Kackar Mountains Trek Tour

Overview

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Kackar Mountains are the most important trekking centre of Turkey. The most beautiful trekking routes are found at this marvelous terrain between the highlands which were used for thousand years by the locals.  These highlands are connected each other inside of forest trails, high hills or passages over 3000 m. These trails were always effective on this terrain’s endless tolerance, rich culture and ethnicity. Not only the farm animals and news from other villages, at the same time folk songs, language and folk tales were passed one highland to another by these trails. On these mountains Georgians, Armenians, Lazes and Turks lived together for a long time and performed a collective cultural structure. We are going to learn and live local names of villages, folk dances and tales of this cultural treasure on our treks.

 

On our tour we will be on the south side of Kackar Mountains massive. Especially during the summer period green and blossomed valleys, stable weather conditions are the significant differences than the other parts of the mountain range.  You can find emind blowing mountains lakes, historical churches, lively summer villagesas well as forgotten highland settlements. We will trek through the rivers and ever green forests.

 No matter you are much into longer trails on consecutive days or new to the mountain hikes. The itinerary satisfies the both as we stay in the pensions and anyone can enjoy a day off and just chill in the villages. Our program has only two bases that we are going to be back after every trail. So, you do not need to repack your stuff every single day! Dinners will be ready in the pensions including dishes from the mouthwatering local cuisine. As we arrive we will always have time for hot shower for refreshing.
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What only required is your passion for nature in this rural part of Anatolia!
 

 

Itinerary Outline

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Day 1: Erzurum - Tortum Waterfalls - Osvank Church – Barhal – Check-in to the pension

Day 2: Barhal - Sabangil - Kilyon - Barhal

Day 3: Barhal - Amanesket - Naznara - Satibe – Transfer to Heveg (Yaylalar) pension

Day 4: Heveg - Aksav - Modut - Mikelis – Heveg (Yaylalar)

Day 5: Karamolla - Sulementa - Varhal – Demirdoven – Heveg (Yaylalar)

Day 6: Yaylalar - Vilizor - Meredet  - Heveg (Yaylalar)

Day 7: Transfer to Erzurum

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Itinerary

 

Day 1: Erzurum - Tortum Waterfalls - Osvank Church – Barhal – Check-in to the pension

We will meet the participants due to the flights mentioned below. After our brifing we will be on the way to Yusufeli. On the way we will visit Tortum Waterfall and Osvank Church. For lunch and final needs we will stop at Yusufeli. Then we will continue to Barhal Village that we are going to stay for 2 days in the hearth of Kackar Mountains. Our dinner is at our pension. 

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 5 hours.

Approx. Trek Time:-

Meals included: Dinner

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Day 2: Barhal - Sabangil - Kilyon - Barhal

After early breakfast we get prepared for our first trek. At the end of the day we will be back to our pension so we will not need to check out from the pension. We will start our trek from our pension and walk from the main road about 3 km. to a concrete bridge. Our trek starts from this point into a narrow valley and and ascent with a zig-zag pathway. We will see bear nail traces on the electric poles and will reach to a characteristic living. highland neighbourhood. Here is Sabangil. Small, clean village with lovely people. After a short break we will continue to village Kilyon; inside of the forest will be covered with pine needles and cones. Singing birds will accompany us on this peaceful trail. We will fill our water bottles from fountain of the village. Then we will descend to Barhal, our pension through an earth road. We will have time to cool down on the riverside close to our pension. Our dinner will be waiting for us.     

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: -

Approx. Trek Time: 5 hours

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch Box – Dinner

 

Day 3: Barhal - Amanesket - Naznara - Satibe - Transfer to Heveg (Yaylalar) Pension

After our breakfast we prepare our luggage to leave our pension after our trek. We will have a transfer to our final pension which will be our base to the end of our tour. Our guides will give you the briefing. We will have one hour vehicle transfer to the beginning of today’s trail through a affluent river covered around with trees and flowers. We will ascend on our trail below from peaceful Amanesket and Naznara highland villages. These villages positioned on a ridge and dominating both valleys under the summits of Altiparmak mountain region; legendary Marsis and Nebisatgur. After the ridge we will ascend to the famous secret glacier lake Karagol. On this silent and tranquil lake side we will have our lunch. After that we will descend to the most scenic camp site of the area Satibe camp site. We will fill our water bottles from the shepard fountain coming from the highlands. Under the shadow of Nebisatgur we will have a break and continue from a forest trail to the Naznara village and will meet with our vehicle. in the afternoon we will take our luggage from our first pension and travel to our final base on Heveg (Yaylalar) village. We will have our dinner here.     

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 1 hour

Approx. Trek Time: 6 Hours

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch Box – Dinner

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Day 4: Heveg - Aksav - Modut - Mikelis - Heveg (Yaylalar)

 

Today we will start our trek from our pension. After our breakfast we start our slowly ascending trail through Aksav Valley. We will ascend through the Aksav stream in green field and flowers. On our last attempt we will reach a long concave passage to the Modut highland village. This is one of the most popular and alive village in the area. From here we will descend from zig-zag car road to the skirts of Mikalis village. Then we will take a narrow path inside of the planting terraces of Mikalis until we reach to the centre of the village. Our vehicle will be waiting for us on the entrance of the village to take us to our pension.   Our dinner is at our pension.

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 min.

Approx. Trek Time: 6 hours 30 min.

