Most corporate events in Istanbul happen in hotel ballrooms and conference rooms. They are easy to book, but they rarely change how a team feels about working together. A day outside the city, doing something new side by side, tends to stay with people much longer.
This guide is for HR teams, office managers and anyone planning an offsite in Istanbul, whether your team lives here or is visiting for a company trip. It covers why nature works, how to plan the day, which activities suit mixed groups and what a sample schedule looks like.
Why a day in nature works for teams
Good team building is not about forced games or competition. It is about giving people a reason to relax and talk to each other outside their usual roles.
A day in nature does a lot of that by itself:
- A real change of scene. Screens, meeting rooms and notifications stay behind.
- Shared first experiences. Watching a colleague ride a horse for the first time, or sharing an ATV with someone from another department, creates easy conversation.
- Something for everyone. Thrill seekers can take the ATV, calmer people can try a short horse ride or simply sit in the garden. Nobody has to do something they dislike.
- Food brings people together. A long Turkish breakfast or a grill lunch is often the part of the day people talk about most.
Questions to answer before you plan
What is the goal
A celebration, onboarding new joiners, a reward after a busy quarter, or a break during an international company visit? The goal shapes the day. A celebration puts the meal at the centre, while onboarding works better with activities in small rotating groups.
How big is the group
Group size affects how activities are scheduled and how meals are planned. With larger groups, rotating smaller teams between activities keeps things moving and cuts waiting time.
Who wants to do what
Some people may be nervous around horses, others may not want to drive an ATV. A quick survey before the event lets you plan rotations properly. For anyone nervous about riding, our guide to first time horse riding is worth sharing.
How will everyone get there
If your team is staying in central Istanbul, around Taksim, Şişli or the old city, the easiest option is a private shuttle or minibus heading north to Sarıyer. The farm is in Uskumruköy, 5-10 minutes from the Uskumruköy exit of the Northern Marmara Motorway. One shared vehicle means everyone arrives together and the day starts on time. Travel time depends on traffic, so allow some extra room in the schedule.
Date and backup date
Nature spots are busy at weekends. A weekday is calmer and usually easier to plan for a corporate group. For outdoor activities, a backup date is a good habit, since horse rides are moved to another day in bad weather for safety.
Activities that work well
ATV tours
Usually the activity that lifts the group’s energy most. Each tour starts with a short driving briefing and a test drive, the guide rides in front, and helmets and protective gear are provided. Two people can share one ATV, which makes it a natural way to pair up colleagues. Routes and details are in our ATV tour guide.
Horse rides
Calmer, but just as memorable. Beginner rides are guided and equipment comes from the farm. Short forest or lake routes are easy for first-timers, and for many people the first time on a horse becomes the most photographed moment of the day. See the routes on the horse riding tours page.
Breakfast or grills
The day can start with a Turkish village breakfast or end with grills. The farm’s own restaurant serves both, and the menu is planned together with you for the event. More on the restaurant page.
Open space and downtime
Not every minute needs a programme. Time in the open air with tea, a chance to see the horses up close, or a short team talk outdoors helps the whole day feel relaxed rather than rushed.
Professional photography
If you want team photos, content for internal communications or social media, a professional photography service is available. Photos taken outdoors and with the horses tend to get used far longer than a standard office group shot.
A sample team day
This is just an example. Timings and activities change with your group.
- 09:30 Arrival, welcome tea and coffee
- 10:00 Turkish village breakfast
- 11:30 Split into groups. One group starts the ATV briefing, the other goes on a horse ride
- 12:30 Groups swap
- 13:30 Free time in the open space, team talk or a short presentation
- 15:00 Professional photo session, team and group shots
- 16:00 Grill lunch and closing conversation
- 17:30 Departure
A half day with breakfast and one activity also works if your schedule is tight. The farm is open from 09:00 to 19:00 every day except Thursday, so plan the day within those hours.
How pricing works
Corporate events are priced with a custom quote for your group, not from a fixed list. The main factors are group size, the activities you choose, food and photography. Individual tour prices are on the prices page if you want a reference point.
When you ask for a quote, it helps to include:
- Your preferred date and a backup date
- Approximate number of people
- Activities you are interested in (ATV, horse rides, or both)
- Breakfast, grills, or both
- Whether you want a photographer
Booking
Tell us your group size and preferred date, and we will prepare a quote for you. You can find the quote form on the events page, or message +90 546 414 00 89 on WhatsApp in English. The farm is closed on Thursdays.