Day 1: Kayseri - Avanos
Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to Avanos (app. 80 km) situated at 950 m on the banks of the Kizilirmak (the "Red river"). Dinner and night in a typical cappadocian guesthouse.

Day 2: Avanos - Devrent
This morning, for those who want, a flight in a balloon above the valleys of Cappadocia can be organized (optional and non included - see rates down this page).
The village of Avanos was one of the most important weaving centres of Cappadocia and still is a well known craft centre.
First meeting with the horses and our guide for the week. Time to test our horse and departure for the trail after lunch.
We follow the river "Kizilirmak" up to the village Sarihidir. We cross the river and on a path in the middle of vine- and orchyard we arrive at the caravanserai seldjoukide Sarihan dating from the XIII. century.
We follow the old silk route to the fairy chimneys of Devrent with their spectacular shapes.
Bivouac in the valley, next to a fountain.
Approx. 3h riding.

Day 3: Devrent - Keslik
We leave in the direction of Pasabag, the monks valley, with its earth pillars, then we continue to the rock of Cavusin stuffed with troglodyte dwellings. Further on, we will have a beautiful panoramic view on the valley of the roses (Güllüdere) and the red ravine (Kizilçukur). We arrive at the village of Ortahisar with its amazing rocky peak and will then, through the valley of Üzengi, arrive at the village of Mustafa Pasa with its beautiful sculptured, greek houses. Following the Damsa lake, we arrive at our bivouac in Keslik, near a spring.
Approx. 7h on horseback.

Day 4: Keslik - Basdevrent
Through the fairy chimneys, we go up the valley to Taskinpasa (1150 m), where we admire the mosque and a "türbe" (funerary monument) from the seldjoukide era as well as ruins of a "medersa" (an ancient koranic school), with its beautiful door and a sculptured "mihrab" (a prayer niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mekka).
We continue to climb to the Dambirca plateau, with magnificent views on our way up. Tonight we bivouac in Basdevrent.
5h in the saddle.

Day 5: Basdevrent - Soganli
This morning we start our ride crossing the troglodyte village of Güzelöz, and further on coming to the sheep barn of Zopun (1300m). Our path leads us downhill to the gorges of Tahtali, then through the small valley of Ballik with its numerous dovecote rocks. We finally reach Soganli, a small village built on the banks of a river which conceals a dozen rock churches: Dome church, Snake Church, Karabe Kilise with particularly well kept frescoes. The most ancient of them are dated from the 7th century.
3h horseback riding.

Day 6: Soganli - Mount Hodul region
The ride continues over the Meselik plateau, along lake Akköy to the village of Keslik. From the Küçükhodul plateau, the volcano Erciyes Dagi comes in view, the ancien Mount Argee, dominating Kayseri from its 3917m. The mud and ashes of this volcan and of its twin "Hasan Dagi" formed the soft soil of Cappadocia with their spectacular erosion.
For lunchbreak we arrive at the byzantine monastery of Erdemli that we visit. Afterwards we discover the semi-troglodyte village of Hodulkavak.
Dinner and night at the foot of Mount Hodul, at 1800m altitude.
App. 7h on horseback.

Day 7: Mount Hodul region - Bozca
Today we pass through kermes oaks covered ground to arrive at Akçaören (1150m), a village with beautiful traditional houses. Through the village of Boyali we join Aksalur (1450m), then, in the middle of the vineyards, we go down to the troglodyte village of Sofular. Night near the village of Bozca.
7h riding.

Day 8: Bozca - Bayramahacili
We join the ancient caravan route "Uzun Yol" (the long way), and cross the orchyards of Cördük before following the banks of the Kizilirmak. We take paths usually taken by cattle to the village of Yuvalli, recently abandoned. Then we reach the natural thermal springs of Bayramahacili. We swim in a natural swimming pool and spend the night nearby.
5h riding.

Day 9: Bayramahacili - Özkonak
Among troglodyte houses, then along the river Göynük, we reach the village of Özkonak (1300m). We have lunch and visit the underground city. Bivouac near the village.
4h30 in the saddle.

Day 10: Özkonak - Avanos
Our trail ride ends with the climbing of Mount Idis (1700m), from where we enjoy a wonderful viewpoint on landscapes of Cappadocia. Then we go back to Avanos. Dinner and night at the guesthouse.
App. 4h riding.

Day 11: Avanos - Istanbul
Free time in Avanos for a walk or some shopping.
Transfer to Kayseri airport and flight to Istanbul. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Dinner not included, you may want to discover one of the many typical restaurants around the hotel.

Day 12: Istanbul
Free visit of the town: St. Sophie, Blue Mosque, Big Bazar, Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus...
Meals not included, night at the hotel.

Day 13: Istanbul - return flight
Transfer to the airport and return flight to your country.

CAPPADOCIA and visit of Istanbul - 13 days - Itinerary "Volcano and fairy chimneys"

This horseback trail leads us to the side of a volcano 3916m high, in the summer meadows of the semi-nomadic people, through the heart of Cappadocia.
Our itinerary goes through fairy chimneys, crests and cliffs, and offers wonderful gallops on a dried lake.

