Cappadocia, Turkey
In the News
“We rode along riverbeds and up and down mountains. We wound through woodland and across open plains, and walked beside cultivated fields and among laden fruit trees where local people greeted us and shared their harvest.”
Guardian - Travel, Read article
Horses
Type of horses:
Akhal-Teke, Arab and Turkish Crosses
Nature of horses:
Sure footed, good natured and possessing great stamina and strength
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16hh
Weight limit:
90kg
Tack type:
English
Weather
Current Conditions:
Fair, 20 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 37 Low: 19
Sat - Sunny. High: 38 Low: 21
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Highlights Tour
The price for this tour is:
For 6-8 people: £792 per person
9-12 people: £705 per person
This price includes all riding, accommodation, meals and airport transfers.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Peaks and Plateaux
The price for this tour is:
6-8 people: £1176 per person.
9-12 people: £1096 per person.
This includes all riding, accommodation (mostly camping), meals and airport transfers.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Great Anatolian Ride
The price for this trip is:
4-6 riders: £2692 per person
6-10 riders: £2500 per person
Price for 14/09/10 trip is:
4-6 riders: £2884 per person
6-10 riders: £2628 per person
This includes all riding, accommodation, meals and airport transfers.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance, alcoholic beverages and purchases of a personal nature.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Experience the incredible and unusual beauty of Turkey's Cappadocia region from the back of a horse. Something like a cross between the Grand Canyon and a moonscape, Cappadocia boasts some of the world's most unusual and spectacular landscapes. Traversing the countless valleys and mountains by horseback brings riders in touch with the area's breath-taking beauty. Forget the tour buses or even the rental cars - this astonishing region of Central Anatolia is best seen by horseback.
Your ride here may also include visits to some of Cappadocia's incredible cultural treasures such as Byzantine churches carved inside the caves, fascinating underground cities or the area's traditional craftmaking centres.
The riding centre was founded in 1985 and includes a 30 box stall barn and paddock, as well as a pleasant cafe surrounded by beautiful gardens. With immediate access to a wide variety of stunning trails, ranging from gorgeous valleys to challenging mountains to shady riverbanks, the ranch caters to riders of all levels and interests.
The centre is owned and operated by a highly experienced horseman with an intimate knowledge of all the Cappadocian trails. It is home to over 30 wonderful horses, all Akhal Teke crosses, Arabian and Turkish mix-breed mares, suitable for experienced riders. The horses possess great stamina, surefootedness and buoyant, amiable spirits. They often look small and fragile to some guests but these horses will surprise you with their great strength - they are very fit, healthy and can carry you happily for miles.
The riding centre consistently receives rave reviews for its quality of horses and service. They have been featured in numerous guidebooks and enjoy repeat visits year after year from dedicated clients. There is a range of trails to choose from here.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The hotel in Avanos is a beautifully restored historic mansion designed for guests who wish to experience a different way of living. Each room is different with a special colour touch and a cosy atmosphere. They all are equipped with modern comfort in mind, central heating and especially beautiful architecture and design.
These exceptional cave houses are renovated and decorated with care in their own distinct style strictly respecting the local character of Cappadocian houses. The conglomerate of fifteen old houses open out to one another and are restored in the old style - with arcs, tufa stones, many stairs and decorated with local handicraft products like kilims. The typical architecture with local stones keeps the hotel warm in winter and cool in summer in a natural way. The hotel is in the centre of Avanos near the stone bridge over the river - you can easily go shopping or have dinner at a restaurant.
Accommodation on the trails is de luxe tents with other days staying in local hotels.
The area has a real 'foodie' culture and guests can enjoy trying the local dishes, some traditional and others more modern. The emphasis being on a wide array of delicious Turkish specialities. They also take clients to restaurants in the region to sample the different types of Turkish cuisine.
