The Great Cappadocian Horseback Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey

May 25 to Jun 1, 2025

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The Great Cappadocian Horseback Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Things to keep in mind

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The event will take place annually during the best season of the year, showcasing the most breathtaking landscapes of our region. This incredible adventure will challenge both riders and their horses, combining horsemanship, orienteering, and team spirit. The winner will not be the fastest, but the cleverest team.

Riders will journey in small groups of just six, traversing wild and spectacular terrain. Nights will be spent in comfortable camps, where participants can unwind around the fire in a traditional, warm atmosphere, surrounded by their horses.

The adventure will culminate in an exciting 40 km endurance race, testing both skill and stamina.

Horse Riding Level 
Difficulty of the Trail: 4/4
Riding Level: Confident intermediate to advanced riders.
To participate in our trails, riders must have a competent riding level, enabling them to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, navigate technical passages, mount and dismount independently multiple times a day, and groom, tack, and untack their horse without assistance.
A good physical condition is essential.


Rhythms of the Trail
Duration: 5.5 riding days
Time on Horseback: 5 to 6 hours each day, including 5 days of orienteering, a training course, and a 40 km endurance race.
Daily Distance: 28 to 35 kilometers, with a different stop each evening.
Pace: Mostly walk, with opportunities for trots and canters throughout the day.


Maximum Weight
The weight limit for riders on the progressive trail is 85 kg (including riding clothes).
Riders exceeding 85 kg may book an additional horse for an extra charge. This option is subject to availability and will depend on the rider's skill level and the availability of suitable horses.


Rider’s Responsibilities
Riders are responsible for their horses throughout the trail. This includes tacking and untacking the horse, watering and feeding it, and taking care of the horse’s equipment.

About

7 nights of full-board accommodation, including 5.5 riding days (accommodation in double, twin, or triple rooms, as well as tents).

Loan of a horse and riding equipment for the trail, obstacle course, and endurance race.

English and/or French-speaking guide.

Local transfers and regular shuttle services to/from Kayseri and Nevşehir airports (available throughout the day, with a shuttle bus for each flight arriving from Istanbul).

Airfare

Food

Full board includes a continental breakfast and a delicious lunch featuring a local specialty each day. In camp, dinner consists of a traditional dish cooked over a wood fire, complemented by salad and fresh fruit.

Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Tea, coffee, and mineral water are included; wine, beer, and soft drinks are available as optional extras.

Accommodation

The progressive trail offers an immersive outdoor experience, with accommodation in tents or under the stars, for those who enjoy nature and outdoor living. Each day, you'll reach a new location by horseback, where the camp will be set up in the heart of nature, surrounded by stunning views.

6 Nights in Camp:

These nights will be spent in comfortable and scenic camps, offering a rustic yet cozy experience:

Camps are based on twin large tents with comfortable mattresses.

A large communal tent, similar to those used by the last nomadic families, serves as a gathering space for meals, with chairs and tables provided.

Dinners are enjoyed in the communal tent or outside by the fire.

The camp also features toilets, a shower tent with a bucket, and a gas stove for heating water.

Tents will be set up by our team (double tipi-tents with single camp mattresses).

We encourage your participation in camp activities, such as moving your luggage and equipment to the trailer, feeding and brushing your horse, and tacking and untacking your horse.

3 Nights in Hotels or Guesthouses:

Your arrival and departure nights will be spent in comfortable guesthouses or hotels, with double or triple rooms and en suite bathrooms.

Hotels offer internet access and laundry services.

"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)

"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)

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

Arrival Day

Arrive at Kayseri Airport on Saturday, where riders will be transferred to Sultan Sazlığı National Park. The evening will be spent in a guest house offering a direct view of the wetland and the picturesque "Bird Paradise."

Day 1 Trail/Orienting

After breakfast, the teams are put together and the rules of the trail are explained.

You meet your horse and start for a one hour ride on the southern part of the lake in a flat landscape ideal to get confident with you horse, team and guide.

Each team is to choose its own way. Other team’s riders may be seen in a distance.

After the lunch gathering all the riders, your team has three hours to cross an agricultural area, to climb up to the crest of Yesilisar, then to take a long ride across Akkoy lake and Keslik village or straight away to Erdemli Valley to reach the camp.

Dinner and rankings of the day.

Night in the Erdemli Valley. Before sleeping you will have to build your strategy for the next day!

Day 2 Monday: Second Riding Day

On the second day, the team that arrived last the day before is to start first. 

6 hours in the saddle with many riding options:

You start the day on a stony high plateau, through fields and meadows of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high), overlooked by the Erciyes volcano with its snowy peak. It’s up to you to decide on the itinerary, go around Hodul Daha or ride downhill by the Damsa Valley; the most challenging one gives you the maximum points! Camp in the green and peaceful Karlik Valley. Dinner around a big camp fire, rankings of the day and strategy for the next days.

Day 3 Tuesday: Third Day in the Saddle.

After familiarizing your team with the rules and assessing the competition, this day promises an exciting challenge, where missing the entrance to a valley could cost you your leading position. You’ll encounter numerous remote canyons, underground villages, and ancient churches—hidden gems that are crucial to your success. Staying vigilant and observant will earn you valuable points.

As the landscape shifts, you’ll ride through vast, open expanses where shepherds guide their flocks, often assisted by the impressive Kangal dogs. After a final canter across the steppes, you'll reach the "Subaşı" camp, where the day's journey comes to a close.

Day 4 Wednesday: Fourth Day With Your Horse

Vineyards, orchards, valleys, and remote villages. The labyrinth of Cappadocia could make your arrival on time at the evening camp difficult. Will you take one of the easiest way or a challenging one?
Arriving in the northern part of the National park, during this long riding day you can see the more scenic and sculptural valleys of Cappadocia: Zemi, Pigeon, Love and White valleys. Night on the top of the red valley.

Day 5 Thursday: Fifth Riding Day: Last Day of the Game

After an early wake-up to witness the stunning sunrise and the ballet of hot air balloons taking off nearby, the day begins with a long canter across an open plateau, offering sweeping views of the maze of colorful valleys below. You'll ride through the striking Red Valley, Boz Dağ, and Devrent Valley—each offering its own unique beauty and challenges.

The day's journey culminates in the arrival at Uzengi Valley for the night, with accommodations near the renowned Ranch.

Day 6 Training Course

A training course awaits where your horse will navigate various "obstacles" such as mud, doors, U-turns, and a slalom, earning your team valuable points. Your horse will also undergo a vet check in preparation for the 40 km endurance race, and you’ll receive detailed information about the race rules and organization.

In the meantime, there’s an opportunity to explore the charming town of Göreme, visit the famous open-air museum, or simply relax and enjoy some downtime.

Day 7

A 40 km endurance race will be held for all riders, with a minimum speed limit of 10 km/h and a maximum of 15 km/h. The key factor in determining the winner will be the horse's recovery, as measured by the cardio check at the finish line.

The day will conclude with a restful night in a comfortable hotel.

Day 8

After breakfast, departure from Kayseri 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.