On day 1, your professional guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel at 9:30 AM. The first stop is Esentepe, the impressive panoramic viewpoint overlooking Goreme. Here, your guide will give you information on the history of Cappadocia and the unique rock formations. Your next stop is the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will explain the meanings of the frescoes in the cave churches, decorated with scenes of the Old and New Testaments dating back to the 10th century. The site has been used as a monastery since the first years of Christianity. For lunch, visit a lovely restaurant in Goreme. Then, after lunch make several photo stops along the way to your next destination. Stop at Urgup’s family fairy chimneys, Devrent’s animal-shaped rock formations, and Monk’s Valley with the famous mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys as well as St. Simeon’s monk cell carved into the rock. Day one concludes in Avanos, a picturesque town on a river that supplies clay for the 4,000-year-old Avanos tradition of pottery. A kick-wheel demonstration by a local potter and your chance at trying this ancient custom brings your day to an end. You will arrive back at your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Day 2 also begins at 9:30 AM, with your first stop being the amazing Kaymakli Underground City. Carved by the Hittites about 3500 years ago, this multi-level underground city was used by early Christians as a main shelter from marauding enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. Kaymakli is one of the biggest underground cities in Cappadocia with 8 levels including stables, temples, and wineries. After departing Kaymakli, drive further south to the magnificent verdant Ihlara Valley. On your way back to Goreme, stop at the spectacular vista point overlooking Pigeon Valley.