equitrekking travel
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- Hawaii’s Big Island Equestrian Vacation
- Ring of Kerry, Ireland
- Jordan Bedouin Trek & Classic Tour
- Uruguay Estancia Tour All Inclusive
Turkey: Cappadocia with Istanbul Various Locations, Turkey
General Info
Horseback riding and sightseeing with Kirkit in Cappadocia, combines the adventure, history, culture and nature found in Central Turkey with the bustling sights of exotic Istanbul. This trip is filled with hidden gems and amazing historical sites. In ancient times the name Cappadocia meant “the land of beautiful horses” and the finest horses were raised in this region. Today, on your adventures through Cappadocia, you’ll ride through ancient villages to meet welcoming local Turks and pass through valleys with stunning rock formations, called fairy chimneys. Over time the soft rocks have been sculpted by erosion from the elements, like wind and water, into shapes which can fuel the imagination and local legend. Be sure to ask about the local folklore surrounding these bizarre formations.
On this Turkey riding vacation, you’ll ride Ride Barb-Arab horses through colorful canyons to old Silk Road Hotels, underground cities, hidden churches and historic villages. All of these amazing sights are in a compact area, so you can ride from village to village on horseback. You’ll eat an abundance of good Turkish food, perhaps in a historic cave or outside in the courtyard. This trip is suitable for intermediate riders, who are comfortable at the walk, trot and canter and riding on and off trails for many hours. Please let us know if you have a non-riding companion. Kirkit happy to arrange additional activities for them, like hiking, hot air balloon rides, mountain biking, canoeing and visits to many cultural sites. History and exotic culture abound in Turkey!
Istanbul & the best Cappadocian Valleys -8 days (Thursday to Thursday)
Istanbul, best Cappadocian Valleys & Guzelyurt- 9 days (Thursday to Friday)
Awards & Accolades
Featured on two episodes of the Emmy award-winning Equitrekking series on Public Television: Equitrekking Central Turkey and Equitrekking: Cappadocia, Istanbul and the Coast, which debuts spring of 2010.
Packing
Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing List.
Packing Suggestions for this trip from Kirkit:
t-shirts
long sleeve shirts for riding (the sun is intense in Cappadocia)
a warm sweater for the evenings
a light pair of long pants
a pair of shorts
a swimsuit
hat and riding helmet
a scarf for the dust
shoes for time off horseback
sunglasses
your personal medicines and toiletries
a light flashlight with spare batteries
a canteen for water
a pocket knife
pants for riding
riding gloves
The following will be provided to you in Turkey: a horse, saddle and saddlebags.
About the Horses
Sure-footed Barb-Arab horses the size of double ponies, energetic, but calm. Your choice of either English saddles or saddles from Kyrgyzstan, comfortable sheepskin saddles with a higher tree so that the rider sits a bit higher off of the saddle.
Activities/Events
Area Activities
Non riders might enjoy our other area activities including hiking, hot air balloon rides, mountain biking, canoeing and a visit to see the whirling dervish ceremony.
Accommodations/Food
Accommodations
B & B’s with private ensuite bathrooms
3-4 star hotels in Istanbul
Food
Three meals a day included. Vegetarian options are available. Please let us know if you have special dietary requests before your trip. Sample breakfast: Piping hot Turkish tea, coffee, bread, butter, olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, honey, local jams and specialties and sometimes eggs.
Picnic lunch:
Big sandwich with tuna, chicken or cheese, sometimes with a cucumber or tomato, juice, chocolate bar and a slice of cake.
Evening:
Traditional homemade meals might include soup, vegetables in sauces, some meat or chicken, various salads, yogurt, dessert or fruit.
Drinks
Tea in abundance. Alcohol is available, but not included.
The Ideal Traveler
Open minded, curious, generous and good-humored traveler who knows how to participate in a group to create a good atmosphere and knows how to appreciate the customs and the novelties he or she will be seeing.
Istanbul and the best Cappadocian Valleys
Dates & Rates 2010
8 days/ 7 nights- from Thursday to Thursday
$1290 U.S. Dollars (900 Euros) per person double occupancy*
Single supplement: $197.72 U.S. Dollars (138 Euros)*
Oct. 7-14, Oct 21-28
* Prices may vary due to currency conversions. The trip price includes: Local transfers, full board accommodation in Cappadocia, the services of an English speaking guide, a driver, a horse for riding, accommodation with breakfast in Istanbul, a city bus tour in Istanbul, two group day tours in Istanbul and airport transfers.
The price does not include: The international return flight and domestic flights. Drinks, tips or personal expenses.
