Mountain Horseback Riding Adventure in Antalya, Turkey

Nov 1 to Nov 9, 2025

Show All photos
Mountain Horseback Riding Adventure in Antalya, Turkey
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Things to keep in mind

Best Seller

Crossing the Taurus Mountains from north to south, this exceptional trail begins in Anatolia, offering exhilarating canters along the shores of Lake Beyşehir and culminating on the Mediterranean coast.

Renowned for its diverse and breathtaking landscapes, the route features a remarkable variety of scenery: from sandy beaches and umbrella pine forests to chestnut and arbutus groves, pomegranate orchards, rocky valleys, and high pastures. The trail also takes riders through the majestic Köprülü Canyon, a highlight of Köprülü Canyon National Park.

Riders will have the opportunity to explore Selge, an ancient site along the historic Saint Paul Trail. This hidden gem, nestled between two mountains, is home to stunning rock formations and well-preserved Roman ruins.

Although the route may not always be measured in miles due to the mountainous terrain, riders can expect a dynamic pace, with frequent canters and trots, interspersed with walks and sections where you may need to lead your horse. Solid rubber-soled shoes are a must, as the trail includes diverse surfaces—from narrow paths and old roads to a Roman-era paved route. Some sections will require improvisation, particularly along the riverbanks.

This trail is ideal for experienced riders seeking adventure and extraordinary landscapes, offering a thrilling combination of natural beauty and historical intrigue.

Conditions:

This progressive trail camp will be confirmed once a minimum of four bookings have been received for this package. If the required number of bookings is not met by the departure date, the trail will still be offered, subject to a supplementary fee.

Horse Riding Level

Trail Difficulty: 4/4

Riding Level: Confident Intermediate to Advanced Riders

To participate in any of our trails, riders must possess a competent riding level, including the ability to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, navigate or lead your horse through technical passages, mount and dismount independently multiple times a day, and groom, tack, and untack your horse without assistance.

Good physical fitness is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the trail.

Rhythms of the trail

7 riding days.

5 to 6 hours on horseback each day.

28 to 35 kilometers each day ; stopping at a different location every evening.

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.

Rider'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.

About

7 riding days, 8 nights (accommodation in double, twin or triple room & tent).

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.

International flights.

Optional activities (boat, hot baths, museum and monument's entrance fees).

Extra drinks.

While earlier flights from Istanbul are available, the scheduled pick-up will take place after flight TK 2038, which departs Istanbul at 19:30 and arrives in Beyşehir at 8:50 PM. From there, you will be driven approximately 100 km (about 90 minutes) to Beyşehir. If you arrive on an earlier flight, you may either wait for the rest of the group or take a taxi to Beyşehir (approximately 120 euros for 1-3 passengers)

Food

Full board includes a continental breakfast, and a delicious lunch featuring a local specialty each day. At the camp, dinner is a traditional dish cooked on the wood fire, along with salad and fruits.

Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are not included (available at the camp)/

Accommodation

3 nights in hotels or guesthouses :
Your arrival and departure nights, as well as night 3, will be spent in comfortable guesthouses or hotels, in double or triple rooms with en suite bathrooms. Hotels offer internet access and a laundry service. Single room supplement (depending on availability).

The progressive trail camp is designed for those who relish outdoor living, offering the opportunity to sleep under the stars or in a tent. Each day, you will ride to a new location, with the camp set up amidst nature, surrounded by stunning views. Our exclusive camp sites are nestled in the heart of Lake Beyşehir National Park and Köprülü Canyon National Park, providing an immersive experience in these breathtaking natural environments.