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch Box – Dinner

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Day 5: Karamolla - Sulementa - Varhal - Demirdoven/Zamevan - Heveg (Yaylalar)

When you look at from patio of our pension you can see most of the part of passage that we are going to trek today. After our breakfast and a short trip with our vehicle, we will arrive our start point in Karamolla neighbourhood. We will start to ascend to the ridge of highest hill and our next 2 hour aim is to reach to the Sabahda Passage. Bulut Mountains, valleys with streams will be in our vision from this highest point. Following Sorunpiyat stream on our left, we will descent to the one of the most secret and abandoned village Sulemanta.  After our lunch break will continue to descend to the stream side and will continue through a rocky path following the valley hillside, getting into the forest and arrive to living village Veknal. After Veknal having the car road short a while, your guide will enter to hidden entrance of last trail from to the road which will arrive to our final destination today; Zamevan as known as nowadays Demirdogen village. Our vehicle will take us to our pension for dinner and to have rest.    

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 min.

Approx. Trek Time: 8-9 hours

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch Box – Dinner

 

Day 6: Yaylalar – Olgunlar - Dilberduzu Camp site - Heveg (Yaylalar)

 

On our last day as usual we will start the trail after breakfast. This time we will go to camp site Dilberduzu which climbers are using from south classic route of Kackar Summit. We will start trekking from our pension to the last village called Olgunlar. After resupplying our water bottle, we will pass a bridge that welcomes us to the hearth of Kackar Summit. Along the valley and slightly ascending trail will take us to this popular camp site. There will be another colourful life here; tents, climbers, trekkers, campers at 2800 m. altitude. We can refresh ourselves in the stream coming from cold mountain lakes around. After opening our lunch boxes and having fresh tea from climber friends we will start to descend to our pension. For the last dinner we will meet at the restaurant section of our pension.

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: -

Approx. Trek Time:: 6-7 hours

Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch Box – Dinner

 

Day 7: Transfer to Erzurum

After a leisurely breakfast we prepare our luggage. Our flights are at the evening time so we have time to see around and historical Erzurum. We will have stops at Barhal and Yusufeli. Then we will arrive to Erzurum at lunch time over passing Tortum, we will visit Erzurum’s historical markets, Cifte Minare, Erzurum Castle. We will be at the airport around 18.00.

 

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast

 

 

 

 

Tour Dates & Tour Price

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13-19 July 2024 

​900 Euro per person in 6-14 pax group
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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 & Expeditions Leader & Guiding (English Speaking)
All ground transfers mentioned in the program    

All meals mentioned in the program
Full board accommodation at twin rooms mentioned pensions
All general safety equipment

Entrance fees for historical sights and parks
First aid kit

 

Price Does Not Include

Flights, ground transfers to the meeting point (Erzurum)

Personal equipment (Backpack, walking poles, shoes etc.)

Out of program demands and expenses

Meals which are not mentioned in the program

Insurance

Tips

 

 

 

 

Accommodation

 

Barhal Pension in Altiparmak , Yusufeli, Artvin: This lovely local houses located at the entrance of the village. Bungalows have private bathroom and WC facilities. The landlord Mustafa has delicious local dishes for dinner and breakfast is feasty at here. This is our favourite place to stay in Barhal.

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Camyuva Pension in Yaylalar, Yusufeli, Artvin: This is the well known place in Heveg. This family run pension is the centre point of the trekkers, skiers and mountain lovers. A tourism symbol of the region.Rooms have private facilities and meals are served in a cosy dining hall.

 

 

 

 

FAQ

 

Travel Plan

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Recommended Domestic Flights

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

Itinerary can be customized for individuals and groups due to their travel plan. Domestic flights, extra tours and city sightseeing can be added to form an itinerary from/to Ankara and/or Istanbul. Please contact us for any requests.

 

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.

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Eating and Drinking

 

Food in Turkey is generally very good and varied, making use of fresh local ingredients. Breakfasts normally include boiled eggs, omelets, cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, honey or jam and yoghurt, olives and bread. Picnic lunches are provided for trekking days.
Lodges in this trip are specialized in local fish (trout) dishes, others in various beef dishes with vegetable meals and soup. Vegetarians are well catered for.

 

Weather

 

If travelling in July and August you must be prepared for high temperatures up to 38 deg C down in the cities. However, the places where the lodges are located have a nice cool weather, refreshing breezes at day time. Rain is not rare. it is not always possible to avoid the heat of the midday sun. The occasional storm can't be ruled out. Protracted spells of bad weather are unlikely at any time of July and August.

 

Is this trip for you?

 

Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)

 

Click here to see the difficulty grading

This trip gives you the chance to see Kackar mountains, high alps and local seasonally settlements which are called Yaylas. En route from and to airport we have chance to visit the highlights such as Tortum Waterfalls and Georgian. However, to enjoy this trip to the full, a fair level of fitness and physique are required. 
The itinerary is very active and long periods of time are spent outdoors. Anyone can have a day-off, rest in the lodge and enjoy the village in case they get tired. There on few of the treks we have an opportunity to enjoy a bath in the rivers as well as lakes. So, a pack-towel and swimsuit might be a good idea. Then, you do not miss a Turkish Hamam option with your own bathing clothes. Please note that the Tour Leader reserves the right to refuse participation of any client on any activities on safety grounds or if they feel that their participation will compromise the safety and enjoyment for the rest of the group. 
The order of activities, trekking routes may be changed to suit local weather conditions.

 

Packing

 

You are recommended to have a duffle bag. Only a day pack will be carried during the day. Duffle bags, suitcases will be transferred by vehicles from lodge to another once at the spot.

 

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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