7 Nights

Intermediate

Contact for price

8 DAYS LYCIAN WAY HORSEBACK RIDING

Let’s ride after Pegasus! Everyone knows that winged horse, right? Not everyone know his story.

8 DAYS LYCIAN WAY HORSEBACK RIDING

According to Greek mythology, a winged horse sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa as she was beheaded by the hero Perseus. With Athena’s (or Poseidon’s) help, another Greek hero, Bellerophon, captured Pegasus and broke him.
Their first ever ride together happens in Bellerophon’s fight with the Chimera monster (sort of dragon breathing with fire).
It is said Pegasus pushed Chimera into the mountain soil by his hooves. Since then the monster is imprisoned inside the mountain. Subsequently Bellerophon attempted to fly with Pegasus to heaven but was unseated and killed or, by some accounts, lamed. The winged horse became a constellation and the servant of Zeus.
Why I tell you all the story? I invite you to ride it!

You can join our epic adventure on Eastern part of Lycain Way.

We offer the full package for 7 or 8 days to discover this famouse trekkimg rout horseback. In some places we will meet local people and tourists, some sections are open for backpackers only.

The Lycian Way, used by the Lycians as a footpath and mule trail, was conceived by Kate Clow, a British expatriate living in Turkey since 1989, and opened in 1999.
‌Lycia was a region on the Western Taurus Mountains in Teke Peninsula at southwestern Anatolia on the Mediterranean Sea coast, located in what are today the provinces Muğla and Antalya. According to historians, Lycian people lived in the prehistoric Late Bronze Age. They built city-states along the Mediterranean Sea coast and formed the Lycian League.
‌Thanks to their strategic location, they had best opportunities for sea trade and even piracy. In later times, the region of Lycia was occupied by the Persian Empire, Ancient Greece, and then controlled by Ancient Rome, Byzantine Empire, Seljuk Empire, and finally the Ottoman Empire. Rock-cut tombs on cliff walls and sarcophagi in the region testify to the Lycian civilization.
‌The whole way is about 540 km. We’ll cover150 km of the distance or so-called Eastern Lycian Way starting from Kuzdere and around Olympos (Tahtali) mountain passing Ovacik, Gedelme, Beycik, Cirali, Tekirova and Camyuva. By the way they still argue if that famous Olympos mountain, the home of Zeus, is here or in Greece (Tahtali means “God’s Throne”). ‌We’ll visit one of the Licain cities,  Bizanthene castle ruins, 2000-year old trees and caves, breathtaken panoramas of wild bays and rocky forests.

According to Greek mythology, a winged horse sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa as she was beheaded by the hero Perseus. With Athena’s (or Poseidon’s) help, another Greek hero, Bellerophon, captured Pegasus and broke him.
Their first ever ride together happens in Bellerophon’s fight with the Chimera monster (sort of dragon breathing with fire).
It is said Pegasus pushed Chimera into the mountain soil by his hooves. Since then the monster is imprisoned inside the mountain. Subsequently Bellerophon attempted to fly with Pegasus to heaven but was unseated and killed or, by some accounts, lamed. The winged horse became a constellation and the servant of Zeus.
Why I tell you all the story? I invite you to ride it!

You can join our epic adventure on Eastern part of Lycain Way.

We offer the full package for 7 or 8 days to discover this famouse trekkimg rout horseback. In some places we will meet local people and tourists, some sections are open for backpackers only.

The Lycian Way, used by the Lycians as a footpath and mule trail, was conceived by Kate Clow, a British expatriate living in Turkey since 1989, and opened in 1999.
‌Lycia was a region on the Western Taurus Mountains in Teke Peninsula at southwestern Anatolia on the Mediterranean Sea coast, located in what are today the provinces Muğla and Antalya. According to historians, Lycian people lived in the prehistoric Late Bronze Age. They built city-states along the Mediterranean Sea coast and formed the Lycian League.
‌Thanks to their strategic location, they had best opportunities for sea trade and even piracy. In later times, the region of Lycia was occupied by the Persian Empire, Ancient Greece, and then controlled by Ancient Rome, Byzantine Empire, Seljuk Empire, and finally the Ottoman Empire. Rock-cut tombs on cliff walls and sarcophagi in the region testify to the Lycian civilization.
‌The whole way is about 540 km. We’ll cover150 km of the distance or so-called Eastern Lycian Way starting from Kuzdere and around Olympos (Tahtali) mountain passing Ovacik, Gedelme, Beycik, Cirali, Tekirova and Camyuva. By the way they still argue if that famous Olympos mountain, the home of Zeus, is here or in Greece (Tahtali means “God’s Throne”). ‌We’ll visit one of the Licain cities,  Bizanthene castle ruins, 2000-year old trees and caves, breathtaken panoramas of wild bays and rocky forests.

