Erciyes Volcano Ascent (3917 m.)

Overview

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 Mt Erciyes is standing extinct volcano in central Anatolia.It covered the magic Cappadocia landscape with volcanic dust and tufa as also they made the region so valuable by rich agricultural soil. Mt Erciyes is the highest summit of Central Anatolia and one of the most well known ski centre all around Turkey just in the heart of Turkey. Any traveler passing through the Central Anatolian plain will realizes this huge volcanic massive. The majestic view of the mountain is just so attractive that we can not remain blind to visitors interest to climbing trip. Climbing up to this majestic mountain is intermediately challenging but the view and feelings will be worth for that.

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Ancient geographer Strabo tells of Mount Argeus (Erciyes Volcano)  in his great book named Geographika. He tells about the possibility to see Black Sea and Mediterian Sea from the summit of Argeus. We know today its not possible, but we can feel the effect of this giant on his brain.

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It is possible to combine your trip with other tours and extend your vacation in central Anatolia or in Turkey. If you would like a longer trip in Cappadocia and Aladaglar with the trekking and  other climbing options , or visit some of the ‘musts’ in Turkey, please contact us.

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For sure that diachronic  Argeus Volcano  will leave you in its spell – definitely an adventure worth the pursuit.

 

Itinerary Outline

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Day 1:  Meet at the airport of Kayseri, lunch  and transfer to Erciyes Ski Center. Trek to the camp site. Dinner at the camp.

Day 2: Early breakfast , climb to the summit. Descend to the camp, pick the camp up and trek back to ski resort.

 

 

 

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1:  Meet at the airport of Kayseri , lunch  and transfer to Erciyes Ski Center. Trek to the camp site. Dinner at the camp.

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Our guides will welcome you at the airport of Kayseri  and transfer you to the city center for a quick visit to  historic old  town. ( Also possible to start the tour from Ankara or Istanbul , please ask for detailed info and updated prices ) 

 

After a delicious otantic  lunch , it is  time to drive up to the ski center at 2200 m. for 30 mins. We will  take chair lifts to reach 2750 m. In Spring,we will have  a short walk to camp area named Cobanini at 2900 m. By this way we will have plenty of time at the camp side,  also  have some time for aclimatisation hike arround the camp.  

 

In winter contitions, we will sleep in the mountain hut at 2750 m, just at the last station of the chair lift.  This hut is actually ferroconcrete  building with some empty rooms no heating sytem in it. There is a  insluted space in it , especially more comfortable than tents in winter conditions. Electricity support is possible depends on storm. 

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After dinner , we will sleep and wake up early in the morning to start the climb.

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Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 Mins

Approximate Activity Time: 2-3 Hours

Approximate Altitudes: Erciyes Ski resort, 2250 m, Mountain Hut 2750 m; Cobanini Camp Area 2900 m

Meals included: Lunch -Dinner

 

Day 2: Early breakfast , climb to the summit. Descend to the camp, pick the camp up and trek back to ski resort.

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After an  early a wake up call, we will have quick breakfast and some hot drinks. We will have a trek arroun 1:30-2:00 hours to reach the starting point of the climbing route at 3300m.  Most of this walk will be in dark especially in winter. We will decide to put on crampoons and start to use ice axes after this point. After 2 hours of climbing , we plan the reach the summit before noon. If the sky is clear, we will have a chance to see Aladaglar, Sultan Marshes , Hasan Volcano in distance from the summit. After having some snacks , time to descend to camp area. After cpicking up of the camp equipments , we will take the chair lifts to go go down to Ski resort.  We  meet with our vehicle to go back to the Kayseri Airport.

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Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 Mins

Approximate Activity Time: 10-12 Hours

Approximate Altitudes: Mountain Hut 2750 m; Cobanini Camp Area 2900 m ,Erciyes Summit 3917m

Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic)  

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PS:  The main summit of Erciyes is behind of the summit we climb. We don't go the highest one the difference is just 17m. , since that's technical and not so comfortable for all participitators.

 

 

 

 

Tour Dates & Prices

 

Best Season: Late February, March-April-May-June 

​Please ask for new prices for group of min  6, max 14 pax.
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For groups under 6 people, please also  contact us.
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Please ask our special prices for closed groups and Travel Agencies

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Price Includes

 

Montis Trips & Expedition Mountain Leaders

All Kitchen Services 

All Meals During The Treks

All Ground Transfers In The Program

Transfer of the Equipments

Tent or Mountain Shelter/Hut accommodation (HB)

Personal Safety Equipment(Helmet, Ice-axe, Crampon)

First Aid Kit

Tent & Mattress

 

Price Does Not Include

International Transfers, Domestic  Air Fares

Entrance Fees for Historical Sights and Parks

Out Of Program Demands

Beverages in the camps and restaurants

Backpack, Walking Sticks, etc.

Personal Gear

Insurance
Sleeping Bag (you can hire from MONTIS Trips & Expedition)

Tips

 

*You can hire a sleeping bag for the tour for a surcharge of 20 Euros pp

 

 

 

 

Accommodation

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Mountain Hut/Shelter :In winter conditions, we will sleep in the mountain hut at 2750 m, just at the last station of the chair lift.  This hut is actually ferroconcrete  building with some empty rooms no heating sytem in it. There is a  insluted space in it , especially more comfortable than tents in winter conditions. Electricity support is possible depends on storm.

