Full-day Blue Tour featuring a 4 km hike through Rose and Red Valleys with pink and orange rock formations, the abandoned cliff village of Çavuşin with the Church of St. John the Baptist, Kaymaklı or Özkonak Underground City, and Love Valley viewpoint. Lunch included.
From EUR75
Duration: 7–8 hours
The Cappadocia Blue Tour takes visitors off the standard circuit and into the quieter, more scenic hiking valleys and lesser-visited villages of the region. Operated daily by a TURSAB-licensed agency (licence 14270, established 2020, over 20,000 guests per year), this full-day tour combines a 4-kilometre valley hike through Rose Valley and Red Valley, the atmospheric abandoned village of Çavuşin, an underground city exploration at Kaymaklı or Özkonak, and the distinctive Love Valley viewpoint. The Blue Tour is the route of choice for visitors who have already done the Red and Green tours, or for those who prefer hiking and natural scenery over monument-heavy itineraries.
The day begins at Love Valley, one of Cappadocia's most recognizable viewpoints. The valley is named for its tall, narrow fairy chimneys that rise from the valley floor in columnar formations. These pillars, some reaching 30 to 40 meters in height, were formed by volcanic tuff erosion over millions of years. The morning light at Love Valley creates long shadows and warm tones that make it one of the best early-morning photography spots in the region. The viewpoint is easily accessible from a paved pullover, requiring no hiking to reach.
The core of the Blue Tour is the Rose Valley and Red Valley hike, approximately 4 kilometres of trail through two connected valleys that together form one of Cappadocia's most spectacular walking routes. Rose Valley is named for the pink hue of its rock walls, caused by the mineral composition of the volcanic tuff. As the trail continues into Red Valley, the rock colour shifts to deeper orange and rust tones. The geological explanation is straightforward: different layers of volcanic ash, deposited by eruptions of ancient volcanoes including Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan, contain different concentrations of iron oxide and other minerals, which produce the range of colours visible in the valley walls.
The trail follows a winding path through the valley floor, passing through narrow corridors between towering rock walls, emerging into open clearings, and occasionally climbing gentle slopes to ridge lines that offer sweeping views in both directions. Along the route, the guide stops at several cave churches carved into the rock face. These small churches, most dating to the 9th through 11th centuries, contain frescoes in varying states of preservation. Some are remarkably intact, with vivid depictions of saints and biblical scenes painted directly onto the smoothed rock surface. Others show only faded outlines, their pigments eroded by centuries of exposure. The churches were part of a network of monastic communities that flourished in these valleys during the Byzantine period, choosing the natural protection and seclusion that the canyon walls provided.
The hike takes approximately two hours at a comfortable pace, with frequent stops for the guide to explain the geology, point out cave church entrances, and allow time for photography. The terrain is uneven in places, with some rocky sections and moderate elevation changes, but no technical climbing is required. Sturdy walking shoes with good grip are recommended, and bringing additional water beyond what is provided is wise, especially in the warmer months from May through September.
After the hike, the tour visits Çavuşin, a village built into and around a massive rock cliff face. The lower part of Çavuşin is a living village with houses and shops, but the upper section — the old village — was abandoned in the 1960s after rockfalls made it unsafe for habitation. The abandoned cliff settlement is a striking sight: doorways and windows carved into the rock face at various levels, connected by crumbling staircases and narrow paths. The Church of St. John the Baptist (also known as the Great Pigeon House Church or Çavuşin Church) sits within this abandoned area. Dating to the 5th century, it is one of the oldest known churches in Cappadocia. Its frescoes, though heavily damaged by time and exposure, include scenes from the life of Christ and depictions of Cappadocian saints. The church provides valuable archaeological evidence of early Christian worship practices in the region.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant in the area, featuring traditional Cappadocian cuisine. The meal typically includes soup, a main course of grilled meat or a regional stew, rice or bulgur, salad and fresh bread. Vegetarian options are available when requested at booking.
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring an underground city — either Kaymaklı or Özkonak, depending on crowd conditions on the day. Both are multi-level subterranean settlements carved from the soft volcanic tuff, used as shelter by local populations during invasions and raids from antiquity through the Byzantine period. Kaymaklı is among the most visited underground cities in the region, with four of its estimated eight levels open to the public. Visitors descend through narrow tunnels connecting living quarters, kitchens, wine cellars, storage rooms and a church. Ventilation shafts, some extending 70 to 80 meters to the surface, provided fresh air to the deepest levels. Rolling stone doors allowed defenders to seal individual passages. Özkonak, smaller and less touristed, offers a more intimate experience with similar features including a communication system of holes between levels that allowed residents to pass messages and supplies.
The Blue Tour returns to hotels between 15:45 and 16:30, with total tour duration of 7 to 8 hours. Group size is limited to 15 guests, keeping the valley hike relaxed and the underground city visit manageable. The guide provides continuous geological, historical and cultural commentary throughout the day, making connections between the volcanic landscape, the people who settled in it, and the religious and survival architecture they carved from the rock.
This tour requires moderate fitness due to the 4-kilometre valley hike on uneven terrain. It is suitable for visitors aged 7 and above who are comfortable walking for two hours with some ups and downs. The underground city visit involves narrow tunnels and low ceilings that may not be comfortable for visitors with claustrophobia.