Alpine Ski Touring in Kaçkar Mountains
Chasing Best Pow of The Country: Kaçkar
Duration
Best Season
Tour Type
Accommodation
Difficulty
: 5 Days
: Winter
: Backcountry Ski
: Pension
: Moderate – Hard
Overview
This trip which chases the best pow conditions in Turkey might be confusing as you arrive in Kackar mountains, because it is everywhere! Any corner of the Kackar mountains are worth to tour in winter.
However, we picked up the best lines with precious expertise depending on the itineraries.
We planned a very intense alpine touring experience once again in Kackar mountains for the ones who like to give an introduction shot to the Kackars. The massive has usually been the best touring host as its geographical location. Rising above the sea level and laying towards the coldest plateaus of east results the best off pist snow. That is also why it has been the one and only heliskiing destination in Turkey.
In this itinerary, alpine tours get to 3000m meters height and even above to earn the best turns. The tranquil remoteness of the region remains the mouth-watering taste of the pure exploration. We are going to run the longest ski lines on and over the peaks, high passes and woods!
Join us to explore the best of the best alpine touring in Kackar with an experienced team and a cozy rural stay!
Itinerary Outline*
Day 1: Meet in Erzurum and transfer to the Kackars.
Day 2: Touring Aksav Deresi to Modut
Day 3: Touring to Çovan Tepesi
Day 4: Touring to Körahmet – Satelev – Bulut Dağı – Baber Geçidi
Day 5: Return. Enjoy downtown of Erzurum and transfer to the airport.
* The aforementioned routes and itinerary operation may vary depending on weather conditions, road conditions, snowfall on the mountain and / or any other current conditions effects the operation such as avalanche risk and slope stability. Your tour leaders are entitled to make changes in your tour program for your safety by evaluating these conditions and informing you of alternatives.
Alpine skiing is a sport that is off-piste off-slope skiing. Apart from skiing skills, it requires off-piste skiing experience. Recommended for the ones above beginner level. This activity requires a high physical and mental condition. Some stages participants are required to carry ski or boards attached their backpacks. Most of the days consist of more than 1000 m of elevation gain by skinning and descents.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Erzurum and transfer to the Kaçkars.
We meet in Erzurum. Please check the recommended flights that our plan is scheduled accordingly. We will directly drive to Kackar Mountains. We will drive along Çoruh Valley then turn towards Kackar Mountains via Yusufeli town. We will be in Heveg Village, aka Yaylalar, late in the afternoon. Welcome to our home in Heveg. We will check in the rooms. Before dinner time we will holding a briefing, safety and equipment check sessions in our cozy restaurant. We can have a short stroll in the village if time permitting. We have dinner in our hotel in this trip. We rest for a wonderful touring day!
App. Vehicle Transfer Time: 4-5 hours, 200 km
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Touring Aksav Deresi to Modut
We have an early start today. After breakfast we will get ready shortly and start skinning right directly from the front door of the hotel. What a chance! The goal is to skin up to the Gungormez Mountains direction along Aksav Valley. We will climb up to the pass approaching Modut Highland. A wonderful descent will take us back to the hotel.
App. Activity Time: 6 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch Pack – Dinner
Day 3: Touring to Çovan Tepesi
Today we will climb along another valley. We start the day early as usual. Depending on the road condition we will drive or skin to Meredet Village, aka Olgunlar. Along the main valley of Heveg Deresi, we will take the route to Diberduzu Basecamp. After a while we will start skinning up to south directing to Covan Tepesi. We will climb up to the top or main eastern ridge of Covan Tepesi depending on the snow conditions. Aftera scenic break on the top, we will switch to ski mode and enjoy a wonderful run down to Meredet. We will have short break in Meredet before we get down the the neighbouring village, Heveg. Same routine: equipment check, dry out, enjoy the cozy environment and laugh. We will enjoy the night with a nice celebration.
