Good comfort
The nicest Cappadocia landscapes
Endurance Arabian horses
38.383962712572, 35.0670275
This progressive equestrian trail ride in Cappadocia is an invitation to discover the immense natural, historical and cultural wealth of the unique landscape of Cappadocia. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage, the Cappadocia region is the result of incredible volcanic eruptions and ancient human activity. You will explore a land with magnificent landscapes. From the ranch near Avanos, depending on the version, the route will take you on a 4 and half day loop on horseback around "geological" Cappadocia. From the pleasant Cappadocia of the south to the spectacular valleys of the north, the unusual rocks, the green canyons, the highlands, the steppe, the vines and the orchards follow one another to form an astonishingly varied landscape. Along the way, work in the fields punctuates the seasons, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life, and the troglodyte churches bear witness to the region's rich past. Our itinerary takes place entirely in the national park of Cappadocia. You will experience legendary Turkish hospitality in the typical Anatolian guesthouses or hotels that have been selected.
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE IN CAPPADOCIA
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 1 : Arrival.
Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to the ranch (transfers are only included at set times!). You are met by our driver and transferred to your guesthouse in Ortahisar, where you have dinner with your guide.
Day 2 : Mustafapasa.
You are driven to the ranch in the morning to meet your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. Your first long canter is the ascension of the Avlak mountain (in case of rain, the Avlak mountain is unrideable and will be avoided), with a magnifcent encompassing view of Cappadocia. The rocky hills could provide the perfect background to a Western movie... Arrival in the center of the old Greek village of Mustafapasa. After lunch, you may stroll among Mustafapasa’s old stone houses, its Ottoman madrasa and its painted church or take a nap on the sofa. In the afternoon, you can enjoy varied scenery of narrow tracks, small canyons, farmed land and the wide-open spaces, where shepherds lead their focks, before arriving to your guesthouse in Ayvali.
Day 3 : Keslik Monaster.
We start this day by cantering through felds of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high) : barley, wheat, oat and beans felds. We ride throught a steep single trail down to Damsa lake. Villagers cook lunch for us on a woodfrein. Opportunity to visit the monastery. Passing by and overlooking a valley of fairy chimneys, the afternoon scenery is made of bare hills surrounding the lake. Visit of the underground village of Golgoli. You canter along tracks of soft red clay leading you to the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop at your hotel, for the second and last night in this village.
Day 4 :Uchisar
Today’s itinerary takes you to the beautiful valleys of north Cappadocia, and to the village of Uchisar. You trot and canter through vineyards and orchards and over rolling hills of white tuffa to reach Ibrahimpasa. From this picturesque village, you start ascending the ‘twin hills' of Cappadocia. A nice canter at the top takes you to a panoramic viewpoint encompassing northern Cappadocia and the towering rock fortress of Uchisar. As you ride towards the village, you can admire the multicoloured rock formations of the famous Pigeon Valley, and Uchisar’s picturesque fairy chimneys. Your reach the village on horseback and enjoy a late lunch on the terrace. You may spend the rest of the day exploring the village, visiting the churches of Goreme’s Open Air Museum or hiking through the Pigeon Valley.
Day 5: Red Valley.
You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley. You sneak your way through arches, rocky labyrinths and lush vegetation, then into the Sword Valley and Red Valley. With its citadels of red, pink and ocre rock, and its beautiful troglodytic churches, this is Cappadocia’s most spectacular ensemble of geological formations. A cave cafe located in an ancient monastery welcomes you for lunch. In the afternoon, you keep exploring the Red and Rose Valleys, then ride out into the felds, surrounded by the rocky hills of north Cappadocia. The winding paths of the Shepherd’s valley take you back with a long canter to your guesthouse in Uchisar, in time to admire north Cappadocia in the sunset light.
Day 6 : Balkan valley:
Leaving the village on horseback, you ride through the rock tunnels, arches and small woods of the spectacular, 4 km-long canyon called the Green Valley. You make a detour through the famous Love Valley and its gigantic rock formations, then ride till the village of Ortahisar, where you will have lunch. You canter on a sandy track lined with trees. You cross the Valley of Pancarlik and it’s multicoloured fairy chimneys, and you arrive at the ranch in the afternoon. Short transfer to your hotel in Urggp.
Day 7:
Departure. After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
* Indicative itinerary, may be changed if necessary.
During the summer, the ride will be done mostly in the morning (riding time will be mostly between 08:00 to 13:00). In the hottest hours of the day, we will offer the opportunity to stay around swiming pools, swim with the horses, and enjoy the freshness of troglodic habitats
MEETING:
Kayseri Airport. Free transfer between 8am and 10pm. The schedule depends on the arrival times of other participants: contact us.
(Flights Paris-Istanbul, then Istanbul-Kayseri, see: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Onur air, Marmara, etc ...)
DEPARTURE:
Free transfer to the airport from Kayseri Airport after breakfast around 7:30 am (departure of the plane generally around 9:40 am).
FLIGHTS:
Flights are not included in our prices because it is generally more interesting to book your flights yourself, an inclusive flights package is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best rates or to offer you a trip including transport on request: free service.
