Goreme Ranch Cappadocia

My husband and I did a 2hr guided horse ride through the valleys (including Rose & Red Valleys) of Cappadocia with Goreme Ranch today. They offered a free transfer from our hotel to and from the ranch, which is located just down the road from the Goreme Open Air Museum. We paid 80TL each for the ride. It was really nice riding through the valleys, looking at all the interesting rock formations and gardens/vineyards/orchards on horseback - much easier than walking (we are avid hikers and would normally have walked but wanted to experience a horse ride while we were here). We stopped for a break at the halfway mark and had a look in one of the churches - really cool. Although our guide spoke English, he didn't share any knowledge of the area etc during our ride which would have made it that much better. The horses were in pretty good condition and they provided helmets.

Awesome horse riding experience, suitable for beginners but you can also trott if you ask. Turkish coffee at a local village is authentic. Views are amazing.

I was the only one in my party who wanted to do this, so I thought that maybe when I just showed up on my own, that they wouldn't be able to accommodate me. They did though, and it was just me and the guide for a two hour ride. My guide didn't speak English but he was very professional and pointed out important spots on the way. The horse was very mild mannered and I felt safe and comfortable. The region is lovely and horseback is a great way to see it.

Ride started badly when my horse wouldn't leave the corral. Guide managed to finally get him to move out. We rode just a few minutes when my 26 year old daughter's horse decided to go back to the corral. The guide rode back and brought the horse back on the trail. Just a minute or two after returning, the horse decided it really wanted to get back and broke off at a gallop and attempted, and succeeded, to throw my daughter off. We had to go to the emergency room for x-rays. Fortunately, it turned out to just some very bad bruising. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID these horses!!!!

We didn't have a review before choosing this place but I had read negative reviews on the Avanos place as being unsafe and not scenic. We loved our ride with Goreme Ranch! They accommodated our request to do only one hour (we have 3 kids ages 4, 7, and 10 - and one hour is enough for the 4 year old!), and they seemed very safety conscious: Helmets provided, 2 guides went with us to lead me with the 4 year old and then the 7 year old, and they decided to walk (the guides) instead of ride to keep things safer. The main guy went with us too, as I asked if someone spoke English. The ride - even at one hour - was beautiful through totally scenic areas, and even though we got caught in a hail storm on the way back, it was totally worth it and fun. We paid about 50 Turkish Lira for the one hour trip per horse (no charge for my daughter who rode with me). We are so glad we did this and would totally recommend this activity and this ranch!

We visited Goreme and the surrounding area November 2011. Although it is very cold at this time of year most days minus degrees this did not stop us getting about. The area is very beautiful and easily accessed either by trips or on your own. The days are short but as there is not a lot of night life at this time of year it is ideal for sight seeing. We decided to do one trip with our hotel then made our way around on our own. We got the local bus and dolmus service to nevsheir and urgup. The times are posted outside the local tourist information centre (which was never open) near the bus stops in the centre of goreme. the cost is approx 2tl per person each way the bus take no more than half an hour, be aware that the last bus back from urgup is 4.00pm so check times before leaving the bus station. Urgup tourist information is very useful they leave the booklets and information outside when closed. We walked to the open air museum in Goreme takes approx 15 minute not too difficult with beautiful scenery very well sign posted.
We also walked to cavusin 4 kilometres from goreme a very easy flat walk through the beautiful red valley took about 30-40 minutes each way.
Night life is very limited at this time of year most bars and restaurants were empty we used oneway bar and restaurant in the centre of Goreme was very friendly and warm they had a sober and open fire. my husband asked if they could put the newcastle game on although they did charge 5 tl to watch the game this is normal in some bars, the next day besiktas were playing and they charged the local the same. They had free wifi and the food was quite good.
At this time of year it rarely gets above minus so wrap up warm take plenty of layers and warm clothes. Due to the cold we ate early then went back to the hotel on the occasions we were out later there was not many places with much happening. The area is quite hilly so checking the location of your hotel can be very important. our hotel was perfect just off the centre of the town.
A beautiful place to visit and very recommended I think the best time to visit would be either late may/early june and end sept/beginning oct.

I booked the 2 hours tour, because I think it is a nice way to experience the beautiful landscape. I was not disappointed. The tour was alone with the guide, in February 2015. My horse "Mavy", a black and white-coloured mare, was a nice horse. :-) I am an experienced rider and can tell, that the horse was easy to handle. Probably also to complete beginners. It didn't like when you started to "interfere" like making it go faster or slower or try to move around some holes in the ground. The horse decided which was best. "easy to handle" means that you can not expect a trained dressage or western horse. They are used to carrying tourists around and making decisions for themselves. We only went slowly and I could truly enjoy the scenary, which after a few days of snow and strong frost, was amazing.
Saddle and gear were not new but in an acceptable condition. The horses all wore horseshoes and were sure footed and healthy.
We went up and down Rose and Red Valley and could enjoy the landscape to the max. My horsie dealt well with any disturbences like cars, mopeds, dogs, quads, noise, plastic garbage It was a nice experience, for which I paid 100 Lira. I can recommend to go there.

This is our second trip to Cappadocia and our second horse riding trip (going to Avanos previously).

It was reasonably priced for a 2 hour trip @ 90 lira per persona and free pickup.

The horses were in pretty good condition mine was a sweetie, though distracted and wanting to eat all the time, though easily steered back on course.

The landscape is stunning, it was like stepping back in time and I even managed a few photos along the way. Some parts of the trail are a little narrow and steep but the horses know the route and are sure footed.

Our guide did not explain a lot, but we did not expect this as we had ridden before in Cappadocia - it is not a guided tour per se.

Would highly recommend combining this activity with a relax at the hamam afterwards.

Great day!

We did a two hour horse ride in the Rose Valley which was a different way to view the fantastic scenery. Our horseman guide was from Afghanistan and very friendly and helpful. The horses are well cared for and sure footed (thank goodness)!

This is an open air museum. We have spent a few hours here but was not enough at all. I recommend at least an half day and to have a light with you to go into all holes. Luckily, I asked a mate passing and we had an opportunity to use his light.