Turkey: Canter to Castle ride near Kemer, Antalya
Styles
• Trail Riding
• Point to Point Trails
• Guided tour
• Package program
• Expedition
• Solo-riders, familiers, couples, kids and teens
Key information
• Rider Weight Limit: 80 kilograms / 176 pounds
• Horse Height Range: 15 hands
• Tack Type: English tack
• Horse Breed: Arabian, Local crosses
Highlights
• 2 or 3 days with horses brushing, caring, saddling up
• Approximate daily riding time: 3 to 6 hours, long and fast canters
• English-speaking guide and local guide assistance
• Meeting shepards, sheep and goat, fox, rabbit
• Roman roads, Byzantene castle ruins, canyon and mountain river, 2000 year old forest
• Authentic local farm guesthouse accommodation or tent
CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP!
- The ride will depart if 1 and more riders join.
- You will be requested to confirm your riding skills
- All trail and camping equipment is provided. Just bring your breeches.
- Group up to 8 riders.
- Solo riders are welcome.
- For group of 5 people discount is possible.
- Tour is possible any dates of the year upon requst.
- Language of instruction: English, German, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish.
Gedelme highland is marvelous plateau on the way to Olympos (Tahtali) mountain looking like Turkish Switzerland. Evergreen grass and pine tree forest, long flat roads for canter, canyon with ice-cold fresh water and no tourists. This place is known to backpackers only. There is no hotels or guesthouses. People here live and do farming like centuries ago. So we can calmly witness Byzantine castle, 2000 year old platan forest and caves, spend a night in 150 year old village house and share shelter with shepherds in the valley.
The program is perfect to try trail riding for the first time. We have 3-4 hours (20-25 km) horseback daily with lunch break in between. For experienced riders it can be longer.
Authentic local farm guesthouse accommodation or tent (for good weather only)
Day 1.
Kuzdere – Gedelme.
We start at 10.00 with welcome coffee at ranch, prepare horses and leave around 11.00.
We ride about 2 hours till Kesme Bogazi Canyon where we have lunch stop. Half of the way is walk as we have to go out of the village. Once we reach the canyon the road changes to forest soil with some rocks. Horses have special safe shoes so we can trot and canter on minor stones.
From the canyon to our camp in Gedelme we ride about 2-2,5 hors visiting Gedelme castle. The road goes uphill so we mostly trot and do some really fast gallops here.
We camp near the traditional Turkish village house 150 yo, walk around the village, cook on fire and take care about horses before going to bed. In bad weather we sleep inside the house. Every rider feeds and gives water to his horse and brushes the horse after the ride. That’s perfect time to practice full horsemanship.
Day 2. (WE SKIP THIS DAY for 2 DAYS program)
Gedelme – Ovacik valley.
Guides are making breakfast while riders take care of the horses: cleaning, feeding and giving water.
After breakfast we walk to the caves and go down inside.
After cave tour we saddle up horses and head to our next stop in Ovacik highland. This is short 1-1,5 hour way to valley actually. We stop for lunch in Ovacik highland. We shall stop close to shepherds house and watch local life routine.
After lunch we ride around the valley to have good shooting on gallop and race to win a bottle of vine. Drone shooting is possible for extra charge.
The roads here are sandy and flat and we can really run along beautiful views. If cloudy we can even run through clouds that looks mysterious.
We don’t count exact time here as we stop a lot for nice shots.
We shall meet shepherd and his 20 dogs that guard more than 100 sheep from wolves. After long canters we will have long walk back down to Gedelme for overnoght stay.
Day 3.
Gedelme – Kuzdere (way back home).
After breakfast we slowly start back home. This is longest riding day through the forest and two villages.
The road goes mostly down so there will be long walking parts. Nevertheless good flat forest parts for canter are available and we ride slow trot as well as it is the longest distance.
It will take us about 5 hours with 1 hour break for horses rest and lunch.
We’ll be back to the stable about 16.00-17.00 or earlier if we start earlier if needed for the flight.
- 01 January 2025 – 31 December 2026: Any dates upon request for the group of min 2 max 6 riders
English speaking guide.
The ranch to start is situated in Kemer, Antalya
Breakfast, lunch and dinner with soft drinks on the rout. Vegetarian and other special diet options available.
Riding program and sightseeing tour, food, trail equipment and horse rental, guide, safety car on the rout included.
Travelling and cancelation insurance, airflight, transfer from airport, visa, tips, alcohol and personal expenses not included.
Book flight to Antalya airport and taxi or transfer to Kemer (1 hour drive from the airport). Be sure to arrive not later than 10.00 AM.
No reservation fee in advance needed. Non-refundable payment upon arrival.