Compare independent travel and the Green Tour
| Plan | Route outline | You need to arrange |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Göreme to a valley entrance, walk, Belisırma and optionally Selime | Vehicle, ticket, walking direction, endpoint pickup and return |
| Green Tour | Kaymaklı, Ihlara walk to Belisırma, lunch and Selime | Date, pickup hotel and whether the walk suits your group |
The 85 km is a rough road distance, not an official measurement; the exact figure depends on which entrance and road you choose. The Ministry describes the valley itself as 14 km long. You do not walk all of that on our tour. The 3.5–4 km is the planned section of the Green Tour itinerary.
What the walk is like
On the Green Tour you walk a section beside the Melendiz River toward Belisırma. At 3.5–4 km it is a proper walk, not a short viewpoint stop. The path is not a city pavement: surfaces and slopes vary, and the weather changes how it feels. Wear walking shoes, carry water and think about your knees, stamina and the needs of anyone travelling with you.
The Ministry describes Ihlara as a canyon formed from volcanic layers and eroded by the Melendiz River, with churches and historic spaces along the valley. The river setting is very different from Cappadocia's central fairy chimneys, and it is a good choice if you want a longer nature walk with historic sites on the way.
Distance alone does not tell you how a walk feels. Going down into a valley and following its floor can take more effort than a flat road of the same length. If you are unsure, ask us about the planned section and where you can rest, and check the tour page for the walking plan.
Ticket and official hours
These are summer hours; winter hours are shorter — check the official page before you go.
The Ministry tariff lists Ihlara Valley at €15 for foreign visitors. The site opens at 08:30 and closes at 17:00, with the ticket office closing at 16:15. The main entrance is gate No. 2. Rates, hours and access can change, so check the Ministry page before you go.
Our Green Tour includes the Ihlara Valley ticket, as well as Kaymaklı Underground City; Selime needs no extra ticket. If you go on your own, follow the ticket-office or e-ticket instructions; another site's ticket or pass does not cover Ihlara.
Belisırma and Selime are different stops
Belisırma is a village and access point along the valley route. The Green Tour reaches it at the end of the planned walk and has lunch there. Selime is a separate monastery and rock-cut complex near the far end of the wider valley. It is not another name for the village, and it is not where the tour's walk ends.
The Ministry describes the valley as extending through Belisırma, Yaprakhisar and Selime. On an independent day, decide which entrance you will use and whether you will finish where you parked. A one-way walk needs a plan for getting back. Confirm the route with the signs or local staff rather than improvising at the far end.
Green Tour versus arranging it yourself
The Green Tour combines Kaymaklı Underground City, the valley walk, lunch in Belisırma and Selime. It picks you up between 09:30 and 10:20 in Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp, Avanos or Nevşehir; we send the exact time for your hotel the day before. You pay in cash on the day.
The itinerary also names onyx and leather workshop stops, each with no obligation to buy. The main advantage is that the long transfers, the sequence of stops and the valley-to-village logistics are arranged together. You still need to decide whether the walk suits your group.
Going independently works if you want your own pace, a different entrance or more time in the canyon. You plan the road journey, buy admission, arrange for your car or driver to meet you at the end of the walk and allow time for Selime if you add it. We do not give a driving time, because it depends on your route, the traffic and where you start.
Plan your route before leaving
Check the official hours and entry instructions first. Choose the valley entrance and the end point, then decide how you will get back to your vehicle. If you have a driver, agree where and when to meet before you start walking. If you plan to see Selime, check its hours and allow time for the road transfer. Carry water and a phone map, but follow the site signs where they differ.
Some visitors prefer a guided day because it means fewer separate decisions. Others like a self-drive day where they set the pace. Neither is right for everyone: compare the itinerary, the walking distance and how much driving you are comfortable with.
Before you book or drive
Check the Ministry's Ihlara page for visitor information and the Ministry e-ticket portal (official ticket prices) for the fee. Compare the shared Green Tour with the private Green Tour, and browse all Cappadocia tours. For a wider choice of routes, see Red, Green or South: which Cappadocia tour?.
Preparing for a longer valley walk
Think of the walk as part of a full-day outing. Comfortable shoes, sun protection and drinking water help on uneven outdoor paths, and a light layer is useful if the weather changes. Check the weather and any notices at the site before you set off. If anyone in your party has limited mobility, knee pain or trouble with steps, ask us about the route and rest stops before you book. Remember that the Green Tour covers a shorter 3.5–4 km section, not the full 14 km of the valley.
On your own, keep the car and the walk aligned. If your route ends somewhere other than where you started, arrange a pickup or a way back before you begin. Ask your driver where they will wait and how you will contact them. Confirm the entrance and ticket office hours too, because arriving after ticket sales close can spoil the day. The same applies to Selime: check its entry arrangements and the transfer time before you leave, not once you reach Belisırma.
The guided option takes care of those logistics by combining the long transfers and the sequence of stops, but it follows a set schedule. Read the walking description and the workshop stops in advance. If your group needs more time or a shorter path, ask us before you reserve. Route names differ between Cappadocia providers, so go by the named places in the itinerary, not just the word Green.