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For happy riders, who want to discover the beauty of the wild Cappadocia, meet the Turkish traditional way of live, and camp under stars surrounded by your horses.
Leaving from Guzelyurt ranch, the trail takes you around the South of Cappadocia. From the peasants' Cappadocia to the most beautiful valleys, a succession of fantastic rock formations, lush canyons, high plateaux, steppe-like landscape, along with vineyards and orchards, compose a surprisingly varied route. Overlooked by the Mont Hassan, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life while frescoed churches and other troglodytic treasures testify of the rich past of the area.
HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDE IN CAPPADOCIA
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
The description below is an example of a trail often do, but for a reason like the weather
forecast or a safety reason, the guide can chose to change the itinerary of the trail at the last
moment.
Day 1 : Arrival.
Arrival at Kayseri airport or Nevsehir Airport and transfer Transfer to your hotel in Avanos.
Overnight in Ortahisar
Day 2 : High Church - Monastery Valley - Çardak
We leave the hotel and drive to Güzelyurt where we meet the horses at the equestrian center. We will do a short warm-up to the High Church, located on a hill; it has a wonderful view of Old Karballa and Mount Hassan. Then we will continue via the Monastery Valley to our camping site at Çardak. (4 hours)
Day 3 Çardak Village – Kitreli – Yenipinar – Eghrikuyu
On our second riding day, we will follow the Melendiz Mountain path, passing Kitreli and an historic Greek village called Ilemi at in the corner of Melendiz. Then, we go through Yenipinar, where the shepherds used to bring their sheep to water, and finally we will reach our camp in Eghrikuyu on the edge of Mt Hassan (3268m). (5 hours).
Day 4 Plateau of Sarnich - Mokyssos – Ihlara
We leave Mt Hassan and We'll ride past the water cisterns in Sarnich and on to Mokyssos (known as Helvadere today). From the 6th century this was a Roman military base which controlled the passage from Anatolia to Jerusalem. We will take our picnic here and continue to Ihlara. Actually this canyon is 14km long and was occupied by Christians who needed to hide from persecution in years gone by. We will camp on the river side in Ihlara. (5 hours).
Day 5 Ihlara – Selime Monastery – Uzunkaya – Çeltek
We will enter the Ihlara Canyon via the village of Belisirma, and ride through, following the Melendiz River. Parts of this amazing gorge have a depth of 150 to 200 metres We will arrive at Selime Monastery, which is probably the biggest monastic village in all of Cappadocia. We then continue our ride to Uzunkaya and Çeltek where we camp overnight.. (5 hours)
Day 6 Çeltek - Kizilkaya – Aşıklıhöyük – Akyamaç
Today we continue our ride on this historical trail and visit Aşıklıhöyük, which was one of the first urban settlements in the world, dating from 10,000 years ago. Afterwards, we will continue for will finish in Akyamaç, a village where we will set our camp. (5 hours)
Day 7 Akyamaç – Sivrihisar – Red Church - Guzelyurt
For our last day of riding we will be returning to the farm. Riding through the old Greek village of Akyamaç and continuing to Sivrihisar. We will pass by the Red Church (a Christian orthodox church from the 7th century) and finish at our ranch in Guzelyurt, where you will say goodbye to your horse. (5 hours). Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 (Sunday):
Departure. After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast
* Indicative itinerary, may be changed if necessary.
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: 
Riding level: confident intermediate to advanced riders.
To take part of all our trails, you must have a competent riding level to be able to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, ride or lead your horse on technical passages, get on or off your horse several times a day alone and groom, tack and untack your horse without assistance.
- Good physical condition is essential - and rides are not suitable for the riders who have vertigo - .
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:
6days, 5-6 h on back of the horse each day. 28 km per day on average, on varied terrain.
Pace: mostly walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day
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:
- 7 nights on double, twin or triple room (including 2 nights in hotel), 5 nights in camps
- Arrival and departure's nights in hotel located in Avanos, it's a picturesque, comfortable hotel located in ancient stone houses, typical of the local architecture.
- 5 nights in camp / dome tent
MEALS:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the nature by Cappadock's team
- Cappadocia wine, local alcoholic drinks, beer and soft drinks are available as an option.
- The first diner of your arrival is not included
Your luggages will be transferred by our logistics vehicle. You should pack several, lighter bags rather than one large heavy suitcase.
2025 PRICE / PER PERSON:
June 22 - 29 : 1650 €
July 06 - 13 : 1650 €
July 20 -27 : 1650 €
August 03 - 10 : 1650 €
August 17 - 24 : 1650 €
- Single room and tent supplement : 190 €
The trail is confirmed for 4 riders or with Small group supplement :
- For a group of 2 riders: supplement of 370 € per person
- For a group of 3 riders: supplement of 170 € per person
Booking fee: 15 €
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
The equipped horse rental, the guide, accommodation, meals, 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 other than water, tea and coffee at meal times, any visits, 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.
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices - See information
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.