Transfer and Other Charges:

Day 1- Saturday
Arrival at Kayseri airport. Riders are driven to Sultan Sazli National Park. Night in a guest house with direct view on the wetland of the «Bird Paradise».

Day 2- Sunday
After breakfast, the teams are put together and the rules of the trail are explained. You meet your horse and start for a one hour ride on the southern part of the lake in a flat landscape ideal to get confident with you horse, team and guide. Each team is to choose its own way. Other team’s riders may be seen in a distance. After the lunch gathering all the riders, your team has three hours to cross an agricultural area, to climb up to the crest of Yesilisar, then to take a long ride across Akkoy lake and Keslik village or straight away to Erdemli Valley to reach the camp. Once arrived, enjoy dinner and check rankings of the day. Night in the Erdemli Valley. Before sleeping you will have to build your strategy for the next day.

Day 3- Monday
On the second day, the team that arrived last the day before is the first to start. You'll spend 6 hours in the saddle with many riding options. You start the day on a stony high plateau, through fields and meadows of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high), overlooked by the Erciyes volcano with its snowy peak. It’s up to you to decide on the itinerary: go around Hodul Daha or ride downhill by the Damsa Valley; the most challenging one gives you the maximum points! Camp in the green and peaceful Karlik Valley. Dinner around a big camp fire, rankings of the day and strategy for the next days.

Day 4- Tuesday
Now that your team has gotten used with the rules and is able to evaluate the other competitor's level, this is a day for an exciting competition when missing the entrance of a valley can make you lose your position of leader. Many remote canyons to visit, underground villages, and churches that you shouldn’t miss... Keeping your eyes open will make you win lots of points! Later on, the land turns into wide open, bare spaces where shepherds lead their flock, helped by the impressive Kangal dogs. After a last canter on the steppes, you arrive at the camp « Subasi ».

Day 5- Wednesday
Vineyards, orchards, valleys, and remote villages. The labyrinth of Cappadocia could make your arrival on time at the evening camp difficult. Will you take one of the easiest way or a challenging one? Arriving in the northern part of the National park, during this long riding day you can see the more scenic and sculptural valleys of Cappadocia: Zemi, Pigeon, Love and White valleys. Night on the top of the red valley.

Day 6- Thursday
After an early wake up to admire the sunrise, the ballet of balloons taking off close by, the day start with a long canter on an open plateau, overlooking the maze of colorful valleys. Red valley, Boz daga, Devrent valley, all beautiful, all challenging. Arrival in Uzengui valley for the night, nearby the Ranch.

Day 7- Friday
Today is a half day's ride. You'll go through a training course where your horse has to pass some obstacles (mud, door, U-turn, slalom) to bring your team more points. Your horse is to undergo the vet-check for a 40-km endurance race, and you get all the information about the rules and organization of the race. You'' have an opportunity to shop in Gorëme, to visit the open air museum ,or to laze around. An equestrian show takes place in the afternoon and ends up with a big camp party.

Day 8- Saturday
A 40-km race is organized for all the riders. The minimum speed limit is 10 km/h ; the maximum 15, and the cardio at arrival makes the difference. Night in hotel.

Day 9- Sunday
After breakfast, departure from Kayseri airport.

Mustafapaşa area

Seasons
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.

 
*Send us a copy your travel insurance policy - with your reservation (or shortly after). All non-insured riders will not be allowed on the trail*
-- to make sure -- and bring along a copy as well

Personal equipment

• Riding boots
• Your chaps or half-chaps
• Your hard hat. Riding without a hard hat is at your own risk
• A one litre water flask 
• A good sleeping bag
• Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and sun lotion
• Your own basic pharmacy
• Some warm clothing and a waterproof (low risk of rain)
• Pocket money 
• A torch
• Towels and toiletry

For your comfort, pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase
The riding equipment includes light trailing saddles. These are fitted with two saddle-bags for you to carry the picnic and personal belongings for the day.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		McClellan light trailing saddles with saddlebags. Standard bits and pelhams
Horses:		Anatolian, Arab and cross-Arab mares
Pace:		Moderate pace. 6 hours per day in the saddle covering approximately 35km per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(4 to 5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 18
Weight:		Max 90kg
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 12 riders

Pace
This trail is 6.5 riding days with 6 hours one horseback per day. We cover approximately 35km per day on varied terrain. Riding days starts early in the morning (around 8:00am), then a long break for lunch, and 1 or 2 more hours riding in the evening at sunset. The pace is primarily at a walk but with opportunities to canter every day, every hour. Sometimes we will have long canters (15 minutes). The day basically start with pace at walk in order to warm up the horses, then you will trot, canter, walk, trot

Physical Condition and Riding Ability
Riders must be in good physical condition to take part on the progressive trail. Circuit includes a few difficult ways where riders will be asked to dismount and lead their horse.
You must have a competent riding level to take part in our trails. Our horses are forward-going and you must be able to stay in control during group canters. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides outdoor and exercise yourself in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail.

Weight Limit
We accept riders up to 90kg (200lbs).
 
Horses
We have 15 well-trained and cared-for horses at our farm. They live together as a herd and all spend their days outside grazing in our fields when not on trail. Our stable is composed of forward-going Anatolian, Arab, and cross-Arab mares who will surprise you with their robustness and their agility. They are small (1,50 m on average - the ideal size for trailing on tortuous paths !). Responsive, well-balanced and respectful of the rider, they are also extremely sure-footed. Horses are assigned according to riding levels and riders' preferences, but the size and the weight of the rider are also important criteria.

Tack
The riding equipment includes light trailing saddles. These are fitted with two saddle-bags for you to carry the picnic and personal belongings for the day.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months from date of departure from Turkey required by all nationals referred to in the chart, except:

1. nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland, who can enter with a national ID card (which must have a validity of one year).

Visas

Sticker-type entry visas: Tourists and business visitors from the following countries do require visas and can obtain a sticker-type entry visa at the point of entry for a fee (prices are dependent on nationality):

(a) 2. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, the UK* and USA for stays not exceeding three months;

(b) 3. Greek Cypriot Administrative Region, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic for stays not exceeding one month.

Except 4. Nationals of Bulgaria who do not require a visa for stays up to three months, but do require a visa for transit and for entry at certain points in Turkey; check with consulate.

Visa Note

(a) *British National Overseas passport holders should contact the visa section of the consulate general before travelling. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

British passport holders can obtain tourist visa either at the port of entry in Turkey for £10 or from the consulate general in the UK for £50. Single entry (six months): £74. Single entry (one year): £230. Single transit: £74. Study: £74 (six months) or £230 (one year). Work: £230. These prices are provided by The Consulate General for the Republic of Turkey in London; prices may vary according to nationality.

Validity

Single entry: up to six months or one year. Multiple entry: up to five years. Transit: six months. Work: one year. Study: six months or one year.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. Applicants must pre-book an appointment with the relevant consulate. An online appointment system is available for The Consulate General for the Republic of Turkey in London (website: www.turkishconsulate.org.uk/en/visa ). Travel agencies can also make visa applications.

Working Days Required

Usually three, but dependent on nationality of applicant and type of visa. Some applications may be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, which may take much longer (minimum six to eight weeks).