Horseback riding in Turkey

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Our equestrian tours in Turkey

Horseback riding vacations in Turkey

Turkey is a country steeped in tradition, with an exotic past, and unique geographical location. It is in fact the only country in the world to sit astride two continents – fusing together the East and the West. This cultural uniqueness is reflected in its history and people, and makes Turkey and exciting place to embark on a horse riding holiday. Partly mountainous, partly Mediterranean and coastal, Turkey offers a diverse array of horseback vacations.

Horse Riding in Turkey

Hidden Trails offers several horse riding holidays in Turkey, each with their own unique appeal.

Most of the rides take place in the stunning region of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ride through beautiful valleys dotted with impressive rock formations and ancient villages.

The Taurus Mountains are another popular riding destinations, with beautiful mountain landscapes by the Mediterranean Sea.

Our newest ride takes place on the Mediterranean Coast, in the province of Mugla. Explore the historical site of Kaunos and ride to the famous Dalyan lagoon on the back of fit Arabian horses.

Turkey History and Culture

The Turkish people first arrived here in the Middle Ages, as Nomads from Central Asia. Before then Turkey was Byzantine, and modern day Istanbul (then Constantinople) was an important political center for the Christian empire. Romans, Persians, Lycians and Phrygians were all former occupants of the same territory, and earlier still, Hittite tribes had built an Anatolian empire before collapsing around the time of the Trojan Wars.

Such a rich history has left an indelible mark and Turkey abounds with historic sites and archaeological wonders set in a varied and beautiful landscape. The Mediterranean coastline is punctuated with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom and Ephesus, while the austere and rugged Anatolian plateau has cave churches hidden away in the improbable fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, still very much the pulse of the nation, has even more to offer, with Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques and palaces.

The modern republic's first leader, Kemal Atatürk, saw to it that Turkey was reinvented as a modern secular state following the demise of the Ottoman Empire. What you see today, thanks to Atatürk's comprehensive modernization, is a healthy combination of ancient tradition and contemporary outlook. This outlook sees little contradiction in having modern European ways tempered by Islam and time-honored traditions of hospitality.

Turkey Weather and Climate

Turkey essentially experiences an 8-9 month summer, with the average yearly temperature sitting around 16 ° C. In the hottest summer months (July and August) temperatures can rise to 28 ° C, whilst October is milder, at around 21 ° C. November is still relatively warm, at about 16° C, and the coldest winter months (December to March) hardly drop below 12° C.

Explore more European Horse Riding Vacation

Holidays on horseback in Turkey

See Mini Country Guide

Turkey

At A glance

Capital City: Ankara

Land size: 769,632 sq km

Population: 83,047,706 (2022 est.)

Official language: Turkish

Currency: Turkish Lira (₺ / TRY)

UNESCO properties and sites:

Aphrodisias
Archaeological Site of Ani
Archaeological Site of Troy
Arslantepe Mound
Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
City of Safranbolu
Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape
Ephesus
Göbekli Tepe
Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği
Hattusha: the Hittite Capital
Historic Areas of Istanbul
Nemrut Dağ
Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük
Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex
Xanthos-Letoon
Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
Hierapolis-Pamukkale

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey-turkiye/

Turkey spans over two continents, blending rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear waters along the Mediterranean coast, where you can relax, swim, or embark on exciting water sports activities. Discover the rugged beauty of the Taurus Mountains, a true nature lover’s paradise!

Horseback riding through Turkey is a great way to explore the country. Journey through the mystical landscapes of Cappadocia, where surreal rock formations, cave dwellings, and hot air balloons create a surreal backdrop for horseback riding adventures. Ride through the idyllic valleys, vineyards, and fairy-tale-like chimneys as you uncover the secrets of this unique region.

Brief History

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms.
After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups, which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal political power to civilians.
The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018.

Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey-turkiye/

Cultural Insights

Strict etiquette governs intergenerational and heterosexual interactions.
Unless they are close friends or relatives, older people are addressed formally. Younger people are expected to be reserved in their presence.
Adults of the opposite sex are expected not to act casually or show affection toward each other in public. Friends of the same sex may hold hands and greet each other with kisses on the cheek.

Upon meeting, men shake hands, but a man does not shake a woman's hand unless she extends it to him.

People are not criticized for being late.

One does not drink, smoke, or eat something without first offering to share it with one's companions.

Homes are divided into guest and private areas, and it is improper to ask for a tour of the house. The soles of shoes are considered dirty, and shoes are removed when one enters a home or mosque.

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Turkey.html

Transportation

By Air
Turkey has 35 international airports, so be sure you will reach your destination without much trouble.

Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport is an international airport that opened in 2019 and replaced the former Attaturk Airport. Currently, the airport handles about 50 million passengers per year, but once all the construction plans are finished, it will be able to handle 200 million passengers. The airport serves as a hub for Onur Air and Turkish Airlines. The airport is also located on the European side, not at the same location as Attaturk Airport, but in Arnavutkoy district.

Pendik/Istanbul Airport (SAW)
It is one of the two international airports serving Turkey’s largest city. It is situated on the Asian side of the country and serves as a hub for Pegasus Airlines and as a base for Turskish Airlines and Borajet.

Antalya Airport (AYT)
Antalya Airport is an international airport 13km northeast of the city centre. It is an extremely important airport, especially during the summer season for its location on the Mediterranean coast. It is country’s third and Europe’s fifteenth busiest airport. It has two international terminal, due to the fact that 70% of the passengers are foreigners, and just one domestic terminal.

Ankara Airport (ESB)
Ankara Esenboğa Airport is an international airport serving the capital of Turkey, Ankara. It is country’s fourth busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. It is located 28km away from the centre of Ankara. Approximately 280 aircrafts land and take off Ankara Esenboga Airport daily by more than 20 airlines.

Source: https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airports-in-turkey/

Money

ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. You can get local currency from banks and exchange bureaus, known as DOVIZ in Turkish.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

Health

Medical care provided in Turkish hospitals varies greatly. Though new private hospitals in Ankara, Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul have modern facilities, equipment, numerous U.S.-trained specialists, and international accreditation, some still may be unable to treat certain serious conditions. Health care standards are lower in small cities in Turkey.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Turkey to ensure the medication is legal in Turkey. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Some medications may be unavailable in Turkey.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Turkey.html

Electricity

Turkey operates on a 220V supply voltage and uses type C and F plugs.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.

The Type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) has two 4.8 mm round pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is similar to the Type E plug but has two earth clips on the side rather than a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug was developed to work with sockets E and F and has grounding clips on both sides (to work with Type F sockets) and a female contact (to accept the grounding pin of the type E socket).

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

Communication

Time zone in Turkey: Turkey Time (GMT+3)

International country code – 90

Turkey continues to develop its capabilities within its telecom sector, becoming one of the relatively few countries able to build and develop its own communications satellites. With the successful launch of the Turksat 5A and 5B satellites in 2021, the country has vastly increased its bandwidth capacity; these satellites will be joined by the Turksat 6A in early 2023.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/turkey-turkiye/

Phrasebook

English	Turkish
Hello!	Merhaba
Goodbye	Hoşça kal
Good morning	Günaydın
Good evening	Iyi akşamlar
Good night	İyi geceler
Please	Lütfen
Thank you	Teşekkür ederim
Yes	Evet
No	Hayır

Source: http://www.nemolanguageapps.com/phrasebooks/turkish

Entry Requirements

If you are visiting Turkey, your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive and there should be a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps. You can find more detail about the requirements for entry into Turkey on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) Application System was launched on 17 April 2013 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. This system allows visitors travelling to Türkiye to easily obtain their e-Visas online (www.evisa.gov.tr), in approximately three minutes.
Please note that e-visa is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or commerce. For other purposes, such as work and study, visas are given by Turkish Embassies or Consulates.

