Turkey has always been a land of diverse cultures, a long and proud history and a crossroads where the East and West meet. It is a country with a long history and the architecture to prove it. The base for our rides between the Turkish Riviera and the Taurus mountains is near the international airport of Antalya - overlooking the Toros Mountains and two of it's very high peaks.
Riding will be a combination of mountain treks and faster rides to the sea, through the hills and farm land and to the historical towns and buildings that dot the area - the Missionary Church from the Hellenistic Period survived since hundred of years at the mountains, The Juruks " Mountain Man's" life, mystical mine sand INNS, the rivers and lakes of the region's, St. Nicholas's Home and Church, orange and grenadine gardens. History and nature merge to create a fascinating environment.
IT-TKIR02 Rates include all meals - except 3 lunches in the mountains,4 nights hotel and 3 nights in mountain
lodgings, 6 riding days (5 to 6 hrs per day) 8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,195
Single: +$225
-- based on €845 /160 2008 Dates:
04/19-04/26 05/03-05/10 05/24-05/31
06/14-06/21 07/12-07/19 08/23-08/30
09/06-09/13 09/20-09/27 10/04-10/11
10/18-10/25
availability & reservation Min/Max: 4 to 8 riders
Level:
Intermediate
Riders must be in good
physical condition.
also available: IT-TKSR02 Turkish Riviera Ride: Stationary riding program with 3-4 hrs per day (total 20 hrs) and daily
shuttle service to the beach - 7 nights at resort, all meals 8 days/ 7 nights $ 925
Single: +$225
-- based on €645 / 160 2007/08 Dates:
Weekly from April 15 to Nov 1
Meeting: Berke Airport: Antalya Transfer: from Antalya airport $99
(€70)
per car up to 5 persons - pay locally
Level:
Novice+
Tack:
English and Trekking saddles
Horses:
a mix of Arabian and local breeds. Pace: Moderate with
opportunities to canter on most riding days. Min/Max: 1 to 15 riders Note: Wireless internet access.
Alcohol is not included, but there is a bar on the
property.
Lessons including jumping are available.
Room upgrades to Suites and Deluxe Suites are available.
Accommodation
Cool, chic and sophisticated. The rooms and suites are inspired by Country Life
designs; fresh, lively with natural elements, fine details and clean lines.
Every room offers all the comforts of home. Rooms have two beds, shower,
telephone, satellite TV, air conditioning and hair dryer. Families may also opt
for larger apartments.
The ranch has a swimming pool, tennis court and is only a few miles from the
Riviera and its Mediterranean beaches.
Meals
There is a restaurant with a fire place & magnificent mountain views, 2 snack
bars ( inside & out-door ). Breakfast and dinner will be
enjoyed at the hotel, while lunch packets are distributed by riders to be
enjoyed are their breaks. Alcoholic drinks are not
included. During the mountain ride meals will be taken in mountain restaurants.
Itinerary - Taurus Mountains
We ride in the Taurus Mountains, at the
base of Tahtali Mountain which is 2,360m high. We ride to an altitude of 3,000
feet so this program can be made only in the summer, because temperatures can be
5-7 degrees lower than in Kemer.
Day 1 Saturday Arrival day, check in, welcome cocktail , an introduction to the ranch, info
about the riding program, activities and all other excursions. Day 2 Sunday
An introduction to the horses and your instructors, warm up at the manège, group
arrangement according to the riders skill level then ride in the pine forest. A
total of 5 hours in the saddle today followed by relaxation by the pool before
an evening of fine dining. Day 3 Monday
We start our Trail program with a 6-7 hour ride up to the village of Gedelme.
The trail goes through the Kesme Bogazi ravine and clings to the precipitous
mountain walls with the Agva River rushing below. Gedelme is situated on the
mountain plateau and has many interesting tourist sights that can be visited
this afternoon or tomorrow morning. There is a famous 2,500 year old Plane tree,
illuminated grotto, old ruins of a castle and a Nomad tent encampment. Day 4 Tuesday
After saying goodbye to Gedelme we set of on a 7-8 hour ride to Yayla Kuzdere.
Lunch will be in one of the many villages along the way. Yayla Kuzdere is the
closest village to the top of Tahtali Mountain whose summit is covered in snow
until about the second week of June. A ski resort is planned to open in this
area in 2006. Along the way you can admire the coastal views and pine forest in
this mountain fresh environment. Day 5 Wednesday
Our next stop will be the village Ovacik, after a 7-8 hour ride. Ovacik offers
amazing views as it is located on a plateau surrounded by mountains as it’s
Turkish name implies. After having a traditional Turkish breakfast the next day
we will continue our ride. Day 6 Thursday
Return to the ranch through the Kesme Bogazi ravine 6-7 hours.
