Cappado...what ?

So, what exactly is Cappadocia ?

Just try and imagine a 40 km2 wide, giant meringue formed between 2 and 10 millions years ago by a couple of hallucinatory volcanoes on the Anatolian plateau.

While cooling, the warm ashes turned into layers of "tufa" of varied colours and density.

Water, wind and man have eroded and carved the soft rock, giving birth to a wonderland of deep canyons and fantastically shaped rock formations that are simply unique in the world.

From prehistoric times, civilizations have flourished here, and the Hittites, Persians, early and Byzantine Christians, Mongols, Greeks and Ottomans have left abundant evidence of their passage.

Cappadocia is unique, and, as such, is listed World Heritage by UNESCO.

 

Personal equipment

- Good walking shoes or ankle boots with good rubber soles are essential. Full riding boots are good for the manege, not for trails !
- Your chaps or half-chaps;
- Your hard hat. Riding without a hard hat is at your own risk;
- A one litre water flask. In July and August, bring 2 x 1 litre;
- Sun protection in summer: a hat, sunglasses and sun lotion;
- Your own basic pharmacy;
- In summer, dress as if you were going for the desert; in spring and automn, bring some warm clothing and a waterproof (low risk of rain);
- Pocket money for stop at cafés;
- For the bivouac : a good sleeping bag, a torch, towels and toiletry
- For your comfort, pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase
- The riding equipment includes hackamores and McClellan light trailing saddles. These are fitted with two saddle-bags for you to carry the pic-nic (on bivouac trail) and personal belongings for the day.

Riding level and fitness

You must have a competent riding level to take part in our trails. Our one-week trails are not suitable for novices or low intermediate riders.Our horses are forward-going and you must be able to stay in control during group canters. Before coming to Turkey, go for a few rides outdoor and exercice yourself in order to avoid muscular pain or irritations during the trail. `

On the progressive trail, a good physical condition is essential as you will be asked to get off your horse several times a day to walk, sometimes up steep paths. There will be less walking /leading the horses on the Comfort trail.

If you suffer from the heat, avoid the hotest weeks of the year from mid-July to end of August. We value our horses and are extremely attentive to riders' weight. All riders are systematically weighed on arrival. Riders over 90 kg will NOT be accepted on horseback.

Getting there

By plane

International flights to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and various low-cost companies (Easyjet, Pegasus, KLM, Alitalia, Onur air, etc).Domestic flights to Kayseri:We recommend you to to arrive in Kayseri airport between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
The chauffeur will wait for you at Kayseri airport with your name written on a board and will drive you in 50 mnn to your pension. Your guides will joint you at 8:00 PM for a welcome dinner. In the morning, our chauffeur will pick you up for the 10-minute drive to the ranch.For night arrival: Transfer from/to Kayseri airport will be charged 65 Euros one way (per car), payable to the driver (in Euros or Turkisk Lira).

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By night bus
You can also travel to Cappadocia by night bus from Istanbul or anywhere in Turkey. Several departures in the evening from the cities' 'otogar' with companies Metro or Nevsehir.

Buses are modern and comfortable but they are often full so you should book in advance (agencies can be found in city centres or at bus stations). From Istanbul, a one way ticket is about 25 Euros, and takes about 12 hours (with regular breaks).

Buses arrive in the city of Nevsehir, where you will be offered free transfer to the centre of Cappadocia. You should plan your arrival for the Sunday morning before trail departure. Contact us the day before your arrival on 0534 342 71 71 or on 0530 540 37 10 for directions to the guesthouse we will have booked for you.

 

Our prices:

Progressive trail in bivouac (6 days): 1200€
Guesthouse trail (6 days): 1375€
Family ride (6 days): 790€

The basic price includes

- The loan of a horse and riding equipment
- English speaking guides (1 per group of 8 or less)
- Nights and food accommodation full board, excepted the 6th lunch of the comfort trail
- Regular transfers to Kayseri airport.

Travel insurance

- You must have appropriate travel and repatriement insurance to take part in our trails. Make sure your policy covers horseriding activities abroad. Your insurance details will be requested on arrival.

Terms and conditions

The progressive trail in guesthouses is confirmed when we have received a minimum of 2 firm bookings.

The progressive trail in bivouac is confirmed when we have received a minimum of 4 firm bookings. If it is not confirmed at the time of departure, the bivouac trail will be replaced by the progressive trail in guesthouses, for a supplement.

Direct bookings are confirmed on receipt of a non-refundable 30% deposit. The outstanding amount have to be paid one month before departure.

In case of cancelation, your payment will not be refound.

You must have an adequate riding level, level of fitness and body weight to take part in our trails. In doubt, please enquire.

Turkey and the Turks

Turkey has been a secular republic ever since Ataturk came to power in the late 20's. Islam as it is observed by the very large majority of Turkish people is moderate and tolerant towards foreign visitors. You cannot eat pork in Turkey; however, the Turks love their raki and you won't have any difficulty finding other alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine. The Islamic veil is forbidden in schools and administrations.

On the street, some women wear it, others don't. Nevertheless, Turkey remains quite traditional and in the most rural areas such as Cappadocia, few women have jobs outside the home or participate in public life. Family in Turkey is sacred, and so is hospitality. Wherever you'll go, you can be sure that you will be welcomed with friendliness and dedication, even though average living conditions remain modest.

Turkey is as safe as our western countries. Women can travel alone without any problem. Bird flu is nonexistent in central Anatolia and Cappadocia is a politically stable, safe region. Entering Turkey: formalities vary from country to country even for Europeans, so you should contact your local Turkish consulate before travelling to Turkey.

In most cases, a passport is enough for a 3 month stay, or a visa can be bought at the airport. Health: no vaccine nor preventive treatment are required. Drink bottled water preferably.

Money: The Turkish currency is the Turkish Lira (YTL).

1 Euro = 2,8 Turkish Liras. Cash dispensers can be found in the villages of Urgup, Goreme and Uchisar in Cappadocia.

 

Wild live

 
 

What to do in Cappadocia?

- Hot-air balloon flight - at sunrise, travel with the wind over Cappadocia's spectacular landscape

- Göreme's Open Air Museum - the region's greatest concentration of frescoed churches

- The underground cities - the larger cities descend to 8 levels through a maze of tunnels

- Ceremony of the Whirling-Derviches - night representation at the Sarihan caravanserail

- Excursion to the valley of Ilhara - at the foot of Hasan Dagi volcano, this long, lush canyon shelters several churches

- Excursion to the valley of Soganli - off the beaten tracks, churches and dovecotes unique in Cappadocia

- Wine testing in Cappadocia's vineyards

- Visit to local craftshops and workshops: carpets, kilims, pottery, jewels

- Steam bath and massage at the hamam

 

Online booking:

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Contact us:

Kapadokya Ranch Turizm Ticaret Limited Sirketi
Bahceli Evleri Mah. N°29
50650 Ortahisar - Urgup - Turkey
Vergi : 497 043 4300 Tel: (0090) 534 342 71 71
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