Cappadocia Comfort Ride

Introduction
Cappadocia Turkey
This one-week trail is for those looking for an exclusive, comfortable, and flexible ride without compromising on the riding and scenery. 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. Horses are groomed and prepared for you each day as well as untacked and looked after so you can relax and really enjoy your vacation. This trail combines quality accommodation in guesthouses or upgrade to luxury hotels (selected for their historical architecture (cave hotels), special atmosphere, high quality of service and attention to details). Delicious Turkish meals, together with a semi-progressive, varied itinerary including all of Cappadocia's highlights as well as treasures off the beaten tracks.

You will be exploring a variety of landscapes from canyons, mountains, orchards and vineyards, rock tunnels, and of course the famous Sword Valley and Red Valley- a unique set of geological formations that are specific to Turkey. Villages dot the landscape and contain so much character and culture! You'll spot houses, churches, monasteries, and hotels have been harmoniously carved out of the rock surface of the natural landforms and will even have the chance to stay in one of these accommodations! Don't miss the hot-air balloon flight (optional) in the early morning and travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise! The landscape is a sight not to be missed as the sun lights up all of the colours in the rock and creates a warm ambience. Find yourself amazed exploring his ancient and well-preserved country, marrying landscape and culture- all from horseback!

Accomodation

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

Description
All options portray our beautiful Turkish culture, located in ancient stone houses or in renovated cave houses, typical of the local architecture.
All rooms contain a double or two twin beds and en-suite washroom. WIFI is available in most places and it is sometimes possible to use a laundry service. 



Standard Option Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Hotel in Urgup
Night 3 & 4: Guesthouse in Ayvalı 
Night 5 & 6: Guesthouse in Uçhisar
Night 7: Hotel in Urgup

Hotel in Urgup
This small hotel perfectly blends into the environment. The interior features many local artifacts and exposed stones and beam ceilings add to the charm. The rooms are simply furnished and all feature a TV, free Wi-Fi access and a private bathroom. There is a small terrace from which you can admire the view over the city.

Guesthouse in Ayvali
This charming cave hotel is ideally located on a scenic hill.  It offers a nice view of the village and of the valleys around.  The rooms are simple and comfortable and all come equipped with a TV, internet access and an ensuite bathroom. 

Guesthouse in Uchisar
This guesthouse offers elegant rooms in a traditional building, typical of the area. The interior is decorated with local objects including rugs and potteries. Each room offers a view of one of the surrounding valleys and they all come fitted with private facilities and Wi-Fi connection.


Deluxe Option Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Hotel in Urgup
Night 3 & 4: Cave Hotel in Ayvalı
Night 5 & 6: Guesthouse in Uçhisar
Night 7: Hotel in Urgup

Hotel in Urgup
This hotel displays a great example of the local architecture and offers bedrooms decorated with Turkish antiques. All rooms include a TV, a kettle, air conditioning, a safe, an ensuite bathroom and internet access. There is also a small garden and a lounge where guest can relax.

Cave Hotel in Ayvali
This beautiful hotel offers authentic cave rooms that were carved in volcanic stones. The rooms feature an arched ceiling and local artifacts. Every room is equipped with private facilities, a TV, a kettle, central heating, a safe box and Wi-Fi connection. There is also a small outdoor swimming pool.

Guesthouse in Uchisar
This guesthouse offers elegant rooms in a traditional building, typical of the area. The interior is decorated with local objects including rugs and potteries. Each room offers a view of one of the surrounding valleys and they all come fitted with private facilities and Wi-Fi connection.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory if we cannot find another rider to share for the Standard and Deluxe option.
Triple occupancy is not possible.



Meals
All meals are included on the trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. 

Breakfasts (Turkish and continental) and dinners (Turkish- comprising a starter, one or two main courses and dessert) will be taken at the guesthouse/ hotel.
On most days we ride up to a local restaurant for lunch & on some days we have a picnic lunch.

Water, tea and coffee are included. Cappadocia wine, beer and other drinks are available and payable locally.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to vegetarians if given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Physical Condition and Riding Ability
Riders must be able to tack up and mount their horse unassisted, and be confident on leading their horse on rough terrain and riding during group canters on forward-going horses. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides outdoor and exercise yourself in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail. Cappadocia is hilly so you need to be fit enough to mount an dismount your horse and walk short distances, going sometimes strongly uphill.
Riders must be in good physical condition to take part on the progressive trail. Circuit includes a few difficult portions where riders will be asked to dismount and lead their horse for a short amount of time.

