Kackar Mountains, the green paradise

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Erzurum

  Meet at the Erzurum airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the hotel located in the city centre. Erzurum is known as city of history and because of its geographical location a strategically important town for generations. Once caravan crossroad of the Silk Road, Erzurum today is an economic and cultural centre of East Anatolia. Many ancient structures such as its fortress, mosques, madrasas, tombs and caravanserais are located within the city centre.

  Depending on arrival time we will have a short walk through the city centre, where we visit historical Rustem pasha caravanserai, also known as Tashan, serves today as Oltu (kind of Jet/lignite) stone bazaar. We visit Erzurum castle (citadel); originally constructed by the emperor Theodosius, stands guard on a hill in the centre of the old town and offers a beautiful view of the entire city. Close to the castle we also take time to visit Twin Minaret Madrasa (school), a famous architectural monument of the late Seljuk period with a colourful history and known as the largest madrasa in Anatolia. We spend the night in Erzurum at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 15 - 20 min.; transfer distance: 12 km (Erzurum airport – hotel in the city centre)

  ON: in Erzurum at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Erzurum to Yaylalar via Tortum waterfalls, Yusufeli & Barhal church

  We leave Erzurum in the morning and drive towards Kackar Mountains, on our way take a break at Tortum waterfall, falling from a height of 48 meters and to taste here cup of traditional Turkish tea, known as cay.

  In the afternoon after having lunch in Yusufeli village we continue to Barhal, a tiny small village where life style of people didn't change for many generations. The village consists of small clusters of stone and wooden houses located along a series of vegetable terraces connected by paths. Ancient conduits have been built to allow water diverted from the river to flow alongside each path and irrigate the terraces below which are edged with white mulberry, apple, pear, plum, persimmon, walnut and Cornus mas fruit trees.

  In Barhal we take time to visit Barhal church, a substantial Georgian 11th century church of the four Apostles nestling on a slope on the village outskirts. Afterwards we continue to Yaylalar village, where we spend the night at a family run pension. After arrival we take time to taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea, whilst enjoying the authentic atmosphere.

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 190 km (Erzurum to Yaylalar via Tortum, Yusufeli & Barhal)

  ON: in Yaylalar village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Via Olgunlar village to Dilberduzu camp (2.840m)

  Hike along Buyuk Cay Deresi to Dilberduzu, accompanied by horses carrying the luggage. We walk approximately 30min. until we reach the Olgunlar village. From there we follow the walking path and climb with an easy ascend until we Dilberduzu campsite. On the way it is sometimes also possible to meet local shepherds grazing their animals during summer season. We spend the night at the Dilberduzu camp.

  Walking time: 3 h; ascent: 640m; descent: 0m

  ON: in Dilberduzu at the campsite 2.840m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Kackar Summit (3.937m)

  Today we have an early morning departure (before sunrise) to the Kackar summit.  We climb up approximately 2 h until we reach Denizgolu Lake at 3.300m. From here we continue to get to the bottom of the Kackar massive for another hour. On our left hand we have the scene of a giant glacier; from here to get on the peak takes another hour, climbing up without any certain path, on sheer rocks. With a clear sky, we might see the whole Kackar range and even the Mt. Ararat from a distance. Afterwards we return to Dilberduzu camp where we stay for one more night. 

  Walking time: 9 - 10 h; ascent/descent: 1.097m                                                                                                 

  ON: in Dilberduzu at the campsite 2.840m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Dilberduzu to Olgunlar & Yaylalar village

  In the morning we walk down to Olgunlar village, on our route pass green pastures and unique small clusters of stone and wooden houses. The people in Olgunlar village come from all over the region; the small mountain settlements around are inhabited by nomadic herders who bring livestock here to graze high pastures in spring & summer months.

  After taking time for a break and enjoying the scenery around us, with beautiful views to the high summits of the Kackar Mountain range, we arrive back in Yaylalar village, where we spend the night at the pension.

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; ascent: 0 m; descent: 640m      

  ON: in Yaylalar village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Via Dupeduzu to Naletleme pass (3.100m), Yukari Kavron & Ayder village

  We leave Yaylalar village after breakfast and walk up to Olgunlar, follow from there the Buyuk Cay stream, in the middle of the Mezovit Mountain range. After reaching the Dobe Yaylasi (plateau) we continue our walk towards Palovit and Hevek Yaylasi and after a short and easy descent reach famous Dupeduzu. From here we ascent to Naletleme pass (3.100m) and continue towards highland village of Yukari Kavron, set in a valley on the northern flanks of the Kackar Mountains, where our vehicle is already waiting for us.

  After a short break and a cup of Turkish tea (cay) we drive down to Ayder village, a beautiful pasture with traditional stone and wooden houses, where we spend the night.  

  Walking time: 7 - 8 h; ascent: 900m; descent: 800 - 850m       

  ON: in Ayder village at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Trabzon & the Sumela monastery

  After breakfast we leave Ayder and drive via Rize, located along the Black Sea coast with its beautiful tea gardens and endless lush green plateaus, to famous Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, a melting pot of religions, languages and cultures. Being open towards other cultures and religions plays a significant role in the lifestyle of the Trabzonites; Muslims and Christians have lived together in the past as well as today, making the city a proud heir to a rich cultural heritage. 

  Here we take time to visit the monastery of Sumela, a Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I., legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain. After visiting Sumela we drive back to Trabzon city centre and conclude the day with a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 165 km (Ayder village – Trabzon)       

  Transfer time:40 - 45 min.; transfer distance: 45 km (Trabzon – Sumela monastery)

  ON: in Trabzon at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Trabzon airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Trabzon airport where the trip concludes.          

  Transfer time: 10 - 15 min.; transfer distance: 10 km (Hotel in the city centre – Trabzon airport)

  Meals:   B / - / -