Comfort
- 3 nights in double teepee-tents including floor mats and single camp mattresses. The camp has a 'shower tent' with a bucket and a gas stove where you can heat the water.
- 1 night in a Turkish family house.
- 1 night in a troglodyte cave.
- 2 nights in guesthouses in the nearest village (arrival night, and departure night) in double or triple rooms.
Logistics: by 4x4. You will often have to move your luggage during the week so we advise you pack several lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.
Meals
Meals are taken the Turkish way, sitting on a carpet under the communal tent or outside by the camp fire.
Breakfast: continental.
Lunch: varied picnic with local specialities, carried in the saddlebags
Dinners: usually a main traditional Turkish dish cooked on the woodfire, with salad and fruit.
Water, tea and coffee are included.
Vegetarian meals are available on request.
Climate
Cappadocia has a continental climate and stands at over 1000 m above sea level. Expect cool nights from May through late June and possible rain during the day (average temperature is 15°C). This is a good time to visit and it also marks the beginning of the hot air balloons season. The summers are dry and hot with the hottest weeks from late July to late August.
Guide and local team
Your guide will be French-born Nicolas Guillo. He decided to make Cappadocia his home over 11 years ago and has been organising trail rides every since. He speaks English and also Turkish.
Tips
Tips and gratuities are not mandatory in Turkey, although it is customary to leave a tip at restaurants (some already include a 10% in the bill). Tips to the local team and appreciated but are left to your discretion.
Packing list
Head
-Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana
Upper body
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun and dust
- T-shirts
- Fleece, jumper or jacket - the evenings can be cold
- Waterproof jacket - the rains can be difficult to foresee in spring and it's better to be prepared. Layering is key to cope with the fluctuations in temperature between day and night
- Casual clothes for the evening
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Shorts for lazy lunchtimes
- Casual clothes for the evening
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable boots. There will be some walking involved so we recommend short hiking boots with half chaps as long chaps/long boots can get very hot.
- Sandals, flip-flops or trainers for moving around the camp
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding
Nightwear
- Pyjamas (thermals in the Autumn)
- Sleeping bag. We recommend a comfort factor of 0°C/-2°C, and you can bring a sleeping bag liner for extra comfort and warmth.
- Towel
Other useful items
- Mandatory: Water bottle (1.5 litre or two x 1 litre)
- Swimsuit
- Hand sanitiser
- Wet wipes for when showers aren't possible
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night
- Toilet paper and small plastic bags for taking rubbish away
In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag.
- Small penknife
In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - must be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Rehydration sachets (dioralyte or similar)
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Ear plugs, particularly if you are a light sleeper
- Micropur or similar water purification tablets
Our Recommendations
- Take a second, smaller bag to pack things you may need during the day such as a book or suncream then you can easily access it during the long lunch break
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- You should also bring a copy of your passport/insurance in case you lose your documents. You can also save a copy into your mobile phone.