Cappadocia Relaxed Ride

Introduction
Cappadocia Turkey
Discover Cappadocia, its culture and its magical landscape...

During this relaxed holiday, you will have the opportunity to spend time with beautiful Arabian horses, improving riding skills and learning about natural horsemanship techniques, surrounded by the rocky valleys of Cappadocia. You will also be able to go on walks and sightseeing trips to learn more about the local culture.

This program is flexible and can be adapted according to your needs and wants, which makes it ideal for family getaways!

Accomodation


Accommodations
These trails are all progressive rides where nights are spent at various locations.

Description
The traditional habitat of Cappadocia is mainly troglodyte: rooms are carved in the rock. Most of the hotels are beautifully restored old houses and offer caves rooms.
Most people enjoy this amazing experience. But some guests have complained about the lack of windows and the rough (unfinished) walls in their bedrooms. Please let us know if you would have an issue with this type of accommodation.

Most nights are at the same guesthouse in Mustafapasa and 2 nights are spent in Uchisar.

Room Occupancy
Single room accommodations are possible depending on availability. A single supplement fee applies for those nights if you are not willing to share room with other riders.
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, a single supplement fee applies.



Meals
All breakfasts and dinners are included for this trip. 

A continental and Turkish breakfast option is available at the accommodations.  
Dinner vary everyday and feature local specialities.

Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are available as an option, for an extra cost.

Dietary Restrictions
Vegetarian options are available upon request.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Physical Condition and Riding Ability
Riders must be able to tack up and mount their horse unassisted. You must be able to stay in control on spirited horses and tack up your horse yourself. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides and get adequately fit in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail.
This program may be suitable for riders who lack a bit of confidence, but it is NOT suitable for beginners or novices. The trail includes 4 riding days with about 2 to 3 hours in the saddle each day. We cover 20 km a day on average, on varied terrain.

Tack
The riding equipment includes standard bits and pelhams as well as McClellan light trailing saddles and saddles made by ourselves. These are fitted with two saddlebags for you to carry the picnic and personal belongings for the day.

Horses
Our stable is composed of forward-going Arab, and cross-Arab horses who will surprise you with their robustness and their agility. They are 1,50 m tall on average - the ideal size for trailing on tortuous paths! All our horses are responsive, well balanced and respectful of the rider and they are extremely sure-footed.
We have put a lot of time and investment into the quality of our horses. Since 2015 more than half of our cavalry has been renewed with pure Arabian endurance horses. Most of our horses have qualifed in national endurance races.
We have invested in a horse walker and in an arena in order to continue to offer riders well trained horses.
Our horses live together as a herd and all spend their days outside grazing in our fields when not on the trail.
Horses are assigned according to riding levels and riders' preferences, but the size and the weight of the rider are also important criteria.
Our team will groom and prepare the horses, so no participation is required by the rider.
 
Weight Restriction
Riders cannot be over 85kg. We will weigh riders on arrival and those over will not be able to participate in the riding program.

Guide
We will provide 1 guide for every 4 riders.

Travel Insurance
You must have appropriate travel insurance to take part in our trails. Make sure your policy covers horse-riding activities abroad. Your insurance details will be requested on arrival.

Riders 12 yrs and older can participate, but anyone under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult!

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The program below is for information only; it can be modified upon request, depending on the participants’ ages, interests and horse-riding level.

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrival at Kayseri airport. Transfer by minibus to your guest house in Ortahisar. Evening meal with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mustafapasa

Day 2 (Monday): First Ride
Discovery of the farm and the animals. This morning, you can also meet your horse and go for a short test ride on our training course. After lunch on the farm, go for a 2 hour ride around the farm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mustafapasa

Day 3 (Tuesday): Ortahisar
After breakfast, you will ride to the village of Ortahisar, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, ride back to the ranch through the Gomeda valley (Self-guided walk with a GPS also possible).
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mustafapasa

Day 4 (Wednesday): Yatak and Tartale valleys
This morning, we go for a 2-hour ride in Yatak and Tartale valley. We enjoy our lunch in the troglodic hotel of Ayvali. In the afternoon, riders can walk to Cavusin through the valley of roses (Self-guided walk with a gps). In the evening, transfer to your guesthouse in Uçhisar.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Uçhisar

Day 5 (Thursday): Green Valley  
Walk in the Green Valley (3 hours). Lunch in Goreme. Visit of the Goreme open air Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Uçhisar

Day 6 (Friday): White Valley
Walk in the White Valley. Lunch in Cavusin and transfer to the farm for a training on natural horsemanship.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mustafapasa

Day 7 (Saturday): Pancarlik Valley
We ride to Pancarlik Valley and have a picnic lunch with the horses in the valley before riding back to the farm by the scenic valley of Ortahisar.
You have the option to be driven to the hammam in Ürgüp for a relaxing steam bath and massage.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Ortahisar

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day
Breakfast and transfer to Kayseri
Meals included: Breakfast


Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.

For those interested in experiencing the hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's surreal landscape at sunrise it can be arranged. The cost varies depending on season and type of ride, from 150 to 220 Euro plus 10% tax -- paid locally in cash or credit card. The price includes:
- pick-up from hotel around 04:00h
- deluxe flight (1 hour, up to 16 passengers)
- return to hotel before breakfast
Note that if the weather does not permit for the balloon flight the operator will advise at the last minute, often after the pick-up.

Rates and Dates for Cappadocia Relaxed Ride

Dates Note: Additional tour dates possible, please inquire about availability

Other Info
Meeting: Ortahisar
Airport: Kayseri
Transfer: Kayseri Airport

Climate:
                                        Mustafapaşa area