AboutRuth Lockwood Expertise I have been living and working in Cappadocian tourism for over 15 years and know this area inside and out(as well as all the current good and less explored destinations in Turkey , so would be more than happy to help with any info relating to tours, walking , hiking hotels ,sightseeing etc as well as helping you with the local culture . I have also been dealing in the rug industry with international collectors and dealers,so know all the pitfalls,and would be more than happy to provide you with professional help and advise in this area.Also happy to help with questionsre starting businesses , settling here etc .
Experience
Past/Present clients The NZ and Australian Governor Generals , the NZ prime Minister as well as many Ambassadors .
Question QUESTION: Hi Ruth, I am planning to visit Cappodocia end of October with my parents. I am booking with Metro; however I noticed that though they have bus from Istanbul to Goreme. The return is only from Neveshir to Istanbul. I would like to take a bus from Goreme to Istanbul. Is that easy to do? Is the frequency good? I would be staying at Kelebek hotel in Goreme; I understand that the hotel is near the bus station.Please could you advice.
Also, I am staying for 3 days. On 2 days I have taken the tours...red and green ones. What do you suggest that can be done on the 3rd day.
Many thanks for your response. Sharon
ANSWER: Hi Sharon ,
There are service buses from Goreme to Nevsehir provided from all the bus companies including Metro.If you book your return bus when you arrive you will just have to pop down to our local bus station for your departure. Direct buses leave each night to Istanbul at 7.00pm,8.00pm and 9.00pm depending on the various companies.Day buses only go to Ankara and then you have to get a connection from there to Istanbul.
Kelebek is a good pick of a hotel and is indeed only 5 mins to the bus station.Its a little hard for me to determine what you will be seeing on both the day tours as every travel company or hotel calls their tours by different names.I presume one day you will be doing the underground cities and Ilhara and the next day something more locallike the open Air Museum and Zelve etc.
As I cant be sure as to what your tours are covering I would suggest a couple of small valley walks for Day 3. Try Red or rose valley ( if its not included on your tour ) or love valley which is close to the open Air museum . You can also walk through the village to The Yusef Koc church.There is a lovely family that lives in the caves up there so its great to see a more traditional lifestyle . From there you can loop back through the valley and see the Durmus church and you will still only be 5 mins from Goreme .
None of these walks are strenuous and you dont need a guide as they are easily found and have clear tracks.Other than that there are options of Horse riding through the valleys, 4 wheel motorbikes , cycling, scooters or you could try a local Turkish bath . There are many options here but some of the most beautiful are just the gentle walks in the valley .Also speak to the staff at your hotel for other options as they can look at your intinarary and fill in any gaps in sites that you may not be seeing for day 3
I wish you and your parnets a good time here in our area!
Ruth
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QUESTION: Thank you so much Ruth. I had some followup question, For the service bus, do I need to confirm with Metro? I plan to take there 8pm bus back to Istanbul from Neveshir. On the tours, I am sorry to have given you incomplete information. Below is the detail of the tour, it seems they cover rose valley. Is there anything else that you would recommend here? Many thanks again, Sharon
Red -North Cappadocia Tour
The departure time is 9:30 AM as you will be picked up from your hotel, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum consisting of five Byzantine Orthodox churches.
And then Uchisar to take pictures of "The Castle" and sightseeing. A break for lunch in Uchisar.You can enjoy Turkish cuisine in restaurant
And visit Avanos which is famous for its potteries.You can see their demonstration and you can try to make it.
After that a visit to the valley of fairy chimney,the name is Pasabagi.And then we see Rose Valley which has amazing beatiful red rock formations.
Next is the Devrent Valley and Urgup afterwards. Following that a panoramic view point to observe the fairy chimneys and the incredible rock formations and unforgettable sights.
The tour ends about 17:00 PM and transfer to hotel with unforgettable memories in your mind...
Green-South Cappadocia Tour
Pick up from hotel at 9:30 AM.
The tour begins with a visit to Pigeon Valley which is large panorama valley continuing to Uchisar.Still pigeons live in the hole of cave.
And then visit the Underground City of Derinkuyu, the largest and the deepest Underground City in Cappadocia.We go down untill 8 levels.
After that continue to the Nar lake which lies in a crater. Water turtles and ducks can be observed.
Then to the Ihlara Valley which is the largest, deepest and the longest canyon in Cappadocia. The valley is like a paradise with its beautiful nature and rocks.Some animals like sheep to belong to local people can be observed.We hike about 3km beside the river in Ihlara Valley.After hiking Lunch in Belisirma.And continue to Selime for taking pictures by the pinnacles where some of the filming of "Star wars" was located.
Then drive back to hotel.
Answer hi Sharon ,
No you do not need to follow up with Metro . If you book the ticket when you arrive in Goreme you just wait at the gopreme bus Station and a Metro bus will take you to Nevsehir. Once there you sometimes stay on the same bus or transfer depending on routes or times .
As for your tours ...all the extra innfo that I gave you still applys - go for some small valley walks onb your last day . Although your first day says Rose Valley you will just go to a viewpoint to look at it rather than do a nice walk up it to some of the gorgeous rock churches etc so it would be lovely to do any of the places that I suggested on the last day . None of them have been included in your 2 day tours .
Hope you have a great visit,
Ruth
