Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

Riding trail in the Toross Mountains

This ride takes place in the Taurus montains. We ride in the surroundings of mount Tahtali (alt. 2365 m) in an average altitude of 1000 m (3280 ft) which allows us to also offer this ride in summer as the temperatures are generally 5-7°C degrees lower than in the valley. On the trail, you will sleep for 3 nights in the mountains and 4 nights at the ranch.

Day 1- Saturday
You are expected at Antalya airport by our team who will transfer you to the ranch (app. 1 hour drive). After check in you will have a welcome cocktail and shown around the ranch. Informations about the riding program, the activities and excursions will be given, dinner and night at the ranch.

Day 2 - Sunday
After breakfast, introduction to the horses and the riding team. The guides will devide the riders into groups depending on their riding level, then you leave for a first ride in the surrounding pine forests where you will have lunch picnic. You will be back at the ranch in the middle of the afternoon and have time to enjoy the swimming pool, the tennis court or go to the beach. Dinner and night at the ranch. App. 5 hours riding.

Day 3 - Monday
Today we leave the ranch and head in the direction of the village of Gedelme. The trail goes through the Kesme Bogazi ravine and follow the precipitous mountain walls with the Agva River rushing below. Gedelme is situated on the mountain plateau and has many interesting tourists sights that can be visited this afternoon or next day in the morning. There is a famous 2,500 year old Plane tree, an ancient cave, old ruines of a castle and a nomad tent camp. Lunch will be at your own expenses in one of the many restaurants in the village. Tonight we will have a typical turkish dinner and sleep in one of the typical village houses.

Day 4 - Tuesday
This morning we leave Gedelme behind and set off on a 5-6 hours ride to Yayla Kuzdere (plateau of Kudere). On our way we admire the variety of landscapes : pine forest, the Goynuk valley and a view on the ocean in the far. Lunch, which is not included, will be in one of the many villages along the way. Yayla Kuzdere is the closest village to the top of the Tahtali Mountain whose summit is usually covered with snow until mid-June. A ski resort has opened here in 2007. Dinner and night in the village.

Day 5 - Wednesday
Our next stop will be the village of Ovacik, after a 5-6 hours ride. Ovacik offers amazing views as it is located on a plateau surrounded by mountains as its Turkish name implies. Lunch at leisure in the village. Dinner and night in one of the typical village houses.

Day 6 - Thursday
After having a traditional Turkish breakfast, we will return to the ranch through the Kesme Bogazi Ravine in a 5-6 hours ride. On our way we stop on the banks of the Agva river where we can refresh ourselves in the ice-cold waters and have lunch (not included). Dinner and night at the ranch.

Day 7 - Friday
On the last day we ride towards the ancient temple on the Olympos Mountain. In this 4 hours trip we will be riding uphill 600-700 m and 8 km in the forest to this magnificient place. Up on the hills we are going to tether our horses near a refreshing water spring and then have a 10 minutes walk to the mysterious Temple which offers us a fabulous scenery of the Mediterranean Sea towards the Kumluca village. Afterwards we return to the ranch, where a special night will be waiting for you.

Day 8 - Saturday
Departure day. After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to the horses and guides, and leave for the airport.

 

Ranch riding stay

You will ride for 6 days (about 4h00 ) on the different tracks all around the ranch and come back for the night to the ranch at the beginning of the afternoon. That leaves you free time enjoy other activities (swimming pool, tennis, bike, trekking,...) or simply relax. The itinerary we present is given as an exemple to show you the possibilities you might have during your week at the ranch.

Day 1
Transfer from Antalya airport to the Ranch. Meet the horses and guides, chat with them about the weekly schedule, and have some rest till dinner (depending on arrival time).

Day 2
Meeting in the arena after breakfast where instructions concerning the horses will be given. At 10am, we will be riding towards Tahtali mountain to the house of Yörük ( Juruk ) Halil Karakoyunlu, where we will experience real Turkish country life. We enjoy the scenery the Mediterranean offers before continuing up into the mountains. .A great opportunity to take pictures. At the Yörük Halil house the family will tell us many interesting stories about local lifestyle and we can also taste delicious home made " Gözleme" and drink Ayran " Yoghurt". After tea, we will start our way back. While moving up to the mountain path on the right side we will see Kuzdere, Kemer and Göynük villages and on the other side we will enjoy the magnificent Mediterranean sea. If you have a look back you will see the second highest peak (2360 m/9432 ft) of the Taurus Mountain Chain, "Mount Tahtali" with its majestic sight and exquisite green vegetation of Sogut Cumasi Plateau. You will have a rest and a delicious dinner when we arrive at the Ranch.

