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Kaya Valley, Turkey



Programme


• Ranch Stay

 

Reviews



The great thing about this holiday is that you get a great mix: riding lessons and treks......

Elisa S., Read review
Absolutely brilliant. Norma and Peter could not do enough for us all week and the horses were great. Norma corrected several faults and bad habits we had. One of the best experiences I have had. We could not ask for more well trained horses, they were excellent. We were totally spoilt.

Hazel C.
A beautiful and interesting place to hack out combined with excellent tuition. Forward going but safe horses and a very warm welcome.

Penny C. & Jo O'H
A really good riding experience, wonderfully healthy, well looked after horses, thoroughly professional. Pete and Norma very helpful - Norma is a skilled horsewoman.

Martin P.
A relaxed and yet instructive holiday in a truly gorgeous location. Peter & Norma make you feel very welcome and make a great effort in planning local excursions. The horses are well mannered and responsive.

Marie D.
We really loved our time in Turkey, lovely people! We were complete novice horse riders when we arrived, but with Norma's patience we soon felt confident in the saddle. We had lovely treks out in the evening, and found ourselves going to bed looking forward to what we would learn in the lessons which we had every morning. I would recommend this holiday to anyone.

Marie B.
A good combination of riding and lessons with the chance to see or do other things, and dining out! Relaxing and enjoyable.

Robert M


I had a really great time in Turkey, looked after me so well. The horses were lovely, very well-schooled and excellently behaved. The countryside was absolutely stunning and the accommodation was great, plenty of privacy and space. I was made feel so welcome, they really went above and beyond to make me feel at home. The hacks were very relaxing and through very scenic areas, so there were lots of opportunities to soak up the traditional Turkish countryside. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing, back-to-nature trip, my only warning is that Norma's cooking was so good, the jodhpurs ended up a tad snug by the end of the trip!!

Bronwyn B.
Fantastic rides, wonderful hospitality from Norma and Pete. Great food. We really could not fault anything.

Susan L.
Superb - a wonderful safe environment for the boys to learn to ride in and fabulous horses for us adults to enjoy. My favourite memory was watching my boys trot and stop unaided after four days of Norma's tuition and Peter's encouragement.

Beth R.
Brilliant - couldn't have asked for better hosts, a nicer place or better horses Enjoyed every minute should have booked two weeks instead of one. Everything was perfect, Norma is a fantastic teacher, with fantastic accommodation, very comfortable and spotlessly clean. The horses are so well looked after and very healthy. Beautiful horses. 10/10

Nicky & Julie
 

Horses



Type of horses:

Arab x, TB x, ponies and a Friesian.

Nature of horses:

Well mannered, safe, pleasant and responsive

Height of horses:

13hh - 16.3hh

Weight limit:

16 stone/100kg

Tack type:

English and German maintained to a high standard

 

Weather




Current Conditions:
Fair, 29 C

Forecast:
Sat - Sunny. High: 29 Low: 21
Sun - Sunny. High: 31 Low: 21

Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather

(provided by The Weather Channel)
 

Pricing



2010 Prices:
The price is £580 per person. There is no single supplement charge.
Non rider price: £350 per person.

Transfers £40 per car

Price does not include flights or travel insurance.

Availability/Booking Form
 

Ride Description

This British owned and run equestrian centre has belonged to Norma and Peter since 2002. They are delighted to welcome guests and to show them how much this beautiful region has to offer to both riders and non-riders alike. As one of the few select riding centres on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, they are able to show visitors the unspoilt area of the Kaya Valley, a place with a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere and the ideal spot for a holiday.

This part of Turkey is extremely scenic, so much so that it was the setting for Louise de Berniere’s novel “Bird Without Wings”. The location is peaceful and close to the ghost village of Kaya Koy, yet it is also situated close to the coast with its lively towns and fascinating hotspots. Fethiye is nearby with a lively harbour, stunning sea views and many shops and bazaars. Norma and Pete are happy to drive you to the beach, Fethiye market or to elsewhere in the area that takes your fancy.

All year round riding holidays are available here and are tailored to suit the needs of you and any of your travelling companions. You can choose to ride everyday, tuition or trekking according to your wishes, or you can intersperse riding with trips to places of beauty or historical interest. The horses are a mixture of Arab and Thoroughbred crosses and all are well mannered, safe, pleasant and responsive rides. Guests are not assigned to a specific horse for the week, instead they have the opportunity to ride a variety of mounts during their holiday, something which is beneficial from a riding point of view and often more enjoyable. Jump tuition is available and many of the horses are safe and capable jumpers. Trekking will take you over majestic mountains, through pine forests and past ancient villages, showing you ways of life that have not changed in centuries.

Norma is an accomplished horsewoman with many years experience of running a working farm, livery stables and riding school in the UK. She is an award-winning rider, having also bred her own champion horses, and she is able to provide tuition for beginners to experienced riders. She will often record your sessions and provide feedback on your progress, an excellent way to improve your riding. Norma is also experienced at providing riding for the disabled and she has a specially adapted saddle with a front bar and an adapted mounting block for extra assistance. The ranch is wheelchair friendly.

