Day 1
Riding: No riding.
You will be met on arrival at Konya airport at 18:55 and transferred to your hotel on the shores of Lake Beysehir and close to the entrance to the national park. Dinner with the group and your guiding team will be at 21:00.
Day 2
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Your first day of riding is a fast one with frequent sandy canters along the shore of the lake and on earthy tracks lined with small oak trees. Stop for lunch in a colourful spot where fishing boats float amongst yellow reeds against a blue sky. In the afternoon, you ride through the southern delta of the lake, where herds of cows graze on flat, grassy pastures. Reach a road and cross through a typical village which is a mix of modern with tradition. Walk along the stony riverbed until the canyon diverts you into an oak forest and camp in the middle of a clearing.
Day 3
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Ride along a wide path which was previously used for transhumance (moving cattle between grazing lands) until reaching a forest of beech trees. After cantering through the undergrowth you arrive at the pastures at the base of the Taurus mountains. You may meet feral horses here and may adjust your pace to avoid them! After walking on foot for c. 20mins along a narrow, stony canyon, you re-mount to canter across a beautiful landscape - on both sides of a wide, dry riverbed, enormous pine trees grow from a carpet of green interspersed with imposing rocks. During your picnic lunch you may see shepherds on donkeys as they gather their sheep and goats.
In the afternoon you ride up a mineral pass and then drop downhill on a long track which offers panoramic views of the valley. Breaking the cover of the pine trees and emerging into lower undergrowth, you find your camp amidst green pasture between a cliff and a stream.
Day 4
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Ride through a beautiful ravine which has been created by the stream which runs through the rock, firstly on soft pine needles but as the trail becomes rocky you dismount and lead the horses for a short distance. After crossing a village and terraced fields you reach brush and then another forest. After a long canter you stop for lunch on the banks of a river with a view of Roman tombs carved into the cliffs.
The afternoon is short but full of fun and fast riding! There is 9kms along the river, then sandy and dusty tracks before ending on the boundary of a field. Slalom around the bushes at speed and with a smile on your face, pull up outside the only guesthouse in the area: Erdine's place is run by a family who will welcome you with a traditional meal. Overnight in the guesthouse in twin rooms with bathrooms.
Day 5
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Leave the village and the mist over the river behind you and follow a narrow mule track which overlooks the Koprulu canyon. After passing the only bridge, you climb up a hard-surfaced road (very few, if any, vehicles) and stop for lunch at a curious village which is built between rocks and chestnut trees. In this fairytale landscape you can almost imagine trolls making an appearance!
In the afternoon you ride past Selge's Rocks - this crater was created by a falling meteor and you can view the canyon from both a walk and a canter from a high altitude dirt road.
Day 6
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Leave Selge's Rocks via a track which leads into the forest and invites you to canter. You then reach one of the most extraordinary passages on this trail - a large path carved into the edge of a vertical mountain, at a height a few hundred metres above the valley. There are sections where you will have to lead the horses. Stop for lunch under the shade of huge plane trees beside a fountain.
The afternoon is challenging for both horse and rider. Climb firstly across terraced fields and then through a forest until reaching a beautiful, remote, pasture which can only be accessed on foot or horseback. After a short canter you must dismount and lead your horses on a mule path. There is no danger of falling but you need to concentrate to get through three rocky 400m passes, which will take c. 1 hour. Eventually you reach a forest and your camp is situated in the middle of a wide clearing.
Day 7
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Descend from the mountain via a large track which sneaks its way along rock formations and through forests of pine and arbutus trees before reaching a cultivated plain. The rhythm of the afternoon will be active: cantering from field to field; crossing a river; and, finally, reaching camp on a sandy beach along the river. Transfer to your hotel by vehicle to overnight.
Day 8
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Following the river, you will ride along sandbanks and past beaches, fording streams and brooks. Enjoying a few canters, you will reach a small hill covered in low brush. After half an hour of riding uphill, you arrive on top of a rocky ridge which offers a magnificent view of the antique theatre of Aspendos, the river winding below and the mediterranean sea!
The team will meet you for lunch under the shade of a big tree. Through the afternoon you will ride on long tracks along the canal, following fields that will lead you to the forest of Saklikent. Crossing it through the rising afternoon light, your last and long canter will be on the dunes of the beach, with an opportunity to splash through the shallow water. After a swim, you will be driven back to your guesthouse in the centre of the old city of Antalya where you will enjoy a seafood dinner tonight.
Day 9
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast you are transferred to Antalya airport for your flight home.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