QUICK FACTS

Suitable for intermediate and experienced riders

Private guided tour

Well-mannered, smooth gaited, high-spirited horses

Reliable and modern equipment

Riders are advised to bring their own riding equipment (helmets, boots,etc.)

Helmets are provided upon request

DEPARTURE DATES & RATES

NEW! Secure your saddle seat NOW with a 50% deposit

ITINERARY

Day 1.

Arrival day. Transfer from the airport, check-in, rest in the hotel and walking in the city of Kemer (no riding).

Day 2.

Transfer to the stable after breakfast and meeting horses, safety instructions, brushing and saddlin-up.
We’ll ride in the forest around Kuzdere for 2 hours to check group skills and pick up appropriate horses for further trip. We’ll see orange and pomgranate gardens, riuns of ancient village, springs and small palm forest.
Pace: walk, trot, canter.
‌After the ride our guests can relax near the pool or at the beach and pack for trail.
‌We’ll have welcome dinner together and tour to Chimera mountain at dawn.

Day 3.

Let the trail begin. We start right after breakfast. After 1,5−2 hours riding we arrive to beautiful canyon with mountain river. You can drink clean fresh water, swim and make pictures. After that we start climbing the highest mountain of the region — Tahtali (2365 meters above the sea level). The road goes up and perfect for trot and canter.
First stop is in the village called Gedelma. There we see a castle, caves and a very old tree (about 2500 years old).
‌We will spend the night in 150 year old local village house living like Turkish family.
Pace: walk, trot, canter.

Day 4.

Lycian Switzerland. After breakfast we’ll head to the hidden valley of Ovacik with shepherds’ house. We’ll see how highlanders live, try freshly cooked lamb for lunch and run crazy gallop on green meadow and let horses eat grass after.
‌After stop we come to the camping place at platan forest, feed and brush horses, prepare the tents. Then we have dinner and go sleep.
‌
‌Day 5.
‌
‌Touch the sky. We start with breakfast and feeding horses. After that we climb Tahtali mountain again. This day we have our highest point up to 2000m. The weather is changing and we are reaching the territory without the trees covered with clouds you can literally touch. After reaching the highest point we start to move down till we reach
Beycik — a village with beautiful mountain and sea view. We make a break there, eat, take care of the horses, take shower and stay in the village for sleeping (in the rooms, no tent).
Pace: walk and trot mostly, short gallops.

Day 6.

We are starting to get down to the sea level. It takes 6−7 hours. The road is surrounded with beautiful bays and untouched nature. After crossing the biggest bay we arrive to the turtle bay for one night accommodation. This is national park and only backpackers allowed. Sometimes you see no people at all on this day. Tents and food are already prepared there. Riders can swim with/without horse.
Pace: walk and trot on the way, canter on the beach (we’ll make nice pics and videos).

Day 7.

Starting our way to the ranch. On the way we cross five bays with marvelous view and an ancient city of Phaselis (2000 years old). This is the most dangerous climbing part as the path to Phaselis is too narrow and rocky. You’ll have to walk beside your horse for some time.
‌It is possible to make a lunch break there. After lunch we are coming back to the ranch trotting and galloping through the village of Tekirova.

Day 8.

Good-bye day. Riders check-out and transfered to the airport. We can buy souvenirs on our way.

‌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.

Accomodation & food: countryside residence for the first 2 days and the last day, tents, local houses and sleeping bags in trail. All-inclusive without alcohol drinks.

Horses & tack: Arab and cross-breeds with functional English multipurpose and jumping saddles.

Riders: experienced riders with canter and ability to saddle up the horse.
12+ years old (younger riders with parents only TBC)
Up to 75 kg / 165 lbs (heavy riders possible with extra charge for horse change).
Minimum 2 and maximum 5 riders per group.