The Turkish kitchen is extremely varied and is a fusion of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. Turkey is famous for its kebabs, mezes (different types of appetizers) and also very rich in vegetable and fish dishes. Central Anatolia is well known for its pasta dishes such as manti and gözleme, a hand-made and hand rolled pastry filled with, for example, spinach and cheese. Guests will be able to sample a vast array of different foods that are so beautifully prepared in this country. On the camping trips they also serve these kinds of dishes and also bbq on some nights.
Vegetarian diets can be catered for and are usually delicious because of the wonderful vegetables, salads, fruits and cheeses available in Turkey.
Activities
During the trail rides guests are usually busy with the horse riding and enjoying the sights, sounds and cultures brought from such a trip. However, even the trails do bring the odd chance of trying your hand at something different such as Turkish style fishing or visits to local pottery factories.
Further Details
Languages: English and Turkish.
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy
Age limit: 14+ for trails
Tuition: No
Included: All riding, accommodations, meals and airport transfers.
Not included: Flights, alcoholic beverages, purchases of a personal nature
Travel Information
Take an early morning flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir or Kayseri. Transfer is by minivan.
Airport: Istanbul
Programmes
Highlights Tour
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This is a week long trip which shows you the highlights of the beautiful Cappadocia region. During this hotel-based holiday you will visit all kinds of fascinating places from ancient fortresses to charming local villages and beautiful valleys. This is a lovely way to see this special part of Turkey and to experience some of its most wonderful assets. Day 1) Flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir or Kayseri. Transfer by minivan to Avanos and check in at the hotel. Day 2) Ride from Avanos to Ozkonak where you will visit one of Cappadocia's largest underground cities. Return over Ziyaretdagi Mountain to Avanos. Upon return, if you would like, you can visit a local pottery factory to enjoy the art form for which Avanos has been well known since the time of the Hittites. Dinner at the hotel in Avanos. Day 3) Ride from Avanos to Sarihidir, a tiny fishing village on the Red River where you have a tea break at a local cafe. Continue on to Sarihan, a beautifully restored 13th century caravanserai for lunch. The afternoon ride is amongst Cappadocia's famed fairy chimneys of Zelve, Pasabagi to Cavusin where the horses will stay overnight. After leaving the horses, visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to see the awe-inspiring painted churches built by exiled Christians during the Roman era. Dinner at the hotel in Avanos. Day 4) Ride from Cavusin through the tranquil White Valley to Uchisar for lunch beneath the town's impressive rock fortress. After lunch ride along the Pigeon Valley with thousands of natural dovecotes carved into the cliffs, then down a breathtaking trail into the bustling village of Goreme. Continue back to Cavusin to leave the horses before heading back to the hotel in Avanos. Day 5) Ride through the Goreme and Zemi Valleys to Ortahisar where you will have lunch. If you have the energy, you can climb to the top of Ortahisa's craggy rock fortress for a beautiful view. Continue on to the Pancarlik Valley through fertile apricot groves and on to Mustafapasa where you will spend the night in a restored Greek house and enjoy an exquisite home-cooked meal. Day 6) From Mustafapasa ride through the charming village of Urgup and then enjoy a long, exhilarating ride through the Red and Rose Valleys and on to Cavusin and Avanos. Late lunch in a local restaurant then a free afternoon for shopping or a much-deserved Turkish bath. Final dinner at the hotel in Avanos. Day 7) Early morning departure from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul. |
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| Minimum group size: | 6 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate + |
| Type of ride: | Trail (but often returning to same hotel) |
| Total riding time: | 5 days |
| Departure dates: | 2010: 21-27 August |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Peaks and Plateaux
