Kackar Mountains Trek

If you are arriving in Erzurum today, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel located in the city centre (approx. 15-20 minute drive, 12 kms from the airport to city centre). Erzurum is known as a 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 everyone's arrival times, we will have a short walk through the city centre, where we visit historical Rustem pasha caravanserais, also known as Tashan, which serves today as Oltu stone bazaar. We will visit the Erzurum castles, 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 will also visit Twin Minaret Madrasa, a famous architectural monument of the late Seljuk period with a colourful history and known as the largest madrasa in Anatolia. In the early evening we head to historical Erzurum houses museum-restaurant for dinner. Consisting of 11 historical houses under the same roof, the restaurant is decorated with hundreds of centuries old items, and has become one of the most unique venues in the city. Here we will have the opportunity to taste a variety of traditional Turkish dishes in a lively and unique atmosphere. We will spend the night in Erzurum at a hotel. Overnight: Rafo Hotel, or similar

Meals: D

We will leave Erzurum in the morning and drive towards the Kackar Mountains. Along the way we will take a break at the Tortum waterfall, falling from a height of 48 meters, and enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish tea, known as cay. In the afternoon, after 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. Upon arrival we take time to taste a cup of traditional Turkish tea, while enjoying the authentic atmosphere. Driving time: approx. 3 hours, 190km Overnight: Altunay pension, or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today we will hike along Buyuk Cay Deresi to Dilberduzu, accompanied by horses carrying the luggage. We walk approximately 30mins until we reach the Olgunlar village. From there we follow the walking path and climb with an easy ascend until we reach the Dilberduzu campsite. On the way it is sometimes possible to meet local shepherds grazing their animals during summer season. We will spend the night at the Dilberduzu camp. Walking time: approx. 3 hrs; Ascent: 640m / Descent: 0m Overnight: Camp at Dilberduzu

Meals: B,L,D

It is an early morning departure (before sunrise) to the Kackar summit. We climb up approx. 2 hours until we reach Denizgolu Lake at 3300m. From here we continue for approx. one hour, to get to the bottom of the Kackar massive. 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 clear skies, we might see the whole Kackar mountain range and even Mt. Ararat from a distance. Afterwards we return to Dilberduzu camp where we stay for one more night. Walking time: 9-10 hrs. Ascent/Descent: 1097m Overnight: Camp at Dilberduzu

Meals: B,L,D

In the morning we walk down to Olgunlar village, along the route we 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 nearby are inhabited by nomadic herders who bring livestock here to graze high pastures in spring and 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. We spend the night at the pension in Yaylalar village. Walking time: 2-3 hrs; Ascent: 0m / Descent: 640m Overnight: Altunay pension, or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We leave Yaylalar village after breakfast and walk up to Olgunlar, from there we follow 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 make our ascent to the Naletleme pass (3100m) and continue towards the highland village of Yukari Kavron. Yukari Kavron is set in a valley on the northern flanks of the Kackar Mountains, where our vehicle is waiting for us. After a short break and a cup of Turkish tea we drive down to Ayder village, boasting a beautiful pasture with traditional stone and wooden houses, where we spend the night. Walking time: 7-8 hrs, Ascent: 900, Descent: 800/850m Overnight: Yesilvadi Hotel in the Ayder village, or similar

Meals: B,L,D

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. Trabzon is located on the historic 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 386AD 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: approx. 3 hrs Transfer Distance: 165 km (Ayder village to Trabzon) Transfer time: 40-45 mins Transfer Distance: 45 km (Trabzon to Sumela monastery) Overnight: Horon hotel, or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Trip arrangements conclude this morning after breakfast. You will have a transfer from the hotel to the airport, and we wish you a good onward journey. Transfer time: 10-15 mins Transfer Distance: 10 km

Meals: B