 

Camps: In summer conditions, we provide 4  season tents for DBL accommodation. Single accommodation should be asked in advance. Every camp will have a kitchen tent or compartment. We provide portable chairs and tables for dining at  camp only.

Camps and mountain shelters do not have shower and WC facilities.Guides instruct about these issues on your arrival to our camps.

 

 

 

 

Meals:

 

We provide simple Turkish breakfast includes chocalate cream , cheese, olive, jam, honey, cucumber and tomato (depends on the season),  bread served with hot tea or coffee.

 

For dinner, we provide hot soup, pasta or bulgur mixed with some soujouk or mixed vegetables, chocolate bars as desert. We also provide hot water and tea unlimited.

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For summit day, we help you to preapare some sandwiches from breakfast table. Also we give you some chocalate bars, biscuits and some seasonal fruits .

 

 

 

 

FAQ

 

Travel Plan

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Recommended Domestic Flights:
 

This itinerary starts and ends in Kayseri Airport in Turkey. Some domestic flights are recommended to /from Kayseri to connect flights to international flights. Please ask for a confirmation before you purchased your flights.

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 Itinerary can be customized for individuals and groups due to their travel plan. Domestic flights, extra tours ( Cappadocia Trekking,  Mountain Biking in Cappadocia , Traditional and Sport Climbing in Aladaglar etc.)  and city sightseeing can be added to form an itinerary from/to Ankara and/or Istanbul.

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Please contact us for any requests.

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Note: Our company is not responsible about the changes on the flights by the operators or airlines.
 

Visa

 

Holders of most European passports,UK, Austrian, Irish, Portuguese, Spanish and US passports require visas. Visas must be obtained in advance, passengers need to obtain an e-visa prior to their arrival. This can be done online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for approximately US$20. The visa is valid for a stay of up to three months (dependent on passport holder's nationality). For a longer stay a visa from a Turkish Embassy is required. Please click for visa requirements to Turkey for detailed information:

http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

 

Vaccinations

 

There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.

 

Eating and Drinking

 

Food in Turkey is generally very good and varied, making use of fresh local ingredients. Breakfasts normally include  chocalate cream , cheese, olive, jam, honey, cucumber and tomato (depends on the season),  bread served with hot tea or coffee.  Picnic lunches are provided for climbing day.
Restaurants for the lunch  in this trip are specialized in local dishes such as beef dishes, ravioli Turk, pide ,stuffed vegetables etc with soup.  Vegetarians are well catered for.

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Weather

 

If travelling in Spring  you must be prepared for rain falling in the cities. Protracted spells of bad weather are unlikely at any time of spring in the cities.

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If travelling in Winter you must be prepared for snow falling and 0-5 C degrees maximaly in day time in the cities. 

 

However,

 

Mt Erciyes is quiet different than this especially in winter. But as all mountains Mt Erciyes has its own weather and climate characteristics. Mt Erciyes is a strato volcano that self stands on a huge plateau. That is why it collects all the clouds that rise during the day by heating. That creates its precipitation characteristics. Erciyes Mountain generates its own weather conditions; it is not wise to depend on weather forecasts. The peak is subject to severe winds, and sudden changes in temperature.. One has to be equipped for the worst, and one has to know when to quit.

 

In Spring, daytime temperature is usually 10-22 C degrees in  and night temperatures are -3  to 0 C degrees at the campsites without windchill affect.

 

In Winter, Daytime temperature is usually -10 to 4 C degrees in  and night temperatures are -22  to -5 C degrees at the campsites without windchill affect .

 

 

Is this trip for you?

 

Activity Level:  Moderate / Moderate – Hard (3-4)

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Click here to see the difficulty grading

 

This trip gives you the chance to climb the highest summit of Central Anatolia with the views of Aladaglar and Sultan Marshes  on  the South ,  Hasan Volcano on the South East. 

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Sultan Marshes are arround 1 hour away from the Erciyes ski resort with  21,000-hectare expanse of wetlands that attract a wide range of birdlife - 301 different species at the last count. This is one of the best places to go birdwatching in Turkey

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Erciyes Volcano is close to Cappadocia, arround  1:30 hours.  This unique volcanic area is one of the worth to see spot with its historical and jeological background. You can have a chance to trek in the valleys  surrounded with magical fairy chimneys and to hear old stories of very first christians who lived in rock dwellings. Also you can experience to Mountain Biking Tours  for pro single trackers and  sunday afternoon riders.

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Packing

 

You are recommended to have a duffle bag. Only a day pack will be carried during the day. Duffle bags will be transferred by vehicles. or chairlifts to the camp.

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Transportation Of The Equipments

 

Your entire luggage will be transferred to the Erciyes Ski resort by coach.

 

In Winter, we use chairlifts to carry your equipments to the  mountain hut at 2750m. In Spring, we use chairlifts and 4 wheel vehicles  to carry your equipments to the camp area at 2900m. Equipment and camping stuff is carried by the same way.

 

Equipment List

 

Click here to download equipment list

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For further infomation please send us an email to  info@montis.com.tr

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