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This is a twelve day riding adventure during which you will traverse the beautiful landscapes of the Cappadocia region. This trail takes you to high mountain peaks and across valleys and plateaux offering spectacular views. Guests follow ancient routes and visit fortresses, monasteries and fascinating villages offering an insight into the culture and history of this lovely part of Turkey. Camping on this trip allows for guests to stay close to charming villages and to enjoy the countryside. There is also the chance for a go at some fishing in the river, visits to local craft shops, bathing in the natural hot springs and of course, some sightseeing and shopping. Day 1) Flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir or Kayseri. Transfer by minivan to Avanos and check in at the hotel. Day 2) Ride from Avanos through the stunning Dereyamanli valley to Uchisar for lunch beneath the town's impressive rock fortress. After lunch continue on to Ibrahimpasa, an old village boasting with exquisite Greek architecture, then through the Balkan Deresi valley to Kavak where you will camp for the night. Day 3) Ride through the village of Bahceli where the hills have been carved like beehives to Ayvali, a quiet town in the midst of lush apricot groves, then on to Lake Damsabaraji for a picnic lunch. If the weather is warm, you can take a dip with the horses in the lake. Overnight camping just outside of the charming village of Cemil. Day 4) In the morning, enjoy a visit to a beautiful 11th century monastery then traverse through valleys filled with Cappadocia's famed fairy chimneys. Ride to Soganli, famous for its hand-made dolls where you will spend the evening with local villagers. Day 5) Ride through the fields and boulders to the village of Hodul Kavak where you will enjoy a picnic lunch. Continue on to Keslik where you will camp outside the village. Day 6) Crossing the Kucuk Hodul plateau this morning you will enjoy a magnificent view of the dormant volcano Erciyes whose eruptions created Cappadocia's unique geography millions of years ago. Continue to the peak of Hodul Mountain then on to Karain for a peaceful night camping by a picturesque fountain. Day 7) Ride up to the Akköy plateau for a breathtaking view, then on to Sofular for lunch. Following the ancient 13th Century caravan route - the Uzun Yol (long road) - you'll make your way towards tonight's campsite on the banks of the Kizilirmak, Turkey's longest river. Those feeling adventurous can try their hand at fishing Turkish style tonight. Day 8) Ride along the river to the village of Kulluk where the hills have been carved like beehives. After lunch you will cross the river on the 13th century Seljuk bridge at Tekgoz. Another night camping on the banks of the river. Day 9) Following the paths of the goat herds you come upon the village of Yuvalli. Ride on to Bayramhacili, a peaceful hot spring where you will revel in a healing natural bath. Camp near the water source. Day 10) Ride to Ozkonak where you will visit one of Cappadocia's largest underground cities. Return over Ziyaretdagi Mountain to Avanos. Dinner and overnight at a comfortable pension in Avanos. Day 11) A day of sightseeing, shopping and relaxation at the Turkish bath. Visit Zelve and the Goreme Open Air Museum and spend the afternoon seeing local artisans at work practicing the age-old traditional crafts like carpets and pottery for which Cappadocia is well known. Dinner at a local restaurant featuring traditional music and dancing. Day 12) Early morning departure from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul. |
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| Accommodation: | For the majority of this trip you will be camping - the tents, cooking and so on are all done for you so you can relax at the campsite after a day in the saddle. Nights at the beginning and end of the trip are spent in hotels. |
| Minimum group size: | 6 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate+ |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 9 days |
| Departure dates: | 2010: 17-29 July, 31 July - 12 August |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Great Anatolian Ride