App. Vehicle Transfer Time: 15 minutes*
App. Activity Time: 6-7 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch Pack – Dinner
Day 4: Touring to Körahmet – Satelev – Bulut Dağı – Baber Geçidi
Here we go! We will get up early, have a fantastic breakfast, get ready shortly and kick it to send it. We will cross the main valley and the road to Korahmet Village. Once again, we will either have a short drive or start skinning depanding on the snow. Today we will skin along Bulut Valley, first to Satelev Yayla, aka Taşyayla. Then keep some longer to climb gradually up to Baber Pass which is one of the main hiking passes to get to Northern side of the Kackars. We will switch to ski mode up on the pass after a lunch break with the stunning panorama of both sides. The longest ski run awaits.
Late in the afternoon, we will back to Yaylalar. Now, we can start to dream about the next skiing adventure with this team!
App. Vehicle Transfer Time: 15 minutes*
App. Activity Time: 8 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch Pack – Dinner
Day 5: Return. Enjoy downtown of Erzurum and transfer to the airport.
We will drive to Erzurum and enjoy the local cuisine in downtown before getting to the airport for the flights back home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The aforementioned routes and itinerary operation may vary depending on weather conditions, road conditions, snowfall on the mountain and / or any other current conditions effects the operation such as avalanche risk and slope stability. Your tour leaders are entitled to make changes in your tour program for your safety by evaluating these conditions and informing you of alternatives.
Alpine skiing is a sport that is off-piste off-slope skiing. Apart from skiing skills, it requires off-piste skiing experience. Recommended for the ones above beginner level. This activity requires a high physical and mental condition. Some stages participants are required to carry ski or boards attached their backpacks. Most of the days consist of more than 1000 m of elevation gain by skinning and descents.
Tour Dates & Prices
Best Season: Winter
Please ask for new prices for group of min 5, max 10 pax.
For groups under 5 people, please also contact us.
Please ask our special prices for closed groups and Travel Agencies
Price Includes
Tour leadership, mountain guidance and counseling throughout the tour*
All vehicle transfers
All meals mentioned in the program
4 nights half board accommodation in TWN/TRPL rooms
First-aid kit
General safety equipment
Helmet, ice-axe, crampons and snowshoes
Travel insurances
*1 MONTIS Trip Leader for 5-8 pax groups
2 MONTIS Trip Leaders for 9-10 pax groups
Price Does Not Include
Transfers and/or flights to Erzurum
Personal equipments*
Alcoholic drinks and beverages
Unscheduled requests
Insurance
Tips
*Personal technical equipment (helmet, pickaxe, crampons) are provided free of charge on this tour. Personal equipment such as touring skis and split boards, avalanche detectors are not included in our price. A limited number of shovels, DVI devices and avalanche probes are available free of charge.
Single Accommodation:
Single Supplement
100 euro (due to availability)
Accommodation
Çamyuva Pansiyon/ Heveg/ Kaçkar Dağları
It is a family run pension that has been serving visitors for a few decades in southern Kaçkar Mountain. It has been one of our homes in Kaçkars for many years. It is also our choice with its warm atmosphere, clean and comfortable rooms, and delicious food. Its location and the facilities offer maximized comfort, confidence and convenience to all our activities in these mountains. Our participants not only benefit from the comfort and warmth of the common areas, but also stay in rooms with detached facilities.
FAQ
Travel Plan
Recommended Flights
Our tour program is planned according to the following flight options. Different flighst and airlines options are available. You can contact our office for different options for the program. You can buy your flight tickets from our agency. You can make your flight reservation requests by calling our ticket sales department at 0 312 44 0 05 85 or by sending an e-mail to info@montis.com.tr. Our agency is not responsible for any changes made by airlines.
Turkish Airlines
From/To Ankara
Arrival: Ankara (ESB) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK 7070 / 08.30-09.50
Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – Ankara (ESB) / TK 7073 / 19.30 – 21.00
From/To Istanbul International Airport
Arrival: İstanbul (IST) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK2704 / 09.35-11.25
Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – İstanbul (IST) / 2707 / 19.40-21.50
To Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Arrival: Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK7400 / 09.35-11.25
Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) / TK7409 / 20.25-22.25
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.
Weather
The peaks are 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. Daytime temperature is usually 0-8 C degrees and night temperatures are -5 to -12 C degrees without windchill affect. But the temperature can decrease to -15 C degrees above the 2500 m.The occasional storm can't be ruled out.
Is this trip for you?
Activity Level: Moderate / Moderate – Hard (3-4)
Click here to see the difficulty grading
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.