This week-long riding holiday shows Cappadocia at the pace of a horse, linking valleys, old villages, a lake and the banks of the Kizilirmak River on a loop that starts and ends in Avanos. After an arrival night in the pottery town, five consecutive riding days take you from camp to camp with a professional English-speaking guide, before a last night back at the hotel and the return transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, or to Goreme bus station.
The first ride follows Dereyamanli Valley to Uchisar, where lunch is taken below the rock fortress, then continues to Ibrahimpasa with its Greek-style stone houses and down Balkan Deresi Valley to the camp at Kavak. On the third day the route passes the beehive-shaped hills of Bahceli and the apricot groves of Ayvali before a lunch break beside Lake Damsabaraji, where riders can take the horses into the water when the weather is warm enough. The night is spent at a camp outside Cemil.
Day four combines riding with heritage: a monastery built in the 11th century, a valley of fairy chimneys and the village of Taskinpasa with its 14th-century mosque, ending at the Karain camp by a picturesque fountain. Next comes the Akkoy Plateau with its wide views, lunch at Sofular and the old caravan road known as Uzun Yol, used in the 13th century, which leads down to the Kizilirmak, the longest river in Turkiye. Riders who feel adventurous can try catching fish by hand at the riverside camp.
The final riding day reaches the small fishing village of Sarihidir on the river for lunch, then returns to Avanos, where a visit to a local pottery workshop shows a craft practised in the town since Hittite times. The package includes two hotel nights in Avanos and four nights of camping, 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners, arrival and return transfers, entrance fees mentioned in the programme and hotel room taxes. Flights, insurance and personal expenses are not included.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Days 6 Nights |
| Price | From €1,465 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 15 |
| 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.
On arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, or at Goreme bus station, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Avanos. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to explore the town on your own. Dinner and overnight in Avanos.
After breakfast the riding begins. The trail crosses Dereyamanli Valley towards Uchisar, and lunch is served below the rock fortress. In the afternoon you ride on to Ibrahimpasa, an old village of Greek-style architecture, then follow Balkan Deresi Valley to the campsite at Kavak. Dinner and overnight camping in Kavak.
Ride through Bahceli village, whose hills look as if they were carved into beehives, to Ayvali, a quiet place surrounded by apricot groves. Lunch is beside Lake Damsabaraji, and if the day is warm enough you can take your horse into the water. After the break, continue to the campsite just outside Cemil village. Dinner and overnight camping near Cemil.
The morning starts with a visit to a monastery built in the 11th century, followed by a ride through a valley of fairy chimneys. In Taskinpasa village you visit a mosque dating from the 14th century, then after a short rest ride on to the Karain camp, set by a picturesque fountain. Dinner and overnight camping in Karain.
Ride up to the Akkoy Plateau for wide views over Cappadocia, then stop for lunch in Sofular. The afternoon follows Uzun Yol, the Long Road, a caravan route of the 13th century, down to the Kizilirmak, the longest river in Turkiye. Camp is set on the riverbank, and the adventurous can try to catch a fish by hand in the evening. Dinner and overnight camping beside the Kizilirmak.
After breakfast, ride to Sarihidir, a small fishing village beside the Kizilirmak, known locally as the Red River, where lunch is served. Back in Avanos, you can visit a local pottery workshop and see a craft the town has been known for since the Hittite period. Dinner and overnight in Avanos.
After breakfast, your transfer takes you back to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, or to Goreme bus station, in time for your onward journey.
Avanos → Uchisar, Ibrahimpasa & Kavak → Bahceli, Ayvali, Lake Damsabaraji & Cemil → Taskinpasa & Karain → Akkoy Plateau & Kizilirmak River → Sarihidir & Avanos → Departure
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Avanos, Uchisar, Ibrahimpasa & Kavak, Bahceli, Ayvali, Lake Damsabaraji & Cemil, Taskinpasa & Karain, Akkoy Plateau & Kizilirmak River, Sarihidir & Avanos, Departure.
Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
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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!