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A sixteen day journey on horseback through northwest Turkey, tracing the footsteps of the famous Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi. The Great Anatolian Ride is a horseback itinerary through northwest Turkey that follows, as closely as possible, the early stages of the final journey of the adventurous seventeenth-century Ottoman Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi. After a lifetime spent wandering the world - from Vienna to Sudan, from the steppes of Muscovy to the deserts of north Africa - Evliya set out from Istanbul in 1671 to make the pilgrimage to Mecca that is required of all Muslims. He never returned to the city of his birth, but spent his last years in Egypt, composing and recomposing the 10-volume travelogue - the Book of Travels - that is the account of his farflung travels. Evliya Çelebi was born in Istanbul in 1611 and 2011 has been proclaimed the year of Evliya Çelebi by UNESCO in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of this event, and in recognition of his extraordinary achievements. In Autumn 2009 a group of riders set out to trace part of Evliya's 1671 route from Istanbul to the western Turkey town of Simav. They covered some 800 miles in 6 weeks, pausing as they went to compare their experiences with Evliya's, and to talk to local horsefolk about the days before tractors when most villagers and farmers relied on horses in their work and travel. This expedition will result in a guidebook to Evliya's route and a documentary film, both to appear in 2011. The Great Anatolian Ride sets out from the village of Soguksu, south of the Marmara Sea - riding through the urban sprawl of Istanbul is no longer to be recommended, and therefore the group must pick up Evliya's route in gentler surroundings. From Soguksu the group heads south through dramatic landscapes and across varied terrains, zig-zagging east and west from the main direction of travel as he himself did. The Ride will end short of Simav, in the historic city of Kütahya, which as well as its many monuments from medieval and later times, is Evliya's ancestral home. The countryside of northwest Turkey is wide open - unlike the countryside of most of Europe or North America. There are few fences or walls to restrict your movement, and you are enthusiastically welcomed as you go by, rather than being unceremoniously chased away. This is part of the immense attraction of riding in this region. You will pass through many towns and villages on our journey, visiting sites that Evliya records in his Book of Travels. You will have a chance to meet the people who make their living from the land, far from the bustle of the ever-growing cities of Turkey, as well as see the unique stone and wooden architecture of the region. This journey is made in the weeks around harvest time and guests will find most villagers in their fields and orchards preparing for the busy period ahead - they are sure to share with you the fruits and other produce that form the basis of the rural economy. The Great Anatolian Ride is a completely new route for riders (and walkers) that has been established as a result of the exploratory journey made in 2009. Your hosts hope that you will enjoy travelling it as much as they did! Itinerary: Day 1) Arrive in Istanbul and take a taxi to the hotel. Day 2) A full day of sight-seeing and shopping in this city that was once the capital of the civilized world. Visit the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the famed covered bazaar. Return to hotel for overnight. Day 3) Transfer by minibus to the campsite near the village of Soguksu where you acquaint yourselves with your horses and enjoy the first night under the stars. Day 4) Soguksu to Kizderbent In the morning you ride from Soguksu to the medieval hill fort of Çobankale. From here you take your horses through the clear, shallow waters of the Yalak River (the Dracon of antiquity), where you startle flocks of egrets and the occasional heron, and meet young shepherds herding their cattle along the riverbank. You stop for lunch at the Baghdad Restaurant, known for its delicious fresh trout, and after lunch ride via Valideköprü, with its 17th-century bridge, to camp outside the formerly silk-producing village of kizderbent. (5 hours riding) Day 5) Kizderbent to Iznik You set out and ride to Mahmudiye, passing through magnificent orchards where pomegranate, walnut, quince, apple and plum trees abound. After a tea stop in a local café, and a picnic lunch, you will ride from Mahmudiye via Orhaniye to the ancient, walled city of Iznik, passing by a Roman obelisk along the way. You will leave the horses for the night and transfer to a small hotel. Iznik is a very atmospheric town offering stunning views of the lake of Iznik. (5.5 hours riding) Day 6) Iznik to Kizhihisar After exploring Iznik, you will meet up