OPTIONAL:
one hour hot air balloon flight at dawn: $286.56 U.S. Dollars (200 EUR) per person
one and a half hours hot air balloon flight at dawn: $412.64 (288 EUR) per person
Riding Level: Intermediate
Day 1- Thursday- Arrival
Arrival at Kayseri Airport and transfer to Cappadocia (one hour). Dinner and overnight in a restored Anatolian, Ottoman house in double or triple rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Day 2- Friday- Fairy Chimney Ride
At the riding center, travelers will test out the horses and get matched with the appropriate mount. You’ll head off from the Avanos stables through the Dereyamanli Valley with a 6th century church and magnificent fairy chimneys. You’ll reach the rocky outcrop of Uçhisar for a great panoramic view over the area. You’ll spend the night in a family pension. 6 hours of riding.
Day 3- Saturday- Landscapes, Valleys and Villages
Horseback ride down the Pancarlik valley in the direction of Ürgüp. Just before the village, you’ll fork off towards the rocky outcrop of Ortahisar. You’ll then follow a track through vineyards through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the area in the valleys of Kiliçlar, Meskendir, Kizilçukur and Güllüdere to the village of Çavusin. The old village of Cavusin remains, cut out of the rocks. You’ll spend the night in a pension of the village. 5 hours of riding.
Day 4- Sunday- Ancient Rock Villages & Silk Road Hotel
You’ll pass in front of the cliff of the impressive abandoned rock village of Cavusin, which harbors the 6th century church of John the Baptist and then follow a small goat’s track that leads up high and to the valley of Pasabagi with its multiple fairy chimneys. Passing through the village of Yeni Aktepe, you’ll ride through the amazing fairy chimney valley of Devrent to the 13th century caravanserai of Sarihan, an old inn akin to a roadside hotel where travelers could rest and sleep during their journey along the Silk Road. After visiting the caravanserai, you’ll follow a dry riverbed and then the banks of the longest river of Turkey, Kizilirmak or the Red River, back to Avanos. 6-7 hours riding. Night in a pension in the village.
Day 5- Monday- Bustling Istanbul
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. You’ll then be driven from Istanbul’s airport to your hotel. In the afternoon, tour the city by bus. Overnight at a 3-4 star hotel in Istanbul.
Day 6- Tuesday- Historic Sights of Istanbul
Following breakfast, you'll join a group tour to visit the major sights of Sultanahmet, a historic district of Istanbul. Sights include the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar with its abundance of shops. Overnight at a 3-4 star hotel with breakfast.
Day 7- Wednesday- Bosphorus River Cruise
Today you’ll join a group tour to visit the Ottoman palaces of the Bosphorus River by taking a cruise. You’ll have the chance to visit the Dolmabahçe Palace. Overnight with breakfast.
Day 8- Thursday- Departure
Transfer provided from your hotel for your outgoing flight.
*Please note: This program may be changed or modified due to technical criteria, security measures or weather conditions. In such a case, only the guides from Kirkit are qualified to take any necessary decisions. Please be aware that certain monuments in Istanbul close on certain days: Aghia Sofya is closed on Mondays and on Tuesdays Topkapi Palace is closed. If you visit while they are closed, you'll visit the splendid Kariye church instead. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Istanbul, Best Cappadocian Valley & Guzelyurt
Dates & Rates 2010
9 days/ 8 nights- (Thursdays to Fridays)
$1595 U.S. dollars (1113 EUR) per person double occupancy*
Single supplement: $179.99 U.S. Dollars (125 EUR)*
May 13-20, May 27 – June 3 (May 31 is Memorial Day), June 17-24, July 1-8, July 15-22, Aug 5-12, Aug 19-26, Sept 2-9, Sept 20-28 Special Departure
* Prices may vary due to currency conversions. The price includes: Local transfers, full board accommodation in Cappadocia, the services of an English speaking guide, a driver, a horse for riding, accommodation with breakfast in Istanbul, a city bus tour in Istanbul, two group day tours in Istanbul and airport transfers.
The price does not include: The international return flight and domestic flights. Drinks, tips or personal expenses.
OPTIONAL:
one hour hot air balloon flight at dawn: $286.56 U.S. Dollars (200 EUR) per person
one and a half hours hot air balloon flight at dawn: $412.64 (288 EUR) per person
Riding Level: Intermediate
Day 1- Thursday- Arrival
Arrival at Kayseri airport and transfer to Cappadocia (one hour). Dinner and overnight in a restored Anatolian, Ottoman house, double or triple rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Day 2- Friday- Fairy Chimney Ride
Evaluation of the level of each rider at the riding centre and distribution of horses. You’ll head off from Avanos through the Dereyamanli Valley with a 6th century church and magnificent fairy chimneys. You’ll reach the rocky outcrop of Uçhisar for a great panoramic view over the area. You’ll spend the night in a family pension. 6 hours of riding.
