Comfort ride in Cappadocia

For autonomous riders, who want to discover the beauty of Cappadocia.

Leaving from the ranch between Urgup and Ortahisar, in the heart of the national park, the progressive trail takes you around Cappadocia. From the peasants' Cappadocia of the south to the most beautiful valleys of the north, a succession of fantastic rock formations, lush canyons, high plateaux, steppe-like landscape, along with vineyards and orchards, compose a surprinsingly varied route. On the way, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life while frescoed churches and other troglodytic treasures testify of the rich past of the area. Our itinerary takes place entirely within the national park.

Accommodation is in charming hotels in Cappadocia's prettiest villages, in front of which your horses are spending the night (see dates and details below).

The rider can choose between 2 kinds of accommodation : (See below for more infos)
- or in “standard” room
- in “deluxe” room (+ 400 € extra charge)

It is possible to include during the week a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia's surreal landscape at sunrise, as well as a Turkish bath experience (steam bath and massage at Urgup's traditional hamam at the end of the week).

The Comfort trail is for autonomous riders, who want to discover the beauty of Cappadocia !
- The riders won’t lead their horse on long walks uphill or downhill ; only on few rough passages where they need to dismount from the horse and a short walk in the morning before getting in the saddle.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY :

The description below is an example of a trail we often do, but for a reason like the weather forecast or a safety reason, the guide can chose to change the itinerary of the trail at the last moment.

Arrival Day & Day 1

Arrival Day :

Arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir airport. You are met by your chauffeur and transferred in 50 mn to your guesthouse in Urgup, where you have dinner with your guide at 8:00.

Day 1 :

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 training course going around the farm. Short ride till the foot of troglodytic citadels of dovecotes carved out the abrupt rock walls where villagers cook lunch for us on the woodfire.

The afternoon is spent riding through lush vegetation and along the stream of the Uzengi canyon. You are drived back to Urgup where you will spend a secound night. (Driving time : 5 min)
Day 2 : Mustafapasa

Your first long canter is the ascension of the Avlak mountain (in case of rain, the Avlak mountain is unrideable and will be avoided), with a magnifcent encompassing view of Cappadocia. The rocky hills could provide the perfect background to a Western movie... Arrival 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.

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.
Day 3 : Keslik Monastery

We start this day by cantering through fields of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high) : barley, wheat, oat and beans fields. We ride throught a steep single trail down to Damsa lake. Villagers cook lunch for us on a woodfire. Opportunity to visit the 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 canter along tracks of soft red clay leading you to the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop at your hotel, for the second and last night in this village.
Day 4 : Uchisar (half riding day)

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 tuffa 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 multicoloured 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.
Day 5 : Red Valley

Optional hot-air balloon ride in the early morning: travel with the wind over Cappadocia’s magical landscape at sunrise.

You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley. 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 ocre rock, and its beautiful troglodytic churches, this is Cappadocia’s most spectacular ensemble of geological formations. A cave cafe 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 with a long canter to your guesthouse in Uchisar, in time to admire north Cappadocia in the sunset light.
Day 6 : Balkan Valley & Day 7 : Departure day

Leaving the village on horseback, 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 till the village of Ortahisar, where you will have lunch.

You canter on a sandy track lined with trees. You cross the Valley of Pancarlik and it’s multicoloured fairy chimneys, and you arrive at the ranch in the afternoon. Short transfer to your hotel in Urgup.

Day 7 : departure day

After breakfast, departure to Kayseri (or Nevsehir) airport for your flight to Istanbul.

DESCRIPTION :

Dates & conditions

Dates 2023 :
July 09 – 16 : 1500 € COMFORT SUMMER
July 23 – 30 : 1500 € COMFORT SUMMER
August 13 – 20 : 1500 € COMFORT SUMMER

August 27 – September 03 : 1700 €
September 10 – 17 : 1700 €
September 24 – October 01 : 1700 €
October 08 – 15 : 1700 €
October 22 – 29 : 1700 €

Dates 2024 : 1900 €
March 31 – April 07
April 21 – 28
May 19 – 26

September 01 - 08
September 22 - 29
October 13 – 20

Conditions :
This progressive trail in guestouse is confirmed when we have received a minimum of 2 bookings

The basic price includes :
- 5 riding days and an half, 7 nights on double, twin or triple room
- The loan of a horse and riding equipment
- English speaking guides (1 per group of 8 or less)
- Nights and food accommodation full board
- Regular transfers between local airports and hotels

The basic price doesn't include :
- International flights
- Optional activities (Hot air balloon, hammam, Open Air Museum of Gorëme, swimming pool)
- Extra drinks

Horse riding level

- The difficulty of this trail is 3/4
- Riding level : intermediate to advanced riders.
To take part of all our trails, you must have a competent riding level to be able to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, ride or lead your horse on short technical passages, get on or off your horse several times a day alone and groom, tack and untack your horse without assistance.
- Good physical condition is essential.

Rhythms of the trail :
- 5 and an half riding days
- 5 hours on horseback each day, except day 4 (ride in the morning and afternoon at leisure in Uchisar)
- 28 kilometres (average) each day
- Pace: mostly walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day

Maximum weight :
Riders' weight on the progressive trail is limited at 85 kg (on riding clothes). Riders upper 85 kg, could book with extra charge, for the loan of a second horse. This option is only on demand, it will depend of the horse riding level of the rider and the availability of our horse.

Riders's contribution :
Riders are in charge of their horses ; they will be asked to tack and untack their horse, to water and feed their horse and to take care of their horse equipment.

Accomodation

Depending on availability, guesthouses are located in Urgup, Ayvali and Uchisar.

You will stay in picturesque, comfortable hotels 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.

Food and accomodation:
- 7 nights in double/twin room with ensuite toilets and shower.
- Most guesthouses offer internet access and a laundry service.
- Lunch is taken in different restaurants and snacks, you will taste local specialities.
- Dinner and breakfast are taken at the hotels. Hotels serve Anatolian cuisine for dinner comprising a starter, one or two courses and a dessert. Vegetarian menu on request. Tea and mineral water are included.
- Cappadocia wine, local alcoholic drinks, beer and soft drinks are available as an option.
- Your luggage will be transfered by our logistics vehicle. You should pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.

Standard or Luxury ?

2 kinds of accommodation are available :

- Standard
- Luxury (+ 125 € per person, per week in twin/double room)
Rider can choose between these 2 options.

- IN STANDARD ROOM :

- Night 1, 2 & 7 : Suban Hotel or similar, in the town of Urgup
- Nights 3 & 4: Dilek Tepesi Hotel or similar, in the village of Ayvali
- Night 5 & 6: Kilim Pension or similar, in the village of Uchisar

- IN LUXURY ROOMS :

- Night 1, 2 & 7 : Selcuklu Evi or similar, in the town of Urgup
- Nights 3 & 4: Dilek Tepesi Hotel or similar, in the village of Ayvali
- Night 5 & 6: Kilim Pension or similar, in the village of Uchisar

Surban and Selcuklu hotels are next door. Dinners and breakfast will be taken all together.

Single room supplement : 305 € (Standard) / 480 € (Luxury)

PICTURES :