with the horses again and ride for an hour south from Iznik, towards the mountains and up to the village of Dirazali, where you will have tea. Then you will climb to the summit where you catch your last panorama of Iznik Lake. Picnicking along the way, you ride down from the summit, via Mecidiye, through fields of sunflowers to this charming hill village. (4 hours riding) Day 7) Kizilhisar Karasil Çeltikçi You descend through fields and woods, coming upon the deserted village of Çelebi, with its solitary minaret and marble fountain. From there you climb down to a fertile plain of fields sporting over twenty different kinds of peppers and other crops. You ride into Yenisehir, where you drink tea and have lunch in the old bazaar, finding it at the centre of a labyrinth of streets. Leaving here, you ride across the plain into the rich cereal-growing area beyond Yolören. You camp in a field near a green dell with a fresh flowing stream, near the village of Karasil Çeltikçi. (5 to 5.5 hours riding) Day 8) Karasil Çeltikçi to Sukraniye You ride across the richly agricultural plain and then through rolling uplands via Sungurpasa and Cavuskoy, where you stop for lunch. You pass other settlements nestling in the hills, and continue to reach your campsite in the village of Sukraniye. (6 hours riding) Day 9) A day of sight-seeing in Bursa, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and for centuries the centre of the silk trade. You will visit the mausoleums of the Sultans, stroll through the historic bazaars, see a private ethnographic museum with its interesting collection of saddles, and lunch at the famous Iskender Restaurant. If your timing is right, you may have a chance to drop in at the rahvan/pacing races. Day 10) Sukraniye to Cerrah From Sukraniye you ride along the lower slopes of Mount Uludag, ancient Mount Olympus, where the country tracks are lined with walnut and fruit trees. You stop in Babasultan to visit the tomb and shrine of a 13th-century saint, and continue through Yeniceköy and Edebey, lunching along the way. Your camp-site will be on a wooded riverbank near the small town of Cerrah. (4 hours riding) Day 11) Cerrah to Bahçekaya You leave Cerrah and ride through orchards and along farm roads, via several villages on the slopes of Mount Uladag. In Ortaköy you see the restored 15th-century caravansary of Karaca Ahmet. Soon you start to follow a river to reach your picnic lunch stop on its banks. The remainder of the day you ride through oak forests and up into the hills to reach the village of Bahçekaya . (6.5 hours riding) Day 12) Bahçekaya to Domur Leaving Bahçekaya early, you ride ever upwards through mixed forest in the hills of the Domaniç range, to reach summer pastures at the summit of the mountain. As you go you enjoy dramatic, extensive views in every direction, and descend to a pass where you will have a kebab lunch at a small restaurant. From here you follow a well-preserved, stone-paved Ottoman road—one of the few that still survive—to emerge where the landscape flattens out in smallholdings, before riding across grasslands scattered with juniper and pines to reach your campsite above the village of Domur. (6.5 hours riding) Day 13) Domur to Elmali Today you first drop down to the town of Çukurca, with its nearby tomb of the saint Selim Baba and after crossing grassy uplands as far as Muratli, ride crosscountry and then along forest roads to Seydikuzu. From here you go to Findicak, after which the route opens out, offering panoramic views on all sides. You will have a picnic lunch, and make your camp in the picturesque hamlet of Elmali with its wooden houses that are characteristic of the traditional architecture of this area. (6.5 hours riding) Day 14) Elmali to Isaköy Above Elmali you come to a cliff down which you must lead your horses to the valley below. Having safely negotiated the goat-track that indicates your path, you follow a river at first, then climb up and up on forest roads before descending to open country at Senlik where you have lunch. You continue across arable land and chalky uplands to camp near the village of Isaköy. (7 hours riding) Day 15) Isaköy to Yoncali Today you cross the plain to end your journey in the historic city of Kütahya, ancestral home of Evliya Çelebi. From Isaköy you ride along tracks between orchards to Dedik, thence to Köprüören and on to Yoncali, famous for its thermal baths, where you will have lunch. To avoid riding into Kütahya along the main road, you will transfer by minibus to the