The Great Cappadocian Ride

More than a trail, on a unique itinerary, it's the best way to discover the wild Cappadocia ; combining a spectacular trail ride, an orienteering game and an endurance race.

It will take place annually at the best season of the year and will showcase the most beautiful landscapes of our region.

It will be an incredible adventure for the riders, and their horses.

It will be a challenge, involving horsemanship, orienteering, and team spirit: the winner won’t be the fastest but the cleverest team.

You will ride in a small group of 6 riders, through a wild and spectacular landscape.

Nights will be spent in comfortable camps, around the fire in a traditional, warm atmosphere, surrounded by horses.

It will end with an endurance race of 40 km.

More infos: http://thegreatcappadocianride.com

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY :

The description below is an example of a trail we often do, but for a reason like the weather forecast or a safety reason, the guide can chose to change the itinerary of the trail at the last moment.

Arrival Day & Day 1 : trail/orienting

Starting at the « Bird Paradise » lake in the Sultan Sazli National Park, crossing all Cappadocia from south to north, and passing by the fantastic Red Valley, this itinerary lets you enjoy a great variety of landscapes..

Saturday (Arrival Day) :

Arrival at Kayseri airport on Saturday. Riders are driven to Sultan Sazli National Park.
Night in a guest house with direct view on the wetland of the « Bird Paradise ».
- Sunday : First day on horseback

- After breakfast, the teams are put together and the rules of the trail are explained.
- You meet your horse and start for a one hour ride on the southern part of the lake in a flat landscape ideal to get confident with you horse, team and guide.
- Each team is to choose its own way. Other team’s riders may be seen in a distance.
- After the lunch gathering all the riders, your team has three hours to cross an agricultural area, to climb up to the crest of Yesilisar, then to take a long ride across Akkoy lake and Keslik village or straight away to Erdemli Valley to reach the camp.
- Dinner and rankings of the day.
- Night in the Erdemli Valley. Before sleeping you will have to build your strategy for the next day !
Day 2 & 3 : trail/orienting

- Monday : second riding day
On the second day, the team that arrived last the day before is to start first.
6 hours in the saddle with many riding options:
You start the day on a stony high plateau, through fields and meadows of the high Anatolian plateau (1600 m high), overlooked by the Erciyes volcano with its snowy peak.
It’s up to you to decide on the itinerary, go around Hodul Daha or ride downhill by the Damsa Valley; the most challenging one gives you the maximum points!
Camp in the green and peaceful Karlik Valley. Dinner around a big camp fire, rankings of the day and strategy for the next days.

- Tuesday : third day in the saddle.
Now that your team got used with the rules and is able to evaluate the other competitors level, this is a day for an exciting competition, when missing the entrance of a valley can make you lose your position of leader.
Many remote canyons to visit, underground villages and churches that you shouldn’t miss… Keeping your eyes open will make you win lots of points!
Later on, the land turns into wide open, bare spaces where shepherds lead their flock, helped by the impressive Kangal dogs. After a last canter on the steppes, you arrive at the camp « Subasi ».
Day 4 & 5 : trail/orienting

- Wednesday : Fourth day with your horse
Vineyards, orchards, valleys, and remote villages. The labyrinth of Cappadocia could make your arrival on time at the evening camp difficult. Will you take one of the easiest way or a challenging one?
Arriving in the northern part of the National park, during this long riding day you can see the more scenic and sculptural valleys of Cappadocia: Zemi, Pigeon, Love and White valleys.
Night on the top of the red valley.

- Thursday : Fifth riding day: last day of the game
After an early wake up to admire the sunrise, the ballet of balloons taking off close by,
The day start with a long canter on an open plateau, overlooking the maze of colorful valleys.
Red valley, Boz daga, Devrent valley, all beautiful, all challenging.
Arrival in Uzengui valley for the night, nearby Kapadokya Ranch.
Day 6 : training course

- Friday : Half riding day
A training course where your horse has to pass some « obstacles » (mud, door, U turn, slalom) brings your team more points. Your horse is to undergo the vet-check for a 40 kms endurance race, and you get all the information about the rules and organization of the race.
Opportunity to shop in Gorëme, to visit the open air museum or to laze around.
Day 7 : endurance & Day 8 : departure day

- Saturday : Endurance race
A 40 kms race is organized for all the riders.
The minimum speed limit is 10 km/h ; the maximum 15, and the cardio at arrival makes the difference.
Night in hotel

- Sunday : morning - Departure
After breakfast, departure from Kayseri airport.