RIDING LEVEL & CONDITIONS: 
Intermediate to confirmed. Riders must be able to tack up and mount their horse unassisted, and be confident on leading their horse on rough terrain and riding during group canters on forward-going horses.
The riders will lead there horse only on very few rough passages where they need to dismount from the horse ; and for a short walk in the morning before getting in the saddle.
Maximum weight : Riders upper 85 kg, could book with extra charge, for the loan of a second horse. This option is only on demand, it will depend of the horse riding level of the rider and the availability of horses .
RYTHM:
5 days, 5 h on back of the horse each day. 28 km per day on average, on varied terrain.
Pace is walk, with canters every day. Sometimes long canter.
During the summer, the ride will be done mostly in the morning (riding time will be mostly between 08:00 to 13:00)
GROUPS:
Maximum 8 riders for 1 local guide, speaking English & French.
HORSES:
Anatolian and Arab mares of an ideal size for hiking on steep paths (1.45 m to 1.55 m). Enduring and good in their head, they are respectful of their rider and let themselves be saddled and groomed without problem. They will surprise you with their sure footing and liveliness.
TACK:
The horses are ridden in hackamore and the saddlery is made up of lightweight McClellan type trekking saddles. Each saddle is equipped with 2 saddlebags.
PARTICIPATION :
Riders are expected to tack up/untack their horse, water it (at the fountain), and help feed it in the evening.
ACCOMMODATION: 
The guesthouses used are located in the villages of Urgup, Ayvali and Uchisar. You will stay in picturesque, comfortable guesthouses located in ancient stone houses or in renovated cave houses, typical of the local architecture. A luxury option is now available on request (+400€) for even more comfort.
All nights are in double/twin room with ensuite toilets and shower. Accommodations offer internet access and a laundry service.
MEALS:
On the ride, you stop for lunch at restaurants or village inns offering local specialties. Dinner (Anatolian specialties) and breakfast (Turkish and continental) are taken at the guest houses. Dinners usually include a starter, one or two courses, and a dessert. Vegetarian menu on request. Alcoholic beverages (Cappadocia wine, beer) available as an option. Tea and coffee are offered. Other drinks are payable locally.
2025 PRICE / PER PERSON:
In standard Shared bedrooms :
- 02 to 08/03: 2000 €
- 23 to 29/03: 2200 €
- 13/04 to 18/10 : 2400 €
Single bedroom supplement - standard accommodation: 326 €
Luxury hotels option (night 1 & 6) in twin or double room : 75 €
Single bedroom supplement + Luxury hotels option : 436 €
Booking fee: 15 €
Extra night in SURBAN (standard): Single : 132 € Half Board / Double room : 99 € Half Board (per pax)
Extra night in Selcuklu (Luxury) : Single : 183 € Half Board / Double room : 133 € Half Board (per pax)
Balloon’s ride could be booked in advance, and paied locally; prices will be given at the beginning of the season.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
The equipped horse rental, the guide, accommodation, meals (except 1 lunch in an inn), Beverages other than water, tea and coffee at meal times, transfers during the ride, transfers from / to the airport at the times indicated , The financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks excluding meals, any visits (Hot air balloon flight and Turkish baths -hammam- optional), tips, travel. It is more interesting to book your ticket, a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best rates or to offer you a transport trip included on request.
| Dates | From | Infos | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2000€ | Information request | |
| - | 2200€ | Information request | |
| - | 2400€ | Information request | |
| - | 2400€ | Information request | |
| - | 2400€ | Information request | |
| - | 2400€ | Information request | |
| - | 2400€ | Information request |
CLIMATE:
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Average High Temperature (°F) | 38 | 44 | 53 | 63 | 71 | 80 | 87 | 88 | 78 | 66 | 53 | 41 |
Average Low Temperature (°F) | 22 | 25 | 33 | 39 | 48 | 54 | 59 | 60 | 50 | 42 | 32 | 25 |
Average High Temperature (°C) | 4 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 5 |
Average Low Temperature (°C) | -6 | -4 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 0 | -4 |
Source: NOAA
Cappadocia has a semi-arid, continental climate, with 29 days of rain per year on average.
If you suffer in the heat, avoid the hottest weeks of the year which are from mid-July to end of August.
March: Cold weather, last frost after winter.
April: The sun is back, nature has woken up. Nights remain cold.
May: Sunny weather but may turn stormy at short notice.
June: Vegetation is lush, fields are covered with flowers, the horses are at the top of their form, the kids are still at school ...
July: Beautiful weather. Highly recommended.
August: Very sunny weather, and hot (35°). Siesta is a must after lunch. Bring your hat and sunglasses.
September: Very nice, Indian-summery weather. The trees bear fruits.
October: Beautiful light, great colors. Days are cooler and nights are cold again.
November: Rain is back. May be frosty at night. For the most adventurous riders only.
This trip is not running in January, February and December as temperatures are too cold and snow can make the trails dangerous.
Les organisateurs étaient de très bons conseils et ont fait attention à nous pendant tout le séjour.
Ibrahim (Ibo) est un guide très fiable, qui pense à la sécurité avant tout.
Les 3 hôtels étaient très bien avec une préférence pour le second qui ressemblait à une auberge où vivait l'habitant.