Kesme Bogazi ravine is flanked by rugged mountain walls. During the ride we can
refresh in the ice-cold waters of the Agva River. The river rushes down the
Kesme Bogazi gorge and our trail clings to the side of the mountain walls.
Friday Day 7 Friday
On the last day we ride towards an ancient Temple on Olympos Mountain. In this 4
hour trip we will ride uphill 600-700 m for 8 km in the forest to this
magnificent place. Up on the hills we are going to tether our horses near a
refreshing water spring and then have a 10 minute walk to the mysterious Temple
which offers us fabulous scenery of the Mediterranean Sea towards the Kumluca
Village. After we return to the ranch a special night will be waiting for you.
Saturday Day 8 Saturday
Departure day. After a last meal at the ranch, time for goodbyes and departure
to the airport.
This trip, a few miles from the beautiful Mediterranean
coast, is based at a comfortable ranch/hotel. It is located beside the
9,000 ft Tahtali Mountain, a part of the Toros Mountain Chain. The
property is a few minutes from the beach and has a tennis court, swimming pool,
mountain biking for the truly committed and air-conditioned rooms for tired
riders.
Lessons are available in the outdoor training ring in a variety of equestrian
activities.
Rafting, Jeep Safaris, Thalasso Therapy, Masaj, Turkish Hammam, car or
motorcylcle rentals, a Yacht tour, city tours, shopping tours, historical tours
can be arranged with the hotel for an extra fee…
Day 1
Transfer from Antalya airport to the ranch for a welcoming cocktail to the
guests and the introduction of the horses. Free time till dinner.
Day 2
At 10 am after breakfast, you ride towards Tahtali Mountain to the house of
Yörük Halil Karakoyunlu. We will enjoy a half hour ride to watch the magnificent
Mediterranean bays. While moving up to the mountain path on the right side we'll
see Kuzdere, Kemer and Göynük villages and on the other side we'll enjoy the
magnificent Mediterranean Sea. We'll be at the ranch by 14:00pm. Free time till
dinner.
Day 3
We are ride to Kuzdere. It is the most interesting village of the region. You
could experience the cultural and authentic view of our country. You will
explore more while drinking Turkish tea at the village and when passing through
Kuzdere mosque and the Scholl. Our returning path is magnificent. You will see
the wonderful orange gardens surrounding Ikiz Kayalar which is the famous
attribute of the region. At 14:00 pm after returning to the ranch, you could
enjoy the beauty of the day when swimming in the pool. The dinner is at 19:30pm.
Day 4
After breakfast we are riding on horses towards Alaca Su, 12km distanced from
our ranch. Alaca Su is one of the most beautiful bays of the region. The
historical city of Phaselis was a place where lovers met secretly for a told
story. You could swim in the beautiful sea along with your horses and we rest
here. After that we are going to visit the mine that Phaselis citizens made. The
iron and chrome mine was the most important mine of the Phaselis citizens at
those times, instrumental in producing fine instruments of war and providing a
living. You will feel the living history while returning back to the ranch.
Day 5
Our tour begins in the afternoon. We are going to enjoy wonderful gallops to the
Mediterranean Sea. This is a 4-5 hour tour that where the start varies according
to the weather. We are start by moving to Kesme Bogazi 11 km from our ranch. You
could swim in the valley where the Agva River passes through.On our return we
will ride towards Kiris Beach. You can enjoy wonderful beach gallops or relax
and enjoy the sunset. Kiris Beach is only 5 minutes far from the ranch with our
bus.
Day 6
After breakfast we ride towards an antique chapel in Olympus Mountain. In this
four hour trip we'll climb up nearly 700 meters(3000 feet) with our horses. We
will ride towards a magnificent place through the forest for a distance of 8 km.
Up in the hills we are going to tie our horses near a water spring and we are
going to have a 10 minutes walk. You will see the Mediterranean Sea, the Kumluca
Village and the historical city Side. After we return to the ranch where a
special night will be waiting for you.
Day 7
Today will be a long day in the saddle as ride towards the mountains. After an
hour we will be passing through farm seeing domestic herds. After that there is
a big climb ending will at a natural pool. On our way back to the ranch we will
be enjoying the diversity of the area in all it's natural beauty.
Day 8
After the breakfast we will have a farewell cocktail and our guests will be
transferred to the airport.
