Horse Riding in the Turkomen Steppes - Ghara Tepe Sheikh

Turkomen Steppe Ride - Spring Itinerary
Forest Ride - Summer & Autumn Itinerary
GTS (Ghara Tepe Sheikh) Trek - April - September

GTS-Trek April - September:

Most guests arrive at Ghara Tepe Sheikh in the early afternoon. After a chance to wash up and rest a bit you  are taken for a short ride to the Gorgan river. During this ride you can familiarize yourself with your horse and saddle. There will be a Turkoman kebab dinner and overnight in ‘alachekhs’ (yurts). The following is the itinerary of the rides;

Day 1: Ride to Khojeh Salar through wheat fields, over a low mountain range, follow a wooded stream through a valley and into the Khojeh Salar range. We pass Turkomans working watermelon and cotton fields, a village and the last part of the ride is through oak climax forest with a chance to see wild boar. 7 hours ride. Picnic lunch by wooded stream. Overnight in tents, Turkoman dinner.

Day 2: Ride in the region of Khojeh Salar. Visit Scythian burial tomb. Picnic lunch under climax maple trees that Robin Hood would envy. Visit Khojeh Salar village (about 5 dwellings), bread making, harvesting.

Day 3: Ride to Cheshme Zow (about 5 hours). The ride takes one down into another valley and through several Turkoman villages until reaching the headwaters of the Gorgan river in the forest at the beginning of the Golestan Park. Tea break on the way with a late lunch by the river. Overnight in tents.

Day 4: Ride to Kuh-e-Lar (about 3 to 4 hours). This is a large plain at the highest point of the Golestan Park. There are giant oak trees and the plain is dotted with Hawthorne trees. Wild boar and other wild animals can be seen crossing the plain from the forests to drink from a nearby spring. Overnight tents.

Day 5: Ride to a valley deep in the Park. Overnight in caves by a river. Vehicle cannot accompany so non-riders may walk or stay in Kuh-e-Lar. 

Day 6: Ride back to Kuh-e-Lar and overnight.

Day 7: Ride to Cheshme Zow and picnic lunch. A short nap and then ride to the top of a mountain range on the way back to GTS. Overnight in the open air with Turkomans guarding crops against boar and bear stopping in for tea or to share dinner.

Day 8: Return to GTS. Either leave for Tehran or explore the village of GTS or Khaled Nebi etc.

You may opt for the whole of the 8 day ride or parts thereof. If the weather is very warm the ride will start at Khojeh Salar and end in the early morning at GTS. If you have extra luggage and do not wish to take on the ride, you can have your suitcases taken to GTS and kept in a locked room until you return.

Cost includes arranging your visa & stamp fees, airport transfers, transportation to and from the village of Ghara Tappeh Sheikh (GTS) (car and driver), riding and all meals.

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