This is an exceptional destination which we highly recommend for single travellers, couples, groups and families alike. Couples will enjoy the secluded terrace and hot tub whilst parents will love that their children can learn in a safe and welcoming environment. Norma and Pete are able to make many suggestions of other activities or you will be able to relax and unwind at the ranch. Norma’s cooking is also worth a mention – her Turkish pancakes are to be remembered!

Be sure to read the outstanding feedback we receive about holidays here (on the left of this page). It speaks for itself!

See Programmes.

 

Food & Accommodation

The ranch is situated in the beautiful Kaya valley. Accommodation is in a luxury ranch house with four air conditioned double bedrooms all ensuite with tea making facilities and refrigerator.

The lounge and dining area have satellite TV, video and DVD player. There is also a washing machine at your disposal. The house has its own private walled gardens, shaded terrace with aviary and a large jacuzzi.

Breakfast is substantial and consists of cereals, cheese, tomatoes, cooked meats, eggs, mushrooms, beans, toast, jams and honey. Lunches are delicious with soups, salads, fruit, sandwiches, and sweet and savoury Turkish pancakes.

Dinners are equally delicious and on two of the nights your hosts will take you to local restaurants so you may sample Turkish cuisine.

 

Activities

The ranch is near the beautiful resort of Oludeniz and Fethiye with its magnificent harbour. Also close by is Kaya Koy the largest deserted town in Asia Minor.

There is so much to do here including swimming with dolphins, boat trips, paragliding, scuba diving, microlighting, quad biking, jeep safaris, white water rafting, turkish baths, yacht charter. There are colourful local bazaars to visit, and several sites of historical and archaelogical interest including Ephesus and Pamukkale.

Transport for any trips to the beach and nearby towns for market and shopping are included in the price. The trip to Saklekent could also be arranged at a small additional cost.

 

Further Details

Languages: English

Health requirements: None

Age limit: None

Tuition: Yes

Included: Accommodation, three meals per day, a glass of wine with meals, a trip to a local restaurant for an evening meal, two trips to local attractions, transport for any trips to the beach and nearby towns for market and shopping.

Not included: Flights and travel insurance. A trip to Saklekent can be arranged at a small additional cost. Please note, drinks are NOT included except for a glass of wine at dinner.

 

Travel Information

Several airlines now fly into Dalaman including a new schedule with Easyjet from Gatwick and flythomascook.

We will arrange your transfer from the airport and we are happy to collect you at any time. However new rules in Turkey mean that your hosts can no longer transfer you from the airport and we have to pay licensed operators at £40 per car each way. Alternatively we can advise on car hire.

Airport: Dalaman

Alternative Airport: Antalya

 

Programme


Ranch Stay



Here you are offered a riding and activitiy holiday that is tailored to the individual needs of you and your family in the beautiful surroundings of the Kaya Valley.

An informal and enjoyable stay here will give you a taste of what life is like living on a working ranch in this region of Turkey. There is plenty of time for riding also an opportunity to enjoy other activities.

If riding is not required every day then two excursions can be provided as part of the package.

This Itinerary may be tailored to suit the individuals.

Day 1: Transfer from the airport. Time to meet Norma and Peter - your hosts, get introduced to the horses and the animal family and settle into your accommodation.

Day 2: After breakfast, it is time to go for a ride around the stunning Kaya Valley, the setting for Louis de Bernier's "Bird Without Wings" taking in views of the famous ghost town and getting acquainted with the countryside. The incredible ghost town is the largest deserted settlement in Asia Minor. The valley is surrounded by pine forests and majestic mountains. You will ride through villages and passing farms where life has remained unchanged for centuries.

You will stop at a local locanta for a drink (and a swim if you like!). You will meet some of the locals. When you remount refreshed you will head back to the ranch riding along the old river bed.

In the afternoon you get the opportunity to visit the beautiful beach and lagoon at Olu Deniz.

Day 3-6: Optional riding each day through the beautiful countryside and mountains. If you prefer you may like to take the opportunity to have some riding tuition in the menage under the capable hands of Norma. Your abilities and individual requirements are always taken into consideration and a programme will be tailored to your abilities.

You will experience at first hand a taste of rural Turkish life, riding through farmland and pine forests, viewing ancient ruins and tombs and stopping at village locantas for refreshment.

If you don't wish to ride every day, you can include excursions to Fethiye and its market on a Tuesday. We also offer day trips to Patara/Kalkan and Sakli Kent Gorge/Yaka Park and Tlos.

Norma and Peter are also happy to help you arrange other activities (some dependent on the time of year) such as paragliding, quad biking, microlight flights, turkish baths, jeep safaris, boat trips, yacht charter or just plain walking!

Day 7: A last short hack or some work in the menage depending on your flight time before saying good bye to the horses.

Minimum group size: 2
Maximum group size: 8
Ability description: Beginners to advanced riders can be catered for
Type of ride: Trail or tuition
Total riding time: 15 hours minimum
Departure dates: All year around including Christmas
Pricing: See Pricing