5 nights in Camp:
The camp includes a large communal tent like those used by the last nomadic families in the country, chairs and tables for meals.
Dinners are taken in the communal tent or outside by the fire.
The camp also includes toilets, a shower tent with a bucket and a gas stove for heating the water.
Tents will be put on by our team (double tipi-tents with single camp mattresses)

We will ask your help to participate at the camp’s life :
Taking and replacing your luggage and equipment in the trailer, feeding and brushing your horse, tacking and untacking your horse
Equipment required : sleeping bag, towels, torch, power bank (to charge your electronic devices), mosquito repellent, an extra pairs of shoes and few small water proof bags for crossing rivers
Your luggage will be transferred by our logistics vehicle. You should pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.

Good walking shoes or ankle boots with good rubber soles are essential. Full riding boots and shoes with smooth soles are absolutely not recommended. It makes the walks difficult or impossible.

Chaps or half-chaps.

Hard hat. Riding without a hard hat is at the rider own risk.

One liter water flask. In June, July, August, and September, bring 2 x 1 liter.

Sun protection in summer : hat, sunglasses and sun lotion.

In summer, desert cloths; in spring and autumn, bring some warm clothing and a good waterproof jacket.

A swimming suit (for the hamam and the swimming pool).

Your own basic pharmacy.

A small camera with a case logic that you can fix on your belt or on the saddle.

For the camp trail: sleeping bag, towels, torch, power bank (to charge your electronic devices), mosquito repellent, an extra pairs of shoes and few small water proof bags for crossing rivers.

Your saddles are fitted with 2 saddle-bags for you to carry your personal belongings for the day.

For your comfort, pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.

Pocket Money For Coffee Stops (It is best to withdraw money in Turkish Lira at Istanbul Airport).

"I have just spent an incredible week with in the Ranch in Cappadocia. I took a group of 13 experienced riders, meaning that we split into two trail groups. One group was led by Nico, the other by Ibo and Kutzi. All riders had a fabulous ride through the most amazing scenery and everyone was perfectly matched to a horse that really was their dancing partner. The guides are excellent, and the horses are amazing - so surefooted, solid and sensible. You do need to be fit - there is a fair amount of dismounting and leading through slippery or steep areas, but the horses are so careful of you and their own feet, they make it easy. The trip was one of the best I have gone on, throughout the world, and I will be taking another group there."

- Ashleigh (As seen on TripAdvisor)

"Great horses, phenomenal terrain and views, and wonderful food. A full on and fun trip. You don’t find these kinds of riding experiences very often. Lots of experience, care and thought has gone into these rides etc."

- Mary W (As seen on TripAdvisor)

Gallery
About The Host

Our stable is composed of forward-going Arab horses who will surprise you with their robustness and their agility. They are small (1,50 m on average - the ideal size for trailing on tortuous paths !).

Responsive, well-balanced and respectful of the rider, they are trained with natural horsemanship method. Our horses live together in a herd, which contributes to their well-being. Don't look for boxes, when they are not on trail, our horses are grazing in the fields around the farm.

Itinerary

Day 1

Very equestrian morning: nice and fast, with frequent sandy canters along the lake, on earth track lined with small oak trees.

A colorful lunch amid fishing boats, the blue skies and yellow reeds; and in the afternoon, we ride up the south delta of the lake, where herds of cows graze on these fat grassy spaces. We reach the road and cross a typical village - a mix of modernity and tradition. We walk in the stony riverbed until the canyon diverts us to an oak forest. The camp awaits us in the middle of a clearing.

Day 2 Dumanli

Via a wide path used in ancient times for transhumance (moving livestock from one grazing ground to another), we ride up until we reach a forest of beech trees.
A quick change of scenery after a canter in the undergrowth, and we arrive at the bottom of the first pastures of the Taurus. On an earth and gravel track, we meet feral horses, and avoid them by accelerating our speed.

Twenty minutes' walk in a narrow stony canyon, and we get back in the saddle to canter in an exceptional landscape: on both sides of a wide, dry riverbed, enormous pine trees grow on a carpet of greenery dotted between imposing rock blocks. Shepherds on donkeys gather their sheep and goats during our lunch.

