Discover the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia the way nature intended—on horseback. Known since ancient times as Katpatuka (the Land of Beautiful Horses), Cappadocia offers a magical terrain of towering fairy chimneys, hidden rock-cut churches, and sculpted volcanic valleys.
Our daytime horse riding tour takes you off the beaten path and into the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage region. Guided by expert local cowboys, you will navigate winding trails, explore historic ruins, and capture breathtaking panoramic views that tour buses simply cannot reach.
Whether you are an experienced equestrian or a first-time rider, our gentle, well-trained horses ensure a safe, comfortable, and deeply immersive Anatolian adventure.
What to Expect
Hotel Pickup
Pickup is provided from centrally located Cappadocia hotels. Your exact pickup time will be confirmed one day before the activity according to your selected departure time and hotel location.
Meet Your Horse and Guide
At the ranch, you will meet your local trail guide and receive a safety briefing. Your horse will be selected according to your height, weight and previous riding experience.
Prepare for the Ride
Beginners will receive basic instructions on controlling and communicating with the horse before leaving the ranch. No previous horseback riding experience is required.
Ride Through Rose Valley
Follow natural trails between Rose Valley’s pink-toned cliffs, cave openings and distinctive rock formations. Daylight provides clear views of the valley’s colours and geological details.
Explore Sword Valley
Continue through Sword Valley, known for its narrow trails and sharp, sword-like formations. Riding through the valley offers a different perspective from the roadside viewpoints.
See the Formations of Love Valley
Ride through or near Love Valley and see its tall fairy chimneys from horseback. The exact trail may change according to weather and riding conditions.
Stop for Photographs
The guide may pause at suitable viewpoints where you can photograph the horses and surrounding landscape. Stops depend on trail safety and the pace of the group.
Return to Your Hotel
After approximately 2 hours of horseback riding, you will return to the ranch. Including the safety briefing and transfers, the complete experience normally takes approximately two hours.
What’s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Trained horse selected for the rider
Local trail guide
Safety briefing
Horseback riding equipment
Insurance coverage
Important Notes
Payment
A 30% deposit payment is required at the time of booking.
The remaining balance required to be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour date.
In case of late cancellation or no-show, the full booking cost will apply.
Departure and Transfer
Different departure times are available daily between 10:00 and 15:00.
Pickup and drop-off are included from centrally located hotels throughout Cappadocia.
Your exact pickup time will be confirmed one day before the activity.
Riding Requirements
No previous horseback-riding experience is required.
Participants must be at least 14 years old.
Children under 14 are not permitted to join the tour.
The maximum permitted weight is 95 kg per rider.
The tour is not suitable for pregnant travellers or guests with serious back problems.
What to Wear
Comfortable clothing and closed shoes suitable for horseback riding are recommended.
Temperatures may fall quickly after sunset, so bringing an extra layer is recommended outside the summer months.
FAQs
Can children join the daytime horse riding tour?
Children from 6 years old can participate. Their horse is selected according to their age, height and riding suitability, and they must be able to understand and follow the guide’s safety instructions.
Is this a private or shared horseback tour?
The standard daytime tour is a shared experience and may include other participants. Groups can include up to 8 riders.
Can I choose which horse I ride?
Horses are assigned by the ranch rather than selected by participants. The team considers each rider’s height, weight and experience when choosing the most suitable horse.
Can experienced riders trot, canter or gallop?
The riding pace is determined by the trail guide according to ground conditions, the horses and the overall experience level of the group. A faster pace cannot be guaranteed on a shared tour.
Can I take photographs during the ride?
Yes. The guide may stop at suitable locations for photographs. For safety, phones and cameras should be secured while the horse is moving, and riders should follow the guide’s instructions before releasing the reins.
What happens if it rains?
Light weather changes do not always prevent the tour from operating. The ranch evaluates the trail and riding conditions, and the route or departure time may be adjusted when necessary. If conditions are unsafe, you will be contacted about the available options.
Can I ride independently without the trail guide?
No. All rides follow a guided route. Independent riding is not permitted during the tour.
