Transfer and Other Options:

Progressive Trail Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday :  Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to the ranch (transfers are only included at set times!). You are met by our chauffeur and transferred in 50 minutes to your accommodation in central Cappadocia, where you have dinner with your guide.

Day 2 Monday : “Lake Damsa”
You are driven to the ranch in the early morning to meet and choose your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. The trail begins through the lush canyon of Uzengi, where abrupt rock walls shelter troglodytic citadels of dovecotes. After your first gallop on the sandy tracks, your stop for lunch in the natural rock circus of Taslik. From there, a muleteer track carved in the rock leads you to the ancient village of Mustafapaşa. You spend the afternoon riding through expanses of steppe-like bare lands surrounding Lake Damsa. In the evening, you reach the camp in the shady woods of the Valley of Cemece. Riders are transferred to their accommodation for dinner.

Day 3 Tuesday : “Savage Cappadocia”
You ascend the Plateau of Avlak for a magnificent encompassing view of Cappadocia. In the background stands majestic Erciyes volcano. After a canter on the plateau's larger tracks, you stop for lunch on a cliff overlooking the Valley of Karlik. After more trots and canters on the plateau, you ride down to the Valley of Cemil. As the sun is slowly setting, you pass through orchards and vineyards to reach the camp next to the ancient troglodyte monastery of Keşlik, near the remote village of Cemilkoy. Riders are transferred to their accommodation for dinner.

Day 4 Wednesday : “Bucolic Cappadocia”
This day comprises 3:30 hours riding in the morning. Afternoon is at leisure in Cappadocia's most picturesque villages : Uchisar and Göreme, where you can visit the Open Air Museum.
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 descent through a lush valley planted with woods, where you stop for a morning break. You ride 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 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 participants are transferred to their guesthouse in central Cappadocia. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Day 5  Thursday: "The famous valleys"
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise.
You begin from the Valley of Sorkumlu; there are areas so narrow that they form a deep canyon with out-of-the way troglodytic treasures. You gallop on a long sandy path lined with orchards and gardens, still cultivated by the locals using horses or mules. In green field you stop for lunch, surrounded by walls of soft colourful rock, where the horses can rest and graze. In the afternoon, you continue over rolling hills of white tufa leading you up to a rock pinnacle embracing Cappadocia's most beautiful valleys. You sneak your way through the rocky labyrinths, tunnels and arches of the splendid Green Valley in order to reach the campsite above it. You admire the valley's strangely shaped pink rock formations while sipping tea. Riders are transferred to their accommodation for dinner. 

Day 6  Friday : “Kizilirmak”
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise.

You pass the fancy fairy chimneys of the aptly named Love Valley and you cross Göreme to enter the White Valley. You take a short morning break among its fantastic rock formations. Through a narrow path carved in the rock, you reach the plateau again for a wild gallop and break for lunch in the shady woods of the Sheep Valley. Later, you canter on the large sandy tracks leading to the ancient troglogytic village of Çavuşin, where you stop for tea. A scenic path carved in the red rock of Mount Boztepe leads you to the famous rock formations of Paşabaği. 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. Riders are transferred to their accommodation for dinner.

Day 7  Saturday : “The Red Valley”
You ride along the crests overlooking the forest of fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley. You dismount to ascend the Boz Tepe mountain in order to reach the mausoleum of local saint Alil Dede. From his resting place, you have a 360° view over Cappadocia. You descend through the maze of tracks and paths up the crests and down the canyons of the Red Valley. With its cidatels of red, pink and ocre rock, this is Cappadocia's most spectacular valley. In the afternoon, you leave the tortuous paths behind you to take advantage of larger tracks for a long gallop. You cross the Valley of Pancarlik and you arrive at the ranch in the late afternoon. Before dinner, you have an option to be driven to the hamam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath (entrance + taxi fare).

Day 8: Departure : After breakfast, departure to Kayseri airport at 07:30 for your 09:40 flight to Istanbul.

Relaxed Trail Itinerary Option

The Relaxed Trail  (Sunday to Sunday) includes 7-night accommodation in 2 different guesthouses and 5 riding days, with a 6th riding day options or various activities in option.
This Relaxed Trail option combines comfort with an extensive riding itinerary that has a lot in common with our regular progressive trail. It should appeal to both trail-minded riders and those looking for a comfortable ride without compromising on the riding and scenery.

Day 1 arrive to the ranch! Enjoy some dinner and the overnight!

The Day 2 and Day 3 the riding days will be spent exploring the hidden canyons and steppe-like landscape of south Cappadocia from the ranch, with nights spent in a quality guesthouse in the nearby town of Urgup.

On Day 4, we will leave the ranch to reach the beautiful valleys of northern Cappadocia on horseback. 2 nights will be spent in the picturesque village of Uchisar, in a secluded villa overlooking the famous Pigeon Valley.

We will ride back to the ranch on Day 6 through yet another scenic route.

On Day 7, guests can choose to rest or to spend another day on horseback exploring the far south of Cappadocia; you may also take part in other activities.

Day 8 you will depart for home!

This trail will be available in early spring and in summer, but it can also be organized on request.

In springtime, we will stop for lunch in village restaurants. In summer, long lunch breaks are necessary to avoid riding during the hottest hours of the day, so some of the restaurants where we will stop will have a swimming pool!

- A varied itinerary through Cappadocia’s most beautiful and remote places
- Accommodation in quality guesthouses in the villages of Urgup and Uchisar
- Lunch in restaurants, some with swimming pool in summer;
- Walking and leading the horses on the relaxed trail option will be easier than on the progressive trail
- Possibility to change horses during the week if need be

*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

Every rider should bring along:
• hard water bottles (preferably 2 x 1 litre). We want to avoid plastic waste so we provide mineral water in big tanks, not in individual bottles !
• warm and waterproof clothing in spring and autumn. Many people overlook the fact that Cappadocia is in altitude and may have some cold wind and rain.

In summer, dress as if you were going for the desert; in spring and autumn, bring some warm clothing and a waterproof (low risk of rain).
Every evening, the logistic vehicle will forward your luggage to the camp site or pension.You will have to move your luggage around several times during the week so you should pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.
The guides do carry first aid packs with them, but you may also want to bring your own water purifying tablets, aspirin, large spectrum antibiotics and sunscreen.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

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).