Horseback riding tour to discover Cappadocia in Türkiye

Today, we are taken to the ranch to meet our horse, familiarize ourselves with her and her equipment. A long gallop takes us to the foot of the Avlak Hills. We begin the ascent of the plateau via an ancient path that offers a magnificent view over the entire Damsa Valley: improbable clay slopes and rocks creating a landscape straight out of a Western film (in case of rain, the Avlak Hills are impassable; an alternative route will be offered). Arrival in the center of the village of Mustafapasa.

After lunch, we enjoy a stroll through the ochre-yellow village, discovering its ruins, madrasa (Koranic school), church, and grand houses built in the Greek style. In the afternoon, we hike through a variety of landscapes, passing apricot orchards, vineyards, and steppes where sheep graze, guarded by large Kangal dogs (local sheepdogs, also known as Anatolian Shepherds). We arrive in the village of Ayvali, where we spend the night.

Accommodation: cave hotel in Ayvali

After riding through woods and gardens, we begin the ascent to the plateau along an ancient path. We gallop across fields of grain and chickpeas overlooking the valley. The long descent from the plateau will be on foot, offering incredible views of the valley and Lake Damsa, through a maze of stones and shrubs, fragrant with mugwort and thyme.

We reach the monastery of the archangels, where a couple of villagers have prepared a traditional dish cooked over a fire for us.

After a long and comfortable gallop through the red earth, we visit the underground village of Golgoli and then reach the village of Ayvali through a hidden canyon. We return to our hotel and leave our horses in their paddock for the night.

Accommodation: cave hotel in Ayvali

We leave Ayvali for the village of Uçhisar and the spectacular valleys of northern Cappadocia. Our horses take us at a trot and a canter through vineyards and orchards to the village of Ibrahimpasa, nestled in hills of white tuff. We ride through this picturesque village and then begin the ascent of Cappadocia's "twin hills." A gallop to the summit leads us to a breathtaking panorama of the northern part of the national park and the rocky fortress of Uçhisar. As we continue down to the village, we can admire the multicolored rocks of the famous Pigeon Valley and its once-inhabited fairy chimneys.

We have a late lunch in a restaurant with a panoramic terrace.

We can spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through the old streets of the village, resting, hiking to the village of Goreme or visiting the churches and the Goreme Open Air Museum.

Accommodation: hotel in Uçhisar

Cappadocia is now the world's premier hot air ballooning destination! At sunrise, a hot air balloon flight is offered (optional - see pricing information). The breathtaking views of the many dramatic valleys and the spectacle of hot air balloons taking flight make this an exceptional event not to be missed.

We leave Uçhisar and enter the White Valley. Our guide leads us at a walking pace through the mineral and plant labyrinth of this magnificent canyon. We emerge into another natural amphitheater populated by giant phallic formations: the great Valley of Love. Not far from here rise the famous Red Valley and Valley of Roses. With their citadels of red, pink, and ochre rock, they undoubtedly form the most beautiful collection of rock formations in Cappadocia. We make our way through the countless paths that crisscross them.

We have lunch in a former monastery.

In the afternoon, we trot and canter along the panoramic white tufa ridges, surrounded on all sides by the rocky hills of Cappadocia. The winding paths of the Valley of the Shepherds lead us back to Uchisar, which we reach just in time to admire the sunset over the valleys.

Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

Accommodation: hotel in Uçhisar

Today, we leave Uçhisar on horseback and make our way through the tunnels, arches, and woods of a spectacular 4-km-long canyon called the Green Valley. As we reach the ridges again, a stunning panorama unfolds before us. We then reach the village of Ortahisar via the Balkan Valley, where we stop for lunch. A final long and winding gallop through the Ortahisar ravine takes us to the Pancarlik Valley. We enjoy a last look at the Cappadocian formations before arriving at the ranch, where all the animals await us. A short transfer takes us to our hotel in Urgup for our last night in Turkey.

Accommodation: hotel in Ürgüp

After a good and hearty breakfast, we are transferred to Kayseri airport where we will take our flight to Istanbul and then to our final destination... unless we continue our journey in Turkey!