Full-Day Private Ihlara Valley Hiking Adventure
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
In this special tour we have prepared for walking tour lovers, you will walk in the valley for 14 km with beside Melendiz River and visit the churches.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
The stunning and lush Ihlara Valley boasts the deepest gorge in Asia Minor. Once the home of monks who instructed Christianity in cave churches with most of the churches decorated inside with frescoes. The main difference between Ihlara and the other Cappadocian valleys in the village of Ihlara and paints the gorge beautiful shades of blue and green. The total length of the valley is 14 km. Starting from the beginning of the valley and walking along the river until Selime Monastery.
Options
Full-Day Private Ihlara Valley Hiking Adventure
Pickup included
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
All enterances fees
Lunch
Professional Tour Guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Stunning private hike through the Ihlara Valley — highly recommended
Mark G,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Booked a private full-day Ihlara Valley hike through Viator and it was a fantastic day out. Booking was easy and the team were quick to respond on WhatsApp. Transfers both ways were in a comfortable Mercedes Vito — worth knowing the valley is about 70 minutes from Uchisar. Our guide Görkan was excellent: hugely knowledgeable about the 6th–11th century cave churches and their beautifully preserved paintings, the history of Christianity in the valley, and even the local plant life (wild asparagus, pistachio, apricots and more). The walk was just under 13 km and mostly flat, with a few stair climbs to the churches. The first stretch is busier; the quieter second half along the river is the highlight, finishing at the dramatic monastery and fairy chimneys. Our favourite part of the hike was the second half, much quieter and unspoilt. The car picks you up at the half way point to transport you to/from lunch. Tip: bring Turkish lira in cash for cafés and tips. Highly recommended — ask for Görkan!
Informative friendly and fabulous
TheFlyingCrackpot,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Enas was extremely knowledgeable and forthcoming with answering all questions. He was very inclusive and thoughtful about the small details. Having a passionate friendly guide made our full day tour thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you so very much from 2 Australian and 2 Balinese women !!!!
Great experience! Full hike of the open section of Ihlara
Swastik A,May 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was awesome. Gave me a full tour with the history of the valley and the surrounding area and took me to several cave houses and churches. High quality vehicle used for transfers as well.
Great day hiking in Ilhara Valley
Z3778XDesthers,Apr 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Full-day private hiking adventure in the Ihlara Valley It was great! Picked up on time and drove to Ilhara. Walked the entire valley (canyon) along the river. Super beautiful. Delicious lunch about 1/3 of the way. Guide Anil was very friendly. I liked that there was also room to just walk at your own pace. Unfortunately, 2 of the 3 rock churches we were going to visit were unexpectedly closed (due to renovation and due to the danger of falling stones - the guide or organization cannot do anything about that). The rock church we visited was beautiful with frescoes. At the end there was some confusion because I assumed that we would also enter the monastery of Selime, but the guide said otherwise. The description says hike untill the monastry of Selime and all entrances and fees included. According to the guide and his inquiries with the organization, entering the monastery was no longer included in the tour. I assumed so and I also find it illogical that you walk to the monastery and the entrance is included in the entrance ticket to the Ilhara Valley, so you cannot enter. Fortunately, Anil (the guide) understood my disappointment and because the entrance was indeed already included with the Ilhara ticket, he waited downstairs while I was allowed to tour inside. I was very happy with that because it would be a shame to miss it when you are at the door. I thought it was a great day and if you like a long walk I would definitely recommend it! The terrain is not difficult, rather easy to walk on. If, like me, you also have the Selime Monastery on your to-see list, I would inquire about this first to avoid disappointments. It is also possible that the description text will be adjusted slightly so that it is clearer that entering the monastery is not part of it. But then again, I actually think it makes more sense to include it in the tour because you walk all the way to it and the entrance is already there. Incl is in the ilhara valley ticket. But definitely recommended and with the Selime Monastery included, absolutely fantastic! Thank you Anil for a beautiful day!
Excellent!
protagonist912,Dec 6, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was my first time visiting Cappadocia the Tourist guide Cenghiz Khan was amazing.. he explained history of Turks civilisation so comprehensively, that I must admire his honesty with his job. Very polite person and your was interesting and amazing. I highly recommend them 👍🏼 Good Luck!
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Operated by MyTrip Travel & Turkey Tours