Source: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Ankara
110 Atatürk Blvd.
Kavaklıdere
06100 Ankara
Phone: 90 (312) 455-5555

Embassy of Canada in Ankara
Cinnah Caddesi No. 58
Çankaya
06690, Ankara
Phone: 90 (312) 409-2700

Consulate General of Canada in Istanbul
Buyukdere Caddesi No. 209
Tekfen Tower, 4.Levent
Istanbul
Phone: 90 (212) 385-9700

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

UNESCO Sites

Aphrodisias
Located in southwestern Turkey, in the upper valley of the Morsynus River, the site consists of two components: the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the marble quarries northeast of the city. The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC and the city was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora and two bath complexes.

Archaeological Site of Ani
This site is located on a secluded plateau of northeast Turkey overlooking a ravine that forms a natural border with Armenia. This medieval city combines residential, religious and military structures, characteristic of a medieval urbanism built up over the centuries by Christian and then Muslim dynasties. The city flourished in the 10th and 11th centuries CE when it became the capital of the medieval Armenian kingdom of the Bagratides and profited from control of one branch of the Silk Road. Later, under Byzantine, Seljuk and Georgian sovereignty, it maintained its status as an important crossroads for merchant caravans. The Mongol invasion and a devastating earthquake in 1319 marked the beginning of the city’s decline. The site presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution of medieval architecture through examples of almost all the different architectural innovations of the region between the 7th and 13th centuries CE.

Archaeological Site of Troy
Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The first excavations at the site were undertaken by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. In scientific terms, its extensive remains are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world. Moreover, the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13th or 12th century B.C., immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, has inspired great creative artists throughout the world ever since.

Arslantepe Mound
Arslantepe Mound is a 30-metre-tall archaeological tell located in the Malatya plain, 15 km south-west of the Euphrates River. Archaeological evidence from the site testifies to its occupation from at least the 6th millennium BCE up until the Medieval period. The earliest layers belong to the Late Chalcolithic 1-2 periods, contemporary to Early Uruk in Southern Mesopotamia (4300-3900 BCE) and are characterized by adobe houses. The most prominent and flourishing period of the site was in the Late Chalcolithic 5 period, during which the so-called palace complex was constructed. Considerable evidence also testifies to the Early Bronze Age period, most prominently identified by the Royal Tomb complex. The archaeological stratigraphy then extends to the Middle and Late Bronze Ages and Hittite periods, including Neo-Hittite levels. The site illustrates the processes which led to the emergence of a State society in the Near East and a sophisticated bureaucratic system that predates writing. Exceptional metal objects and weapons have been excavated at the site, among them the earliest swords so far known in the world, which suggests the beginning of forms of organized combat as the prerogative of an elite, who -at Arslantepe- exhibited them as instruments of their new political power.

Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
This property is a serial nomination of eight component sites in the City of Bursa and the nearby village of Cumalıkızık, in the southern Marmara region. The site illustrates the creation of an urban and rural system establishing the Ottoman Empire in the early 14th century. The property embodies the key functions of the social and economic organization of the new capital which evolved around a civic centre. These include commercial districts of khans, kulliyes (religious institutions) integrating mosques, religious schools, public baths and a kitchen for the poor, as well as the tomb of Orhan Ghazi, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. One component outside the historic centre of Bursa is the village of Cumalıkızık, the only rural village of this system to show the provision of hinterland support for the capital.

City of Safranbolu
From the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East–West trade route. The Old Mosque, Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322. During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire.

Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape
Located on an escarpment of the Upper Tigris River Basin that is part of the so-called Fertile Crescent, the fortified city of Diyarbakır and the landscape around has been an important centre since the Hellenistic period, through the Roman, Sassanid, Byzantine, Islamic and Ottoman times to the present. The site encompasses the Inner castle, known as İçkale and including the Amida Mound, and the 5.8 km-long city walls of Diyarbakır with their numerous towers, gates, buttresses, and 63 inscriptions. The site also includes the Hevsel Gardens, a green link between the city and the Tigris that supplied the city with food and water, the Anzele water source and the Ten-Eyed Bridge.

