Trekking İn Bolkar And Ararat Mountains

The second important massif of the Taurus range is the Bolkar mountain: there is plenty of limestone reef (just as porous as karats but lees sharp) and a handful fantastic panoramas. There is always the horizons, studded with peaks of grey, tan and purple; and magnificent scenery at your feet - the beautiful mountain lakes of Bolkar.
the high meadows or pastures are inhabited by nomadic groups during the summer, in the months of June to September in particular, by the York, who are Turkmen in origin and whose traditional occupation is grazing their goats and sheep. On our trek, we will often meet with the hospitality of nomads and local villagers of this area.

The earliest mountain ascent in the world of which any record has been preserved is the ascent of Mt. Ararat by the Patriarch Noah. Mt. Ararat is located in eastern Turkey near the Russian and İranian borders. As the crow filies, it is about 250 km. East of Erzurum, 130 km. Southeast of Kars and 160 km. Noth of Van. Mt. Ararat is a magnificent sprawling dome whose snow covered summit is 5165m. Above sea level. Most christians belive it is the site where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the “Great Flood”. A climb of Mt. Ararat is a tough walk ( non-technical but requiring a good deal of staminal). The upper third of the volcano is covered in snow and the last hundred meters to the summit is icy.

İtinerary : 15 days

DAY 1 ADANA
Meet at the airport of Adana and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 2 ADANA - MT. BOLKAR RANGE In the morning drive to the trailhead village of Tekir 1h drive (1800 m) where our trekking begins from. More impressive cenery as we trek through the Elmali Gorge on our way to our camp site at 2000 m. We walk during 3 hours through a pine forest. We may have opportunity to be invited in the nomads' goats of this area, grazing their flocks. Dinner and overnight at camp. Ascent: 200 m - Descent: 0 m

Day 3 ELMALI - KIZILTEPE
Departing our camp site of Elmali Gorge, we ascend the impressive valley to the Kocagedik pass ( 3050 m.), as we gradually climb up to the pass, the cool mountain air refreshes us. Then we arrive to the Karagol mountain lake with cold and refreshing water. After having crossed the Esek Çayiri grassy area we join our camp site at Kiziltepe at 2800 m. During the summer time some friendly nomads inhabit here, and our tents are usually pitched close to their camp. We can expect to be invited in their goats and drink some traditional drinks made with yoghurt. About 6 hours trekking time. Dinner and overnight at camp nearby nomads. Ascent: 1050 m - Descent: 250 m

Day 4 KIZILTEPE - MEDETSİZ SUMMIT (Optional 3524m)- MADEN village
From our base in the Kiziltepe valley, we make a trekking up to ascend (Optionel) the mount Medetsiz (3524m) the highest peak of the Bolkar range, after 3 hours walking on the plateau surrounded by the peaks of the highest mount of the range. We have a long but easy way getting up to the summit. Then we descend and continue trekking. A straight way is in front of us after we have crossed the pass, from here we descend down to the Maden village (1600 m), in the valley of the same name. 1000 people are living in the village, and they lost nothing of their style of life for centuries. The name meaning “mine or metal” comes from the numerous tin, lead, uranium copper, gold and silver mines in the surrounding hills. Here, we drink a cup of tea in the Kahve (tea- house). Dinner and overnight at camp 1600 m. Ascent: 724 m - Descent: 1924 m. 10 / 11 hours trekking time.

Day 5 MADEN village - MEYDAN Morning after the breakfast we walk up slowly, along a river with running water in the Arpalik valley, to the Meydan plateau to join our camp site at 2350 m. Possibility to spent a walking time around the Çini and Karagöl lakes Overnight here 2350 m. Total trekking time 4 hours. Ascent: 750 m Descent: 0 m

Day 6 Optional: KARATEPE Summit : 3266 m
This day will be spared to mount Karatepe ascension, which highest point is at 3266 m. We’ll take opportunity to spend swimming time in Karagöl and Çinigöl lakes with cool and frsh water. We’ll certainly have chance to contact with nomadic people pitching their tent nearby this lakes and whose main activity is grazing goats. Return back to Meydan campsite (2350m.) for Overnight with all meals. 5 / 6 h trekking. Ascent / Descent: 916m.

Day 7 Meydan – Darbogaz – Kayseri (Night train for Erzurum) Through valleys and hills, we trek to the Darboğaz village, a rather rustic settlement at 1450 m high. This village is famous for its cherries (sweet and sour), walnuts, and green beans, which are purportedly the best in central Anatolia. We meet our minibus, to drive directly to Kayseri then we take the night train (slepper train) for Erzurum. 2h 30 trekking time. Overnight in train. Ascent: 400 m - Descent: 900 m.

 

Day 8 Erzurum – Dogubeyazıt
Visit of the city and some historical monuments : the Çifteminare Mosque, Yakudiye Medrese and the citadel. Overnight at hotel. We meet with our bus then transfer to Dogubeyazıt. Arrive to Dogubeyazıt and installation at hotel.

Day 9 : Doğubeyazıt-Mt. Ararat Transfert to Eli Köy village at 1950m. We walk about five hours uphill on a trail for an elevation of 1250m. to the base camp I at 3200 m. Overnight at camp with all meals. Ascent: 1250m. Descent: 0. 5 hours trekking time.

Day 10 Acclimatization day
Today will be an acclimatization day, walking about five hours on a spongy path made more so by continual mule trafic. Arrive to camp II at 4100m. We descent to our camp at 3200m. Overnight camp with all meals. Ascent: 900 m. Descent : 900m. 6 hours trekking time.

Day 11 Mt. Ararat (camp II)
Trek around Yaser camp II 4200 m. about four hours trekking time. All luggage will be carried by pack animals. A short course will be given on how to use ice-axe and crampons. Overnight at camp site. Ascent: 900m. 5 / 6 hours trekking time.

Day 12 : Mt.Ararat. 5165m Summit
Climb to the summit ( 5.165m) While is not technically difficult climb it does require stamina. Our ascension starts early in the morning. About at 4500 m glaciers and perenniel snows are present, thus the most part of the ascent is done with equipment necassary for ice climbing. Anybody fit for high mountain walking or acquainted with ice climbing. Return to the base Camp I at 3200m. Overnight at camp, with all meals.BLD. Ascent= 1065m Descent= 1965 m. 7h30 hours trekking time.

Day 13 Mt. Ararat-Doğubeyazıt
Descent to Çevirme village, about four hours and drive to Doğubeyazıt. Lunc break in a local restaurant. İn the afternoon visit of the İshak Paşa place. İshak Paşa, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the place in the 17tth century with a mixture of architectural styles. Nearby we can see a basrelief of an Urartian king, and a rock tomb from the ninth century B.C. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 Doğubeyazıt - Van - İstanbul Depart by bus to Van. Tour around city, with its Urartu citadel, dating back to the 1st millenium B.C. mosque and mausoleums of Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Van , the ancient Urartian capital of Tuşpa , tempts visitors to its location on the eastern shore of the lake. This remote but important city is set in a verdant oasis at the foot of a rocky peak. An imposing 9th –century B.C. citadel overlooks the new and the old parts of town. Transfer to the airport and fly to İstanbul.

 

Day 15 İstanbul -home
Transfer to teh airport fly home.

Summits : Mt. Medetsiz 3524m, Mt.Ararat (5165 m),
Limit: 16 pax
Season : July, August,September

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