Trekking
İn Kaçkar And Ararat Mountains
In a country as varied as Turkey it is very easy
to describe an area as unique, but this description fits very
well the mountains, coastline and valleys of the extreme north-east.
The steeply-sloping northern side of the Pontic Mountains has
always isolated this area from both east and west, and several
different ethnic groups can be found today in the wooded valleys
and coastal villages. Probably the most interesting of these are
the Laz, a seafaring people who speak a language which is barely
related to any other, except possibly Irish. Around Çamlihemsin,
where we begin the trek, are a group of people who are famous
throughout Turkey as confectioners, and in the hills are isolated
pockets of Armenians and Georgians, some Christian, some Moslem,
but still speaking their own languages.
Each section of the Pontic range is known by its own name: the
highest is the Kaçkar (pronounced Kachkar, the Turkish derivative
of Caucasus) which rise to almost 13,000 ft. at Kaçkar Tepe. Much
of the range is rugged granite and has been quite heavily glaciated
- different scenery to that found in the Taurus, and particularly
notable are the numerous small lakes found in the upper parts
of the range. The contrast between the northern and southern slopes
is quite dramatic, the former being green and, in places, heavily
forested, while the latter can be quite barren. The lower northern
slopes are very fertile, growing tobacco, tea, cherries and hazlenuts,
and higher up there are extensive areas of rhododendron. Further
up still, the hills are broken up by dramatic steep-sided ravines,
making communication difficult and helping to preserve the distinct
character of the different peoples. The grassy upper slopes, called
‘yaylas’, are covered in snow in winter, and in the summer the
villagers move their herds up here for grazing - we will certainly
meet many of these along the trek.
The people of this region lead a nomadic life,
travelling with their cows and sheep between the lower valleys
and high pastures, where they live for three or four months each
year, pursuing a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.
The woman wear brightly colured scarves turban-style. In the mountain
villages, one senses their love of life and excitement, with singing
and music of bagpipes. While it may sound like another traveller’s
tale, it is infectious and difficult to resist joining in an evening's
dancing when invited.
 |
The Kackar rise beetween the shores of the Black
Sea to the north and the river Coruh Valley to the south. On the
northern flank, a good variety of vegetation flourishes in the
rainy climate. Up to 500 metres above sea level, tea plantations
and citrus orchards cover the hillsides. Chestnut, hornbeam, beech
and other plantations are also present. Today there are more than
100 lakes on both sides of watershed, every valley bottom of this
region contains a rushing stream and waterfalls.
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 : 16 days
Day 1 Ankara
Meet at the airport then transfer toHotel for overnight. Visit
the Ankara citadel and tour around. Ovrnight at hotel.
Day 2 Ankara - Erzurum
In the morning transfer to the airport and fly to Erzurum 1900m.
After lunch visit of the city and some historical monuments :
the Çifteminare Mosque, Yakudiye Medrese and the citadel. Overnight
at hotel.
 |
Day 3 Erzurum – Hevenk
2000m
In the morning drive toHevek village at 2000m, the bus passes
through the tributary of the Tortum lake and the rich pastureland,
with the spectacular panoramic views of the Black Sea mountains.
Foxes annd hawks may be seen frequently from the bus. We arrive
to Hevek. Overnight at hotel. |
Day 4 Hevek
– Dilberdüzü 2600m.
Depart from Hevek village throught the Olgunlar village a typical
village of the Kaçkar region.Today we will pass from the yaylas
the villagers inhabited during the summer time and they graze
their flocks during summer time. After picnic in this typical
village, we continue to our trek . On our way will visit the nomads
camps. Fields of yellown line the streams that the trail follows
to the camp site. The camp site has its own stream and is almost
completely surrounded by the steep snowcapped majestic mountains
of the range. Arrive to the camp site, total trekking time about
5 hours. Overnight at camp at 2600m.
Day 5 Mt. Kaçkar (3937m)
Full day trekking at this magnificent place. Opportunity to climb
Mt. Kaçkar ( 3937m). The climb to the summit will take approximately
six hours. From the summit the peaks of the Caucasus and Mt. Ararat
are visible. En route, we pass the refreshing Deniz lake. Return
to camp of Dilberdüzü (2600m). 8 hours trekking time. Overnight
at camp with all meals.
Day 6 Dilberdüzü – Barhal
We will leave our camp toward Hevek village, Transfer to Barhal
village (officialy renamed Altıparmak) then we arrive to village
and visite the old Georgian chuch. This was built in the 10th
century AD and is reputed to have been repaired by the famous
Georgian queen Tamara in the early 13th century AD. Overnight
at camp site. 4 hours trekking time. |
 |
Day 7 Barhal - Kars
We journey south-east this morning towards the border with Armenia
and to the harsh and isolated garrison town of Kars. Kars is a
commercial hub as well as an administrative centre. In the 9th
and 10th centuries Kars was the centre of an dependent Armenian
principality. Our main objective in coming this far is to visit
the fascinating old site of Ani which we plan to see tomorrow.
Kars, at an altitude of 1755m. This afternoon is left free to
explore the town dominated by a medieval fortress. Built in 1152
it was the scene of bitter fighting during and after WW1 and is
still an active military base. Overnight hotel and breakfast.
6 hours driving.
 |
Day 8 : İn Kars ; excursion
to Ani Drive Dogubeyazıt
Today we have arranged a side-trip to explore the old Armenian
ruins of Ani, some 56 km away. Once a wealthy rival of Kars
but now a ’’Ghost town’’ , Ani lies close to a great ravine
which demarcates the border. Destroyed by the Mongol orders
in 1239, within the city walls are the remnant of churches,
a convent and citadel. Ruined 1000 years-old churches contain
remarkable wall paintings and sculptured decorations representing
some of the finest ecclesiastical architecture of the 9th
and 10th centuries. Late Afternoon drive to Dogubeyazıt about
2h . Overnight hotel and Braekfast. |
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 camp with all meals.
Day 10 Camp at 4200m.
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 4200m. Overnight camp with all meals. |
 |
Day 11 : 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. Overnight at camp,
with all meals.BLD
Day 12 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 13 Doğubeyazıt - Erzurum
Transfert to Erzurum and overnight at hotel. Visite the historical
place of Erzurum.
Day 14 İstanbul
Transfer to teh airport fly to İstanbul and we wil visit the historical
place of Istanbul. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 İstanbul
Istanbul was known until the First World War as Constantinople,
the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Nearly all
the city’s main sites of historic interest are in old Stamboul.
We include a half-day walking tour of the city, taking in the
Blue mosque, Topkapi palace and the hippodrome. the covered bazaar
is not far away and is well worth a visit. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 İstanbul – Home
Transfer to teh airport fly to home.
Summits : Mt.Kackar 3957m , Mt.Ararat (5165
m),
Limit: 15 members
Season : July, August,September
For
price details and more information, please contact us
