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Itinerary
Pick up from hotel at 9:30am.
The tour begins with a visit to Pigeon valley which is a large panorama valley continuing to Uchisar. Still pigeons live in the hole of the cave, then visit the underground city of Derinkuyu, the largest and the deepest underground city in Cappadocia. We will travel down 8 levels.
After that continue to the Nar lake which lies in a crater. Water turtles and ducks can be observed. Then to the Ihlara valley which is the largest, deepest and the longest canyon in Cappadocia. The valley is like a paradise with its beautiful nature and rocks. Some animals like sheep belong to local people can be observed. We hike about 3km beside the river in Ihlara valley, then stop for lunch in Belisirma. We will continue to Selime for taking pictures by the pinnacles where some of the filming of “Star Wars” was located. Then drive back to hotel.
The volcanic eruption of Hasandagi led to tectonic movements that left the surface of the region covered with a layer of volcanic rock. Here's one of the best day excursions in Cappadocia: the underground cities (Kaymaklý or Derinkuyu), the former Ottoman-Greek town of Guzelyurt, and the dramatic Ihlara valley with its dozens of painted Byzantine churches from the 11th to 13th centuries.
The Ihlara valley has protected these rock-cut dwellings ad churches with frescoes and they are a unique historical treasury. These frescoed churches and dwellings easily carved into rock from the early years of Christianity are scattered all along the way from Ihlara to Selime through the Ihlara valley.
Ihlara valley has been formed at an approximate depth of 150 due to the erosion made by Melendiz river coming from the mountains of Melendiz to the volcanic rocks. The richness of the watering and its hidden form are easily to hide the structure; it was the first settlement place of the first Christians escaping from the Roman soldiers In the Ihlara valley. There are hundreds of antic churches caved in the volcanic rocks.
The most known Ihlara valley churches are Agacalti Church with cross plan, Sümbüllü Church, Pürenliseki Church, Kokar Church, Yilanli Church, Karagedik Church, Kirkdamatli Church, Direkli Church, Ala Church, Kemerli Church and Egritas Church.
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