Day 1: Kayseri - Avanos
Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to Avanos (app. 80 km) situated at 950 m on the banks of the Kizilirmak (the "Red river"). Dinner and night in a typical cappadocian guesthouse.

Day 2: Avanos - Özkonak
This morning, for those who want, a flight in a balloon above the valleys of Cappadocia can be organized (optional and non included - see rates down this page).
This morning, we try the horses and leave for the trail ride after lunch. We climb Mount Idis (1700m), from where we enjoy a wonderful viewpoint on landscapes of Cappadocia. In late afternoon, we reach the village of Özkonak, and sleep in tents nearby.
Approx. 4h riding.

Day 3: Özkonak - Bayramahacili
This morning, we visit the underground city of Özkonak. We walk along the galleries and tunnels of this unusual city which could shelter 60 000 inhabitants for three months, in case of emergency, since the bronze age. After this visit, we take the horses and ride along river Göynük. Riding among troglodyte houses, we reach the natural thermal springs of Bayramahacili. We swim in a natural swimming pool and spend the night nearby.
Approx. 6h on horseback.

Day 4: Bayramahacili - Devrent
On a slope, we get down to the longest river of Turkey, the Red River "Kizilirmak". We cross the river in the village of Sarahidir. In vine- and orchyards, we go around the lake of Bayramahacili Dam and, on paths usually taken by cattle, we follow the ancient Silk Road to reach the caravanserai Seldjoukid Sarihan dating from the 13th century. We keep on riding to the valley of the fairy chimneys of Devrent, showing spectacular shapes. We spend the night in tents in the valley, near a fountain.
6h in the saddle.

Day 5: Devrent - Keslik
We leave in the direction of Pasabag, the monks valley, with its earth pillars, then we continue to the rock of Cavusin stuffed with troglodyte dwellings. Further on, we will have a beautiful panoramic view on the valley of the roses (Güllüdere) and the red ravine (Kizilçukur). We arrive at the village of Ortahisar with its amazing rocky peak and will then, through the valley of Üzengi, arrive at the village of Mustafa Pasa with its beautiful sculptured, greek houses. Following the Damsa lake, we arrive at our bivouac in Keslik, near a spring.
6h horseback riding.

Day 6: Keslik - Derbentbasi
We arrive at the village of Taskinpasa; 1150m high, from where we admire a mosque and a turbe (funeral monument) from the seldjoukid era, and the ruins of a medersa (ancient coranic school), of which remains a nice gate and a sculpted mihrab. We climb on the Dambirca Plateau, and enjoy wonderful views of the region. From the plateau, we reach the troglodyte village of Güzeloz and Derbentbasi valley. Bivouac in the valley.
App. 5h on horseback.

Day 7: Derbentbasi - Soganli
This morning, we ride close to the sheep barn of Zopun, then climb to Tahtali gorges. After lunch, we ride in Ballik valley where we see many rock pigeon houses. In the afternoon, we reach Soganli, a small village nearby a river. We take some time to visit this historic place, which hides many rock churches, the most ancient of them built in the 7th century !
Night in a guesthouse.
6h riding.

Day 8: Soganli - Erdemli
Our itinerary leads us to Meselik Plateau, Akköy Lake and the village of Keslik. From Küçülkhodul plateau, the view is wonderful on Erciyes Dagi volcano, the old Mount Argee, dominating Kayseri from its 3917m. Ashes and mud from this volcano and its twin moutain, the Hasan Dagi, formed the soft soil of Cappadocia and its spectacular erosion.
Today, we reach the byzantine monastery of Erdemli, and visit it after lunch. Then we discover the semi-troglodytic village of Hodulkavak. Dinner and night down Mount Hodul, 1800m high.
6h riding.

Day 9: Erdemli - Sarigöl
We ride at 1000m high and cross the dried lake of Sultansazligi. We gallop on this huge stretch of land, with the volcano in the background... Following the slopes of the volcano, we reach the semi-nomadic village of Eski Seyhsaban, 1700m high. In this village, we discover the ancient ruins, including a big Roman pool made of stones.
Our goal today is the Yellow Lake, Sarigöl, 2450m high, where, if we are lucky, we can see wild horses. Along our itinerary, we enjoy wonderful viewpoints on the slopes of Mount Argee, on which top snow holds until summer. Bivouac nearby the lake.
6h in the saddle.

Day 10: Sarigöl - Kizilören
This morning, we ride among semi-nomadic camps and their cattle in the meadows of Asiret and Töre, then Armutluk, 1650m high. We go down to 1450m high, in the village of Kizilören. Lunch in the village.
After lunch, horses and riders will be driven to Avanos (1h30 drive).
Free afternoon in Avanos.
Dinner and night in the guesthouse.
App. 3h riding.

Day 11: Avanos - Istanbul
Free time in Avanos for a walk or some shopping.
Transfer to Kayseri airport and flight to Istanbul. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Dinner not included, you may want to discover one of the many typical restaurants around the hotel.

Day 12: Istanbul
Free visit of the town: St. Sophie, Blue Mosque, Big Bazar, Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus...
Meals not included, night at the hotel.

Day 13: Istanbul - return flight
Transfer to the airport and return flight to your country.