Day 3- Saturday- Landscapes, Valleys and Villages
Horseback ride down the Pancarlik Valley in the direction of Ürgüp. Just before the village, you’ll ride towards the rocky outcrop of Ortahisar and then follow a track through the vineyards through some of the most spectacular landscapes of the area in the valleys of Kiliçlar, Meskendir, Kizilçukur and Güllüdere to the village of Çavusin. Tonight is spent in a pension of the village. 5 hours of riding.
Day 4- Sunday- Ancient Rock Villages & Silk Road Hotel
Pass in front of the cliff of the impressive abandoned rock village of Cavusin, which harbors the 6th century church of John the Baptist and then follow a small goat’s track leads us up to a high and to the valley of Pasabagi with its multiple fairy chimneys. Passing through the village of Yeni Aktepe, you’ll trek through the amazing fairy chimney valley of Devrent to the 13th century caravanserai of Sarihan. A caravanserai is an old inn akin to a roadside hotel where travelers could rest and sleep during their journey. After visiting the caravanserai, you’ll follow a dry riverbed and then the banks of the longest river in Turkey, Kizilirmak, back to Avanos. 6-7 hours riding. Night in a pension of the village.
Day 5- Monday- Charming Guzelyurt & Underground City
Set out in the morning by vehicle to visit an underground city, eight floors deep. You’ll enjoy climbing through this amazing underground city, where Christians hid from persecution. Next, you’ll be driven to the village of Güzelyurt, where time seems to have stopped more than 100 years ago.
At the stables in Guzelyurt, you’ll saddle up for a short ride around the village, which lies at 1500m of altitude. After lunch at the 19th century Greek monastery of Karballa, you’ll head out on a track, which rises above the Monastery Valley. From there, you’ll ride on to the village of Sivrihisar, taking in the magnificent views along the way. The last stop for the day is Kizil Kilise, the Red Church, which dates back to the 6th century. A masterpiece of Byzantine art, this church stands alone amid beautiful pastoral fields dotted with old stone fences and in the distance, an old pilgrimage road that runs from Istanbul to Jerusalem. After the Red Church, you’ll ride back to Guzelyurt. 5 hours of riding. Dinner and overnight at the restored 19th century monastery, Hotel Karballa, or in a family pension.
Day 6- Tuesday- Ihlara Canyon and the Red Church
You’ll ride out towards the canyon of Ihlara, taking in the traditional houses clinging to the side of a cliff along the way. You’ll pass men sipping their tea in the local café and women and girls in their traditional clothes herding sheep. You’ll ride through Ihlara canyon, a spectacular 14km long canyon with its impressive cliffs riddled with troglodyte churches. Following the river, you’ll discover several churches with frescoes painted by the monks that lived there from the 6th to the 8th century. In a luscious environment and under the poplar trees, you’ll follow a trail first to the ancient village of Belisirma (1250m). After lunch on the riverside, weave your way through the fields back to Guzelyurt. Transfer back to Avanos. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7- Wednesday- Bustling Istanbul
Transfer to the airport and flight to Istanbul. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Today you'll join a group for a city tour by bus in the afternoon. Overnight with breakfast.
Day 8- Thursday- Istanbul’s Historic Sights
Following breakfast, you'll join a group tour to visit the major monuments of the Sultanahmet: Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Overnight with breakfast.
Day 9- Friday- Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
*Please note: This program may be changed or modified due to technical criteria, security measures or weather conditions. In such a case, only the guides from Kirkit are qualified to take any necessary decisions. Please be aware that certain monuments in Istanbul close on certain days: Aghia Sofya is closed on Mondays and on Tuesdays Topkapi Palace is closed. If you visit while they are closed, you'll visit the splendid Kariye church instead. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Traveler Reviews
Reviews for Kirkit, the outfitter for this trip
This is the first chance I've had to thank you for the fantastic trip you organized for us. It's been like whirling Dervishes ever since we got back and so have had no time to write. Cappadocia was incredible, nowhere else remotely like it. Your advice - to hire cars, stay in Selcuk and the like - was just right. Everything you arranged went like a dream - flights, hotels, car hire - the lot. So thanks very, very much.