We start the afternoon on a mineral pass before getting down a long track offering a panoramic view of the valley. From pine trees to an undergrowth, we find our camp on a green pasture locked between a cliff and a stream.

Day 3 On Saint Paul's trail

In a beautiful ravine created by a stream running through a large round rocky block, we walk on the pine needles. As the trail becomes rocky, we lead the horses for a bit. After crossing a village and terraced fields, we reach brush and then a forest.
After a long canter, we have lunch on the banks of a river with a view of Roman tombs carved in the cliff.

This short afternoon will be fantastic for anyone who likes fun canters: 9 km along river, sand, gravel, and dust track and the border of a feld. Alternating cadence, slalom between the bushes.

With a big smile, we arrive at the only guest house in the area: Erdinc's place, operated by a nice family who welcome us with a traditional meal.

Day 4 Köprülü Canyon

The village and the fog of the river are behind us when we take a narrow mule track overlooking the Köprülü Canyon. After passing the only bridge, we climb via a hard-surfaced road (very few to no vehicles). Lunch at a curious village built between rocks and chestnut trees. In this fairy-tale like landscape you could almost imagine trolls making an appearance!

Selge's rocks, a crater produced by a falling meteor, and the canyon will be viewed at a walk and canter from a high-altitude dirt road.

Day 5 Selge

We leave Selge and the antique theatre via a track in the forest inviting a canter. Then we reach one of the most extraordinary passages on this trail: a large path carved into the edge of a vertical mountain - we will be a few hundred meters above the valley !
After 40 minutes of joy and a few passages, we must lead the horses; we eat under huge plane trees shading a fountain.

We then start the most challenging afternoon for both horses and riders. Climbing first by fields (terraced), and then through the forest, we reach one of the most remote parts of the trail – a beautiful pasture reachable only by horse or foot. After some short canter, we dismount and lead our horses on a mule path.
No danger of falling, but we need to be focused to get through three rocky 400 metre passes – this will take about an hour. We finish by entering a forest, where we find the camp in the middle of a wide clearing.

Day 6 Selge

We descend the mountain via a large track sneaking its way along rock formations, pine forest and arbutus trees before reaching a cultivated plain.

The rhythm of the afternoon will be active: cantering from field to field; crossing a river; and, finally, reaching the camp on a sandy beach along the river.

Day 7

We ride along the river, from sandbank to roller beach, fording streams and brooks. Few canters bring us to a bushy hill. After half an hour of riding uphill, we arrive on a rocky ridge, offering us a magnifcent view on the antique theater of Aspendos, on the river bellow and on the mediterranean sea. We meet the team at lunch under the shade of a big tree.

The afternoon will run on long tracks along a canal, following felds and cultures that will drive us to the pin forest of Saklikent. We cross it cantering through the rising afternoon light. Last and long canter on the dunes of the beach, cantering in a few centimeters of water. After a last swim, you will be driven to your guest house in the center of the old city of Antalya where you will enjoy a sea food dinner.

Day 8 Departure Day

On Sunday, after breakfast, you will be driven to Antalya airport.

Things to keep in mind

In case of cancelation, your payment will not be refund. For this reason, we advise you to subscribe a cancelation INSURANCE.
You must have appropriate travel and repatriation insurance to take part in our trails. Make sure your policy covers horse-riding activities abroad. Your insurance details will be requested on booking.
You must have an adequate riding level, level of fitness and body weight to take part in our trails. In doubt, please enquire.

The progressive trail in guesthouses (Sportive, Comfort & Discovery) are confirmed when we have received a minimum of 2 firm bookings.

The progressive trail in camp (The Great Cappadocian Ride, Dalyan and Antalya) are confirmed when we have received a minimum of 4 firm bookings. If it is not confirmed at the time of departure, the camp trail will be proposed with a supplement.

Direct bookings are confirmed on receipt of a non-refundable 30% deposit.

The outstanding amount have to be paid one month before departure.