Cappadocia Cross Country Ride Cappadocia Turkey This progressive riding trail, with nights spent in guesthouses, is an invitation to discover the immense natural, historical and cultural wealth of Cappadocia's unique landscape. A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, the Cappadocia regions is the result of incredible volcanic eruptions and  ancient human activity. In personal riding groups of no more than 8 people, you will spend 5 - 6 hours per day exploring on horseback through a land rich with wonder. Beginning from the ranch located between Ortahisar and Ürgüp, the itinerary  will take you on a 120 km tour around 'geological' Cappadocia, in 6 riding days. From the peasants' Cappadocia of the South to the most beautiful valleys of the North, a succession of fantastic rock formations, lush canyons, high plateaus, steppe-like landscapes, vineyards and orchards, compose a surprisingly varied route. The villages you will be introduced to will reflect the Anatolian way of life and the frescoed churches and many troglodytic treasures will testify to the stunning historical past of the area.  You will experience the legendary Turkish hospitality in the typical Anatolian guesthouses that we have selected for you to stay in along the way. You will visit the cave villages, a renovated caravanserai and ancient frescoed churches. Come discover the beauty of the rural way of life found here, where the oldest traditions still live on. It is now possible to include a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia's surreal landscape during the week. Flights take place on Thursday or Friday morning at sunrise.   Camping Ride with vehicle support Progressive Ride (no camping) Family Vacation Meeting: Ortahisar Airport: Kayseri Transfer: Kayseri Airport Riders: Min 2 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

The free transfers are included at a set time only - NO EXCEPTIONS! If you have no choice but to arrive at an alternative hour, we can book you a commerical airport shuttle (limited hours of operation) or in extreme cases you will need to take a taxi from the airport. Please see costs above!

The descriptions below are example of programs. However, because of the weather or for safety reasons, the guide can choose to change the itinerary of the trail at any time.

Sample Itinerary: Bivouac Trail (for intermediate riders +) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival day 
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.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Valley of Cemece
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.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Cemece Valley

Day 3 (Tuesday): Plateau of Avlak
You ascend the Plateau of Avlak for a magnificent encompassing view of Cappadocia. In the background stands the 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 with views over the chain of the Taurus Mountains, 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 Keslik, near the remote village of Cemilkoy.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Damsa Valley

Day 4 (Wednesday): Uchisar and Göreme
This day compromises 3.5 hours of riding in the morning. Afternoon is at leisure in Cappadocia's most picturesque villages: Uchisar and Göreme.
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. 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 dinner is cooked on the wood fire.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Subasi Valley

Activity options for the afternoon: 
Visit the ancient troglodytic village of Uchisar, its rock fortress and crafts shops
Visit the Underground Cities (minibus transfer can be arranged)
Visit the churches of Goreme’s Open Air Museum (minibus transfer can be arranged)
Walk the 4km long Pigeon Valley to Goreme (minibus transfer can be arranged)

Day 5 (Thursday): Ride through Cappadocia's beautiful valleys
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning.
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 a green field, you stop for lunch, surrounded by walls of soft colorful rock, where the horses can rest and graze. In the afternoon, you continue over rolling hills of white tuff, 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 strangely shaped pink rock formations while sipping tea.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Uchisar Valley

Day 6 (Friday): Cappadocia
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning.
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 Çavusin, 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 camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Red Valley

Day 7 (Saturday): Ride back to the ranch
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 citadels of red, pink and ochre 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 hammam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath.
Short transfer to your accommodation in Ortahisar. Farewell dinner with your guides at the guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Guesthouse Trail (for strong intermediate riders +) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to the ranch (transfers are only included at set times!). You are met by our driver and transferred to your guesthouse in Ortahisar, where you have dinner with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 2 (Monday): Avlak
You are driven to the ranch in the morning to meet your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. You will have time to try your horse on a 1 km training course going around the farm.
The trail begins with a 1-hour ride through lush vegetation and along the stream of the Uzengi canyon. Very quickly, the first long canter brings you to Avlak Mountain, with a magnificent view of Cappadocia. Cantering on this high plateau brings us to lunchtime. Lunch is served on a table, in the heart of a green canyon, with the horses grazing around us. The afternoon is spent riding through a huge valley where the ghost village of Karain is located. After a few more canters, we arrive in Akköy village. The terrace of the hotel has a 180° view over the valley and the paddock is 100 m in front of the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Akköy