-- Donny, Scotland
The trip was amazing. We loved every minute of it. All the arrangements you made were perfect. All of your colleagues at Kirkit did a wonderful job. Everyone went out of their way to make our experience memorable. Special thanks to Onal for all the trips to the airport. I cannot say enough about how much fun we had and how much we hated to leave. You all do a fabulous job.
-- Milton, United States
Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed my horse-trek thru Cappadocia. Everything was great - smooth pickup at the airport, the lovely Kirkit Pension in Avanos, great traditional music after dinner. My guide Cuneyt was wonderful - he was enormously patient with my lack of riding skills (!) and very good at pointing out all the wonderful sites of Cappadocia. The night spent with the family in Ibrahim Pasa was memorable - delightful and charming people; we manage to communicate despite the lack of language. Cappadocia is really unique on the planet and by horse is definitely the way to see it. Could certainly not have done this without your help - thanks again.
--Pat, United States
Just got back from our riding tour in Cappadocia, and I had a ball. It's a fabulous place and the people are very hospitable. The team there, Ender (our riding guide), Ali (our driver) and Anifi (the best cook in Cappadocia) served us like "queens". Thanks to this tour, I discovered "paradise" on Earth and of course, like everyone else, I found it too short!
-- Olivia, France
The tour was very good, very professional with horses in great shape, the guide was very capable that organised a tour punctuated with cultural visits as well as the natural beauty of the site.
-- Chantal, France
What an amazing week! Pure happines! It was hard to leave, the week went past so fast. I think that it's the most beautiful trip I've had. Thanks for everything. The team is wonderful and very professional. The horses are very nice and resilient-- getting back to work is so hard!
-- Candice, France
Reading List
General Guidebooks & Travel Narratives
Fodor's Turkey, 7th Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides) (Paperback) by Fodor’s
Known as the cradle of civilization, Turkey draws travelers from around the world with its rich history. Yet it also attracts those looking for contemporary outdoor activities and sophisticated dining and lodging. This new full-color edition of Fodor’s Turkey focuses on the best the country has to offer.
Turkey (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) (Paperback) by Suzanne Swan
This volume shows Turkey at its best, from the beautiful beaches and azure seas to the glittering mosques and churches, intriguing historic quarters and colourful bazaars. In-depth coverage is given to Istanbul with the help of cutaways of ancient buildings, pictorial maps and 3-D aerial views. This award-winning guide also helps you to discover the treasures of this ancient civilization, with in-depth coverage of many archaeological sites, including the classical ruined city of Ephesus and the cliff-side troglodyte village at Uchisar.
Turkish Reflections: A Biography of a Place (Paperback) by Mary Lee Seattle
From Publishers Weekly-- In an exotic, engaging journey deep into the heart of Turkey, Settle, who won a 1978 National Book Award for her novel Blood Tie (set in Turkey), revisits a country where past and present are everywhere intertwined. Contradicting the unflattering Western stereotypes of Turks, she depicts a people she admires for their capacity for friendship, their essential warmth and honesty. Istanbul, noisy and frantic, is also "as polite and friendly as a country village," and tough-skinned rural folk are "almost naively gentle" beneath their exterior harshness. Settle's hauntingly poetic evocation of a people and place is filled with moments of quiet rapture as she inspects the remains of ancient kingdoms, retraces the paths of Seljuk sultan Aladdin, dips in thermal baths and views mosques and churches, castles, sphinxes and the prison where Nazim Hikmet, Turkey's finest modern poet, was imprisoned for his work.
History Enthusiasts
Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds (Paperback) by Stephen Kinzer
A passionate love for the Turkish people and an optimism that its ruling class can complete Turkey's transformation into a Western-style democracy mark Kinzer's reflections on a country that sits geographically and culturally at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Kinzer, the former New York Times Istanbul bureau chief, gives a concise introduction to Turkey: Kemal Ataterk's post-WWI establishment of the modern secular Turkish state; the odd makeup of contemporary society, in which the military enforces Ataterk's reforms. Kinzer's journalistic eye serves him well as he goes beyond the political, vividly describing, for instance, the importance and allure of the narghile salon, where Turks smoke water pipes. Here, as elsewhere, Kinzer drops his journalist veneer and gets personal, explaining that he enjoys the salons in part "because the sensation of smoking a water pipe is so seductive and satisfying." Readers who want a one-volume guide to this fascinating country need look no further.
Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD
Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at ShopDarley.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.
Equitrekking: Season 1-4 DVD sets featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, including Central Turkey. Available at ShopDarley.com
Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS.
Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.
Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.
Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.
Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly
The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse: evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.
Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.
The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.