Riding the Lycian Way

Day 1 - Arrival Day

Riding: No riding.

Your hosts will collect you at Antalya airport, help you to check in at your hotel and invite you out for a welcome dinner. You'll be sleeping in the oldest ranch of the area, now conquered by the city and renovated as a hotel but still keeping its atmosphere - jungle-like gardens, birds, equestrian decor dotted around and even the old stable converted to a gym.

Day 2 - Horses & History

Riding: 1 - 2 hours

After breakfast in the hotel, you'll be picked up and driven a short way to meet the horses in at their stables in Zuzdere village. You'll get to know them as you groom and tack them up, before mounting up in the arena for a quick test ride. You'll then head out into the forest for an intro ride of a few hours, allowing your hosts to check that you and your horse are well-matched before the trail begins. The ride today includes gardens, the ruins of an ancient village, springs and a small palm forest.

After the ride there will be a short brief of the trail, with an explanation of the route, before you are dropped back at the hotel to change for lunch where you will have time to relax and have a swim if you wish. Later you will be taken to visit both natural and manmade wonders - the ancient city of Olympos and then the Chimera Mountain. Olympos is thought to have been founded in the 3rd century BC and the ruins are located near the beach, at the mouth of a river running down from the mountains. After a walk on the beach with you will climb to Chimera Mountain which is notable for its constantly-burning fires. The area is called Yanartaş and is where methane and other gases emerge from the rock, alight and burn. Some ancient sources consider it to be the origin of the myth of the Chimera monster! Your guide will tell you more... this place has a lot of legends surrounding it!

Dinner tonight in a restaurant with a sea view before you return to your hotel and prepare for the trail.

Day 3 - Gedelme Village & Castles

Riding: 4 - 6 hours

After breakfast you will leave the hotel and meet your horses where you will help to tack up and pack your saddle bags. The extra luggage you need for your trail will be packed into the support vehicle.
You will riding for 2 hours towards Kesme Bagozi canyon where you will enjoy your lunch on the banks of the mountain river - the water here is perfect for a lunchtime dip.
After lunch the ride takes you up to the highest mountain of the region, Tahtali (2365m), and the tracks are perfect for some trot and canter. After 3 hours of riding you will reach your stop for the night - the village of Gedelme with it's byzantine castle and ancient platan trees. Dinner this evening will be cooked on the terrace of a 150 year old village house. Overnight in bungalows at an old Turkish house, with beds and hot water.

Day 4 - Lycian Switzerland (This day is not included in the 7 day programme).

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After breakfast you will head to a hidden valley with a remote shepherd's house close to Ovacik. You'll see how highlanders live, try fresh cooked lamb for lunch and enjoy a gallop on the lush green meadows. While you enjoy your lunch the horses also enjoy a rest grazing in the meadow before the afternoons ride where you can once again enjoy some faster riding. Overnight back in the bungalows.

Please note: This day is not included in the 7 day programme.

Day 5 - Touch The Sky

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After breakfast it's time to prepare the horses. Today you will climb to almost 2000m above sea level to Tahtali Mountain. The views from the top of the mountain are breathtaking and you feel like you can literally touch the clouds. You will enjoy your lunch at the top of the mountain while the horses rest on the highland meadow.

In the afternoon you ride down towards Beycik, a beautiful mountain village with a sea view. This is where you will spend the night staying at a simple but unique guesthouse.

The pace today is at walk and mostly trot although there will be the opportunity for a few short gallops.

Please note: This will be Day 4 in the 7 Day programme.

Day 6 - Secret Bays

Riding: 6 - 6 hours

After breakfast you will start your ride and today the pace will be slower, mainly at walk, as you will be heading down towards sea level. The route is surrounded with beautiful bays and untouched nature where underground rivers come to the surface with flowers growing on the rocks.

You will stop for lunch along the route and in the afternoon cross Turtle Bay where you stay for one night. This is a national park where only backpackers are allowed so it's quite possible you won't see anyone else on this day. You will set up camp for the night and if you wish you can have a canter or a swim on the beach with your horse.

Please note: This will be Day 5 in the 7 Day programme.

Day 7 - Ancient Phaselis

Riding: 6 - 6 hours

This is your last riding day and you will begin making your way back home to the ranch. You will cross Five Bays with an amazing view and then onto the ancient city of Phaselis. The path to Phaselis is narrow and rocky so the pace will be slow and you will need to leave your horse outside to enter the city.

After lunch you will ride through the village of Tekirova where you can enjoy some trotting and galloping on your way home. There will be some road work on the way back to the stables.

Please note: This will be Day 6 in the 7 Day programme.

Day 8 - Goodbye

Riding: No riding.

Today is your departure day and your hosts will take you back to the airport. If your flight leaves later in the day, you might have time to visit the beach or go shopping in Kemer.

Please note: This will be Day 7 in the 7 Day programme.

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrive at Antalya Airport by 5pm. You will then be collected and driven to your hotel in Kemer, which is about an hour's drive. Here you will have time to settle into your room before a welcome dinner and introduction to the ride. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

After a leisurely start to the day, you will be collected from the hotel and taken to the ranch for coffee mid-morning. You will then be introduced to your horse, and groom and tack up in time to depart around 11.00. You will ride for around 2 hours until Kesme Bogazi Canyon where you will have nice relaxed lunch stop. Half of the way is walk as you have to ride out of the village on tarmac, but once you reach the canyon the road changes to forest tracks where you will be able to pick up the pace. In the shade of the trees you will have the opportunity to trot and canter, getting to know the rhythms of your four-legged friend.
After swimming in the river and relaxing for a while, you will head back to the village the same way. This evening you will have some free time to explore Kemer, do a little souvenir shopping, grab a coffee or even go for an authentic Turkish bath and massage. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

Today is a very special day! After a hearty breakfast in the hotel you will head to the ranch to groom and tack up. Today you will see a variety of landscapes, riding through local villages and peaceful forests to isolated turtle bays. A simple picnic lunch will be taken en-route. Today you will enjoy the magic of cantering along deserted beaches with the sea shimmering beside you. Tonight you will be camping on one of these beautiful beaches; swimming with the horses and watching stars come up over dinner around the campfire. Tents and sleeping bags are provided or, on balmy nights, you can simply sleep under the stars, with the horses close by.

Day 4

Riding: 6 hours

After breakfast on the beach you will slowly get the horses ready and begin the journey back to the ranch. This is the longest riding day, traversing the greatest distance through the forests and two villages. Nevertheless good flat forest tracks allow for long canters as well as some long trots to cover ground as well as it is the longest distance. You will stop in the ancient city of Phaselis for lunch to give an hour-long break for both horses and riders before continuing on to the ranch. This evening you will have a farewell dinner in the restaurant and overnight the hotel.

Day 5

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast you will be transferred back to Antalya airport.