Small or private guide groups for Cappadocia?
 

I have read several comments on a few of the groups which can supply either small group (8 or so) or private guide tours in Cappadocia. I think we have decided not to rent a car and to take a small or private guide to get around.

Does anyone have a preference or feedback on any they loved or the two we seem to have pared it down to - Rock Valley Tours or Euphratestours.com/Cappadocia Tours?

If you took a small group tour with either (or another recommended), did you feel like you had enough time to explore the places you visited and weren't rushed? we aren't tour folks, but have resolved that we can do this small 6-10 group vans for this area.

thanks for suggestions.

We did 3 tours with Rock Valley. They use a small van; group size was just right. My sister commented that is was the best vacation since we didn't rent a car and never got lost :-)

I most enjoyed the evening Red Valley tour. It was just the 5 of us. We took our time, tour guide walked faster than us, but it didn't matter; we took our time. He couldn't leave without us :-).

Because we booked our domestic flights thru them, we got discounts on tours, so be sure to ask for discounts.

Or skip the per-organized group & do it on the fly. Our hotel had a shuttle from Kayseri which was halved if we booked a balloon ride + one tour while we were there. This way, we weren't locked into a tight schedule.

Ian

There are a lot of tour companies in Gorome itself that you can arrange trip for once you're there (that is if you're staying in Gorome). One company that's recommended in Lonely Planet is YamaTours. I used them for two days for access to a car and a driver only. The people working there are very nice and helpful.

We just got back from Turkey. We took the three day tours with Rock Valley Travel. We also aren't "tour people" but we found it to be fun and informative. The group is small--10 or 12 people and you have time together and apart. We met some interesting people on the tour also. The quality of the guides did vary--one day, we had a guide who knew a lot and gave us a lot of history, etc. The other days, the guides did just the basics. Although you don't get the opportunity to just stop where you want and explore places more thoroughly, it was still worth it as the sites are pretty spread out and it gave us a break from the need to drive and find them.

For a private guide take a look at Adnan's webpage http://www.asianturkey.com/CappadociaTours.htm as it is full of information about his tours - and you can learn so much about the places all the tours visit.

If you can afford the little extra, a private guide is well worth is because you can really spend the amount of time you want at each place without feeling rushed, and you can choose which places to visit, too. On any tour it's the expertise of the guide that makes the day.

In Cappadocia, for free individual travelers, there are many agencies operating daily tours. According to the standard program, they provide guide/vehicle/food. If you like to have a private tour, you should contact with the agencies in advance.

Enjoy Turkey!
Tura-Turizm
www.turaturizm.com.tr
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