7 Day Lycian Way Trail Riding Tour in Turkey for Experienced Riders - Chase Pegasus on Horseback!
Turkey Horse Riding Tour
On horseback, you’ll not only ride through landscapes carved by time and myth, but also connect with local villagers and travelers along the way. Some paths are only accessible to hikers and riders, offering a peaceful communion with nature where few others tread. So saddle up - your epic journey begins where myth and mountain meet.
Key information:
- Rider weight limit: 75 kg / 165 lbs
- Tack type: Functional English, multipurpose, and jumping saddles
- Horse breed: Arabian and cross-breed horses
- Daily riding time: 2 hours (first riding days), four to five hours (other days)
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Cover roughly 150 km of the iconic 540 km trail
- Must be fit, able to trot, canter, and gallop, and have experience with trail riding
- Private guided group tour
- Riding trails and hard galloping in valleys
- Well-mannered, smooth-gaited, high-spirited horses
- Reliable and modern equipment
- 6 nights accommodation in a countryside residence, tents, local houses, and sleeping bags
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, with one non-alcoholic drink
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Types
6 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 4
Accommodation
- Countryside residence for the first two days and the last day
- Tents, local houses, and sleeping bags while on the trail
Program
Ever dreamed of following in the hoofprints of a legend? Let Horseback Riding Turkey take you on a journey inspired by Pegasus - the mythical winged horse born from the blood of Medusa.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Pegasus emerged when the hero Perseus beheaded Medusa. With help from Athena or Poseidon, the hero Bellerophon managed to tame this wild and powerful creature. Their most famous adventure is defeating the fearsome Chimera, a fire-breathing monster.
Pegasus soared through the skies while Bellerophon delivered the final blow, burying the beast beneath a mountain. Later, Bellerophon attempted to ride Pegasus to the heavens, but fate had other plans. The winged steed rose to the stars, becoming a constellation and a servant of Zeus himself.
So why the mythology lesson? Because Horseback Riding Turkey invites you to ride after Pegasus - not in the sky, but on one of the most legendary trails on Earth: the Eastern Lycian Way. And yes, the debate still rages on - is this the true Mount Olympos, the divine home of Zeus? The name Tahtalı literally means “God’s Throne,” after all.
Notes
The program can be adjusted to seasonal weather conditions or riders’ specific requirements to stay longer at the best locations.
Please mind the weight restrictions. This will be an expedition trip. Once participants are off the ranch, they can’t change the horse. So, weight control will be applied to all riders upon arrival. Riders exceeding the weight limit will not be allowed to ride, with no refund.
- Accommodation and food: Countryside residence for the first two days and the last day; tents, local houses, and sleeping bags on the trail; all-inclusive (without alcoholic drinks)
- Horses and tack: Arab and cross-breeds with functional English multipurpose and jumping saddles; Horseback Riding Turkey has a wide range of saddles, including English and endurance saddles
If guests have special requests for the saddle, they will be welcome to contact Horseback Riding Turkey.
Riders
Riders must be fit, able to trot, canter, and gallop, and have experience with trail riding.
- Must be experienced riders with canter and the ability to saddle up the horse
- At least 12 years old (younger riders - with parents; only TBC)
- Up to 75 kg / 165 lbs (heavy riders possible with extra charge for horse change; please contact Horseback Riding Turkey for the additional fee for the second horse)
- Minimum of two and maximum of six riders per group
Equipment
- Reliable and modern equipment
- Riders advised to bring their own riding equipment (helmets, boots, etc.)
- Helmets provided upon request
Itinerary
Please note that this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change due to weather and other influencing factors.
Day 1: Arrival
- Transfer from the airport, check-in, resting at the hotel, and walking in the city of Kemer (no riding)
Day 2: Ride through Kuzdere’s hidden trails
Transfer to the stable after eating breakfast and meeting the horses, as well as safety instructions, brushing, and saddling up. You’ll ride in the forest around Kuzdere for two hours to check group skills and pick up appropriate horses for the further trip. You’ll see orange and pomegranate gardens, ruins of an ancient village, springs, and a small palm forest.
After the ride, you can relax near the pool or at the beach and pack for the trail. The group will have a welcome dinner together and tour to the Chimera mountain at dawn.