Ephesus
Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform chapel seven kilometres from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. The Ancient City of Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channel and harbour basin.

Göbekli Tepe
Located in the Germuş mountains of south-eastern Anatolia, this property presents monumental round-oval and rectangular megalithic structures erected by hunter-gatherers in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic age between 9,600 and 8,200 BCE. These monuments were probably used in connection with rituals, most likely of a funerary nature. Distinctive T-shaped pillars are carved with images of wild animals, providing insight into the way of life and beliefs of people living in Upper Mesopotamia about 11,500 years ago.

Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği
This region of Anatolia was conquered by the Turks at the beginning of the 11th century. In 1228–29 Emir Ahmet Shah founded a mosque, with its adjoining hospital, at Divrigi. The mosque has a single prayer room and is crowned by two cupolas. The highly sophisticated technique of vault construction, and a creative, exuberant type of decorative sculpture – particularly on the three doorways, in contrast to the unadorned walls of the interior – are the unique features of this masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Hattusha: the Hittite Capital
The archaeological site of Hattusha, former capital of the Hittite Empire, is notable for its urban organization, the types of construction that have been preserved (temples, royal residences, fortifications), the rich ornamentation of the Lions' Gate and the Royal Gate, and the ensemble of rock art at Yazilikaya. The city enjoyed considerable influence in Anatolia and northern Syria in the 2nd millennium B.C.

Photo by Camille Loiseau

Historic Areas of Istanbul
With its strategic location on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2,000 years. Its masterpieces include the ancient Hippodrome of Constantine, the 6th-century Hagia Sophia and the 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque, all now under threat from population pressure, industrial pollution and uncontrolled urbanization.

Nemrut Dağ
The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 B.C.), who reigned over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and the Euphrates after the breakup of Alexander's empire, is one of the most ambitious constructions of the Hellenistic period. The syncretism of its pantheon, and the lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's culture.

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük
Two hills form the 37 ha site on the Southern Anatolian Plateau. The taller eastern mound contains eighteen levels of Neolithic occupation between 7400 bc and 6200 bc, including wall paintings, reliefs, sculptures and other symbolic and artistic features. Together they testify to the evolution of social organization and cultural practices as humans adapted to a sedentary life. The western mound shows the evolution of cultural practices in the Chalcolithic period, from 6200 bc to 5200 bc. Çatalhöyük provides important evidence of the transition from settled villages to urban agglomeration, which was maintained in the same location for over 2,000 years. It features a unique streetless settlement of houses clustered back to back with roof access into the buildings.

Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape
This site rises high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. The acropolis of Pergamon was the capital of the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, a major centre of learning in the ancient world. Monumental temples, theatres, stoa or porticoes, gymnasium, altar and library were set into the sloping terrain surrounded by an extensive city wall. The rock-cut Kybele Sanctuary lies to the north-west on another hill visually linked to the acropolis. Later the city became capital of the Roman province of Asia known for its Asclepieion healing centre. The acropolis crowns a landscape containing burial mounds and remains of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires in and around the modern town of Bergama on the lower slopes.

Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex
The square Mosque with its single great dome and four slender minarets, dominates the skyline of the former Ottoman capital of Edirne. Sinan, the most famous of Ottoman architects in the 16th century, considered the complex, which includes madrasas (Islamic schools), a covered market, clock house, outer courtyard and library, to be his best work. The interior decoration using Iznik tiles from the peak period of their production testifies to an art form that remains unsurpassed in this material. The complex is considered to be the most harmonious expression ever achieved of the Ottoman külliye, a group of buildings constructed around a mosque and managed as a single institution.

Xanthos-Letoon
This site, which was the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence, especially in its funerary art. The epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for our understanding of the history of the Lycian people and their Indo-European language.

Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. Dwellings, troglodyte villages and underground towns – the remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century – can also be seen there.

Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/tr