Day 3 (Tuesday): Keslik Monasteri
We start this day by cantering through fields of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m above sea level): barley, wheat, oat and beans fields. We dismount in order to walk our horses (about 20 minutes) along a steep trail down to Damsa lake. Villagers cook lunch for us on a wood fire. Passing by and overlooking a valley of fairy chimneys, the afternoon scenery is made of bare hills surrounding the lake (in case of hot weather, you can swim in the lake with your horse). You canter along tracks of soft red clay leading you to the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop for the night at your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Mustafapasa

Day 4 (Wednesday): Golgoli
In the morning, a quick start with a canter brings you to visit the underground village of Golgoli. Your sure-footed horse takes you off the beaten tracks along a scenic path through rock formations, vineyard and orchards, surrounded by table-mountains. Arrival in the center of the old Greek village of Mustafapasa and visit on horseback. You climb a scenic plateau where you have the opportunity to gallop your horse again. After a short ride, you arrive to your hotel in Ayvali.
(Depending on the season and weather forecast, lunch in Mustafapasa or next to the swimming pool in Ayvali)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Mustafapasa

Day 5 (Thursday): Ibrahimpasa
Leaving the hotel on horseback, you can enjoy a varied scenery of narrow tracks, small canyons, farmed land, and the wide- open spaces of Subasi, where shepherds lead their flock. You sneak your way along the lush, narrow canyon of a remote village, before galloping on large sandy tracks. Visit of a second and different type of underground village: “Kirkule”. A long canter leads us through vineyards and orchards and over rolling hills of white tuff to reach the fairy chimneys of Gomeda valley. Then more riding awaits you in the narrow corridors and arches of the canyon of Gumuslu. You ride uphill to reach a restaurant for lunch: “Babayan evi”. Very good and healthy local food. From this picturesque village, you start ascending the ‘twin hills' of Cappadocia to reach a panoramic viewpoint encompassing northern Cappadocia and the towering rock fortress of Uchisar. As you ride towards the village, you can admire the multicolored rock formations of the famous Pigeon Valley, and Uchisar’s picturesque fairy chimneys. Your reach your guesthouse on horseback and enjoy a drink on the terrace.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Uchisar

Day 6 (Friday): Valley of Roses
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning.
You sneak your way through the rock tunnels, arches and small woods of the spectacular, 4 km-long canyon called the Green Valley. You make a detour through the famous Love Valley and its gigantic phallic rock formations, then into the Sword Valley and Red Valley. With its citadels of red, pink and ochre rocks, and its beautiful troglodytic churches, this is Cappadocia’s most spectacular ensemble of geological formations. A cave café located in an ancient monastery welcomes you for lunch. In the afternoon, you keep exploring the Red and Rose Valleys, and then ride out into the fields, surrounded by the rocky hills of north Cappadocia. The winding paths of the Shepherd’s valley take you back with a long canter to your guesthouse in Uchisar, in time to admire north Cappadocia in the sunset light.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Uchisar

Day 7 (Saturday): Boz daha’ plateau
You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley (named this way because of the color of its rocks). You ride through stone labyrinths and lush vegetation, and pass the impressive fairy chimneys of yet another Love Valley ...
Crossing the picturesque village of Cavusin, you dismount for a short walk to reach the plateau of Boz daha. You canter on the crest overlooking Red valley on one side and Devrent valley on the other, with its strangely shaped fairy chimneys on the other side. You enjoy more long canters through the maze of woody, sandy paths of the valley of Urgüp before reaching the valley of Pancarlik and its multicolored rock formations, gardens and orchards. You return to the ranch in the afternoon. After tea on our terrace, you have an option to be driven to the hammam in Urgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage. Short transfer back to your guesthouse and farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Family Ride (for intermediate riders) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival day
Arrival at Kayseri airport. Transfer by minibus to your guest house in Ortahisar. Evening meal with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 2 (Monday): First Ride
Discovery of the farm and the animals. Lunch on the farm. In the afternoon 2 hour ride (initiation and short walk around the farm).
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 3 (Tuesday): Mustafapasa
After breakfast, you will discover the farm activities (goat-milking and cheese-making) and Natural horsemanship techniques. Lunch in the village of Mustafapasa. In the afternoon, walk back to the farm to discover the Gomeda valley (Self-guided walk with a GPS).
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 4 (Wednesday): Yatak and Tartale valleys
This morning, we go for a 2-hour ride in Yatak and Tartale valley. We enjoy our lunch in Uzumlu Kilise and in the afternoon, riders can walk to Cavusin through the valley of roses (Self-guided walk with a gps).
In the evening, transfer to your guesthouse in Uçhisar.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Uçhisar

