The name Cappadocia is said to come from the ancient Persian and means land of beautiful horses. Cappadocia was situated on the famous Silk Road. The people living there were often attacked by aggressors. Therefore the inhabitants have hollowed out the soft tuff rock of the surroundings to hide in it. This is how whole underground cities were created. Because of this cultural history and the breathtaking landscape formations, the region was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Come with our experienced partner on a journey of discovery through this unique landscape!

Itinerary

Cappadocia Trail
From the Ranch between Urgup and Ortahisar, in the heart of the national park, the progressive route takes you around Cappadocia. From the rural Cappadocia of the south to the most beautiful valleys of the north, fantastic rock formations, lush gorges, plateaus, steppe-like landscapes and vineyards and orchards alternate to form a surprisingly varied route. Along the way, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life, while frescoed churches and other troglodytic treasures bear witness to the region's rich past. Our journey takes place entirely within the national park.

Day 1: Arrival at Kayseri airport and approx. 50 minutes transfer to your accommodation in Urgup.

Day 2: Your first long gallop is the ascent of Avlak Mountain (at rain Avlak-mountain is not passable and is avoided), from where you have a magnificent panoramic view of Cappadocia. The rocky hill could provide the perfect back for a western movie... Arrive in the center of the old Greek village of Mustafapasa. After lunch, you can stroll among the old stone houses of Mustafapasa, its Ottoman madrasa and its painted church. In the afternoon, you can enjoy the varied landscape with its narrow paths, small gorges, agricultural land and the wide open spaces where shepherds graze their flocks to lead, before reaching your guesthouse in Ayvali.

Day 3: You start the day with a gallop through the fields of the Anatolian plateau (1600 m high): Barley, wheat, oats and bean fields. You to ride down a steep single trail to Damsalake. Villagers cook lunch for us on a wood fire. Opportunity to visit the monastery.
Passing an valley with fairy chimneys and with a view of the bare hill that surround the lake , we continue in the afternoon. Visit the underground village of Golgoli. You gallop along paths of soft, red clay that take you through a hidden gorge to village Ayvali to lead, where you stay in your hotel for the second and last night in this village.

Day 4: Today's stage takes you into the beautiful valleys of Northern Cappadocia and to village Uchisar. You trot and gallop through vineyards and orchards and over gentle hill white tuff hills to Ibrahimpasa. From this picturesque village, the ascent to the "twin hills" of Cappadocia begins. A pleasant gallop to the summit takes you to a viewpoint from which you can see the north of Cappadocia and the towering rock fortress of Uchisar. As you ride towards the village, you can admire the colorful rock formations of the famous Pigeon Valley and the picturesque fairy chimneys of Uchisar. You reach village on horseback and enjoy a late lunch on the terrace. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the village, visiting the churches of the Goreme open-air museum or hiking through the Pigeon Valley.

Day 5: Optional hot-air balloon ride in the early morning: take a sunrise flight over the magical landscape of Cappadocia with wind .
You enter another beautiful canyon, the White valley. Sneaking through archways, rock labyrinths and lush vegetation, you enter the valley of Swords and the Red valley. With its citadels of red, pink and ochre rock and its beautiful troglodyte churches, this is the most spectacular ensemble of geological formations in Cappadocia. A cave café in an old monastery invites you to lunch. In the afternoon, you continue your exploration tour through the Red valley and Rose Valley and to ride then head out into the fields surrounded by the rocky hills of Northern Cappadocia.
The winding paths of the Valley of the Shepherds take you on a long gallop back to your guesthouse in Uchisar, just in time to admire Northern Cappadocia in the light of the sunset.

Day 6: You leave the village on horseback and to ride through the rock tunnels, arches and small forests of the spectacular, 4 km long gorge called the Green valley . You make a detour through the famous Love Valley with its gigantic phallic rock formations and to ride then to village Ortahisar, where you will have lunch. You gallop along a sandy, tree-lined path. You cross the valley of Pancarlik with its multicolored fairy chimneys and reach Ranch in the afternoon. Short transfer to your hotel in Urgup.

Day 7: After breakfast transfer to the airport.