Day 3
After breakfast, we are riding to Kuzdere village, one of the most interesting and picturesque villages in this area in order to experience the culture and authenticity of this country. After a typical Turkish tea in the village, we will visit Kuzdere mosque and the village school before continuing to Kesme Bagazi (gorge) where we will take a break and have a snack and a swim ( depending on the weather conditions). Return back to the ranch for dinnr and night.

Day 4
We are leaving for a new trail on horseback towards Alaca Su Bay, located 12km from our ranch. This place is one of the most beautiful bays of the region, where the historical city of Phaselis was built. It is said that it was a secret place where lovers used to meet. After a fantastic ride through the pine forest, you will have the opportunity to stop there for a swim in the crystal clear waters of the sea, or just hang out and relax on the beach, before the exciting canter on the beach on our way back to the Ranch. Dinner and night at the ranch.

Day 5
We ride to Kesme Bogazi, about 11 Km from our ranch. Kesme Bogazi ravine is flanked by rugged mountain walls with the Agva River that rushed through its valley. After riding, you can have a refreshing swim in the ice-cold waters of the Agva River. On our way back we enjoy some fabulous canter on the beach before we change direction and ride in the pine forest towards sunset. It is very difficult to go back after that amazing trip but the ranch is always waiting for us with its peaceful atmosphere. Dinner and night at the ranch.

Day 6
We will discover Taurus mountain. And on our way to the Seyir Hill we will enjoy the marvelous view of the pine tree forest. After getting into the forest , we will ride towards an ancient Temple on Olympus Mountain. We will ride uphill 600-700 m and 8 km in the forest to this magnificent place. Up on he hills we are going to tether our horses near a refreshing water spring and then have a 10 minutes walk to the mysterious Temple which offers us a fabulous scenery of the Maditerranean sea towards Kumluca Village. On the right you will see Kuzdere, Kemer and Göynük Villages, on the left you will see the long blue beach line of Antalya. If you have a look back , you will see the second highest hill ( 2360 m/9432 ft)) of the Taurus Mountain Chain, "Mount Tahtali" with its majestic sight and exquisite green vagetation of Sogut Cumasi Plateau. In front of you there will be the most magnificent view of the Mediterranean. After returning to the ranch, you will have a very special night's program.

Day 7
After a delicious breakfast, once again we will taste the Beauty of the Taurus Mountain and explore the surroundings on horseback. We will stop at a farm, then ascend through the pine forest until we reach a natural water pool where we make a break for swimming. On our way back to the ranch we will enjoy the most wonderful nature.

Day 8
After breakfast and a farewell cocktail, our guests will be transferred to the airport.

This program should be understood as a rough guide, depending on weather conditions and riding abilities it can be adapted.

A lunch packet is included in this ride. Your reservation is full board and you can as well chose to have lunch once back at the ranch.

If you wish to extend your trip after the trail ride, we propose a three nights BB extension in a 3* hotel situated in the historical city centre and including transfers from/to the airport.

Required riding level
Trail ride program : Riders need to be confident at all gaits and must have experience in outdoor riding (hacking). Rider must have 12 years old with an adult.

The ranch riding stay program adapts to all riding levels.

The maximum weight allowance is 100 kg (220 lb), the maximum height 1m95 (6.4 ft).

- the stay as described on full board & lodging basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and the riding trail in Taurus Mountains as described on full board & lodging basis (except 4 lunches from day 3 to 6),
- extra fee for all drinks,
- transfer from Antalya Airport
- the financial guarantee of all deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights to Antalya, please contact us to check the best available rate from your country,
- drinks (except coffee and tea),
- optionnal activities that can be organized (depending on availability) : rafting, Jeep Safari, Scuba Diving, Water ski...
- the organization of a possible visit of the country before or after the trail,
- any other services,
- optional insurance: more informations.


Option

2010 - Extension in Istanbul - 4 days / 3 nights
Double room/per person	190 €
Individual room	290 €

Including 3 nights in 3* hotel, breakfast and airport/hotel/airport transfers.
Not including :meals, visits and personal expenses.

Riding trail in the Mountains : 8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days, with an average of 5h to 6h on horseback daily.

Ranch riding stay : 8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days, with an average of 4h on horseback daily.

The ranch can welcome around 20 riders at the same time, but usually, groups are much smaller. When we have 12 riders or more at the same time, separate groups are set up.
4 to 8 riders maximum on trails.

Antalya airport, in the south of Turkey.
Charter flights from most European countries, and regular domestic flights from Istanbul are available.

Transfers from / to airport are included.

Both the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, with temperature often rising above 40ºC (104ºF) in July and August. As we ride in mid mountains, the temperature are moderate due to altitude.

Temperatures are lower in May and September.

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance. We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..