Turkish Highlands Discovery: Trek the Taurus Mountains

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Kayseri airport & transfer to Aladaglar Mountains

  Meet at the Kayseri airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to stunning Aladaglar mountain range, home to the highest peaks of the Taurus, famous for its gorgeous lakes, sheer rock walls, deeply cut valleys and canyons.

  Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our staff with tea, coffee and cookies. The campsite is already prepared and you can directly move into your tents, whilst your cook is making final touches for your first evening meal in the mountains.

   

  Depending on arrival time: hike from Elekgolu to Emli valley via Kazikli canyon

  At an early arrival it is possible to drive to the area close to Elekgolu village and start from here for a short hike through Kazikli canyon, with 50 to 70 meters high walls. The canyon lies in the southern part of the Aladaglar and received its name over a century ago from a farmer called Ali who used wooden stakes (kazik) to climb cracks in the canyon to reach the honey of wild bees in the caves. Our trek permits us directly to our campsite in the Emli valley.

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: approx. 9 - 10 km; ascent: 250m; descent: 0m

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Kayseri airport to Aladaglar Mountains)

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Emli valley campsite 1.800m

  Meals:   - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Emli valley to Sokulupinar via Siyirmalik & Eznevit plateau

  This morning we leave Emli valley behind us, as we walk through a beautiful forested area and on stabilized gravel roads towards Siyirmalik valley. After an easy ascent we reach Eznevit plateau, a campsite inhabited by semi-nomadic families who might invite us for some drinks and will visit their tents to see their original life style during the time they spent in the mountains. From here you also will be rewarded with good views over the surrounding area as you continue walking towards Sakartas and further to our next campsite in Sokulupinar where we are welcomed by our cook with biscuits and tea. We spend the night in Sokulupinar.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: approx. 14 - 15 km; ascent: 788m; descent: 538m

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Sokulupinar campsite 2.000m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Sokulupinar to Dipsiz Lake

  We follow a stabilized road taking us to Arpalik plateau and climb from there up to Tekepinari (goats spring) where it is sometimes possible to see Alpine Ibexes grazing on the high plateaus. We walk on small walking paths following a riverbed which permits us to Dipsiz Lake. On route we will have beautiful views to the north face of Mt. Demirkazik (3.756m). Depending on weather and water conditions you can swim in the lake. After having a beautiful picnic/break near the lake we return to our camp on the same way.

  Before dinner there is a chance to watch the sunset at the camp and have many opportunities to make beautiful/red landscape view pictures. We spend the night at the Sokulupinar camp.

  Walking time: 6 - 7 h; ascent/descent: 900m 

  ON: in the Aladaglar national park at the Sokulupinar campsite 2.000m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Sokulupinar to Yedigoller (seven lakes) via Celikbuyduran pass 3.450m

  Today we have a challenging trekking day as we go to our highest camp at 3100m. After breakfast we head up to Karayalak valley and climb up to Celikbuyduran pass (3.450m). Just before the pass we stop by a spring and enjoy a well-deserved break after 5 hours ascending and enjoy here the great views on the mountains surrounding us. After the pass we start descending down to Yedigoller (3.100m) plateau; a reddish desert of stones and rocks, with a gentle downhill slope. Our fantastic high camp is set near the biggest lake of the area and when the weather conditions allow, it is even possible to have a refreshing swim.

  Walking time: 7 - 8 h; walking distance: approx. 13 km; ascent: 1.450m; descent: 350m

  ON: Aladaglar national park at the Yedigoller campsite 3.100m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Mt. Emler summit ascent 3.723m

  After breakfast we climb up to amazing Mount Emler, one of the most famous summits in the area. The ascent doesn’t require any technical skills; we follow stabilized walking paths back to Celikbuyduran pass and start from here our ascent to the summit.

  From the peak it is possible to see the Mt. Erciyes (3.917m) to the north, the Mt. Hasan (3.268m) to the west, the Bolkar range to the south and all important summits of the Aladaglar. After enjoying a spectacular panorama we walk down to the pass on the same way and continue from there back to our campsite at the lake.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: approx. 9 - 10 km; ascent/descent: 623m

  ON: Aladaglar national park at the Yedigoller campsite 3.100m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Yedigoller plateau to Karagol Lake

  In the morning we load our luggage on our horses again and leave seven lakes plateau. Following walking paths we arrive at the second biggest lake of the area; from here ascend to Teke Kalesi pass (3.517m) offering spectacular views down to Yedigoller plateau and surrounding Aladaglar summits to the north-west. Here sometimes it is also possible to see ibexes grazing, a species of wild mountain goat with long, curved horns, known as the undisputed master of terrifying heights.

  After resting a while we start our descent towards Yildiz (Star) lake, via remote terrain and some small green pastures, we reach or campsite at Karagol Lakewhere our tents for tonight are already set up and tea and coffee awaits us.

  Walking time: 7 h; walking distance: approx. 13 - 14 km; ascent: 417m; descent: 717m

  ON: Aladaglar national park at the Karagol campsite 2.800m

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Karagol to Pinarbasi via Maden gorge - drive to Cukurbag village

  Our last day trek in the Aladaglar takes us down to Maden gorge; we descend following mine roads and little creeks to Pinarbasi village.

  At the end of the valley our vehicle awaits us and we drive to Cukurbag village. In the late afternoon it is possible to visit the village itself where we taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea, known as cay, in the local tea house.

  We spend the night at a small family run village pension, where we in the evening also enjoy our dinner with typical country cuisines; taste traditional and authentic Turkish dishes.

  Walking time: 2 h; ascent: 0m; descent: 900 - 1.100m (depends on road conditions & pick up point of the vehicle)

  ON: in Cukurbag village at a family run pension

  Meals:   B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Kayseri airport

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

  Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Aladaglar Mountains to Kayseri airport)

  Meals:   B / - / -