- Pace: Walk, trot, canter
Day 3: Ride to Gedelma
Let the trail begin. Start right after breakfast. After 1.5 to two hours of riding, you'll arrive at a beautiful canyon with a mountain river. You can drink clean, fresh water, swim, and take pictures.
After these, start climbing the highest mountain of the region - Tahtali (2,365 meters above sea level). The road goes up, and it is perfect for trot and canter. The first stop will be in the village called Gedelma. There, you'll see a castle, caves, and a very old tree (about 2,500 years old). You will spend the night at a 150-year-old local village house, living like a Turkish family.
- Pace: Walk, trot, canter
Day 4: Ride to Beycik
Touch the sky. Start with breakfast and feeding the horses. After these, climb the Tahtali mountain again. On this day, you'll have the highest point, up to 2,000m. The weather will be changing, and you will be reaching a territory without trees and covered with clouds that you can literally touch.
After reaching the highest point, start to move down until you reach Beycik, a village with a beautiful mountain and sea view. Take a break there, eat, take care of the horses, take a shower, and stay in the village for sleeping (in rooms, no tent).
- Pace: Walk and trot mostly, with short gallops
Day 5: Swim with / without horses
You will be starting to get down to sea level. It takes six to seven hours. The road is surrounded by beautiful bays and untouched nature. After crossing the biggest bay, you'll arrive at Turtle Bay for a one-night accommodation. This is a National Park, and only backpackers are allowed. Sometimes, guests see no other people at all on this day. Tents and food are already prepared there.
Riders can swim with / without horses.
- Pace: Walk and trot on the way, canter on the beach (riders can take nice pictures and videos)
Day 6: Ride to Tekirova
Start your way to the ranch. On the way, you'll cross five bays with a marvelous view and the ancient city of Phaselis (2,000 years old). This is the most dangerous climbing part as the path to Phaselis is too narrow and rocky. You’ll have to walk beside your horse for some time.
It will be possible to take a lunch break there. After eating, you'll be coming back to the ranch, trotting and galloping through the village of Tekirova.
Day 7: Departure Day
This will be the goodbye day. Riders will check out and be transferred to the airport. You can buy souvenirs on the way.
Instructors
Ercihan Dilari
Ercihan Dilari with over 35 years of experience about horses and horseback riding has achieved lots of “firsts” in Turkey. One of them is that, accompanied by his horse “Anadolu”, he established the longest “Cultural Route” in Turkey. In this project, he was assisted by a team of academicians. Becoming one of the leading names about horseback riding in Turkey, Dilari took upon the duty of establishing a pleasant and long lasting horseback riding culture for Turkish guests as well as horseback riders from all over the world.
Location
This unforgettable horseback riding adventure stretches across seven days and covers roughly 150 km of this iconic 540 km trail. Unlike ordinary trekkers, you’ll explore the trail with the freedom, elegance, and spirit of horseback riding.
Begin in Kuzdere, journeying through the wild beauty surrounding Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı), and passing historic and scenic locations such as Ovacık, Gedelme, Beycik, Çıralı, Tekirova, and Çamyuva. Throughout the journey, you’ll witness ancient ruins, encounter age-old trees, explore caves hidden in the forest, and take in breathtaking views of remote bays and craggy cliffs.
Along the trail, you’ll encounter remnants of Lycian civilization - from 2,000-year-old rock tombs and sarcophagi, to the ruins of ancient cities and castles. The Lycian Way itself was once a vital mule path connecting city states of the ancient Lycian League, and today, it stands as one of the most scenic long-distance trails in the world.
Developed and opened in 1999 by British expat Kate Clow, the trail follows the rugged coastline of the Teke Peninsula, nestled between the modern-day provinces of Muğla and Antalya. This area was once home to the Lycians - seafarers, traders, and pirates - and later fell under the rule of powerful empires, from Persia and Rome to Byzantium and the Ottomans.
Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. One non-alcoholic drink is included with each meal as well.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
If you want a special date for the tour, please send an inquiry to Horseback Riding Turkey. They run the program all-year-round.
What's included
- Private guided group tour
- Well-mannered, smooth-gaited, high-spirited horses
- Reliable and modern equipment
- Airport transfers
- 6 nights accommodation in boutique hotels
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
- 1 non-alcoholic drink is included with each meal
What's not included
- Airfare
- Helmets - provided upon request
- Extra charge for horse change - 600 EUR
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer included
Antalya Airport
39 km away from your destination
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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