newly-built hippodrome in the suburbs, to which your horses will be vanned. Here you will gain an insight into one of the most popular equestrian sports in Turkey when you meet some of the local rahvancis/pacing race enthusiasts who stable their horses here. You will overnight in a recently refurbished hotel in the city and may visit, among Kütahya's many monuments, the nearby Balikli hamam, built by an Ottoman Grand Vezir in the 16th century. It is the Turkish bath where Evliya himself was scrubbed clean after his travels—this would be a fitting conclusion to your own adventure! (3 hours riding) Day 16) Depart by minibus to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 17) Depart Istanbul. Programme for 14/09/10 - 30/09/10: 14.08.10 Arrive in Istanbul and take a taxi to the hotel. 15.08.10 A full day of sight-seeing and shopping in this city that was once the capital of the civilized world. This was where Evliya Çelebi was born and the city from which he set out for most of his forty years of travel. Visit the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the famed covered bazaar. Return to hotel for overnight. 16.08.10 Transfer by minibus to explore the historic city of Kütahya, ancestral home of Evliya Çelebi on his father’s side, and the place where many of his kinsmen are buried. We may visit the newly-built hippodrome in the suburbs where we will gain insight into one of the most popular equestrian sports in Turkey when we meet some of the local rahvancıs/pacing race enthusiasts who stable their horses here. We will overnight in the Ispartılilar Konağı, an Ottoman house recently refurbished as a boutique hotel, and may investigate, among Kütahya's many monuments, the nearby Balıklı hamam, built by an Ottoman Grand Vezir in the 16th century. It is the Turkish bath where Evliya himself was scrubbed clean whenever visiting Kütahya—this would be a fitting start to our own adventure! 17.09.10: Yoncalı to Isaköy We will transfer by minibus to Yoncalı, which means ‘clover-full’, and is famous for its thermal baths. This where our horses have been stabled, and where we will get acquainted with them. After lunch at Yoncalı, we will ride along poplar-lined paths and across fields to Köprüören, and on to Dedik. Here we wend our way along earth tracks between orchards to Isaköy, where we will camp and spend our first night under the stars. (3 hours riding) 18.09.10: Isaköy to Elmalı From Isaköy we ride across arable land and chalky uplands to Şenlik. From here we cross open country while beginning to ascend into pine forest. We will have a picnic lunch at a forest clearing. From the forest we will eventually descend to a river valley and ride along it. We will then have a steep climb up a goat-track, and having gained the mountaintop, ride along the cliffs make our camp in the picturesque hamlet of Elmalı, with its wooden houses that are characteristic of the traditional architecture of this area. (7 hours riding) 19.09.10: Elmalı to Domur From Elmalı we go to the neighboring village of Fındıcak, along a route that offers panoramic views on all sides. We continue to Seydiküzü on forest roads, and then to Muratlı, having a picnic en route. From here we cross grassy uplands to the town of Çukurca, with its nearby tomb of the saint and musician Selim Baba. Here in the Domaniç mountains, home of brigands according to Evliya, we encounter spectacular views and climb up through yaylas, upland summer pastures, to reach our campsite high above the village of Domur. (6.5 hours riding) 20.09.10: Domur to Bahçekaya We leave our campsite above Domur to ride across grasslands scattered with juniper and pines, before entering areas of cultivation where the landscape flattens out in smallholdings. From here we follow a well-preserved, stone-paved Ottoman road—one of the few that still survive. As we go we enjoy dramatic, extensive views in every direction, and descend to a pass where we will have a kebab lunch at a small restaurant. We then ascend once more ever upwards through oak and pine forest, still within the hills of the Domaniç range, to reach the village of Bahçekaya. (6.5 hours riding) 21.09.10: Bahçekaya to Cerrah Leaving Bahçekaya, we descend through mixed forest, passing mountain villages. We come eventually to a river and our picnic lunch stop on its banks.. After lunch we ride along and in the river, overhung by willows, and admire the birdlife. We emerge into a country of orchards and farm tracks on the slopes of Mount Uludağ, ancient Mount Olympus. In