Turkey: Christmas Tree at Tahtali St. Nicholas Trail
Styles
• Trail Riding
• Point to Point Trails
• Guided tour
• Package program
• Expedition
• Solo-riders, familiers, couples, kids and teens
Key information
• 5 days horseback, English tack, Arabian horses
• Approximate daily riding time: 3 to 6 hours
• English-speaking guide and local guide assistance (1 for 8 riders)
• Luggage transport and airport transfer service
• 3 nights hotel, 2 nights guesthouse / bungalows and 1 night tent
• Visiting the home of real Santa, time for SPA
• Rider Weight Limit: 80 kg/ 176 pounds
Highlights
• Ride half of famous Lycian Way trekking rout horseback
• Visit the home residence of real Santa, make a wish
• Feel all 4 seasons within 1 week as climate changes every day of the ride
• Climb to mysterious Chimera mountain burning inside where Pegasus the winged horse was broken
• Say Hi to Zeus (still they argue if our mountain is that famous Olympos or Greek one).
• Spend one night on the beach where turtles nest
• Enjoy long and fast canters on powerful Arabean horses
CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP!
- The ride will depart if 2 and more riders join. Departures guaranteed.
- You will be requested to confirm your riding skills
- All trail and camping equipment is provided. Just bring your breeches.
- Small groups up to 6 riders. Solo travelers are welcome with the same price.
- Riding in the national parks closed for tourism as sea turtle nest there
- No swimming with horses this time of the year.
- Visiting the real Santa home residence in the town of Demre
- For a group of 5+ riders discount and private dates are possible
They say you can find more antique sights in Turkey than in Greece or Italy. This trail collects the remarkable places from each civilization that ruled this land of southwestern Anatolia on the Mediterranean Sea coast starting from Lycia times and till nowadays. We will ride through the short part of the Lycian Way in Antalya province witnessing each new culture and traditions trace. Roman baths and roads, the town “protected by Gods”, emperrors’ Archs, Hellenistic theater, Greek acropolis and byzantine basilica and castle. We will climb Olympos mountain. They still argue if this Olympos is that famous place where Roman gods lived. And some researches count this place the motherland of piracy. It had a long history in the ancient Mediterranean stretching from the time of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten and throughout the Middle Ages. And visit the burning mountain of Chimera where according to the legend Pegasus the winged horse was ridden for the 1st time.
While ancient citizens of the area have vanished the modern village life also is disappearing under big cities pressure. But stunning nature of here remains the same. The beach of Carali is known as one of the cleanest in the world and shelters caretta turtles when they make babies. This trip is perfect to experience really authentic things, wild nature where human presense is forbidden and combine with seaside vacation.
As a part of winter fairytale we will visit the home town of St.Nicholas whis is the prototype of moders Santa.
Hotel with all anemnities (3 nights), local camping with bungalows (2 nights), tent in the beach with water from the river (1 night). No tent (only hotel) accomodation is available with surcharge of 200€.
Day 1: arrival to Antalya airport, Turkey. Group transfer to the hotel. Please plan your arrival not later then 19:00. Welcome dinner.
Day 2: breakfast at hotel, meeting horses, ride instruction, packing and saddling up. Departure to the trail route. We will ride 1 hour through Kuzdere village and Kesme Boğazi Canyon and have a lunch in canyon (lunch box). After lunch break we go on up in the mountains 2 hours more to Gedelme village where we stay for a night. Our shelter is local camp with boungalows. Dinner close to fireplace.
Day 3: after breakfast we start going upper visiting Ovacık hidden valley (loooong canters). Later we turn back and climb other side of the mountain to reach snow line and 2000 year old platan forest. We will have lunch under old trees (lunch box) and go back to Gedelme for the night. Totally about 5-6 hours in the saddle.
Day 4: after breakfast we ride back to Kuzdere village and ranch. We eat out lunch on the way and finish the ride with dinner at cosy restaurant (before dinner group has free time for Turkish bath and massage). Totally well spend around 3 hours riding.
Day 5: after breakfast we will drive for a sightseeing tour to Mira antic city and st. Nicolas church in Demre. The real place of Santa Clause (Bishop Nicholas which is Santa’s prototype) life and service. You can make a wish there. They say it will for sure come true. If you like Greek tales more and especially Pegasus winged horse story we can also visit the mountain of Chimera in Cirali village where Pegasus was ridden the 1st time (optional, extra). Lunch and dinner en-route in the local cafes. After trip the group can relax in Turkish bath with spa care and massage (extra cost). Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 6: after breakfast in the hotel we depart to the seaside trip. We will ride through Camyuva village, stay for lunch break in antic city of Phaselis, cross Tekirova village and reach our camping place at Teke bay. Half of the way is along the seaside cantering with a view. This night we will sleep in the tent on the beach.
Day 7: morning in the beach. Those who want can fish together with our guide. We will serve breakfast with sea view and Turkish coffee. After breakfast we will ride through several more bays and head back home. We’ll end the day with delicious dinner and Turkish sweets. Night in the hotel.
Day 8: departure day. Breakfast in the hotel and group transfer to the airport.
The price includes airport transfer, all meals stated in the program, soft drinks, hotels and guesthouse as stated in the program, horse riding with the guide, all camping equipment, tour to Demre.
The price doesn’t include flight ticket, visa (if applicable), personal insurance, alcohol beverages, tips and personal expenses, SPA (optional).
Group size: min 2 max 6 people.
Riders free at all gaits from 12+ years old up to 80 kg.
NOTE:
Program can be adjusted to seasonal weather conditions or riders’ specific requirements to stay longer at best locations.
Please mind weight restrictions. This is expedition trip. Once we are off the ranch we can’t change the horse. So weight control will be applied to all riders upon arrival. Riders exceeding weight limit will not be allowed to ride with no refund. You should be not more than 80 kg with your gear.
Riders are responsible of their horses durung all the trip: feeding, brushing, saddling.
- 20 December 2026 – 27 December 2026: 8 days 6 saddles left
- 19 December 2027 – 26 December 2027: 8 days 6 saddles left
Local English spaeking guide or guide from Free Riding Tours, one for the group of up to 8 riders.
Ranch is located in Kemer, Antalya.
All-inclusive without alcohol drinks. Local Turkish village cuisine. Vegetarian menu available.
Transfer from & to Antalya airport, accomodation, guided riding program and sightseeing tour, food, trail equipment and horse rental, safety car on the rout included.
Travelling and cancelation insurance, airflight, visa, tips, alcohol drinks and personal expenses not included.
Book a flight to Antalya airport. For EU citizens the following companies are recommended as best price: Tui, Corendon, Sun Express.
Reservation upon 20% non-refundable deposit, 60 days in advance balance payment. Cancellation earlier than 60 days — deposit can be used for another trip, cancellation in between 60 and 30 days — 50% refundable, cancellation 30 days and later — non-refundable.