The Cappadocia Red Tour, often referred to as the North Tour, is a popular full-day sightseeing excursion designed to introduce visitors to some of the most iconic natural wonders and historical sites in the northern part of Cappadocia. An expert local guide will accompany you, providing fascinating insights into the region's unique geology, history, and culture.
Tour Itinerary & Highlights:
- Hotel Pick-up: You will be conveniently picked up from your hotel in Urgup or Goreme by your tour guide to commence the tour.
- Göreme Panorama: The first stop offers a magnificent panoramic view, showcasing the stunning landscape around Göreme. This is an ideal spot to grasp the unique geological formations of Cappadocia, including its famous fairy chimneys and cave dwellings.
- Uçhisar Castle: Explore Uçhisar Castle, a towering rock formation that served as a natural fortress. Many rooms hollowed out into the rock are connected by stairs, tunnels, and passages, revealing the ingenuity of early inhabitants.
- Göreme Open-Air Museum: A highlight of the tour, this UNESCO World Heritage site is an outdoor complex of monasteries and rock-cut churches. You'll explore ancient cave churches adorned with remarkably well-preserved frescoes and paintings dating back to the Byzantine era, offering a profound glimpse into early Christian monastic life.
- Paşabağ (Monks Valley): Witness the fascinating mushroom-shaped rock formations, also known as fairy chimneys, at Paşabağ. This valley is particularly famous for its multi-capped chimneys, where hermits once sought refuge. Your guide will explain their geological formation and historical significance.
- Avanos & Pottery Workshop: Visit Avanos, a charming town renowned for its pottery and ceramic handicrafts, a tradition dating back millennia. You'll have the opportunity to visit a local pottery workshop, observe skilled artisans at work, and even try your hand at making your own pottery.
- Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley): The tour's final major stop is Devrent Valley, famous for its unique landscape where natural rock formations resemble various animals and objects. It's a place to let your imagination run wild as you identify shapes like a camel, dolphins, and more.
Optional Shopping Stops:
The tour often includes visits to local workshops where you can observe traditional crafts and potentially purchase souvenirs:
- Carpet Weaving Village
- Leather Factory
- Pottery workshops
- Onyx Demonstration