Day 5 (Thursday): Green Valley  
Walk in the Green Valley (3 hours). Lunch in Goreme. Visit of the Goreme open air Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Uçhisar

Day 6 (Friday): White Valley
Walk in the White Valley. Lunch in Cavusin and transfer to the farm for a second training on natural horsemanship and cattle.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 7 (Saturday): Pancarlik Valley
We go for an early visit to Urgup's market and later on, we ride to Pancarlik Valley. We have a picnic lunch with the horses in the valley and ride back to the farm by the scenic valley of Ortahisar.
You have the option to be driven to the hammam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Ortahisar

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
Breakfast and transfer to Kayseri
Meals included: Breakfast

                                        Mustafapaşa area

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


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

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 list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

Travel Insurance

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Long sleeved shirts

Good walking shoes, rather than boots! However, make sure your shoes are not too big, or they may get stuck in the stirrups.

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips) Riding without a hard hat is at your own risk.

Riding gloves

chaps or mini chaps

Hat with chin Strap

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Sweatshirt for evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Walking shoes

For Camping trips:

Sleeping bag rated down to -10 F (-20 C) at least

Flashlight

Flask

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Camera and enough extra films

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Average ratings from 16 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date alistair mair 6/23/2018 virginia (ginny) swedenberg 11/16/2016 gerda göttlich 6/20/2016 karen henderson 10/24/2014 ira kupferberg 10/23/2014 katherine moran 10/16/2012 amy demint 7/14/2012 lori auhll 7/1/2011 dale miller 6/13/2011 mary bridgman 9/15/2010 jessie leyse 5/25/2010 leeann riloff 10/26/2009 kelley harrison 7/1/2009 t h 7/30/2008 peter tillman 7/5/2008 melanie donaghy 6/22/2008

Accommodations
These trails are all progressive rides where nights are spent at various locations.

Description
The traditional habitat of Cappadocia is mainly troglodyte: rooms are carved in the rock. Most of the hotels are beautifully restored old houses and offer caves rooms.
Most people enjoy this amazing experience. But some guests have complained about the lack of windows and the rough (unfinished) walls in their bedrooms. Please let us know if you would have an issue with this type of accommodation.



Guesthouse Trail Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Depending on availability, the guesthouses used are located in the villages of Ortahisar, Urgup, Mustafapasa, Uchisar and Goreme. You will stay in picturesque, comfortable guesthouses located in ancient stone houses or in renovated cave houses, typical of the local architecture.
You will have the time to visit Cappadocia's nicest villages and experience the legendary Turkish hospitality and the Anatolian way of life. Most guesthouses are run by families.
All nights are in double/twin room with ensuite toilets and shower. Most accommodations offer internet access and a laundry service.

Night 1: Accommodation in Ortahisar
Night 2: Accommodation in Akköy
Nights 3 & 4: Accommodations in Mustafapasa
Nights 5 & 6: Accommodations in Uchisar
Night 7: Accommodation in Ortahisar



Bivouac Trail Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
The camping option is for those who enjoy outdoor living and sleeping in a tent or under the stars.
You will reach a different location on horseback at the end of each day. The camp will be set up in the middle of nature, surrounded by fairy chimneys or a beautiful panorama.
The camps includes a large communal tent like those used by the last nomadic families in the country. You will be sleeping in double tipi-tents with floor mats and single camp mattresses (provided). The camp also includes a shower tent with a bucket and a gas stove for heating the water. For the washroom, you need to dig a hole in the ground.
You will set up and take down your own tent, and replace the equipment in the trailer each morning. You must bring a suitable sleeping bag, a torch, towels and toiletries.

