Private Full-Day Cappadocia Tour Including Goreme Open Air Museum
Göreme, Turkey
Trip Type: Private Sightseeing Tours
Duration: 1 day
Goreme is a district of the Nevşehir Province in Turkey. After the eruption of Mount Erciyes about 2,000 years ago, ash and lava formed soft rocks in the Cappadocia Region, covering a region of about 20,000 km2. The softer rock was eroded by wind and water, leaving the hard cap rock on top of pillars, forming the present-day fairy chimneys. People of Göreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period.
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Goreme is a district of the Nevşehir Province in Turkey. After the eruption of Mount Erciyes about 2,000 years ago, ash and lava formed soft rocks in the Cappadocia Region, covering a region of about 20,000 km2. The softer rock was eroded by wind and water, leaving the hard cap rock on top of pillars, forming the present-day fairy chimneys. People of Göreme, at the heart of the Cappadocia Region, realized that these soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post-iconoclastic period. These frescoes are a unique artistic achievement from this period.Be picked up from your hotel in Cappadocia.
Start the morning with a visit to Esentepe Panoramic view point, enjoy the picturesque landscape stretching in front of you while your guide will give you your first briefing on Cappadocia.
Continue on to the Kaymakli Underground City one of the many such settlements which early Christians used as shelters to hide from their enemies. After this unique Underground adventure we will stop by Uchisar Castle a natural Rock Hill which was used as a fortress during the Roman periods. In and around the Hill are Cave and Pigeon Houses carved in the Rock which gives it a very unique look. Uchisar Castle is also an important sight in terms of it being the highest point in Cappadocia.
Next, stop at Pigeon Valley view point to enable you to take some great photographs before continuing to Goreme Open Air Museum.
Goreme Open Air Museum was once the Monastery settlement of the first Christians in Cappadocia, here Christianity blossomed and some of the Cave Churches which are displaying awesome Frescos can be seen here along with the living quarters with kitchens and dining rooms.
Lunch will be served in an authentic Cave Restaurant in Avanos.
Avanos is a Pottery Village where since the Hittite periods (2000BC) locals still use this tradition of their Ancestors.
Have the opportunity to learn more about this tradition which is applied on a kick wheel as used by the Hittite. After the Pottery demonstration at a family run workshop, continue to Pashabagi.
Pashabagi is also known as Monks Valley, another monastic settlement where you can see the Hermit Cells and Churches built by the Monks in these 3 headed Pinnacles symbolic of the Holy Trinity, Also at Pashabagi, you can see how the fairy Chimneys were formed over this time. Drive on to Devrent Valley, Imagination Valley, and the most surreal landscape in the region, stop at the famous Fairy Chimneys where the family of fairies are waiting to greet you.
The last optional stop will be at a famous Local wine Factory to sample this delicious sacred drink from the Hittite periods.
After your tour, you will be returned to your departure point.
Start the morning with a visit to Esentepe Panoramic view point, enjoy the picturesque landscape stretching in front of you while your guide will give you your first briefing on Cappadocia.
Continue on to the Kaymakli Underground City one of the many such settlements which early Christians used as shelters to hide from their enemies. After this unique Underground adventure we will stop by Uchisar Castle a natural Rock Hill which was used as a fortress during the Roman periods. In and around the Hill are Cave and Pigeon Houses carved in the Rock which gives it a very unique look. Uchisar Castle is also an important sight in terms of it being the highest point in Cappadocia.
Next, stop at Pigeon Valley view point to enable you to take some great photographs before continuing to Goreme Open Air Museum.
Goreme Open Air Museum was once the Monastery settlement of the first Christians in Cappadocia, here Christianity blossomed and some of the Cave Churches which are displaying awesome Frescos can be seen here along with the living quarters with kitchens and dining rooms.
Lunch will be served in an authentic Cave Restaurant in Avanos.
Avanos is a Pottery Village where since the Hittite periods (2000BC) locals still use this tradition of their Ancestors.
Have the opportunity to learn more about this tradition which is applied on a kick wheel as used by the Hittite. After the Pottery demonstration at a family run workshop, continue to Pashabagi.
Pashabagi is also known as Monks Valley, another monastic settlement where you can see the Hermit Cells and Churches built by the Monks in these 3 headed Pinnacles symbolic of the Holy Trinity, Also at Pashabagi, you can see how the fairy Chimneys were formed over this time. Drive on to Devrent Valley, Imagination Valley, and the most surreal landscape in the region, stop at the famous Fairy Chimneys where the family of fairies are waiting to greet you.
The last optional stop will be at a famous Local wine Factory to sample this delicious sacred drink from the Hittite periods.
After your tour, you will be returned to your departure point.
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