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.
2019 Progressive Trail in Bivouac option (for intermediate riders +)
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.
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.
Guesthouse trail: Accommodations in Mustafapasa
Day 3 (Tuesday): Plateau of Avlak
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, near the remote village of Cemilkoy.
Guesthouse trail: Accommodations in Mustafapasa
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 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 dinner is cooking on the wood fire.
You are transferred to their guesthouse in Uchisar in the early afternoon. Dinner at the guesthouse.
Guesthouse trail: Accommodations in Uchisar
Activity options for the afternoon: Visit the ancient troglodytic village of Uchisar, its rock fortress and crafts shops Visit the Underground Cities – the minibus transfer will be arranged Visit the churches of Goreme’s Open Air Museum – the minibus transfer will be arranged Walk the Pigeon Valley to Goreme (4km) – the return minibus transfer can be arranged.
Day 5 (Thursday): Ride through Cappadocia's beautiful 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. Your admire the strangely shaped pink rock formations while sipping tea.
Guesthouse trail: Accommodations in Uchisar
Day 6 (Friday): Cappadocia
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 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 overlooking Devrent Valley.
Guesthouse trail: Accommodations in Ortahisar
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 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. Short transfer to your accommodation in Ortahisar. Before dinner, you have an option to be driven to the hamam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath. Farewell dinner with your guides at the guesthouse.
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri airport.
--Subject to change--
2020 Progressive Trail in Bivouac option (for intermediate riders +)
Day 1: 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.
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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.
Day 4: 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. You are transferred to your guesthouse in Uchisar in the early afternoon.
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: 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.
Day 6: 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 overlooking Devrent Valley.
Day 7: 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.
Day 8: Departure day
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
2019 Guesthouse option (for strong intermediate riders +)
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.
Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Mustafapasa
You are driven to the ranch in the early morning to meet and choose your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. The trails begins with the ascension of the Avlak mountain, with a magnificent encompassing view of Cappadocia. The rocky hills could provide the perfect background to a Western movie… You stop for picnic in a shady canyon cut deep in the mountain, then spend the afternoon riding through expanses of bare hills surrounding Lake Damsa. You trot and canter along tracks of soft red clay leading you to Mustafapasa. You ride into the village from the hills, to reach your guesthouse located in an ancient Greek mansion. Your horses will spend the night in the nearby garden. In the evening, you may stroll among Mustafapasa’s old stone houses, its Ottoman madrasa and its painted church.
Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to Ayvali
Leaving the guesthouse on horseback, you ride up the valley of St Nicholas towards the far south of Cappadocia. Your sure-footed horses take you off the beaten tracks along a scenic path through rock formations, vineyard and orchards, surrounded by table-mountains. After a canter, you visit the underground village of Golgoli. You climb a scenic plateau where you will have the opportunity to gallop your horse alone. You enter the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop for lunch at a restaurant nested in the rock. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a varied scenery of narrow tracks, small canyons, farmed land, and the wide-open spaces of Bahceli, where shepherds lead their flock. You sneak your way along the lush, narrow canyon of Sorkumlu, before galloping on large sandy tracks. Visit of a second and different type of underground village : “Kirkule”. In the evening, you arrive to your guesthouse in Mustafapasa with the horses, for your last night in the village.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Uchisar and Göreme
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, among other sites. You trot and canter through vineyards and orchards and over rolling hills of white tuffa to reach Ibrahimpasa. 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 multicoloured rock formations of the famous Pigeon Valley, and Uchisar’s picturesque fairy chimneys. Your reach your panoramic guesthouse on horseback and enjoy a late lunch on the terrace. You may spend the rest of the day exploring Uchisar or hiking to the churches of Göreme’s Open Air Museum through the Pigeon Valley. An excursion to the underground cities can also be organized on request.
Day 5 (Thursday): Ride through Cappadocia's beautiful valleys
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise. 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 onto the Sword Valley and Red Valley. With its citadels of red, pink and ochre rock, 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, 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 to your guesthouse in Uchisar, in time to admire central Cappadocia in the sunset light.
Day 6 (Friday): Ride to Ortahisar
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise. You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley, after the color of its rock. You ride through stone labyrinths and lush vegetation, and pass the impressive fairy chimneys of yet another Love Valley … Crossing the picturesque village of Çavuşin, you follow a scenic path carved in the red rock to reach the famous formations of Paşabaği, and then onto Zelve, an ancient troglodytic settlement which you can visit during your lunch break at a family restaurant. In the afternoon, you canter across the plain of Avanos towards the crests overlooking Devrent valley and its strangely shaped fairy chimneys. You enjoy more long trots and canters through the maze of woody, sandy paths of the valley of Urgup before reaching Ortahisar. Your terraced guesthouse in the village’s ancient quarters is located above a canyon where the horses will spend the night.
You have an option to be driven to the hamam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage (free minibus transfer).
Day 7 (Saturday): Ride back to the ranch
You ride through the valley of Pancarlik and its multicoloured rock formations, gardens and orchards, then canter on the large tracks leading you to the natural rock circus of Taslik. You stop for picnic in a shady canyon cut deep in the mountain. (OR lunch at a restaurant with swimming pool) In the afternoon, you sneak your way among the fairy chimneys of Gümüslü valley, then more fun riding awaits you in the narrow corridors and arches of the canyon of Tahtali. You ride uphill to reach the crests again, then follow a spectacular, narrow path along a cliff overlooking the canyons. You return to the ranch in the early afternoon. After tea on the terrace, you have an option to be driven to the hamam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage (free 4x4 transfer). Short transfer back to your guesthouse in Ortahisar and farewell dinner.
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri airport for your flight to Istanbul.
--subject to change--
2020 Guesthouse option (for strong intermediate riders +)
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight back home.
2019 Family Ride option (for intermediate riders)
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival day
Arrival at Kayseri airport. Transfer by minibus to your guest house in Ortahisar. Evening meal with your guide.
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). Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse in Ortahisar
Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to Mustafapasa
After Breakfast you will ride from the farm to the village of Mustafapasa. Lunch in the village of Mustafapasa. Ride back to the farm by discovering the Gomeda valley. Dinner and night at your guesthouse in Ortahisar
Day 4 (Wednesday): Yatak and Tartale valleys
2 hours ride in Yatak and Tartale valley. Lunch in Uzumlu Kilise, walk to Cavusin through the valley of roses. Transfer to your guesthouse in Uçhisar, dinner and night in Uchisar.
Day 5 (Thursday): Green Valley
Walk in the Green Valley (3 hours). Lunch in Goreme.Visit of the Goreme open air Museum. Dinner and night in Uchisar.
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. Dinner and night in Ortahisar.
Day 7 (Saturday): Pancarlik Valley
Ride to Pancarlik Valley, picnic with horses on the valley, back to the farm by the scenic valley of Ortahisar. You have an option to be driven to the hammam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage. Dinner and night in your guesthouse in Ortahisar
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
Breakfast and transfer to Kayseri
--Subject to change--
2020 Family Ride option (for intermediate riders)
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival day
Arrival at Kayseri airport. Transfer by minibus to your guest house in Ortahisar. Evening meal with your guide.
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). Dinner and overnight at your guesthouse 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). Dinner and overnight in your guesthouse 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 (dinner and night in Uchisar)
Day 5 (Thursday): Green Valley
Walk in the Green Valley (3 hours). Lunch in Goreme.Visit of the Goreme open air Museum. Dinner and night in Uchisar.
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. Dinner and night 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.
Dinner and night in your guesthouse in Ortahisar.
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
Breakfast and transfer to Kayseri