Antalya Trail

Introduction
Turkey Turkey
From Lake Beysehir to the Mediterranean coast.

Crossing the Taurus mountains from north to south, the trail starts in Anatolia with incredible canters along Lake Beysehir and ends on the Mediterranean side by crossing a river. This trail is notable because of the diverse landscapes and scenery: sandy beach and an umbrella pine forest; chestnut and arbutus trees and pomegranate orchards; rocky valleys and high pasture, as well as the majestic canyon of Köprülü for which the Köprülü Canyon National Park is named.

You will also discover Selge. Set on the historic Saint Paul trail, this ancient site has astonishing rock formations and Roman ruins - a little diamond between two mountains!
Although referencing miles does not always make sense in the mountainous areas, be aware that the trail will be fast and rhythmic! Frequent canters - some unforgettable - along with trots, walks and some passages where you will lead your horse: solid rubber sole shoes are compulsory.

In the anarchic limestone formations that characterize this region, we ride along tracks including roads, cute narrow paths, and a paved Roman-era road. There will also be some improvisation alongside the river. This is the perfect trail for a good rider who likes adventure and extraordinary landscapes.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
The progressive trail in bivouac is for those who enjoy outdoor living, and sleeping in a tent or under the stars. Our camp spots are all situated in the heart of Lake Beysehir National Park or Köprülü Canyon National Park. Wi-Fi and electricity are almost never available on this trip (only during nights spent at hotels or guesthouses).
A logistic 4x4 vehicle will be transporting your luggage.

Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel near Lake Beyşehir
Nights 2 & 3: Camping
Night 4: Erdinc's Guesthouse
Nights 5, 6 & 7: Camping
Night 8: Guesthouse in Antalya



Hotels and guesthouses
The hotels and guesthouses used on this trail all offer double rooms with en-suite bathrooms.


Camping
You will reach a different location on horseback at the end of each day, with the camp set up in the middle of nature, surrounded by beautiful views. 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.

Room Occupancy
Single room accommodations are possible depending on availability for just 3 nights out of 8. 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 applies.



Meals
All meals are included for this trip. Full board includes a continental breakfast, a delicious picnic lunch featuring a local specialty each day and dinner.

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.

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.

Riding


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 portions where riders will be asked to dismount and lead their horse, sometimes up steep paths. 

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival at Konya airport at 18:55 via the fight TK2038. You are driven to your hotel on the shore of Lake Beysehir, at the gate of the National Park. Dinner with the group and team at 9:00 pm.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel near Lake Beysehir

Day 2 (Monday): Ride to first camp
Very equestrian morning: nice and fast, with frequent sandy canters along the lake, on earth track lined with small oak trees. A colorful lunch amid fishing boats, the blue skies and yellow reeds; and in the afternoon, we ride up the south delta of the lake, where herds of cows graze on these fat grassy spaces. We reach the road and cross a typical village - a mix of modernity and tradition. We walk in the stony riverbed until the canyon diverts us to an oak forest. The camp awaits us in the middle of a clearing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping

Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to second camp
Via a wide path used in ancient times for transhumance (moving livestock from one grazing ground to another), we ride up until we reach a forest of beech trees. A quick change of scenery after a canter in the undergrowth, and we arrive at the bottom of the first pastures of the Taurus. On an earth and gravel track, we meet feral horses, and avoid them by accelerating our speed. Twenty minutes' walk in a narrow stony canyon, and we get back in the saddle to canter in an exceptional landscape: on both sides of a wide, dry riverbed, enormous pine trees grow on a carpet of greenery dotted between imposing rock blocks. Shepherds on donkeys gather their sheep and goats during our lunch.
We start the afternoon on a mineral pass before getting down a long track offering a panoramic view of the valley. From pine trees to an undergrowth, we find our camp on a green pasture locked between a cliff and a stream.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping

Day 4 (Wednesday): Ride to Erdinc's guesthouse
In a beautiful ravine created by a stream running through a large round rocky block, we walk on the pine needles. As the trail becomes rocky, we lead the horses for a bit. After crossing a village and terraced fields, we reach brush and then a forest.
After a long canter, we have lunch on the banks of a river with a view of Roman tombs carved in the cliff. This short afternoon will be fantastic for anyone who likes fun canters: 9 km along river, sand, gravel, and dust track and the border of a field. Alternating cadence, slalom between the bushes. With a big smile, we arrive at the only guest house in the area: Erdinc's place, operated by a nice family who welcome us with a traditional meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Erdinc's guesthouse

Day 5 (Thursday): Köprülü Canyon Ride
The village and the fog of the river are behind us when we take a narrow mule track overlooking the Köprülü Canyon. After passing the only bridge, we climb via a hard-surfaced road (very few to no vehicles). Lunch at a curious village built between rocks and chestnut trees. In this fairy-tale like landscape you could almost imagine trolls making an appearance!
Selge's rocks, a crater produced by a falling meteor, and the canyon will be viewed at a walk and canter from a high-altitude dirt road.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Selge

Day 6 (Friday): Mountain Ride
We leave Selge and the antique theatre via a track in the forest inviting a canter. Then we reach one of the most extraordinary passages on this trail: a large path carved into the edge of a vertical mountain - we will be a few hundred meters above the valley! After 40 minutes of joy and a few passages, we must lead the horses; we eat under huge plane trees shading a fountain.
We then start the most challenging afternoon for both horses and riders. Climbing first by fields (terraced), and then through the forest, we reach one of the most remote parts of the trail – a beautiful pasture reachable only by horse or foot. After some short canter, we dismount and lead our horses on a mule path. No danger of falling, but we need to be focused to get through three rocky 400 meter passes – this will take about an hour. We finish by entering a forest, where we find the camp in the middle of a wide clearing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping

Day 7 (Saturday): Down to the Beach
We descend the mountain via a large track sneaking its way along rock formations, pine forest and arbutus trees before reaching a cultivated plain. The rhythm will be active: cantering from field to field; crossing a river; and, finally, reaching the camp on a sandy beach along the river.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping

Day 8 (Sunday): Last Ride
We ride along the river, from sandbank to roller beach, fording streams and brooks. Few canters bring us to a bushy hill. After half an hour of riding uphill, we arrive on a rocky ridge, offering us a magnificent view on the antique theater of Aspendos, on the river bellow and on the Mediterranean sea.
We meet the team at lunch under the shade of a big tree. The afternoon will run on long tracks along a canal, following fields and crops that will lead us to the pine forest of Saklikent. We cross it cantering through the rising afternoon light. Last and long canter on the dunes of the beach. After a last swim, you will be driven to your guest house in the center of the old city of Antalya where you will enjoy a seafood dinner. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Guesthouse in Antalya

Day 9 (Monday): Departure
After breakfast, you will be driven to Antalya airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Antalya Trail

Dates Note: Additional tour dates possible, please inquire about availability

Other Info
Meeting: Lake Beysehir (~ 90 min. from Konya airport)
Airport: Konya
Transfer: Konya Airport

Climate:
                                                Antalya area