Cappadocia Classic
This ride is less demanding in terms of the required riding qualifications. There are also gallops, but not as long. Short phases are also necessary here, where you dismount and mount independently to Horse to to lead.

Day 1: Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia

Day 2: Avanos Horse Center - Sarihidir - Bayramhadji - mountain Ziyaret - Avanos
Departure from the hotel after breakfast. Meet the horses at the riding center and take a short warm-up ride along the banks of the Red River to Bayramhacilake. You to ride through the village Sarihidir and back through the vineyards of Ziyaret to finish in Avanos. (approx. 5 hours). Overnight stay in Avanos.

Day 3: Avanos - Chayaghil - Baglidere (valley of love) - Uchisar (approx. 5 hours)
Departure to Uchisar. After crossing the small gorge of Chayagil, to ride you continue to valley of love with its fairy-tale wonders. You will see the famous castle rock in Uchisar. Overnight stay in Uchisar.

Day 4: Zemi - Kiliclar - Red valley - Rose Valley - Uzumlu Church - Karankemer - Uchisar
We head to the most beautiful Cappadocian valleys with their multi-colored moon shapes: the valley of Kiliçlar, the Red valley and many others to admire the diverse landscapes created by volcanoes and erosion. Experience Turkish hospitality over lunch on the terrace next to the Uzumlu Chapel. Return to your accommodation through the KaranKemer-valley. Overnight stay in Uchisar. (approx. 5 to 6 hours)

Day 5: Ibrahimpasha - Gomeda-valley - Uzengidere - village Mustafapasha
You venture into a Cappadocia less known to classic travelers. Through the village Ibrahimpacha (also known as Babayan) to ride you continue to Gomeda and Uzengi, valleys with huge dovecotes. You end your day in Mustafapasha, an old Greek village, which has retained its authentic character. Overnight stay in Mustafapasha. (5 hours).

Day 6: mountain Avlak - Damsa-lake - Golgoli ruins - Keshlik monastery - Mustafapasha
This day offers total variety and diversity. This ride takes you to a different picture of Cappadocia. Through plateaus and valleys you will pass the fairy-like chimney formations of the Golgoli region. A path leads you to the Keslik Monastery, where you will have lunch and then visit the rock monastery. The return to Mustafapasha is via a path that overlooks the entire valley . Overnight stay in Mustafapasha. (6 hours)

Day 7: Pancarlik - Monastery Hospital - Bozdag - Devrent - Saruhan - Avanos
In Cappadocia, every day and every moment has its own uniqueness. Through the Pancarlik-valley you reach a monastery, which was once a hospital, to admire an impressive view of the Rose Valley. Then switch to Devrent-valley, now called valley of fantasy, to the 13th century Saruhan Caravanserai, built by the Seljuks. You then follow the Red river back to stable. Overnight stay in Avanos. (5.5 hours)

Day 8: Departure after breakfast and transfer to the airport

The order of the days may vary, subject to change at any time. 

Accomodation
During the Riding tour Cappadocia Trail Stay overnight in typical local hotels, e.g. in historic stone houses or even renovated cave dwellings! You will be accommodated in single and double rooms, usually with a private bathroom. During Riding tour you will stay in 3-4 different hotels. The following hotels are usually booked:
1st and 6th night:Suban Hotel in Urgup
2nd and 3rd night: Dilek Tepesi Hotel in Ayvali
4th und 5th night: Kilim Hotel in Uchisar

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and bridle, partly Pelham. Comfortable trail riding saddles, saddle bags are provided.

Experience: Only for advanced riders with experience in varied terrain & endurance (also by foot, as some routes are in difficult terrain and horses have to be led). Riding distance daily approx. 28km, Classic: riding time approx. 5-6 hours per day, Trail: approx. 5 hours/day. Both tours offer daily gallops, "Trail" a little faster overall.

Attention: Strict rider weight max. 90 kg! All participants will be weighed on site.

Horses: Arabians and Arabian mixes: reliable, willing to go, persistent and well trained. Arabian horses are particularly sensitive and eager to go and therefore require riders with a firm hands and a certain amount of empathy.