HIGHLIGHTS

Picture yourself exploring and photographing the sweeping valleys of Cappadocia known as the land of beautiful horses - like they have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Discover hidden lookouts, forgotten caves, historical churches and experience Cappadocia in all its glory. At sunset, photograph about 300 wild horses with a backdrop of exquisite colors of the rocks at Red and Rose Valleys.

Every day at sunrise, weather permitting, the skies of Cappadocia will be dotted with hundreds of multicolored hot-air balloons drifting peacefully over the horizon, which we will photograph from the best location. When night falls, photograph the amazing stars over the towering fairy chimneys. We will be photographing horses and horsemen with traditional clothes. Step back in time with a night at the magnificent Cave Hotel, situated in ancient caves with a distinctly medieval feel. No matter the time of day, this Photo Quest of Cappadocia is nothing short of magical, unique and a lifetime experience. Wait until you taste the delicious Turkish Cuisine.

Sign up now to hold your spot.

August 27-Depart your home country for Kayseri, Turkey.  (ASR)

You will fly through Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish Airlines/Jetblue have direct flights to Istanbul from Dallas, Chicago, JFK, Boston, Atlanta. If you are flying Turkish Airlines you will most likely arrive at 7:55pm in Kayseri on August 28th.

August 28-Kayseri, Turkey

Arrival at Kayseri Airport, (ASR). Our guidesr will meet you at the exit gate and transfer you to our hotel. The drive will be around one hour.  Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia for 6 nights.

August 29-Cappadocia

Optional hot air balloon ride at dawn. It is always impressive to take the balloon ride in Cappadocia.

Morning session: At around noon, we shoot around 3-4 white horses at the Deep Valley, with the sunlight coming through the caves. The light is best at around noon at this location.

Evening session: In the afternoon, we drive to Akhalteke Ranch in Avanos to photograph around 20-30 Arabian horses running through the water around the Red River.

Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia.

August 30- Cappadocia

Morning session: At sunrise, we will photograph the horses at Swords Valley, with the balloons in the background. There will be around 20 horses. After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit a real pottery workshop in Avanos. In the afternoon, we will drive to Hurmetci Village (30 min.) to photograph the horses while they are being gathered by the horsemen in the reeds. This is a private shoot. 

We end the session with shooting the horses (around 200-300 wild Yilki horses, running wild in dust) at sunset and then drive back to Goreme. Astrophotography at night at a valley with rock formations.

Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia.

August 31 -Cappadocia

Today’s morning session will be with 1 black and 1 white horse at a valley with caves and rock formations, with the balloons in the sky. After breakfast, you will visit an underground city and our guide will tell you the story of why and how underground cities were carved. In the afternoon, we drive to Salt Lake (1,5 hours) for the evening session to shoot 2 horses on the lake with a local model in traditional costume and a dervish. Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia.

Sept 1- Cappadocia

Photograph the balloons in the sky at sunrise.

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide takes you to Goreme Open Air Museum, where you can see the best-preserved cave churches of Cappadocia with beautiful paintings and frescoes, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. We will photograph 3-4 white horses during sunset at Red Valley.

Another session of Astrophotography at night at a valley with rock formations. Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia.

Sept 2 -Cappadocia

We will photograph 2 horses (or 2 models) at sunrise at a valley with caves and rock formations, with the balloons in the sky.

Evening session: At a cave church or a historical place with caves, we will shoot 1 Friesian and 1 white Arabian horse. Overnight at Cave Suites Cappadocia.

Sept 3-Kayseri Airport-home or sign up for the extension to Istanbul.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Kayseri Airport for the flight back home. Or if you are interested in doing a 3 night extension in Istanbul, please email us.

Itinerary is subject to change*.

CALLING CODE

Country Calling Code: +90

Capital City: Ankara (pop. 3.7 million)

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS

Passports must be valid for at least six months from date of entry into Turkey. Passports must also have at least one fully blank page for entry/exit stamps.

Visas are required and you can apply for an E-Visa here:

https://application.visasturkey.com/application/8243888e-ac6f-11ec-ac15-06e0cc5a92ff.b4e0ed0

LANGUAGE

Turkish. Kurdish is also spoken by a minority in the southeast. French, German and English are widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas.

FOOD AND DRINK

Mains water is chlorinated in towns and cities, but it is advisable to drink the widely available bottled mineral water. If a water source bears the words içilmez, it is not potable; sources labelled içilir or içme suyu are safe to drink. Milk is pasteurised. 

CURRENCY

The Turkish lira, Türk lirası is the currency of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey). The Turkish lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS IN TURKEY

Complete a “Traveler Entry Form” before arrival

All incoming passengers over the age of 6 must complete a “Traveler Entry Form” at least four days before their arrival in Turkey. The purpose of the form is to contact individuals who have been in contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Visitors should provide contact information and the accommodation address in Turkey. 

The “Form for Entry to Turkey” must be completed online and takes a few minutes. All passengers need to present it before boarding a flight to Turkey and again on arrival.