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On average, we will spend 5 to 6h on back of the horse each day. We will take regular breaks throughout the day and stop for at least one hour for lunch.
You must be in good physical condition. The circuit includes some difficult passages and you will be asked to get off your horse several times a day to walk, sometimes up steep paths.
If you suffer from the heat, avoid the hotest weeks of the year from mid-July to end of August.
You must have a competent riding level to take part in our trails. You must be able to stay in the saddle during group canters, and be able to tack up your horse yourself. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides and exercice yourself in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail.
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- Good walking shoes, or boots with good rubber soles;
- Your chaps or mini chaps and a hard hat. Riding without a hard hat is at your own risk; - Bring a one litre water flask. In July and August, bring 2 x 1 litre;
- Sun protection in summer: a hat, sunglasses and sun lotion;
- Your own basic pharmacy;
- For the bivouac: a good sleeping bag, as nights can be cold; a torch;
- In summer, dress as if you were going for the desert; in spring and automn, bring some warm clothing and a waterproof (low risk of rain);
- Reading material for the long summer pic-nic breaks. |
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So, what exactly is Cappadocia ? Just try and imagine a 40 km2 wide, giant meringue formed between 2 and 10 millions years ago by a couple of hallucinatory volcanoes on the Anatolian plateau. While cooling, the warm ashes turned into layers of "tufa" of varied colours and density. Water, wind and man have eroded and carved the soft rock, giving birth to a wonderland of deep canyons and fantastically shaped rock formations. From prehistoric times, civilizations have flourished here, and the Hittites, Persians, early and Byzantine Christians, Mongols, Greeks and Ottomans have left abundant evidence of their passage. Cappadocia is unique, and, as such, is listed World Heritage by UNESCO. |
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By plane: From Istanbul Ataturk airport, take the following domestic flight with Turkish Airlines (transit is the same day and in the same airport if you're flying from Europe with Turkish Airlines): flight Istanbul-Kayseri leaving Sunday night at 18:15, arriving in Kayseri at 19:40. Return the following Sunday morning, leaving Kayseri at 10:55, arriving in Istanbul at 12:15.
If you wish to spend a night in Istanbul, we can recommend a list of hotels in the historical quarters of Sultanhamet.
Transfer from/to Kayseri airport is available for these flights only. If you arrive with another flight, we can book a taxi for you at a charge of around 60 Euros one way (per car), payable to the driver (in Euros or Turkisk Lira).
Our chauffeur will wait for you at the airport with your name written on a board. Cappadocia is at a 50 mn drive from Kayseri. You will arrive at the pension at 21:00 for dinner with your guides and overnight. In the morning, our chauffeur will pick you up for the 10-minute drive to the ranch. |
By night bus: You can also travel to Cappadocia by night bus from Istanbul or anywhere in Turkey. Several departures in the evening from the cities' 'otogar' with companies Metro or Nevtur.
Buses are modern and comfortable but they are often full so you should book in advance (agencies can be found in city centres or at bus stations).
From Istanbul, a one way ticket is about 25 Euros, and takes about 12 hours (with regular breaks).
Buses arrive in the city of Nevsehir, where you will be offered free transfer to the centre of Cappadocia. Ask the chauffeur to drop you in the village of Ortahisar.
You should plan your arrival for Sunday morning, with dinner and overnight at the pension. In the morning, our chauffeur will pick you up for the 10-minute drive to the ranch.
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- The loan of a horse and riding equipment - English speaking guides (1 per group of 8 or less)
- Full board accommodation except drinks - Regular transfers from/to Kayseri airport. This service is available only for the following Turkish Airlines flights: arrival Sunday evening at 19:40, return the following Sunday morning at 10:55.
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You must have travel insurance to take part in our trails. Make sure your policy covers horseriding activities abroad. |
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Turkey has been a secular republic ever since Ataturk came to power in the late 20's. Islam as it is observed by the very large majority of Turkish people is moderate and tolerant towards foreign visitors. You cannot eat pork in Turkey; however, the Turks love their raki and you won't have any difficulty finding other alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine. The Islamic veil is forbidden in schools and administrations. On the street, some women wear it, others don't. Nevertheless, Turkey remains quite traditional and in the most rural areas such as Cappadocia, few women have jobs outside the home or participate in public life.
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Family in Turkey is sacred, and so is hospitality. Wherever you'll go, you can be sure that you will be welcomed with friendliness and dedication, even though average living conditions remain modest.
Turkey is as safe as our western countries. Women can travel alone without any problem. Bird flu is nonexistent in central Anatolia and Cappadocia is a politically stable, safe region.
Entering Turkey: formalities vary from country to country even for Europeans, so you should contact your local Turkish consulat before travelling to Turkey. Keep your ID with you during your stay.
Health: no vaccine nor preventive treatment are required. Drink bottled water preferably. Money: Cash dispensers can be found in the villages of Urgup, Goreme, Avanos and Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1 euro = 1,7 Turkish Liras (YTL). |
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