7-Daagse Feeënschoorstenen Paardrijvakantie in Avanos Turkije

Daily itinerary

Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change due to weather and other influencing factors.

Day 1: Welcome to Cappadocia

Upon arrival at either Kayseri Erkilet Airport or Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport—depending on your flight—you will be greeted by the shuttle service and comfortably transferred to the hotel in the charming town of Avanos. Once settled, you can choose to unwind in your room or take a leisurely stroll through the town’s quaint streets. Depending on your arrival time, you will gather for a delightful welcome dinner where you’ll meet your guide and fellow adventurers.

• Dinner included

Day 2: Trail ride from Avanos to Sarıhıdır

Start your morning with a rich and satisfying breakfast served from 8:30 a.m. Around 9:30 a.m., your guide will pick you up from the hotel and accompany you to the nearby ranch in Avanos. Once there, you will gear up - checking saddles and filling your bags with fresh water - before mounting your horses and heading out. Today’s ride follows the scenic banks of the Kızılırmak (Red River), taking you toward the peaceful riverside village of Sarıhıdır, famed for its fishing culture and serene atmosphere. As you trot and gallop along the riverside, you will experience a harmonious blend of excitement and serenity, with photo moments captured by your guide throughout the day.

Once you arrive in Sarıhıdır, you will allow your horses to cool down by gently washing their legs in the river. Then it is time to sit back and enjoy a relaxing riverside picnic—do not forget to snap a photo and share the adventure online. On your return journey, you will ride past a beautifully preserved 13th-century caravanserai, a striking landmark that whispers tales of the ancient Silk Road. You will be back at the ranch by late afternoon, bringing home a day full of laughter, stories, and unforgettable views.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 3: Scenic ride to Mustafapaşa village

Today, you venture into a more hidden and mystical corner of Cappadocia—Mustafapaşa, a village where time seems to stand still. Once known as Sinasos, this charming destination will offer you a deeper cultural experience. After breakfast, you will head back to the ranch and prepare for another memorable ride. Your journey winds through some of Cappadocia’s most spellbinding landscapes, including the white-sand beauty of Ak Vadi (White Valley), the fairy-tale formations of Paşabağ, and the crimson-hued wonder of Red Valley (Kızılçukur).

As you ride beneath towering fairy chimneys and through sweeping vistas, bursts of galloping will add a thrill to your scenic route. Around midday, you will take a well-earned break in the heart of Red Valley for a delicious picnic lunch surrounded by nature. From there, you continue toward Mustafapaşa, where you end your day at your second ranch. After settling the horses into their stables, you return to the hotel for a restful evening and another shared dinner.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 4: Regional tour - No horse riding

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at 9:30 a.m. The first stop is at Uçhisar Castle, the highest rock formation in Cappadocia. The guide will explain just how this amazing landscape came into existence. At Zelve Open Air museum, the guide will explain the importance of Christianity and monastic life in Cappadocia before leaving you free to explore the 10th and 11th-century cave churches and monasteries with beautifully painted frescoes depicting famous biblical scenes. See the old Greek houses in Çavuşin village, abandoned during the Greek/Turkish population exchange in 1924. Enjoy a lunch in Avanos, offering a wide range of Cappadocia food including mezes, salads, meat and vegetarian dishes, and desserts.

Still in Avanos, visit an authentic family-run pottery workshop located in an underground cave. Clay from the Kızılırmak (Red) River was first used in pottery production by the Hitites prior to 1700BC and continues as an art form today. Watch a master demonstrate how to make a pot, and watch the painters and glazers apply their delicate patterns. Have a go at the potter’s wheel yourself and make your own unique pot if you wish. In Paşabağı (also known as Monks Valley because of the Chapel of Saint Simeon found there), wander through the unusual clusters of multi-headed mushroom-shaped “fairy chimneys” (rock formations).

Devrent Valley (“Imagination Valley”) – a stunning valley where you can spot natural rock formations in many recognisable shapes in Cappadocia, including the famous camel-shaped rock. Use your imagination and see what other shapes you can find. Return to your hotel approximately 4:00 p.m.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 5: Trail ride from Mustafapaşa to Damsa

Start your morning between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. with a rich, authentic Turkish breakfast to fuel your day. After breakfast, they will transfer you to the ranch, nestled in the historic village of Mustafapaşa. Once there, you will complete the final ride preparations. With your essentials safely tucked into your saddlebag, you will begin your journey—starting with a ride through Golgoli, one of the oldest and most enigmatic areas in Mustafapaşa. As you move toward the Damsa Dam, the ancient ruins and panoramic views will make you feel as though you are riding through the pages of history. Your trail continues past the remarkable 6th-century Keşlik Monastery, where you will take a short pause for photos.

Surrounded by centuries of sacred silence, it is a place that commands reflection and wonder. Next comes a special treat: lunch at a beautiful trout farm, set in a lush green oasis. Enjoy freshly caught fish prepared with local flavors. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available, so please be sure to note your dietary preferences in your rider form. After a relaxed and refreshing lunch, you will saddle up and ride back toward the ranch—galloping through serene stretches of the trail with plenty of stops to capture photos of Cappadocia’s stunning terrain. You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon for a well-earned rest, followed by a hearty dinner to close out the day. Prepare for approximately five to six hours in the saddle - a full day of adventure, culture, and unforgettable scenery.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 6: Final ride - Mustafapaşa to Avanos

Every corner of Cappadocia holds magic, and today, your final day on horseback, you will take in as much of it as possible. You begin by departing from the ranch in Mustafapaşa and head straight into nature’s embrace. The path leads you through the awe-inspiring Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik) and the lush Üzengi Valley before reaching Ortahisar. At Ortahisar’s panoramic viewpoint, you will take a break to soak in the dramatic vistas.

Be sure to have your camera ready - this view is one for the books. Then, you ascend to around 1,500 meters in elevation, heading into the legendary White Valley (Akvadi). Here, you will enjoy exciting gallops through its soft trails, flanked by Cappadocia’s striking rock formations and surreal silence. Your final stretch takes you across Akvadi toward your original ranch in Avanos where your riding journey began and where it now comes to a meaningful close.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Day 7: Departure day

Enjoy your last traditional Turkish breakfast with you as you bid you a fond farewell. Check-out time is at 12:00 p.m. Depending on your flight time, your shuttle will pick you up and transfer you to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport. If you have a later flight, feel free to relax in the hotel lobby before your journey home. They hope your time with them was unforgettable and that you leave with something extra in your luggage: beautiful, lasting memories of your horseback adventure through Cappadocia.

• Breakfast included

About the holiday

This horseback riding program is tailored for experienced and confident riders who are looking to connect with nature, history, and their horse in a truly unforgettable way. Some parts of the trail require fast gallops across open plains, while others involve navigating steep or rocky terrain, which may mean dismounting and mounting your horse independently. For your comfort and safety, it is important to be comfortable with these requirements.

You will be paired with one of Horseback Riding Turkey's spirited and graceful Arabian horses - each carefully trained and deeply loved. Their gentle temperament and powerful energy will carry you across ancient valleys, through hidden trails, and alongside panoramic views that seem almost surreal. Riders must be fit, able to trot, canter, and gallop, and have experience with trail riding.

• Reliable and modern equipment
• Maximum weight: 85 kilograms / 187 pounds

If you weigh over 85 kilograms, you can join the program with two horses and the second horse will charge an extra 500 EUR.

Tack type

Horseback Riding Turkey has a wide range of saddles, including English and endurance saddles. If you have special requests, please send an inquiry.