Ortaköy we see the restored 15th-century caravansary of Karaca Ahmet. We will continue to a wooded riverbank near the small town of Cerrah, where the horses will stay, and overnight in a nearby hotel. (6.5 hours riding) 22.09.10: Cerrah to Şükraniye From Cerrah we ascend the lower slopes of Mount Uludağ, and continue through Edebey and Yeniceköy to more remote villages higher up the mountain. Here we will have lunch. We stop in Babasultan to visit the tomb and shrine of a 13th-century saint, and proceed along tracks lined with walnut and fruit trees. We will leave our horses in comfort in Şükraniye and spend the night in a hotel. (4 hours riding) 23.09.10 A day of sight-seeing in Bursa, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and for centuries the center of the silk trade. We will visit the mausoleums of the Sultans, stroll through the historic bazaars, see a private ethnographic museum with its interesting collection of saddles, and lunch at the famous Iskender Restaurant. If our timing is right, we may have a chance to drop in at the rahvan/pacing races. Overnight in hotel. 24.09.10: Şükraniye to Karasil Çeltikçi Leaving Şükraniye, we pass other settlements nestling in the hills, and ride through rolling uplands via Çavuşköy and Sungurpaşa, where we stop for lunch. We then descend to the richly fertile Yenişehir plain. We camp in an arable field near a green dell with a fresh flowing stream, near the village of Karasil Çeltikçi. (6 hours riding) 25.09.10: Karasil Çeltikçi to Kızılhisar Leaving our campsite, we ride across the plain through the rich cereal-growing area of Yolören and beyond. We ride into Yenişehir, where we drink tea and have lunch in the old bazaar, finding it at the center of a labyrinth of streets. From there we continue across the fertile plain through fields sporting over twenty different kinds of peppers and other crops. We begin to ascend through fields and woods into the hill country, coming upon the deserted village of Çelebi, with its solitary minaret and marble fountain. From there we continue to climb through shepherding country to Kızılhisar, a charming remote village. (5 to 5.5 hours riding) 26.09.10: Kızılhisar to Iznik Leaving Kızılhisar via Mecidiye, we ride through fields of sunflowers. We then ascend through mixed forest to a mountain summit where we catch our first panorama of Iznik Lake. Picnicking at some point along the way, we ride down from the summit to the village of Dirazali, where we will have tea. We then ride for an hour to the walled town of Iznik, ancient Nicaea, a very atmospheric place offering stunning views of the lake of Iznik. We will leave the horses camped for the night and transfer to a small hotel. (4 hours riding) 27.09.10: Iznik to Kızderbent We ride out of Iznik, passing by the Roman obelisk at Dikilitaş shrouded amongst the orchards where pomegranate, walnut, quince, apple and plum trees abound, to continue to Orhaniye and then Mahmudiye. After a tea stop at a local café, and a picnic lunch, we continue passing through orchards, vineyards, and olive groves before ascending into forest. We will camp outside the formerly silk-producing village of Kızderbent. (5.5 hours riding) 28.09.10: Kızderbent to Soğuksu We set out from Kızderbent to Valideköprü, with its Ottoman bridge. Here we encounter the Yalak River (the Dracon of antiquity), where we startle flocks of egrets and heron, and meet young shepherds herding their cattle along the riverbank. We stop for lunch at the Baghdad Restaurant, known for its delicious fresh trout, and after lunch continue to ride through the clear, shallow waters of the river to the medieval hill fort of Çobankale. We emerge from the river to wend our way to our final campsite amongst fig trees near the village of Soğuksu. (5 hours riding) 29.08.10 Transfer by minibus from the campsite to Istanbul, where there will be time for some final sightseeing and shopping. Overnight in hotel. 30.09.10 Depart Istanbul. 7 nights hotel, 9 nights camping |
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| Accommodation: | A combination of hotel stays and camping. |
| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 10 |
| Ability description: | Confident experienced riders only used to long hours in the saddle on fit forward going horses. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 11 days (hours as detailed in programme) |
| Departure dates: | 2010: 29 August - 14 September, 14 September - 30 September |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |