1 week traıl
camping, comfort or luxury hotels
1 WEEK HORSEBACK SAFARI
In Cappadocia over the centuries, the erosion of volcanic rocks has formed a surrealistic breathtaking landscape.
Here’s an 8 day tour with 6 days riding through the valleys and villages of this region to discover troglodyte rock churches, underground cities and fairy chimneys. Gallop your way through grandiose landscapes and trot through the region’s rich history: Byzantine churches, troglodyte monasteries and underground cities.
From canyon to canyon, from valley to valley and through tunnels, you’ll cover the terrain on your Anatolian horses accompanied by the smiles of the friendly and hospitable inhabitants of this area.
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See program below.
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Duration: 8 days
Rates: 1820€ per person
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Luxury Trail with Boutique Hotels
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Cappadocia has many tasteful luxury cave boutique hotels will make you dream of the Orient and their magic will gently rock you to sleep. Some have cave rooms dug out of a cliff, other are set in tastefully restored mansions, but for all the environment is always exceptional and the service very attentive.
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After a day of riding in astounding landscapes, let yourself be treated like sultans for a great travel souvenir!
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Short transfers every morning will take you back to where you left off the evening before.
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DEPARTURE POSSIBLE EVERY SATURDAY, subjet to availability. Minimum 2 people.
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Duration: 8 days
Rates: 2800 € per person
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IF YOU PREFER LUXURY HOTELS
Program with camping:
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Day 1: Arrival
Flight and arrival in Cappadocia (NevÅŸehir or Kayseri airport). Shuttle transfer to the village of Avanos (1h). Night in a hotel, traditional Cappadocian architecture restored and furnished.
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Day 2: Avanos - ÇavuÅŸin
In the morning, meeting and trying our horses. Small loop near the village to take charge of the horses before the start of the tour. Lunch and afternoon departure from Avanos, follow the Çayağıl Canyon, between the old cave dwellings. After passing through the BaÄŸlıdere valley (Love Valley), ride on the plateau towards the village of ÇavuÅŸin. 3 hours on horseback. Camping near the village.
Day 3: ÇavuÅŸin - Cemil
After passing through the village of ÇavuÅŸin full of cave houses, we discover the maze of valleys of Güllüdere (Rose Valley), Kızılçukur (Red Valley) among the most spectacular landscapes of Cappadocia. In the distance emerges the impressive rocky peak of Ortahisar. We continue our journey by the small paths of winegrowers to the troglodyte village of Cemil. 6 hours on horseback. Camping next to a source.
Day 4: Cemil - Soğanlı
Through the fairy chimneys, we ride up the valley on horseback to the village of BaÅŸköy (1150m). We continue to climb up to the plateau of Dambirca, enjoying superb views of the region. Then by the sheepfold of Zopun (1500m). We finally arrive at SoÄŸanli, a small village in a valley, whose surroundings conceal a dozen rock churches: Dome Church, Serpent Church, KarabaÅŸ Church with particularly well-preserved frescoes, the oldest of which date back to the 6th century. Dinner and night at typical village house. 6 hours on horseback.
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Day 5: Soğanlı - Karain
The hike continues through the Meselik plateau, Akköy lake and the village of Keslik. From the Mont Hodul plateau (1800m), the view emerges on the Erciyes Mountain (3917m), the ancient volcano, which dominates the Cappadocia region. It is the mud and ash from this volcano and its twin, Hasan Mountain, that formed the soft tufa stone of Cappadocia, which is so spectacularly eroded. Through cereal fields, apricot and cherry gardens, last ride to arrive at the cave village of Karain. About 6 hours in the saddle. Overnight camping near the village.
Day 6: Karain - Red River
Passing through the gardens of the small village of Boyali, climb to the Topuz plateau, then among the apricot trees and vineyards, arriving to the village of Sofular (1200 m). By again taking a path along the banks of the Kizilirmak River, the longest river in Turkey (1200km), arrival at the campsite. 5 hours on horseback. Camping near by the river.
