Turkey Travel – personal advice for your holiday in Turkey

In this traditional and little known part in the west of Cappadocia dominated by the Hasan volcano and the Melendiz Mountains, you’ll have the impression of riding back through time. Gallop your way through grandiose landscapes and authentic villages, 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.

This trip is NOT recommended for beginners.

Day 1: You'll be expected in Güzelyurt, 45 km from Aksaray for dinner and overnight in a hotel or B&B.

Day 2: Evaluation of the level of each rider in our riding centre. Final distribution of horses after a short ride around the village at 1500m of altitude. After lunch at the 19^th century Greek monastery of Karballa, we’ll head out on a track which rises to the ancient Greek village of Genedala, now called Akyamaç, with its traditional houses and friendly villagers. Magnificent views on the way. We’ll then ride across the plateau of Meydan (1650m) where we’ll stop for a while at a nomad camp and then down to the crater lake of Acigöl so as to admire the fairy chimneys of the valley of Nar. Last stop for the day is Kizil Kilise (the Red Church) form the 6^th century, a masterpiece of Byzantine art.    Our campsite will be in the Red Valley. 4 hours of riding.

Day 3: Heading out towards the Melendiz Mountains (2963m), we’ll discover the traditional villages of Mahmutlu and Kitreli (1600m) untouched by time. Lunch at a local restaurant on the town square. Weaving our way around flocks of sheep guarded by their shepherds, we’ll reach Egrikuyu (1500m) next to the village of Yenipinar where we’ll stop for the night. 5½ hours of riding.

Day 4: We’ll cross the plateau of Sarnic to the rhythm of our hoofs with a breathtaking view on the Hasan volcano (3268m). After lunch, we’ll head towards the village and the canyon of Ihlara so as to admire the traditional houses clinging to the cliff side, the men sipping their tea in the local café and the women and girls in their traditional clothes herding sheep and buffaloes. Night camping on the banks of the Melendiz River near the village. 5½ hours of riding.

Day 5:  We’ll proceed to penetrate the spectacular 14km long canyon with its impressive cliffs riddled with troglodyte churches. Following the river, we’ll discover several churches with frescoes painted the monks that lived there from the 6^th to the 8^th century. In a luscious environment and under the poplar trees, we’ll follow a trail first to the village of Belisirma (1250m) and then to the village of Selime (1200m). there we’ll visit an extraordinary rock monastery surrounded by fairy chimneys, full of holes like a piece of Swiss cheese. After lunch on the riverside, we’ll weave our way through the fields to the village of Uzunkaya (1250m) and the exceptional site of Celtek where we have a breathtaking view over the volcano. We’ll be surprised by the Canli Kilise church (Church with the bell), an impressive monument from the 10^th century. We’ll pass the night next to a fountain. 5 hours of riding.

Day 6: Travelling through a landscape of steppes with prey birds circling in the sky, we’ll canter our way through the villages of Dogantarla (1300m), Demirci and Alanyurt.    We’ll then cross fields of wheat in this area known as being the granary of Anatolia through the Borasan valley with its fairy chimneys to Akkaya. Our campsite will be close to the village (1350m). 5 hours of riding.

Day 7: Our next destination is the village of Mandama and the village of Nar.

We’ll ride across the plateau of Meydan where semi-nomad install their tents in summer. The last leg of our trip takes us back to Güzelyurt.   Overnight at the 19^th century Karballa monastery or in a traditional house of the village.

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.

2010 rates:

2 -3people        :     920 € per person

4 & more           :     870 € per person

We can organise buses, domestic flights or personal transfers to Cappadocia upon request.

Departure dates :

05 & 12.06

10, 17 & 31.07
07, 14, 21 et 28.08

04 & 11.09

Other dates possible upon request

The price includes:

* a horse and saddle for riding

* The services of an English speaking guide and a cook

* A minibus to carry your luggage from campsite to campsite
* Meals and accommodation during the hike from dinner day 1 to dinner day 7 (picnics for lunch and    hot meals prepared at the campsite in the evenings)

* Tents, floor mats, plates, bowls and cutlery. You must bring your own sleeping bag.

The price does not include:
* Entrance fees
* Drinks and personal expenses
* Insurance (that we can offer to European citizens)

HORSES/ ORGANISATION

This riding tour covers about 100 km in 3 days with an average of 30 km a day between the altitude 1200 and 1400 m. The terrain may oblige the rider to sometimes get off his horse and walk. This trip is for people that already have a good knowledge of horse riding in the great outdoors. One needs to know how to saddle, trot, gallop in a group and take care of one’s own horse. This trip is NOT recommended for beginners. To make the best of your holiday, it is recommended to arrive in good physical condition

You'll be accompanied by an English speaking guide accompanied by a driver/ cook.

We use Barb-Arab horses, sturdy and well adapted to the terrain we cover. Each rider has the responsibility of caring for his horse and looking after his material.

During the tour, the accommodation is in B&B’s or village homes. 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 canteen, camera, picnic for lunch…).

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 1400m) 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.

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, an isotherm canteen, a pocket knife, toilet paper and a lighter to burn it with. For tours in spring or autumn, bring warmer clothes and an anorak.

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. Leather gloves for fragile hands.

Because of the heat, avoid wearing synthetic clothes and underwear, tight jeans or pants with thick seams and boots (even leather boots).

.