Cappadocia: a unique landscape, Unesco-protected

Enchanted by fairies, rock formations and colour (8 days)

The name „Cappadocia“ comes from Persian and means “land of beautiful horses” and used to lie on the famous trade route “Silk Road”. As the inhabitants were often raided by various invaders they excavated caves in the soft volcanic tufa stone to hide in. To this day you can still visit these underground cities. Because of the unique cultural history and the bizarre landscape the UNESCO declared this region a World Heritage Site in 1985. Let our experienced partner take you on a discovery trip to this one-of-a-kind region.

Day 1: Short trip to the ranch. Depending on how much time is left you will go on a first acquaintance ride. Overnight in a nearby hotel.

Day 2: The group will leave Ürgüp heading west and enter the area of the so-called “fairy chimneys”, rock formations carved by wind and rain. You will ascend narrow paths through vineyards to a valley that will enthrall you with its wild rock formations and pink stone. After a short break the tour continues through ever-changing countryside. Extensive sandy grounds and white, solitary boulders give you the impression of being on the moon. You will have a picnic lunch at a “caravanserei” ( a roadside inn along the silk trade route) dated back to the 13th century. Now that you have regained energy we ride down to Kizilirmak river and cross it on horseback at a shallow ford. In the evening we reach Avanos where you will spend the night at a bed&breakfast. In fact there is still a secret tunnel leading from the kitchen to the underground city of Avanos.

Day 3: Today´s ride takes us to the three most famous valleys in Cappadocia: The White Valley, Pigeon Valley and the Green Valley. Soft trails through forests and fruit plantations lead us away from Avanos. For several hundred meters you will follow the canyon of a dried up river bed where you may occasionally even see turtles. After many twisting narrow valleys going downstream you will finally reach the amazing White Valley. No doubt you will quickly understand why it is also called “Love Valley”. Riding in this remarkable scenery for the next two hours you come to a cave town called Uchisar where you are expected for lunch. In a small restaurant you will be spoiled with typical specialties from this region. After a relaxing siesta on the terrace we head for the Goreme via Pigeon Valley. We will pass through the old upper part of town before descending to the Green Valley. Let yourself be enchanted by the bizarre rock formations that look even more impressive as the sun goes down. Dinner and overnight in Uchisar.
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Day 4: After sunrise we start off on our way to the Valley of Springs; a wonderfully green canyon with numerous fruit trees. Following the river we will frequently ride through tunnels barely high enough for horse and rider. After this adventure you will come to yet another highlight: an incomparable view of the Cappadocian countryside spreading out before your eyes. From here you can look back on your complete day´s tour. Next you go on to Gomeda to have lunch and see its underground churches. In the afternoon the trail takes you past the mineral spring of Ugenzi before ending up in Urgup.

Day 5: In the morning we will ride through an old greek village called Mustafapasa into a rocky valley whose stony desert is frequently interrupted by wheat and barley fields. Enjoy a lunch break in the shade of old houses with elaborately structured facades. Then again you will climb to higher heights and a spectacular view: mighty boulders and sand dunes surround small man-made islands. You will gallop along a grassy ridge from where you can overlook the next day´s ride. That night will be spent in a small hotel in Ayvali.

Day 6: A green valley leading away from Ayvali is lined on one side by a steep rock face and on the other by small terraced gardens. Tunnels and obstacles along the way keep the ride till lunchtime exciting. After lunch there is a change in landscape: Narrow “tufa” paths wind along rocky hills that eventually lead to vineyards and apple and apricot orchards. More often than not friendly farmers will offer you some of their fresh grapes and apples. A mule trail takes you back to Uchisar.

Day 7: Heading east today we first ride to „Sheep Valley“ where you can encounter not only sheperds with their herds but also foxes and birds of prey. Around lunchtime you reach the Open Air Museum of Goreme. There will be plenty of time for sightseeing and later get your energy back during lunch in the shade of age-old trees. Another famous Cappadocian sight awaits you in the afternoon: The “Red Valley”, the “Pink Valley” and the “Crimson Valley”. Their unusual rock pillars glow in various beautiful shades of red and brown. The trip ends with this impressive spectacle. Let all of your exceptional experiences sink in during an evening visit to the “Hamam” (Turkish bath ). Dinner in a restaurant and lodging in Urgup.

Day 8: Departure after breakfast.

The trail with tents has a somewhat different agenda but also includes the most interesting sights.

Immer wieder fantastische Aussichten!

beeindruckende Kulisse im "Liebestal"

wilde Felsformationen wechseln ab mit weiten Steppen

Program: riding tour
Dates: april to october
Lodgings: hotel, guesthouse/inn or tent (see dates)t
Catering: full board (AP)
Rooms: double room or tent
Language: english, french
Nonrider: no
Own horse: no
Min./max. participants: 2-12

Pferde: Arabs.

Sattel & Zaum: english & comfortable trekking saddles, saddlebags.

Reiterfahrung: riding distances between 30-40 km, 5-7 hours daily. You should have good condition, some tracks must be walked by foot.

Restano salvi errori e modifiche .© EQUITOUR Vacanze Internationali a Cavallo, Svizzera