Day 7: Red River - Avanos
By a path in the middle of orchards, we arrive at the Seljuk caravanserai Saruhan, dating from the 13th century. After visiting the caravanserai, we follow the ancient Silk Road to the fairy chimney valley of Devrent (Valley of Imagination) with spectacular formations, from where the panorama of the valleys of Cappadocia is striking. Back to the stable. 4 hours on horseback for this last stage. Night in Avanos, in a traditional Cappadocian hotel.
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Late afternoon, free time to discover and visit the village of Avanos, known as the handcraft town of the Cappadocia region, was one of the most important weaving centers in Cappadocia and has remained a craft center renowned, with pottery and ceramics workshops too.
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Day 8: Departure
Shuttle transfer to NevÅŸehir or Kayseri airport (1h). Return flight.
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(Note: Maximum weight - 85 kg)
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The given program is an indication of a possible itinerary. It may change according to technical, security or weather imperatives. Only Kirkit’s guide can make the necessary decisions.
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The price includes:
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a horse and saddle for riding
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Saddlebags, half-chaps and helmets are provided
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The services of an English or French speaking guide
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Entrance fees
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A minibus to carry your luggage
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Meals and accommodation during the hike from dinner day 1 to dinner day 7 (picnics for lunch)
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For camping tours, tents, floor mats, plates, bowls and cutlery are provided (You must bring your own sleeping bag)
The price does not include:
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Flight tickets
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Drinks and personal expenses
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Sleeping bags (for camping)
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Insurance
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Program with hotel stay:
(For hotel stays, short transfers every morning will take you back to your horses where you left off the evening before.)
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Day 1: Arrival
Flight and arrival in Cappadocia (NevÅŸehir or Kayseri airport). Shuttle transfer to the village of Avanos (1h). Night in a hotel, traditional Cappadocian architecture restored and furnished.
Day 2: Avanos-ÇavuÅŸin
In the morning, meeting and trying our horses. Evaluation of the level of each rider in our riding centre. Small loop near the village to take charge of the horses before the start of the tour. Lunch and afternoon departure from Avanos, follow the Çayağıl Canyon, between the old cave dwellings. After passing through the BaÄŸlıdere Valley (Love Valley), ride on the plateau towards the village of ÇavuÅŸin. Short transfer to your hotel. 3 hours on horseback.
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Day 3: ÇavuÅŸin-Cemil
We’ll ride in front of the amazing Cavusin cliff, full of cave dwellings, that harbours the 6th century church of Saint John. We’ll then ride through the most beautiful valleys of the the region, the picturesque valleys of Güllüdere (Rose Valley) and Kızılçukur (Red Valley). These valleys are made of tufa, a brittle soil whose erosion allowed for the formation of the fairy chimneys and the moonlike landscapes that you will see, with colours that vary from pale yellow to ochre, to light green and pink and are sometimes wavy like meringues. We’ll head up onto a plateau towards the traditional village of Ortahisar, built around an impressive rocky outcrop. Riding through other beautiful valleys of Cappadocia, we’ll arrive at Cemil village. Short transfer to your hotel. 6 hours of riding.
Day 4 : Cemil - Karain
We’ll ride through a valley dotted with fairy chimneys to the village of Taskinpasa (1150m of altitude) where we’ll visit a mosque from the Mongolian era. Riding through cereal fields, we’ll head towards Mount Hodul with beautiful views over the Erciyes volcano, one of the volcanos that erupted millions of years ago and made Cappadocia as we know it now. Camping or short transfer to your hotel.
6 hours of riding.
Day 5 : Karain - Red River
Winding among the gardens and vineyards of Boyali, we slowly rise on the Topuz plateau to arrive at the village of Sofular. We’ll then wind our way on a small path that leads us to the Red River, the longest river in Turkey. Short transfer to your hotel.
5h on horseback.
Day 6 : Red River - Bayramhacılı
A path along the banks of Kizilirmak river will lead us to the hot water springs of Bayramhacili, for a great treat ! : an unforgettable swim in water at 40°C ! Short transfer to your hotel.
5h riding.
Day 7 : Bayramhacılı - Avanos
We’ll ride along Göynük river to get to Ozkonak (1300m of altitude) where we’ll visit an underground city, one of many in the area, where the early Christians hid in times of danger. These cities contained tunnels, rooms, water wells, churches, barns, winery, a ventilation system and round doors rolled in place to block the tunnels. After the visit, we’ll slowly climb up Mount Idis (1700m of altitude) for a great final panorama over the valleys of Cappadocia. Return to Avanos. Overnight at a hotel.
6h in the saddle.
Day 8 : Departure
Depending on your program, free time and departure.
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(Note: Maximum weight -85 kg)
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The given program is an indication of a possible itinerary. It may change according to technical, security or weather imperatives. Only Kirkit’s guide can make the necessary decisions.
We can organise buses, flights or personal transfers to Cappadocia upon request.
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The price includes:
-
A horse and saddle for riding
-
Saddlebags, half-chaps and helmets are provided
-
Entrance fees
-
The services of an English or French speaking guide
-
A minibus to carry your luggage
-
Meals and accommodation during the hike from dinner day 1 to breakfast day 8 (picnics for lunch)
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The price does not include:
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Does not include international and domestic flights
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Drinks and personal expenses
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Insurance
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Horses & Organisation For Multi Day Trails
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The 1 week and longer trails are NOT recommended for beginners, unless you book a private program.
We use Barb-Arab horses, sturdy and well adapted to the terrain we cover. Each rider has the responsibility of caring for his/her horse and looking after his/her material. You'll be accompanied by an English/French speaking guide who knows the region and the horses perfectly, accompanied by a driver/ cook.
These riding tours covers about 30 - 50 km a day between the altitude 1000 and 1800 m. and about 5 to 7 hours in the saddle. The terrain may oblige the rider to sometimes get off his horse and walk. These trips are for people that already have a good knowledge of horse riding in the great outdoors. One needs to know how to saddle, gallop in a group and take care of one’s own horse. To make the best of your holiday, it is recommended to arrive in good physical condition. The rythym is calm with quite bit of pacing and some galloping.
During the standart camping tour in summer , the accommodation is camping with 2 person igloo tents. There are picnics for lunch and hot meals in the evenings. Your personal luggage is transported by a vehicle that meets up with the group every evening. The riders are provided with saddlebags to carry their needs for the day (water, camera, picnic for lunch…). You MUST bring your own sleeping bag. In spring and autumn, the accommodation is at family pensions, private bathrooms and towels provided.
The climate is a continental climate with large temperature variations. In summer, hot during the day (25/35º), cool in the evening and at night (10/15º). The altitude (between 900 and 1800m) and the season determine the temperature. The weather is generally nice and dry but one can have occasional heat storms. Spring can be cooler and wetter – take this into account when preparing your equipment.
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Personal Equipment:
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1 large travel bag or duffel bag which will be transported by the assistance vehicle
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1 small backpack (20 l) will be very useful for air travel or in town, but not for hiking (saddle bags).
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Here’s an idea of what you might like to include in your bag: 3 T-shirts, a sweat shirt or a long sleeve shirt (against sunburns), a warm jumper, a wind jacket, a rain cape, a light pair of long pants, a pair of shorts, a swimming costume, hat, a scarf for the dust, shoes for rest periods, sunglasses, a toilette bag, a small personal first aid kit and medicines, a light torch with spare batteries, a pocket knife. For tours in spring or autumn, bring warmer clothes and an coat.
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For horse riding: a cotton tracksuit or comfortable large pants with large elastic bands under the feet so as to avoid the pants from riding up your legs. Sand shoes along with mini-chaps to protect your calves (avoid shoes that are too wide because of the stirrups). Leather gloves for fragile hands.
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Because of the heat, avoid wearing synthetic clothes and underwear, tight jeans or pants with thick seams and boots.
Maximum weight : 85kg.
Children allowed depending on their riding experience and their size. Body protectors are obligation for children.
Helmets are lent directly at the stables.
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