Horseback Riding Vacations in Turkey

Turkey: The bridge between East and West

Turkey is rather special, since it is a transcontinental country, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe.

The boundary between the two continents is delimited by the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, which are the communication channels between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Its capital is Ankara, although Turkey's main tourist destination is Istanbul, with a huge historical and cultural legacy. Highlights include magnificent views of the Bosporus, the Grand Bazaar and its mosques.

Nearly all of the country is in Asia, in what is known as Anatolia, comprising a high central plateau and coastal plains.

The European area, Rumelia, is more mountainous and is home to some of the most important rivers in the country, such as the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Aras.

In Central Anatolia, we find the Cappadocia region, with its impressive geological formations – unique in the world – and its famous "fairy chimneys" that create a majestic lunatic landscape.

Turkey is a country of great archaeological sites, such as the mythical Troy, or Pergamum, one of the most important cities in Ancient Greece. We cannot forget either Ephesus and its Roman and Greek buildings, and Aphrodisias.

Equestrian tourism in Turkey

Partly mountainous and partly Mediterranean, Turkey offers a diverse number of excellent horses and trails to enjoy while exploring the country.

The hidden tracks and trails give you different riding options in Turkey. The most recommendable one is the Cappadocia Cross-Country Ride, in the Anatolian Plateau.

This is a Unesco World Heritage Site and riders can immerse themselves not only in impressive landscapes but also in its life style, with hundreds of years of presence in the everyday nature of local residents.

Choose an operator in Turkey

The cultural union between both continents is mirrored in its history and people, and makes Turkey an exciting place to embark on and go horse riding.

Choosing a good operator is important in Turkey. Ampascachi suggests the provider Cappadocia Trails for your horse routes.

Cappadocia Trails

Located in mythical Cappadocia, Ekrem, the ranch owner and operator is well known in the area as a mix between The Horse Whisperer and Doctor Doolittle.

His ranch, located just minutes from the centre of Goreme, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of Turkish tea while enjoying the amazing panorama of Sword Valley…with horses grazing among the ancient rock formations in the distance.

Ekrem has been featured with his own page in the Lonely Planet guide for Turkey, as well as many documentaries, travel magazines and horse riding blogs.

For guests looking for more of a riding adventure, they offer multi-day rides around Cappadocia and to the Taurus Mountains.

A highly recommended program is "The Taurus Mountain Ride".

This is a rugged ride and suitable for experienced riders and those comfortable with riding long days, sleeping in tents and who enjoy off-the-beaten-path adventures:

• Route of 5 or 6-day ride with 6-8 hours per day on horseback.
• Covers the vast terrain between Cappadocia and the Taurus Mountains near the coast at Antalya, then returning to Goreme.
• Is only available in mid-summer.
• Overnights are in tents along the way.
• All provisions are brought on horseback with you.
• All meals are included and they are traditional stews and grills prepared on open fires.

Riding through small villages, you meet many interesting local characters along the route.

Learn more about the rides on their web site: cappadociahorseriding.com.

East and West merge under the watchful and eternal gaze of Turkey. For centuries, culture, history and traditions have marked the day-to-day life of this nation. Today, ancient and modern meet to offer us a feast of flavours and colours. Horseback riding in these lands is enjoying exotic experiences.

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.