Night 1: Accommodation in Ortahisar
Night 2: Camping in Cemece Valley
Night 3: Camping in Damsa Valley
Night 4: Camping in Subasi Valley
Night 5: Camping in Uchisar Valley
Night 6: Camping in Red Valley
Night 7: Accommodation in Ortahisar



Family Ride Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Most nights are at the same guesthouse in Ortahisar and 2 nights are spent in Uchisar.

Room Occupancy
Single room accommodations are possible depending on availability for some nights, depending on what program you choose. A single supplement fee applies for those nights.
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, a single supplement fee applied.



Meals
All meals are included for this trip, except for lunches on the family ride. 

A continental and Turkish breakfast option is available at the accommodations. 
A delicious picnic lunch featuring a local specialty is served while on the trail. However, on most days we can ride up to a local restaurant for lunch.  
At the camp, dinner is a traditional dish cooked on the wood fire, along with salad and fruits. Dinners are taken the Turkish way, on the floor, sitting on a carpet around a large round tray set in the communal tent or outside by the campfire. Dinner usually includes a starter, one or two main courses and dessert.

Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are available as an option, for an extra cost.

Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarian options are available upon request.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		McClellan light trailing saddles with saddlebags. Standard bits and pelhams
Horses:		Arab and cross-Arab mares
Pace:		Mostly at a walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(4 to 5 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 12 - child or teen must be good rider
Weight:		Max 200 lbs - Strictly enforced, may be weighed on arrival
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 10 riders

Bivouac Trail:
The Bivouac program include 6 riding days with about 5 to 6 hours in the saddle each day except on Wednesday (3.5 hours). On average, we will cover 15 to 25 kilometers each day.

Guesthouse Trail:
The Guesthouse programs include 6 riding days with about 5 to 6 hours in the saddle each day except on Wednesday (3.5 hours). On average, we will cover 25 to 30 kilometers each day.

Family Ride:
This program may be suitable for riders who lack a bit of confidence, but it is NOT suitable for beginners or novices. The trail includes 5 riding days with about 2 to 3 hours in the saddle each day. We cover 20 km a day on average, on varied terrain.

Physical Condition and Riding Ability
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. You must be able to stay in the saddle firmly during group canters, and be able to tack up your horse yourself. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides and get adequately fit in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail.
Riders must be in good physical condition. Circuit includes a few difficult ways where riders will be asked to dismount and lead their horse, sometimes up steep paths.
For the comfort of the group, riders who do not have an adequate riding level, body weight or physical condition may be refused access to the riding trails, and be offered a walking or minibus tours of Cappadocia instead, at an extra cost. So please, be aware of your capabilities! People unsure of their physical condition and riding level should opt for the Cappadocia Comfort Ride or Family Trail option.

Pace
The pace is mostly at a walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day.

Tack
The riding equipment includes standard bits and pelhams as well as McClellan light trailing saddles and saddles made by ourselves. These are fitted with two saddlebags for you to carry the picnic and personal belongings for the day.



Horses
Our stable is composed of forward-going Arab, and cross-Arab horses who will surprise you with their robustness and their agility. They are 1,50 m tall on average - the ideal size for trailing on tortuous paths! All our horses are responsive, well balanced and respectful of the rider and they are extremely sure-footed.
We have put a lot of time and investment into the quality of our horses. Since 2015 more than half of our cavalry has been renewed with pure Arabian endurance horses. Most of our horses have qualifed in national endurance races.
We have invested in a horse walker and in an arena in order to continue to offer riders well trained horses.
Our horses live together as a herd and all spend their days outside grazing in our fields when not on the trail.
Horses are assigned according to riding levels and riders' preferences, but the size and the weight of the rider are also important criteria.
Our team will groom and prepare the horses, so no participation is required by the rider.
 
Weight Restriction
Riders cannot be over 90kg. We will weigh riders on arrival and those over will not be able to participate in the riding program.

Guide
We will provide 1 guide for every 4 riders.

Travel Insurance
You must have appropriate travel insurance to take part in our trails. Make sure your policy covers horse-riding activities abroad. Your insurance details will be requested on arrival.

Riders 12 yrs and older can participate, but anyone under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult!

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).

 

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.