Sportive Ride in Cappadocia

For fit and experienced riders... the best ride to discover Cappadocia.

Leaving from the ranch between Urgup and Ortahisar, in the heart of the national park, the progressive trail takes you on a 6-day tour 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 guesthouses in Cappadocia's prettiest villages, in front of which your horses are spending the night (see dates and details below).

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).

Sportive trail : A raw and powerful adventure for experienced riders. Technical terrain, physical commitment and spectacular panoramas make this trail a true sporting challenge on horseback.

An intense and demanding itinerary designed for fit, autonomous riders. The itinerary features several difficult and technical sections. Riders will be required to lead their horses sometimes, particularly on steep paths. The reward: breathtaking views and a truly intense riding experience.

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 : AKKOY

Arrival Day:

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

DAY 1 : AKKOY

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 tryyour horse on a training course going around the farm. The trail be-gins with one hour of riding through lush vegetation and along the stream of the Uzengi canyon. Very quikly, the rst long canter bring you to Avlak mountain, with a magni cent encompassing view ofCappadocia.

The rocky hills could provide the perfect background to a Western movie... Cantering on this high plateau will bring us to the lunch. Olives, Humous, vegetables, different cheese, traditional yoghurt dish, turkish black tea are served on a table, in the earth of a greentiny Canyon; surrounded by our horses, grazing around us.
Day 2 : Mustafapasa

DAY 2 : MUSTAFAPASA

We start this day by cantering through fields of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high) : barley, wheat, oat and beans felds. We dismount for 20 minutes of a steep single trail down to Damsa lake, where you will take your lunch.Passing by and overlooking a valley of fairy chimneys, the afternoon scenery is made of bare hills surrounding the lake.

Arrival in the center of the old Greek village of Mustafapasa and visit on horseback.

After a short ride, you arrive to your hotel in Ayvali.
Day 3 : 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 ascenic path through rock formations, vineyard and orchards,surrounded by table-mountains.

Arriving in Keslik Monasteri, villagers cook lunch for us on a woodre.
You canter along tracks of soft red clay leading you to the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon, and stop at your hotel.
Day 4 : Uchisar

Leaving the hotel on horseback, you can enjoy a varied sceneryof narrow tracks, small canyons, farmed land, and the wide-openspaces of Subasi, where shepherds lead their ock. You sneak your way along the lush, narrow canyon of a remote village, be- fore galloping on large sandy tracks. Visit of a second and diffe-rent type of underground village : “Kirkule”.
Long canter leads us through vineyards and orchards and overrolling hills of white tuffa to reach the fairy chimneys of Gomedavalley, then more fun riding awaits you in the narrow corridorsand arches of the canyon of Gumuslu. The trail begins with aone-hour riding through lush vegetation and along the stream of the Uzengi canyon. Villagers cook lunch for you on the wood-re, at the foot of troglodytic citadels of dovecotes carved out theabrupt rock walls.

You ride uphill to reach the village of Ibrahimpasa. From this pic-turesque village, you start ascending the ‘twin hills’ of Cappado-cia to reach a panoramic viewpoint encompassing northern Cap-padocia 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 pictu- resque fairy chimneys. Your reach your panoramic guesthouse on horseback and enjoy a drink on the terrace.
Day 5 : Valley of roses

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 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 : Boz daha’ plateau & Day 7 : departure

You enter another beautiful canyon called the White Valley, after the colour 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 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 multicoloured rock formations, gardens and orchards. You return to the ranch in the afternoon. Short transfer back to your guesthouse in Urgup and farewell dinner.

Departure Day

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

DESCRIPTION :

Dates & Conditions

Dates 2026 :
October 25 – November 01 : 3500 € (last two saddles available)

Dates 2027 :
March 28 - April 04 : 3000 €
April 18 - 25 : 3500 €
May 01 - 08 : 3500 €
May 23 - 30 : 3500 €
September 05 - 12 : 3500 €
September 26 - October 03 : 3500 €
October 17 - 24 : 3500 €

Prices per pax based on twin/triple room / Single room supplement (full week) : 480 €

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

The basic price includes :
- 6 riding days, 7 nights, in 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)
- Extra drinks

Fitness & Horse riding level

- The difficulty of this trail is 4/4
- Riding level: strong 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 long technical passages, going strongly uphill ; 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.
- This ride (Cappadocia in general) is not suitable for the riders who have vertigo. Riders are advised about cliffs and narrow altitude pass.

Rhythms of the trail :
- 6 riding days
- 5 to 6 hours on horseback each day
- 35 kilometres 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.

Accommodation

Depending on availability, guesthouses are located in Urgup, Akkoy, 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 luggages 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 (+ 90 € per week per person on single, twin, double )

IN STANDARD ROOM :

- Night 1 & 7 : Suban Hotel or similar, in the town of Urgup
- Night 2: Lavender Hotel or similar, in the village of Akkoy
- 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 & 7 : Selcuklu Evi or similar, in the town of Urgup
- Nights 2 : Lavender Hotel or similar, in the village of Akkoy
- 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 Hotel and Selcuklu Evi are next door. Dinners and breakfast will be taken all together.

Single room supplement (full week) : 470 € (Standard) / 560 € (Luxury)

PICTURES :