CAPPADOCIA TRAIL - TURKEY

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Guesthouse Trail
This riding holiday is a trail, with nights spent in guesthouses, is an invitation to discover the natural, historical and cultural wealth of Cappadocia's unique landscape, a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. In groups of no more than 8 people, you will spend 5-6 hours per day riding through fascinating and challenging terrain discovering cave villages and ancient frescoed churches en route. You will discover a rural way of life where old traditions are still alive, and experience the legendary Turkish hospitality in typical Anatolian guesthouses. Accompanying non-riders are welcome to join on this trail. With their own guide and driver, they will explore Cappadocia's volcanic wonderland on foot, and join the riders in the evening at the guesthouse.

See Notes for Camping and Luxury Guesthouse options.

Why not combine your trip with a stay in Istanbul? Please see the Notes section below for an "Add On" package.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008 - Guesthouse trail - £609; Luxury Guesthouse Trail - £919; Camping Trail -£495 Departure dates 2008 - Guesthouse Trail - 6 & 20 April, 4 & 18 May, 15 June, 13 July, 10 & 24 August, 7 & 21 Sept, 5,19 & 26 Oct Luxury Guesthouse Trail - 1 June, 27 July Camping Trail - 4 & 18 May, 15 June, 13 July, 10 & 24 Aug, 7 & 21 Sept Approximate riding time per day 4.5 - 6 Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter, fit and able to tack up own horse. Min age 12. Group size 2-8 in each group, max on holiday - 16 riders. Meeting point Kayseri Airport, Turkey Transfer Included for set flight only. If you arrive at other times, we can arrange a taxi for you for around €50 one way, see getting there below. Flight guide London - Kayseri return from £180 - £270 with Turkish airlines or Easy jet to Istanbul for £90 return, see 'getting there' and flight info below. Single supplement £103 when available.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - CAPPADOCIA TRAIL

Day 1
Arrival, transfer from airport. Meet the group and your guides, dinner and overnight; a relaxing start to your horse riding holiday.

Day 2
You will be driven to the ranch in the early morning to meet and choose your horse, and get acquainted with the riding equipment. The trail begins with the ascension of a narrow path along the crests overlooking the Valley of Uzengui, where abrupt rock walls shelter stone citadels. You'll pass the ancient Greek village of Mustafapasa/Sinasos, after whşch we reach teh St Nicholas Church where we stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch we ascend in the direction of the Avlak Plateau eventually reaching the camp above the village and valley of Karlik. 

Day 3
Today we ride in the valley of Karlik and ascend towards Aciviran by an old mule track. The going is very steep at times and we walk next to our horses to help them over the harder parts. From the high plateau of Hodul Daga we have views over the Erciyes volcano and Taurus Mountains. We descend by another small path to the Damsa valley endıng at the remote village of Cemil.  The day ends next to an ancient troglodyte monastery, at the foot of a natural spring-fed pool. You are transported to your guesthouse.

Day 4
Today there is a 4 hour ride in the morning, the afternoon is at leisure in Uchisar and Goreme for shopping or visiting the museums. Following a track left by the muleteers on the flank of the moutain, you reach a vast rocky plateau overlooking the south of Cappadocia. From the top of the cliff, the view is breathtaking. We descent through a lush valley planted with woods woods where we take a short break. Later we ride through the green countryside, crossing narrow streams, winding our way through fragrant vegetation, high grass and small woods. Later, the land turns into wide open, bare spaces where shepherds lead their flock, aided by the impressive native Turkish Kangal dogs.

After a last gallop on the steppe, we arrive at the camp around 2 o'clock and have lunch by the woodfire. You are transported to your guesthouse in Uchisar.

Day 5 
You begin the 5h 30 journey from the Valley of Sorkumlu; there are areas so narrow that they form a deep canyon with many out-of-the way treasures. You'll gallop on a long sandy path lined with orchards and gardens, still cultivated by the locals using horses or mules. In green field we stop, surrounded by walls of soft colourful rock, where the horses can rest and graze. After a picnic on the woodfire and a siesta at the foot of a pear tree, we continue over rolling hills of white tufa leading us up to a rock pinnacle embracing Cappadocia's most beautiful valleys. You sneak your way through the rocky labyrinths, tunnels and arches of the splendid Green Valley in order to reach the campsite above it. You admire the valley's strangely shaped pink rock formations while sipping tea. Then you are driven to your B&B in Goreme, for a comfortable and relaxing evening. Tonight we enjoy dinner as guests in a private Turkish home.

