Comfort
You will be welcomed in two charming Ottoman guest houses in the heart of Cappadocia.
In Ortahisar: You will stay in an en-suite room decorated in the purest Anatolian style. The guest house has a large terrace where you can enjoy tea and coffee. Your host will prepare tasty traditional meals every night for dinner.
In Urchisar: You will stay in a troglodyte guest house in the heart of Uçhisar village overlooking the famous Pigeon Valley. The rooms are also en-suite and have been recently renovated. With its very scenic views dominated by rocky landscapes visible for miles around, the village of Uçhisar is one of the most beautiful sites in Cappadocia. The troglodyte tuff cones and years of erosion in the Pigeon Valley offer quite a striking sight. Uçhisar is located just a few kilometres away from Göreme, a village famous for its painted rock churches.
Lunches are taken in village restaurants and in the summer most restaurants have a pool where you can take a refreshing dip.
Meals
Breakfast: Turkish and continental (taken at the guest house)
Lunch: Typical Turkish meals (taken in restaurants and inns)
Dinner: Anatolian specialities - Appetizers, one or two main courses and dessert.
Vegetarian options are offered on request. Alcoholic drinks (Cappadocian wine and beer) available as an option and payable locally. Tea and coffee are available. Other drinks are to be paid on site.
Water is provided during your stay.
Climate
Cappadocia has a continental climate, with hot and dry summers but never extremely hot thanks to the altitude. Winter is usually cold and snowy. Nights are always cool, even in summer.
Average temperatures in this region are 11 ° C in April, 16 ° C in May, 20 ° C in June, 23 ° C in July and August, 18 ° C in September, 13 ° C in October and 8 ° C in November. Spring can be rainy and you should be prepared for unpredictable weather!
Tips
Tipping in Turkey is not compulsory, but it shows appreciation for a good service. In restaurants it is customary to tip almost 10% of the total bill. Some restaurants already include "service charge - 10%" in the bill, in which case it would not be considered rude if you do not leave a tip.
For the equestrian team, tips are not mandatory but would be highly appreciated. However, the amount you would like to tip will be left at your discretion.
Packing list
If you would like to take a camera, you would need to take a device that can be held with just one hand to allow the group to continue to move forward and for you to still have some control over your horse.
Head
- A riding helmet is strongly recommended and often compulsory (mandatory for children). Helmets are not provided on this ride.Helmet manufacturers (GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème) now offer horse-riding helmets that are ventilated, strong, light and comfortable. You also have the option of buying protective shells to go under your hats (Ranch & Rider, Lexington Safety Products) or western hat helmets (Troxel)
- Sun hat when not riding (essential)
- Sunglasses-with a cord attached so they don't fly away when galloping.
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust.
Upper body
- Thermals (long or short sleeved)
- Long sleeved shirts to provide protection from the sun.
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper.
- Warm polar fleece or equivalent (depending on the season)
- Waterproof jacket- rain is difficult to predict, it is better to be prepared.
Legs
- Riding breeches or long leather chaps. We recommend riding in them at home to ensure they won't rub during your holiday.
- Casual clothes for the non-riding days (jeans or walking trousers)
- Swimsuit - for dips in the pool.
Hands and Feet
- We recommend that you bring hiking shoes with half chaps as some of the passages you may take on foot can be steep. Riding boots are not suitable as they don’t have enough grip.
- Walking shoes for the hiking trails
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the non-riding days.
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding
Nightwear
- Pyjamas
Our Recommendations
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lip balm etc)
- Any liquids in your hold luggage, such as shampoo, moisturizer, over 100ml should be decanted into small, clear, plastic ziplock bag. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- In your hand luggage take any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Travelling in your boots/ hiking shoes and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in you hand luggage is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
Other useful items:
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Headlamp, batteries and spare bulb
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Water bottle (2 litres or 2 x 1 litre in the summer, 1L in the spring/autumn)
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- A pair of binoculars if possible
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Hand wash gel
Our Recommendations
- Take a second, smaller bag to pack things you may need during the day such as a book or suncream then you can easily access it during the long lunch break
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- You should also bring a copy of your passport/insurance in case you lose your documents. You can also save a copy into your mobile phone.
