If you only have a few days in Cappadocia like I did, taking a tour can be the best way to get a feel for the area. The landscape in Cappadocia is so unique that I knew we had to take the Red Tour. The Red Tour takes you to so many different viewpoint to be able to experience the landscape up close.
What tour did we take?
We took this tour, which we booked through Viator. If you have never used Viator before, it is a 3rd party booking app that allows you to read other people’s reviews! I’ve used it for so many different day trips in the past and haven’t had any issues.
Cost: $32 USD per person which includes lunch and admission to the Goreme Open Air Museum
What did we see on the tour?
Stop #1: Goreme Panorama
This was our first stop of the day. It was an amazing viewpoint to be able to take in the landscape of the region as well as learn more about how these formations came to be.
Fairy chimneys: The fairy chimneys are the result of thousands of years of natural weathering. Millions of years ago, massive volcanoes erupted in the region, depositing huge volumes of ash, covering the entire landscape for thousands of miles. Gradually, this ash solidified into firm and porous rocks called tuff that were overlaid by layers of basalt. Exposed to the elements of nature via cracks in the basalt layer, the softer tuff underneath was washed out, leaving a cap of the basalt layer protecting a tall column of the softer tuff. Eventually, the leftover columns would also be washed away, causing the entire structure to crumble and fall. This eroding action of nature is seen only in a few places in the world and one of its most marvelous and spectacular results is visible as the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
Stop 2: Uchisar Castle
We then got a few minutes to check out the Uchisar Castle from afar. I couldn’t get over the structures. Each rock formation was more beautiful than the next.
Uchisar Castle history: The highest peak in the region and the most prominent land formation, the Üçhisar Castle is a larger-than-life sculpture. A climb up the 120 steps to the summit of the fortress is a logical introduction to the rocky scapes of Cappadocia. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Byzantine army took advantage of the natural elevation of three of the area’s rock formations and used them as natural fortresses. Üçhisar, together with Ortahisar and a rock castle at Ürgüp, provided the means for an early warning system using mirrors and lights, sending messages among the fortresses and as far afield as Istanbul. Today the outer layers of Üçhisar’s rock have been washed away by erosion to reveal a honeycombed structure of tunnels and cavities, rising above the man-made facades of the modern semi-troglodyte village. Recently discovered was a secret tunnel leading to the riverbed, which provided an emergency water supply in the event of an attack.
Stop #3: Pigeon Valley
Yes, pigeons are a big part of the history of this valley. The valley is named for the many pigeon houses or dovecotes carved into the rocks and cliffs. Years ago the pigeons were used as message carriers, and their droppings were used as fertilizer and maybe even for use in making explosives. If you had more time, you could even hike through this valley!
Stop #4: Ortahisar Castle Viewpoint
This was a great place to stop and relax for a few minutes while enjoying the Ortahisar Castle from afar. This is also the spot where you can enjoy a camel milk coffee. The coffee is heated in hot sand and then topped with some camel milk, served in a cute heart cup. The camel milk gives the coffee a sort of creamy, pistachio flavor.
Stop #5: Lunch
I failed to take a photo of lunch, but we stopped at a great local spot where we got a soup, salad and main entree!
Stop #6: Goreme Open Air Museum / Cappadocia Cave Dwellings
To end the tour, we stopped at my favorite stop of the trip. The Goreme Open Air Museum is full of churches. You have the opportunity to go inside them. A lot of them are just large, open rooms. Some of them are even black inside. You can also pay an additional fee to go inside the Dark Church, which is known for its vibrant frescos & vaulted ceilings. You aren’t allowed to take any photos inside the Dark Church as to preserve the colors in the church. Unfortunately, there will always be someone who doesn’t follow the rules. We saw a few people taking photos.
Overall, this was a great tour to learn more about the history of the rock formations in Cappadocia and to see some pretty beautiful structures!
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