Duration: 14 days
Date: June – September
Group size: a minimum 8 persons
Contact us for smaller group, or private tour prices.
SEE LOCATION ON MAP
PROGRAMME:
Erzurum is one of the biggest cities in the north east of Turkey, whose places of interests, its sacred and monumental buildings, just have to be discovered .
Hike over green mountain pastures, along deep carved valleys with views of the snow covered mountain peaks of the Kaçkar Massif.
Fascinating mountain tours on Mount Kaçkar (3.994 m), with its lush green meadows full of flowers, with the final highlight, the volcanic lake.
Ascent of Ararat (5.165 m), the highest mountain of Turkey. The ascent, classified technically as rather easy, of the 5. 000 m high mountain takes place along the only permitted route involving two camps.
Sightseeing of the İshak Pasha Palace which was built high above a plateau at Dogubayazit in the 17th century. It controlled for centuries the caravan traffic on the Silk Route which it overlooks.
The hospitality of a Kurdish nomad family during a relaxing dinner will add many unforgettable moments.
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Arrival to Erzurum, transfer from the airport and drive north to the Kaçkar Mountains in a mini bus into the narrow canyon of Tortum. After a drive of approximately two hours through a wild landscape you reach the lake of the same name Tortum. Packed lunch. You will drive on narrow mountain roads through the Tschoroch canyon to the mountain village of Yaylalar, which is located on the southern slope of the Kaçkar massif. This is the starting point for a couple of our tours. Dinner. Overnight stay in tents or in a guest house.
Day 2
Breakfast. Hike to Yaylalar. To acclimatise you will hike over magnificent flower grasslands around the village of Yaylalar (hiking time about 5 hours, packed lunch). Dinner. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 3
Breakfast. Kaçkar base camp. You will hike through colourful alpine grasslands with chalets and water mills up to the base camp of Kaçkar, about 2.600 m in height. Packed lunch. Main luggage will be carried by pack animals. Dinner. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 4
Breakfast. Summit day. Early in the morning you will start of for the highest peak of the Kaçkar mountains. On your way up to the top you will go past the mountain lake Deniz. In the early afternoon you will reach the top of Mt. Kaçkar (3.932 m) via small trails and areas of snow and boulders. From the top you have a fascinating view over the surrounding mountain landscape. With clear skies you can see Ararat, the highest mountain of Turkey and the snow covered tops of the Caucasus Mountains. Packed lunch. Descent back to camp. Hiking time approximately 8 hours. Dinner. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 5
After a cosy breakfast in camp, surrounded by massive rock walls, you pack up the camp und return to Yaylalar via mountain trails. Hiking time approximately 3 -4 hours. Packed lunch. After that you have free time. Dinner. Overnight stay in tents or in a guest house.
Day 6
After breakfast we will drive through beautiful countryside to Dogubayazit, which will be reached in the evening. Packed lunch. Dinner. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 7
Breakfast. In the morning sightseeing of the legendary place wher Noah´s ark beached. Packed lunch. In the afternoon drive to the source of the Euphrates River with plenty of time for bathing in the hot sulphur springs. Picnic in the evening. Return journey. Dinner. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 8
Breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the starting point of our ascent (2.200 m). Ascent (about 4 hours) to Base Camp 1 (3.200 m). Packed lunches. Luggage will be transported by horses. Dinner, overnight stay in tents.
Day 9
Breakfast, ascent for acclimatization (5 hours) without baggage. During the walking tour you can admire spectacular views of Little Ararat and views to Iran. Lunch (packed lunch). Descent to Base Camp 1, free time to relax, dinner, overnight stay in tents.
Day 10
Breakfast, packing of tents and climb to Camp 2 (4.200 m, 5 hours). Luggage will be transported by horses. Packed lunch. Dinner. It will only be a short overnight stay in tents. The tents are protected from the wind behind a wall of stones.
Day 11
Breakfast. Up to the peak 5.165 m (about 4 -5 hours). Start at 3 a.m. First you will have to climb over boulders and small rocks to the snow and ice cap in the summit area where, depending on the conditions, you may have to use crampons. If the weather is fine there will be time for an extensive rest at the summit. You´ll enjoy magnificent views to Armenia, Iran, Doğubayazit and Süphan. Packed lunch. Descent to Camp 2 and then a further descent to Base Camp 1 (descent takes 5-6 hours). Dinner and celebration of your successful climb to the top of the mountain Ararat. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 12
Breakfast. Descent rom Base Camp 1 to the starting point and return journey to Dogubayazit. Packed lunch. In the afternoon drive to one of the most beautiful palaces, the Ishak Pasha Palace, located above the city. Sightseeing tour. From a cafe you have a good view over the plateau and the surrounding mountains. Hamam. Dinner with a Kurdish family. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 13
Breakfast. Drive to the hotel in Van (about 4 hours). Packed lunch. In the afternoon free time. At the farewell dinner with our mountain tour guide you will have the opportunity to talk about all your experiences. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 14
Breakfast, transfer to the airport in Van. Flight home.
Tour price includes:
All transfers in Turkey according to the program
All meals and overnight stays according to the program
Permission from Ankara for the Ascent of Ararat
Permission on location for the Ascent of Kaçkar
50 Dollar entrance fee per person for the national park, Ararat
Licensed Kurdish mountain tour guide to German or English speaking
Hamam entrance fee
Kurdish cook
Food and Beverages – full care (all included on the mountain)
Tent for two persons & thermo mats (single person tents additional charge)
Luggage transport by horses on the mountains
Not Included
Tips to Guides and Drivers
Alcoholic Beverages
Flights To and From Destinations
Price: upon request
Pricing Details:
Price varies according to group size and preferences
Contact us for smaller group, or private tour prices.
Packing and equipment list:
Cheap flights to Turkey
http://savourturkey.com/en/faq/where-can-i-get-flight-tickets-to-turkey/
Booking deadline: immediate
Information and reservation:
e-mail: savourturkey@gmail.com