
What sets this tour apart is its inclusion of a pottery workshop in Avanos, where you can see local artisans at work—from wheel-throwing to glazing—and even try your hand at pottery making. Lunch is included, making it a convenient day out. The guide’s commentary is often praised as engaging and informative, adding context to the sights.
Costing about $47 per person, this tour offers excellent value for a full day of sightseeing, especially considering the entrance fees and included activities. It’s well-suited for travelers who want a comprehensive snapshot and enjoy cultural experiences like pottery.
Bottom Line: A well-priced, activity-packed tour perfect for those who want history, scenery, and local crafts in one day.
3. Cappadocia: Ihlara Valley, Kaymakli, & Selime Monastery Tour
This 6-hour guided tour takes you off the beaten path into the lush Ihlara Valley, where a gentle hike follows a river through towering cliffs dotted with ancient cave churches. It also includes a visit to Kaymakli Underground City and the impressive Selime Monastery, carved into rock at the end of the valley. The tour begins with a pickup from Uçhisar, Göreme, or Ürgüp, making logistics straightforward.
What makes this trip stand out is its focus on natural beauty and less crowded sites. The Ihlara Valley walk is a highlight, offering a chance to enjoy peaceful scenery and see rock-cut chapels. The pottery workshop in a local village gives an authentic touch, allowing you to learn about craftsmanship firsthand. The Uchisar Castle visit offers panoramic views that top off the day.
Guests appreciate the personalized feel, though the reviews note the tour is more physically active than some others, so it’s best for those comfortable with walking. For $59 per person, this tour provides a good balance of scenery, history, and local culture.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers interested in a mix of nature, history, and crafting, with an active pace.
4. Cappadocia: Green Tour, Underground City w/ Ticket and Lunch
Spanning about 7 to 8 hours, the Green Tour is a comprehensive exploration of Cappadocia’s highlights, including Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabagi Fairy Chimneys, and Devrent Valley. The tour also features a delicious open buffet lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant and visits to a pottery workshop in Avanos.
This tour is distinguished by its extensive itinerary and inclusion of entrance tickets and lunch, making it a good value considering the full day of sightseeing. The Uchisar Castle offers stunning panoramic views, while the Goreme Open Air Museum immerses you in ancient rock-cut churches. The Pasabagi Valley showcases iconic fairy chimneys, and Devrent Valley offers quirky, animal-shaped rocks.
The tour has a solid reputation, with many visitors rating it 4.4 out of 5. It’s especially suited for travelers who want a thorough overview of Cappadocia’s top sites with comfortable transportation. The main drawback is the longer day, which might be tiring for some.
Bottom Line: A great choice for a full, well-organized day with all major sights covered and included meals.
5. Cappadocia: Red Tour, Underground City with Ticket and Lunch
The Red Tour with Ticket and Lunch is similar to the first but adds the convenience of entrance fees included and a traditional Turkish buffet lunch. This 6 to 7-hour tour takes in Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabagi Valley, Avanos, and Devrent Valley.
This tour’s focus is on highlights, combining natural rock formations with historical sites. The guided visits are detailed, with ample time at each location to absorb the scenery and history. The inclusion of tickets and a hearty lunch makes it stand out as a good deal for travelers who prefer an all-in-one package avoiding extra costs.
Rated 4.4 out of 5, reviewers mention the tour’s friendly guides and smooth organization. It’s best suited for travelers who want a reliable, full-day experience without the hassle of booking separate entrance tickets or meals.
Bottom Line: A convenient, value-packed option for exploring Cappadocia’s essential sights comfortably.
How to Choose
Picking the right tour depends largely on your interests and schedule. If you want a rundown that hits all major sights, the Red Tour+Underground City is ideal. For those interested in natural beauty and less crowded sites, the Ihlara Valley & Monastery Tour offers a more active and scenic day. Budget travelers might prefer the Highlights Tour, which includes a pottery workshop and panoramic views.
Consider your fitness level, especially for the Ihlara Valley walk, and whether you prefer all-inclusive packages like the Green or Red Tours (which include tickets and meals), or if you want to pay as you go. Book early, especially in peak months, to secure the best times and availability.
The Sum Up
Tekelli offers a diverse selection of tours and experiences that cater to all types of travelers—from those seeking a quick snapshot to those craving a full immersion into Cappadocia’s landscapes and history. The Red Tour+Underground City and the Green Tour stand out as top picks for their thoroughness and value, while niche options like the Ihlara Valley trip appeal to those eager for a more active adventure.
Whatever your choice, booking your tour early ensures you won’t miss out on these memorable experiences. Whether you’re after panoramic views, underground mysteries, or local crafts, Tekelli makes a perfect base to explore this captivating region.