DESCRIPTION :

Rules

THE TEAMS

Each team puts together a maximum of 5 riders and a guide. The team itself is in charge of the strategy and itinerary, the guide is there to help and show the way through the difficult passages.

This race is thus designed for strong intermediate and experienced outdoor riders, looking for a fun andfast ride in Cappadocia on a more challenging itinerary than a standard trail. Here no horses nose to tail ! You will be independent riders riding together.

Note : A group of 4 riders plus one guide can make their own team, but will have a disavantage on the training course to bring points.

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE GREAT RIDE?

This orienteering and endurance equestrian game in teams of 6 riders, for 7 days and 8 nights; where the quest of speed and performance is not the vital goal, will draw from the horse riding qualities of the riders, their spirit of solidarity as well as their ability of orienteering in the labyrinthe of the rocks of Cappadocia.

The Great Cappadocia Ride is to be able to follow the smartest itinerary (using google earth), to find all the highlighted points along your chosen way, to respect riding times and speed, to win the challenges, and to prepare your horse for the final trial: the Endurance Race.

Horse riding level

- The difficulty of this trail is 4/4
- Riding level: confident intermediate to advanced riders
To take part of all our trails, you must have a competent riding level to be able to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, ride or lead your horse on technical passages, get on or off your horse several times a day alone and groom, tack and untack your horse without assistance
- Good physical condition is essential

Rhythms of the trail :
- 5 and an half riding days
- 5 to 6 hours on horseback each day (including 5 days of orienteering, a training course, an 40 km endurance race)
- 28 to 35 kilometres each day; stopping at a different location every evening
- Pace: mostly walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day

Maximum weight :
Riders' weight on the progressive trail is limited at 85 kg (on riding clothes). Riders upper 85 kg, could book with extra charge, for the loan of a second horse. This option is only on demand, it will depend of the horse riding level of the rider and the availability of our horse.

Riders's contribution :
Riders are in charge of their horses ; they will be asked to tack and untack their horse, to water and feed their horse and to take care of their horse equipment.

Dates & Conditions

Dates 2024 :
Not set up yet

Extra cost for 7 nights in a single room and a single tent : 275 €

30 years old : 10% discount (on the price of the ride only)

THE PROGRAM

- 4 days of trail

- Half day at leisure at the camp and/or visit of Cappadocian villages - A training course (PTV with obstacle course: mud, door, U turn, slalom) - Preparation for the final endurance race : Veterinary examination, horse inspections, presentation of the endurance rules and road

- Endurance race : 40 km

CONDITIONS The basic price includes :

- 7 nights accommodation full board, 5 and half riding days (accommodation in double, twin or triple room & tent)

- The loan of a horse and riding equipment for the trail, for the obstacle course and the endurance race.

- English and/or french speaking guide.

- Local transfers camp; regular transfers from/to Kayseri airport and Nevsehir airport (all day long; shuttle bus available for each flight coming from Istanbul)

Food & accommodation

The progressive trail in camp is for those who enjoy outdoor living, and sleeping in a tent or under the stars.
You will reach a different location on horseback at the end of each day, with the camp set up in the middle of nature, surrounded by beautiful views.

6 nights in camp :
These nights will be spent in comfortable and beautiful camps in scenic area : - Camp are based on twin large tent, with comfortable mattress. - The camp includes a large communal tent like those used by the last nomadic families in the country, chairs and tables for meals.
- Dinners are taken in the communal tent or outside by the fire.
- The camp also includes toilets, a shower tent with a bucket and a gas stove for heating the water.
- Tents will be put on by our team (double tipi-tents with single camp mattresses)
- We will ask your help to participate at the camp’s life : Take and replace your luggages and equipment in the trailer, feeding and brushing your horse, tacking and untacking your horse.

3 nights in hotels or guesthouses :
Your arrival and departure nights, will be spent in comfortable guesthouses or hotels, in double or triple rooms with en suite bathrooms.
- Hotels offer internet access and a laundry service.
- Single room supplement (depending on availability) - Night 1 : Sultan Pension (Bird's paradise: Sultan Sazligi Park) - Night 8 : (in Urgup)
- Standard accommodation: Surban Hotel
- Luxury accommodation: Selcuklu Evi

Luxury room extra charge (one night) : 60 € per pax (double room) / 95€ (single room)

Meals :
Full board includes a continental breakfast, and a delicious lunch featuring a local speciality each day. At the camp, dinner is a traditional dish cooked on the wood fire, along with salad and fruits.
- Vegetarian options are available upon request.
- Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are available as an option.

PICTURES :