Unreal experience from start to finish. The balloon ride over Cappadocia was incredible and... something we’ll never forget - the views at sunrise were breathtaking. The customer service was also fantastic. When the forecast changed, they went above and beyond to help us rearrange our flight and get us onto the First Ascent flight. We really appreciated how accommodating they were and responsive on WhatsApp. Would highly recommend!read more
You can choose from several balloon companies through a Turkish balloon agency. Initially, I was... worried because it wasn't a booking site like getyourguide, but communication via WhatsApp was smooth, and I was able to get a better price for the balloon ride than what my accommodation quoted!*Payment involves a deposit paid by credit card after a provisional booking, with the remaining balance paid locally. (A 10% surcharge is added if you pay the remaining balance by credit card, so cash payment (Turkish Lira, Euro, or US Dollar) is recommended.)read more
The hot air balloon ride is the best way to experience Cappadocia’s unique and stunning landscape!... Planning, communication, and transportation with this company was a smooth experience.read more
The best experience! We were taken care of very well and the customer service is fantastic. We feel... incredibly lucky!Thank you for this experienceread more
We just had the most incredible experience with Hot Air Balloon Goreme! what a truly magical... experience!Gökhan and the whole team were absolutely magnificent, professional, charismatic, funny, and so welcoming. We had such a laugh while taking in the breathtaking views. Floating above Love Valley was simply stunning, and the entire ride was smooth and comfortable, with a wonderfully graceful landing.I would highly recommend this company to anyone thinking about experiencing a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. From start to finish, everything was incredibly well organised. Booking online was super easy, and the team were always at the end of the phone or WhatsApp whenever we needed them.The little finishing touches were lovely too snacks and drinks before take off and we both received a certificate and a glass of bubbles to celebrate at the end.The transfer was right on time, comfortable, and our driver was friendly and helpful throughout.Absolutely fantastic experience from beginning to end. 10/10 we couldn’t recommend Hot Air Balloon Goreme highly enough!read more
Everything was perfect. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We had a wonderful time. Special... thanks to the balloon pilot, we really enjoyed everything.read more
This experience was incredible and definitely worth doing! The flight was so smooth and the views... were spectacular. Incredibly, the guide would lower the balloon down to get a closer look at the rock formations before rising back up again. We are so glad we did this flight and would absolutely do it again!read more
We had a great experience with Hot Air Balloon Goreme. From the reservation to the pickup at the... hotel, communication through WhatsApp was fast and efficient. Everything was well organized and it was much more affordable than other operators that offer the same package.read more
When I had a problem at the convenience store, the owner happened to be there and kindly helped me... out.I'm truly grateful for his help; I can't thank him enough.Thank you.read more
The experience was amazing. Everything was very well organised and Ashley, the contact person was... so nice.. i was a bit worried as the driver was a little late but she responded immediately and ensured everything was on track! Thank you!read more
Excellent experience. The oick up from the hotel was on time. There was no long waiting time at the... Baloon site. Baloon pilot was good. The drop off at Airport was also swift. Highly recommended.read more
Excellent experience. The oick up from the hotel was on time. There was no long waiting time at the... Baloon site. Baloon pilot was good. The drop off at Airport was also swift. Highly recommended.read more
Wonderful experience overall! Good communication via WhatsApp after booking and after the balloon... ride itself. It delivers on its promises, the views are stunning! It was truly mesmerizing.read more
We were very pleased, especially the gentleman we spoke to on the phone was very helpful, I would... like to thank Mr. Oktay separately. Because he communicated over the phone and explained every detail.read more
I have no fault of this experience from pick up to drop off it was professionally and enjoyably... done. The staff were fun and friendly. The pilot was talented and added some fun aspects shadows on rock faces, commentary etc. It can be a bit daunting to spend this much on an experience but this is one of those that are really worth it. A once in a lifetime experience. Its also the one that friends at home are most interested in.read more
Great. Super good price, good experience. Very experienced pilot. Don't hesitate to book despite... the low price - they are just one of the companies that don't rip you off.read more
A truly positive experience from start to finish, from the prompt and timely hotel pickup to the... flight. The pilot was excellent; he skimmed all the chimneys. We flew mainly over the Valley of Love, but from above, you can see the entire area between Goreme and Uchisar. The price is €70 per person, but the price depends on the weather. Two days earlier, it was €130 per person, and the next day, €55.read more