Northern Turkey wildlife

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Trabzon airport & transfer to Macka/Sumela region

  Meet at the Trabzon airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Macka and Sumela region, covered by high mountains with spruce forests and green pastures. Known in terms of natural beauty as one of the richest parts of Trabzon province, unique in terms of scenery, fresh air and natural spring waters. We spend the night in Macka/Sumela region at the hotel.

  Transfer time: 30 - 40 min.; transfer distance: 40 km; (Trabzon airport to Macka/Sumela)                      

  ON: in Macka/Sumela at the hotel

  Meals:   - / - / D 

• DAY 2

  Via Sumela monastery & Altindere valley national park to Ikizdere

  Early in the morning we take time to explore 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. With its natural values, Altındere valley is a famous area and was declared a national park in 1987. The valley is coated in a rich variety of flora and it is also notable for the diversity of its fauna. We take time to watch out for green warbler, dipper, coal tit, the sparrow hawk, eagle owl, falcon, short-eared owl, red-breasted flycatcher, tree creeper and Jay. In the late afternoon we leave Macka and Sumela area and drive to Ikizdere where we spend the night.

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Macka/Sumela to Ikizdere area)

  ON: in Ikizdere area at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Via Ovit pass & Sivrikaya to Ispir and Erzurum

  After breakfast we explore the areas around Ovit pass and Sivrikaya, scan its hillsides and grassy slopes for Caucasian black grouse, Caucasian chiffchaff, alpine accentor, raddes accentor, scarlet rosefinch, crimson winged finch, wall creeper and white winged snowfinche. After crossing Ovit pass we head towards Sivrikaya region where we watch out for golden eagle, griffon vulture, Lammergeier and many other species, such as alpine accentor, twite, dipper and grey wagtail. In the late afternoon we continue to Erzurum where we spend the night at the hotel located in the city centre.

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 210 km; (Ikizdere region to Erzurum via Ovit pass & Sivrikaya)

  ON: in Erzurum at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Erzurum to Kackar Mountains and Barhal village via Tortum waterfalls & Yusufeli

  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 arrive in 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.

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 170 km (Erzurum to Barhal via Tortum & Yusufeli)

  ON: in Barhal village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Discovering Barhal area & Altiparmak region for Kackar brown bears (Ursus arctos)

  The Kackar Mountains, known as the green paradise, have a unique fauna and flora with lots of endemic flowers. The Kackar summit, at an altitude of 3.937 meters, is the highest point in the range. Extensive glacier and water erosion have given these mountains their craggy, rugged look and they are known for the complexity and power of the streams and rivers which rush down to the lower altitudes. The Kackars rise between the shores of the black sea to the north and the Coruh river valley to the south, with an immense variety of vegetation flourishes in the rainy climate. Tea plantations and citrus orchards cover the hillsides. Chestnut, hornbeam, beech and other large-leafed trees forest the slopes. Pines mix in with the large-leafed trees, alpine meadows and other grassy vegetation cover the ground above 2.100 meters. The next two days we take time to explore the area around Barhal village and Altiparmak and look out for the Kackar brown bear (Ursus arctos). We spend time at the Amanasket yaylasi (plateau), Kelensev yaylasi, Senkara (Pisenkara) yaylasi, Saribulut yaylasi, Ozguven village and Pancet yaylasi, places which are known as the main areas (habitats) of the Kackar brown bear.                                                                        

  ON: in Barhal village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Discovering Barhal area & Altiparmak region for Kackar brown bears (Ursus arctos)

  We continue to discover the area around Barhal village and Altiparmak and look out for the Kackar brown bear (Ursus arctos). We spend time at the Amanasket yaylasi (plateau), Kelensev yaylasi, Senkara (Pisenkara) yaylasi, Saribulut yaylasi, Ozguven village and Pancet yaylasi, places which are known as the main areas (habitats) of the Kackar brown bear.                                                                        

  ON: in Barhal village at the pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Barhal village to Erzurum

  Until afternoon, we observe the area for the Kackar brown bear once again. Afterwards it is possible to visit Barhal church, a substantial Georgian 11th century church of the four Apostles nestling on a slope on the village outskirts. In the late afternoon we leave Barhal village and drive back to Erzurum, 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: 3 h; transfer distance: 170 km; (Barhal village to Erzurum)

  ON: in Erzurum at the hotel

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Erzurum airport

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

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

  Meals:   B / - / -