Day 6 
You walk through the paved streets of the charming village of Goreme and enter the Pigeon Valley - one of Cappadocia's most well-known - towards Uchisar. The small, agile horses are able to move into the White Valley through a narrow path carved in the rock. We take a short break at the foot of the fancy fairy chimneys of the aptly named Love Valley... You'll reach the plateau again for a canter and break for lunch in the shady woods of the Sheep Valley. We head on towards Çavuşin nad visit the old village. We follow tracks carved in the rocks along Boztepe towards Paşabağ and fınısh with a canter to our stop at Yeni Zelve. Here we enjoy our dınner high up in a cave, cooked over an open camp fire, watching the stars appear before returning to our guest house for a comfortable night.

Day 7  
We proceed through the forest of fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley. We dismount to climb the Ak Tepe moutain in order to reach the mausoleum of local saint Alil Dede. From his resting place, you have a 360° view over Cappadocia. You descend through the maze of tracks and paths up the crests and down the canyons of the Red Valley. With its cidatels of red, pink and ocre rock, this is Cappadocia's most spectacular valley. A secret passage leads to a vast nave carved in the rock: here is the Church of the Cross, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you leave the tortuous paths behind you to take advantage of larger tracks for a long gallop. You cross the Valley of Pancarlik and complete the 5h 30 in the saddle by mid-afternoon. After a farewell tea on the terrace, we are driven back to the B&B we started at a long week ago. There is an opportunity to go shopping and/or visit a hammam before our farewell dinner at the B&B.

Day 8
After breakfast departure to airport and onward journey.

NOTES - CAPPADOCIA TRAIL

Luxury Guesthouse Trail (new 2008)
Similar to the Guesthouse Trail, but with a higher level of accommodation and service in beautifully renovated Ottoman stone houses with en-suites. Clients do not have to tack-up/ untack their horses. Lunch is a cooked meal in a nomadic tent - perfect for a siesta.
Camping Trail (new 2008)
Again similar to the Guesthouse Trail but more basic as it includes 4 nights under canvas and 3 nights in guesthouses.

Group size and capacity
When 8 or more riders are taking part in a trail, the group splits in two. Groups use the same routes, with different timings. Groups meet in the evening. The maximum number of riders in one group is 8. On request, we can organise tailor-made trails that can accommodate up to 28 participants.

Add On Package - £279.00 for 2008
Two nights accommodation can be arranged at the start or end of your trip in the city where East meets West. Staying right in the heart of the Old Town, within walking distance of the top attractions such as the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.

The hotel is an intimate, typically Turkish, family ran establishment renovated from a typical Ottoman wooden house and built into the cities ancient walls.

Also included in the package is a half day "Two Continents Tour" and full day "Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour" organised and escorted by your hosts.

Transfers can be arranged from/ to Istanbul Ataturk airport for 20 euros one way - payable locally.
We can arrange these on your behalf according to your flight details or you can arrange departure flight transfer with your hosts during your stay.

Getting there

Flying
Turkish Airline, BA and Easy Jet all fly to Istanbul. From Istanbul Ataturk airport, take the following domestic flight 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. As of 2008 the time of the departure flight varies. Please make sure you book onto flight TK0261 from Kayseri to Istanbul.

Transfer from/to Kayseri airport is available for these flights only. If you wısh to arrive/return on other flights, please let us know. We can organise a taxi service at an extra charge of 50 euros one way per car, payable to the driver (in Euros or Turkish Lira).
Cappadocia is at a 50 min drive from Kayseri. You will arrive at the B&B at 21:00 for dinner and overnight.

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 you to the ranch.

GETTING TO the Ride

As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All riding, accommodation, meals, non alcoholic drinks, guiding and luggage transfer as per itinerary.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic Drinks, non standard transfers, items of a personal nature.

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