This is a long-distance riding holiday for travellers who want to see Cappadocia from the saddle rather than from a bus window. Based in Avanos at the start and the end, the route spends nine days on horseback, moving from camp to camp through valleys, farming villages, mountain slopes and high plateaus, then closes with a day of sightseeing and relaxation in the heart of the region. A professional English-speaking guide leads the whole programme, and transfers from Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, or from Goreme bus station, are included in both directions.
The first riding days follow Dereyamanli Valley to the rock fortress of Uchisar, the old Greek-style houses of Ibrahimpasa and Balkan Deresi Valley before the first night under canvas at Kavak. From there the trail passes the beehive-shaped hills of Bahceli, the apricot groves of Ayvali and the shore of Damsa Dam Lake, then visits an 11th-century monastery on the way to Soganli, where an evening with villagers introduces the local craft of handmade dolls. Two days are dedicated to Hodul Mountain, first riding towards its 1,937-metre slopes with a camp at Keslik, then climbing to the summit area before descending to Karain.
The second half of the ride crosses the open Akkoy Plateau, stops for lunch in Sofular and follows Uzun Yol, a caravan road dating back to the 13th century, down to the Kizilirmak River, the longest river in Turkiye. Riverside camps follow at the Kizilirmak and at Tekgoz, where the group crosses the water on a 13th-century Seljuk bridge after visiting the rock formations of Kulluk. Goat-herd paths lead to Yuvalli and on to Bayramhacili, whose natural hot springs make a welcome stop after many hours in the saddle.
The final riding day reaches Ozkonak Underground City and returns to Avanos over Ziyaretdagi Mountain, followed by a visit to a pottery workshop in a town whose ceramic tradition reaches back to the Hittite period. Day 11 is spent without the horses: the rock-cut dwellings and churches of Zelve, the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open-Air Museum, a traditional Turkish bath, carpet and pottery workshops, and a dinner with Turkish music and dance. Accommodation combines hotel nights in Avanos and Soganli with camping on the trail, and the package includes 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners plus the entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 Days 11 Nights |
| Price | From €2,551 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 16 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Meet your transfer representative at Kayseri Airport, Nevsehir Airport or Goreme Bus Station and drive to your hotel in Avanos, the riverside town known for its pottery. The rest of the day is free to settle in and take a first look around. Dinner and overnight in Avanos.
After breakfast your guide meets you at the hotel and the riding begins. The trail runs through Dereyamanli Valley towards Uchisar, with lunch near the rock fortress. In the afternoon you continue to Ibrahimpasa, a village of historic Greek-style houses, and ride through Balkan Deresi Valley to the camp at Kavak. Dinner and overnight camping in Kavak.
Ride through Bahceli Village and its rounded, beehive-like hills to Ayvali, a quiet village among apricot groves. Lunch is taken beside Damsa Dam Lake, where, weather permitting, there may be a chance to enjoy the lakeside with the horses. The afternoon ride continues across the countryside to a camp near Cemil Village for dinner and the night.
This morning includes a visit to an 11th-century monastery, followed by a ride through a valley of fairy chimneys and volcanic rock towards Soganli. The village is known for its handmade dolls, and in the evening you spend time with local villagers, learn how the dolls are made and try making one yourself. Dinner and overnight in Soganli.
Head towards Hodul Mountain, which rises to about 1,937 metres, riding through mountain scenery with wide views over the surrounding land. After a lunch stop in a quiet spot, the route turns back towards Keslik through rural Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight camping in Keslik.
Today the climb continues towards the summit of Hodul Mountain, with views across valleys and plateaus as you gain height. Lunch is taken on the mountain, then the afternoon ride descends through open countryside to the camping area at Karain. Dinner and overnight camping in Karain.
Cross the wide Akkoy Plateau and stop for lunch in Sofular. The afternoon follows Uzun Yol, the Long Road, an old caravan route from the 13th century, down to the banks of the Kizilirmak, the longest river in Turkiye. Depending on local conditions, there may be a chance to try traditional hand fishing. Dinner and overnight camping beside the river.
Ride along the river to Kulluk Village, surrounded by unusual hills shaped like beehives. After lunch the trail continues to Tekgoz, crossing the river on a 13th-century Seljuk bridge before reaching the riverside camp. Dinner and overnight camping in Tekgoz.
Follow paths once used by local goat herds to Yuvalli Village. After a short break, ride on to Bayramhacili, where natural hot springs offer a chance to relax in thermal water. The camp is set up close to the spring for a quiet evening in the countryside. Dinner and overnight camping in Bayramhacili.
The last riding day leads to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the subterranean settlements of the region, which you explore before riding back to Avanos over Ziyaretdagi Mountain. On arrival, visit a pottery workshop and see how the ceramic tradition of Avanos, dating to Hittite times, is kept alive. Dinner and overnight in Avanos.
A day of sightseeing without the horses. Start at Zelve with its rock-cut dwellings and churches, then continue to the Goreme Open-Air Museum, listed by UNESCO, with carved churches, monasteries and frescoes. Later enjoy a traditional Turkish bath and visit local workshops for carpet weaving and pottery. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant comes with traditional Turkish music and dance. Overnight in Avanos.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Avanos. Your driver takes you back to Kayseri Airport, Nevsehir Airport or Goreme Bus Station, depending on your onward travel plans.
Avanos → Uchisar, Ibrahimpasa & Kavak → Bahceli, Ayvali & Cemil → Soganli → Hodul Mountain & Keslik → Hodul Summit & Karain → Akkoy Plateau & Kizilirmak River → Kulluk & Tekgoz → Yuvalli & Bayramhacili → Ozkonak & Avanos → Zelve & Goreme → Departure
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Avanos, Uchisar, Ibrahimpasa & Kavak, Bahceli, Ayvali & Cemil, Soganli, Hodul Mountain & Keslik, Hodul Summit & Karain, Akkoy Plateau & Kizilirmak River, Kulluk & Tekgoz, Yuvalli & Bayramhacili, Ozkonak & Avanos, Zelve & Goreme, Departure.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!