Riding Schedule
The riding day will start early in the morning (08:00 am in the saddle) followed by a big break after lunch and 1 or 2 hours of riding in the evening. Riders arrive on horseback at the accommodation, and park the horses for the night in front or very close to the hotel. No travel by minibus required during the week.

Pace
This trail includes 5 and a half riding days with 5-6 hours one horseback per day. We cover approximately 35km per day on varied terrain. The pace is primarily at a walk but with opportunities to canter every 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 85kg. 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.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that the description below is an example of a trail we often do, but for reasons such as weather or safety, the guide can chose to change the itinerary at the last minute.

During the hottest months, we ride in the morning (8 am to 1 pm) and late afternoon. During the rest of the day, we stay around the swimming pool and enjoy the troglodic habitats.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival at Kayseri Erkilet Airport/ Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport where you are met by your driver and transferred to your accommodation in Urgup (about 1 hour) where you have dinner with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Urgup

Day 2 (Monday): Uzengi Canyon
You are driven to the ranch in the morning to meet your horse and to get acquainted with the riding equipment. We start with a training course around the farm before going on a short trail ride.
The track leads to the foot of troglodytic citadels and dovecotes carved out the abrupt rock walls. There, some local villagers will cook lunch for us on wood fire.
The afternoon is spent riding through lush vegetation and along the stream of the Uzengi canyon.
In the evening, you are driven back to Urgup where you will spend a second night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Urgup

Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to Mustafapasa & Ayvali
Your start the day with a long canter (the ascension of the Avlak mountain - in case of rain, the Avlak mountain is unrideable and will be avoided), with a magnificent view of Cappadocia. The rocky hills could provide the perfect background to a Western movie... We eventually arrive in the center of the old Greek village of Mustafapasa.
After lunch, you may stroll among Mustafapasa’s old stone houses, its Ottoman madrasa and its painted church or take a nap on the sofa.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy varied scenery of narrow tracks, small canyons, farmed land and the wide-open spaces, where shepherds lead their flocks, before arriving to your guesthouse in Ayvali.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Ayvalı

Day 4 (Wednesday): Keslik Monastery
This morning, we canter through fields of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high). Then, we ride through a steep single trail down to Damsa lake. Villagers cook lunch for us on a woodfire. We have the opportunity to visit the Keslik monastery.
Passing by and overlooking a valley of fairy chimneys, the afternoon scenery is made of bare hills surrounding the lake. Visit of the underground village of Golgoli.
You end the day cantering along tracks of soft red clay leading you to the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop at your hotel in this village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Ayvalı

Day 5 (Thursday): Uchisar
Today’s itinerary takes you to the beautiful valleys of north Cappadocia, and to the village of Uchisar. You trot and canter through vineyards and orchards and over rolling hills of white tufa to reach Ibrahimpasa. From this picturesque village, you start ascending the ‘twin hills' of Cappadocia. A nice canter at the top takes you to a panoramic viewpoint encompassing northern Cappadocia and the towering rock fortress of Uchisar. As you ride towards the village, you can admire the multi-coloured rock formations of the famous Pigeon Valley, and Uchisar’s picturesque fairy chimneys. Your reach the village on horseback and enjoy a late lunch on the terrace. You may spend the rest of the day exploring the village, visiting the churches of Goreme’s Open Air Museum or hiking through the Pigeon Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Uçhisar

Day 6 (Friday): White, Red and Rose Valleys
Optional hot-air balloon flight in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia's magical landscape at sunrise (extra fee).
You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley (after the colour of its rock). You sneak your way through arches, rocky labyrinths and lush vegetation, then into 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 northern Cappadocia.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Uçhisar

Day 7 (Saturday): Balkan Valley
You ride 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 ride to the village of Ortahisar, where you will have lunch. You canter on a sandy track lined with trees and then cross the Valley of Pancarlik with it’s multi-coloured fairy chimneys, arriving at the ranch in the afternoon. Short transfer to your hotel in Urgup.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Urgup

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
After breakfast, departure to Kayseri Erkilet Airport/ Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast

----------------------------------------

Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

For those interested in experiencing the hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's surreal landscape at sunrise it can be arranged. The cost varies depending on season and type of ride, from 150 to 220 Euro plus 10% tax -- paid locally in cash or credit card. The price includes:
- pick-up from hotel around 04:00h
- deluxe flight (1 hour, up to 16 passengers)
- return to hotel before breakfast
Note that if the weather does not permit for the balloon flight the operator will advise at the last minute, often after the pick-up.

Rates and Dates for Cappadocia Comfort Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Urgup
Airport: Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport
Transfer: Kayseri Erkilet Airport or Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport

Climate:
                                        Mustafapaşa area