Cappadocia Ride

Day 1 (D)

On arrival at Kayseri you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in central Cappadocia where you will have dinner with your guide.

Day 2 (B,L,D)

You will be driven to the ranch in the early morning to meet and choose your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. The trail begins with the ascent of a narrow path that takes you over the crests overlooking the Valley of Uzengui, where abrupt rock walls shelter stone citadels. Pass the ancient Greek village of Mustafapasa/Sinasos, then ride through an expanse of land closely resembling the Mongolian steppes. After a picnic lunch in the woods of Lake Damsa, follow the lakes edge, galloping on the white sand tracks leading to the remote village of Cemil. Camp will be made next to an ancient troglodyte monastery, at the foot of a natural spring-fed pool whilst those choosing the guest house option will be transferred by vehicle to their pension.

Day 3 (B,L,D)

Follow an old mule track to a vast rocky plateau overlooking the south of Cappadocia. From the top of the cliff, the view is breathtaking. Descend through a lush valley planted with woods to your picnic spot. After lunch ride through the green countryside, crossing narrow streams, and winding your way through fragrant vegetation, high grass and small woods. Later, the land turns into wide open, bare spaces where shepherds tends their flock, aided by their impressive native Turkish Kangal dogs. After a last gallop on the steppe, arrive at the camp, a few meters above a spring. Those staying in guesthouses will be transferred to their pension.

Day 4 (B,L,D)

This day comprises of three and a half hours riding in the morning with the afternoon at leisure in one of Cappadocia's most picturesque villages. Following a track left by the muleteers on the flank of the mountain, you reach a vast rocky plateau overlooking the south of Cappadocia. From the top of the cliff, the view is breathtaking. You descend through a lush valley planted with woods, where you stop for a morning break. Continue through the green countryside, crossing narrow streams, winding your way through gardens and orchards. Later, the land turns into wide open, bare spaces where shepherds lead their flock, aided by the impressive native Turkish Kangal dogs. After a last gallop on the steppe, you arrive at the camp, where lunch is cooking on the woodfire. In the early afternoon, you are transferred to your guesthouse.

Day 5 (B,L,D)

The ride starts from the Valley of Sorkumlu; where there are areas so narrow that they form a deep canyon with many out-of-the way treasures. You then gallop on a long sandy path lined with orchards and gardens, still cultivated by the locals using horses or mules, before stopping in a field, surrounded by walls of soft colourful rock, where the horses can rest and graze. After a picnic prepared on a woodfire and a siesta, you continue over rolling hills of white tufa leading you up to a rock pinnacle embracing Cappadocia's most beautiful valleys. You wind your way through the rocky labyrinths, tunnels and arches of the splendid Green Valley in order to reach the campsite above it. Those staying in guesthouses will be transferred to their pension.

Day 6 (B,L,D)

You ride through the paved streets of the charming village of Goreme and enter the Pigeon Valley - one of Cappadocia's most well-known valleys - towards Uchisar. Your small, agile horses are able to move into the White Valley along a narrow path carved in the rock. Take a short break at the foot of the fancy fairy chimneys of the aptly named Love Valley before riding back to the plateau for a wild gallop and lunch in the shady woods of the Sheep Valley. After lunch you canter along large sandy tracks leading to the ancient troglogytic village of Cavusin, where you stop for tea. A scenic path carved in the red rock of Mount Boztepe leads you to the famous rock formations of Pasabagi. After a long canter across the plain of Avanos, you reach the troglodyte camp in Yeni Zelve. Here, you can watch the sun set above Devrent Valley while sipping tea. Those taking the guesthouse option will be transferred to their overnight accommodation.

Day 7 (B,L,D)

Proceed through the forest of fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley. You will need to dismount to ascend the Ak Tepe Mountain in order to reach the mausoleum of local saint Alil Dede. From his resting place, you have a panoramic view over Cappadocia. Follow the maze of tracks and paths up the crests and down the canyons of the Red Valley. With its citadels of red, pink and ochre rock, this is Cappadocia's most spectacular valley. A secret passage leads to a vast nave carved in the rock: here is the Church of the Cross, where a stop is made for lunch. In the afternoon, leave the tortuous paths behind and take advantage of the larger tracks for a long gallop. Cross the Valley of Pancarlik and arrive at the ranch by mid-afternoon. After a farewell tea on the terrace, you are driven back to your pension for dinner and your final night's accommodation.

Day 8 (B)

Transfer back to the airport.

Please note that the Bivouac Trail runs parallel to the Guesthouse Trail on most dates BUT the Bivouac option will only operate if there are 4 bookings (or more) for this formula. In other words, clients booking early for the Bivouac option should be prepared to upgrade to the Guesthouse formula (for a 140 Euros supplement ) if this condition is not met by the time the trail takes place. We have found that some clients on the bivouac trails would be better off staying in a pension or guesthouse. We believe the Bivouac Trail should only be booked by clients on a tight budget or by people who really enjoy outdoor living. It is important for anyone considering the Bivouac option to realise that conditions on this ride are extremely basic and they will not find the commodities of an hotel in the middle of nature.