The Red tour explores the Göreme side of Cappadocia: the open-air museum, the valleys, the fairy chimneys and the pottery town of Avanos. The Green tour heads south to an underground city, the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery. Stops vary by operator, so read the itinerary before you book. Tubos Travel sells both as private day tours, and its prices are listed below.
The Red tour: north, around Göreme
Most Red itineraries include Göreme Open Air Museum, Paşabağ, Devrent Valley and the Avanos pottery workshops. Some add Zelve or a viewpoint at Üçhisar, and others add Love Valley. Three travel guides describe the route in similar terms: Cappadocia Escape, Hot Air Cappadocia and Epic Turkey Travel.
The Tubos Red tour lists the Üçhisar Castle viewpoint, Göreme Open Air Museum, the Avanos pottery workshop, Devrent Valley, the Paşabağ fairy chimneys and Love Valley. Lunch at a local restaurant, with a soft drink, and museum entry are included. See the Tubos Red tour.
The Green tour: south, to caves and a valley walk
The Green tour usually includes an underground city, either Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, a walk through the Ihlara Valley along the Melendiz River, and Selime Monastery. Some itineraries add Pigeon Valley, a lunch stop at Belisırma or a photo stop at Yaprakhisar. The same three guides list these stops.
The Tubos Green tour covers the Göreme Panorama, Derinkuyu Underground City, the Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery and Pigeon Valley, with the same lunch and entry inclusions. See the Tubos Green tour.
Length, hours and Tubos prices
| Tour | Typical length | Typical hours | Tubos private price per person, 2 people | Tubos private price per person, 17 to 20 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 6 to 7 hours | About 9:45 to 17:00 | 170 EUR | 60 EUR |
| Green | 7 to 8 hours | About 9:45 to 18:00 | 200 EUR | 70 EUR |
The length figures come from Epic Turkey Travel. The hours come from the Village Cave House FAQ. Both are usual times, not guaranteed ones. The Tubos prices are its own list and fall with group size; the table shows the two ends of its scale.
Which tour suits you
- The Red tour suits a traveler who wants the Göreme area, the museum and pottery, and a shorter day.
- The Green tour suits a traveler who wants underground rooms, a valley walk and a longer day.
- Pick by the stop list, not by the tour name. Ask the operator which named stops are in its version of the route, because they differ.
What is included on the Tubos day tours
Both Tubos day tours list the same inclusions: lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink, hotel pick-up and drop-off in a minivan with an experienced driver, a professional tourist guide, museum and site entrance fees, local taxes, parking, diesel and highway tolls. Optional tours and tips are not included. Tubos says its guides are licensed by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and that the guide helps choose the lunch restaurant.
The Tubos 2, 3 and 4 day packages already cover the Red-side stops, plus Kaymaklı Underground City. Derinkuyu, the Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery are not in those packages, so a Green day adds stops the packages leave out.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Red tour or the Green tour better for a first visit?
Neither is better by default. The Red tour keeps you around Göreme, with the open-air museum, Avanos and the valleys, and it suits a shorter day. The Green tour adds an underground city, the Ihlara Valley walk and Selime Monastery, and it runs about an hour longer than the Red tour.
Can I do both tours in one day?
Plan them for separate days. Each tour lasts 6 to 8 hours and fills a full day of sightseeing, so squeezing both into one day would make it very long and rushed.
Are the stops the same at every company?
No. Zelve, Üçhisar, Love Valley, Pigeon Valley and Belisırma appear on some itineraries and not on others. Check the stop list in the booking before you pay, and ask which named stops are included.
What does a private Red tour cost at Tubos Travel?
Tubos Travel lists 170 EUR per person for two people, falling to 60 EUR per person for a group of 17 to 20. Lunch with a soft drink, museum entry, transport, a guide, taxes, parking and highway tolls are included. Tips and optional tours are extra.
Sources: cappadocia-escape.com, hotaircappadociaballoon.com, epicturkeytravel.com, villagecavehouse.com
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Red tour or Green tour in Cappadocia: which one suits you.md
