Day 1
Riding: No riding.
Arrival to Dalaman airport with transfer (by shuttle bus) to your first hotel. Dinner with your guide and the group.
Day 2
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
After breakfast you'll be taken to the ride start point. There is time to get to know your horse, your equipment and the pace of the ride - this includes fast walks, endurance-style canters and some sections of trot.
Once the horses are warmed up you'll start by crossing woods of liquidambar trees (sweetgum trees) before cantering through orange orchards and along trails amongst the olive trees. Before lunch you will cross the Dogusbelen River with its bed of pebbles and gravel.
The afternoon offers quite different scenery as you'll ride through coniferous forests and areas of shrubs. There are some long mountain canters along trails overlooking Koyceyiz Lake (pronunciation: Koïdjehiz). Tonight you'll camp at altitude in the wilderness.
Day 3
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
After a serious breakfast you'll saddle your horse and start the day by descending through the forest, enjoying a beautiful panorama over the lake and the villages. You'll reach the hot water springs of Sultaniye where you can enjoy a traditional lunch before bathing in the springs and the lake (swimming with the horses is not possible here).
In the afternoon a quick ride will offer you sensational views over the Dalyan lagoon, probably one of the most remarkable views of the Turkish coast. From here you'll make your way down through the olive trees, following quiet trails to your campsite at the seaside. There is a fine sand beach and superb views of Iztuzu beach. This could be the place for the best photo of your holiday.
Day 4
Riding: 3 - 4 hours
The morning starts with a ride along the lagoon before you canter on trails covered with pine needles. You'll arrive at the ancient site of Kaunos (entry costs you €6 at time of writing).
The afternoon today is a rest for the horses. You'll reach the charming town of Dalyan for a fish lunch and then the afternoon is dedicated to a cruise through the beautiful reed channels of the lagoon.
Overnight tonight in a guesthouse in Dalyan.
Day 5
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today requires a boat ride to reach the park! The horses will travel on a barge in order to cross the Dalyan River. You'll mount up then for a quick ride out of town through the orange and pomegranate orchards. You'll ride down to the bottom of a deep sandstone canyon, following an old mule path leading to a plateau of woodland with long trails for cantering.
After crossing the beautiful village of Gokbel, which looks like a photo from a postcard, your road will lead you to the famous Iztuzu beach. You'll stop for lunch and swimming before visiting the Centre for Protection and Rehabilitation of Caretta Turtles (Loggerheads).
From here you'll ride through a labyrinth of oleanders, on trails surrounded by beehives, to reach your campsite located in a big clearing.
Day 6
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
You'll ride down to the tourist village of Sarigerme through a forest with many species of plants, such as Carobs and Lentiscs (Mastic Trees), before reaching a 5km-long beach. You will ford the Dalaman River (in case of floods the horses will have to cross by a bridge upstream, adding two hours to the day).
A picnic lunch is eaten on the beach with a chance for swimming. In the afternoon you will walk, leading your horse, along a steep path through sweet-smelling bay trees, mint and thyme. A breathtaking panorama awaits you at the top! There are a few canters through olive orchards and abandoned fields. You'll pass near to an astonishing Roman cistern before arriving to your camp in a clearing. Your campfire is in front of Gocek Islands (pronunciation: Geudjek).
Day 7
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
A long morning with a fast ride on forest tracks overlooking the bay of Gocek. There is a steep path which requires you to walk your horse for a few minutes. More fantastic views and long canters will lead you to Gocek port, famous for its numerous yachts. Overnight in a guesthouse/hotel.
Day 8
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast you'll depart for Dalyan airport to make your way home.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
