Mt Kackar Ascent (3937m.)
A Visit to The Lord of The North
Duration
Best Season
Tour Type
Accommodation
Difficulty
: 6 Days
: July – August - September
: Classical Mountaineering
: Lodge & Camp
: Moderate
Overview
We can describe Kackar Mountains as mountain chain massive which is surrounded by emerald green forest, high pastures, and cascade streams. Kackar is the highest point of the area which is like a sentinel on this cheerful geography. To climb up its summit, you need to approach it either from north or south side. While you climb up to the mountain, you will pass through authentic mountain villages where cheerful locals stay and, forests and Yaylas as well.
In summer we organize a short program which aims an ascent to the summit of the Kackar Mountain massive. In this expedition, for climbing up the summit we approach it from the southern slope of the main massive. Firstly we will drive up to Yusufeli by following up Coruh’s wild stream bed and then stop by Heveg. From there, we will hike Yaylas and mountain lakes of the Kackar’s southern slopes. We will climb via the mountain’s best known route which has a very easy ascent. However it is a long hiking way. We always claim that this climbing has a high quality of service and comfort in itself. And we recommend this ascent to our participants who enjoy trekking and who have experienced long trekking routes in advance.
This program is a combination of a trek on Kackar Mountains, cultural site trips and a climbing expedition to the highest point of the region: Mt Kackar. Although we organized this program as a quick shot ascent according to the demands of our participants, we won’t miss the opportunity of sight seeing trips around this beautiful area. We would kindly like you to visit the Black Sea’s knight with an emerald ring and climb one of the highest mountains in our country with by significant MONTIS difference.
Itinerary Outline
Day 1: Meet in Erzurum – Transfer to Yaylalar
Day 2: Yaylalar – Dilberduzu Base Camp
Day 3: Dilberduzu – Mt Kackar Summit – Dilberduzu Base Camp
Day 4: Dilberduzu
Day 5: Dilberduzu Yaylalar
Day 6: Yaylalar– Erzurum – Airport
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet at Erzurum Airport - Transfer To Yaylalar ( Heveg ) Village
In the morning we will meet with our participants who arrive with the following flights. After a short introducing firstly we will drive up to Yusufeli. On the way we will visit Tortum Waterfalls and some of the Georgian Churches ( Osvank Monastery ). We will have a short break in Yusufeli then drive through villages in the heart of the Kackar Mountain and arrive Yaylalar Village. Here we will settle in our pension and enjoying the area around later complete our last preparations. Dinner will be in our lovely pension.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 5-6 Hours (195 km)
Approximate Altitudes: Yaylalar (Heveg) Village, 2300 m
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Yaylalar – Dilberduzu Base Camp
In the morning we will have breakfast then we will set off from Yaylalar Village. After a short drive first drive up to Olgunlar (Meredet) Village. We will begin our trekking from Olgunlar to head for hiking to Dilberdüzü where is considered base camp of Kackar Mountain’s classical route. White sparkling cascade streams from all over the mountain accompany us on our hike. Sometimes we will jump over streams. We will reach our base camp in Dilberdüzü from a gentle green platos on pathway. Dİlberdüzü is very green, high plato between streams. Our base camp will set up here. After settle down in our tent, we will have a quite delighted dinner then get last information about climbing. We will have some short preparations and then have rest in these marvelous skirts of Mt Kackar.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 15 mins
Approximate Activity Time: 3 Hours
Approximate Altitudes: Yaylalar (Heveg) Village, 2300 m; Olgunlar (Meredet) Village, 2140m; Dilberduzu Base Camp, 2750 m
Meals included: Breakfast- Lunch(Picnic)- Dinner
Day 3: Dilberdüzü – Kackar Summit Climbing - Dilberduzu
We get up earlier, around the sunrise and start climbing. First target to climb up is Sea Lake. Sea Lake is a nice glacier lake is a nice spot to have a morning break. After that we will climb up to passage to pass massive of Mt Kackar. First we hike up slowly to passage and then descend safely from a very steeply way. Here are main Kackar massive with its magnificent beauty. We will arrive Kackar massive in a slowly and safely way then climb up to summit carefully. We are planning to be in summit at noon. According to the weather and physical conditions in the mountain and also our participants’ demands we will have break at the summit in a lot of joy. And then we will climb down from the way we hike up. We will climb down to our base camp after a long break at Sea Lake which is a nice glacier lake and a nice spot. Nearly evening we will be arrive in our base camp. We will have a rest in a good athmosphere of Dilberduzu.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: -
Approximate Activity Time: 8-12 Hours
Approximate Altitudes: Dilberduzu Base Camp, 2750 m, Sea Lake, 3380 m; Kackar Mountain Summit, 3937 m
Meals included: Breakfast- Lunch(Picnic)- Dinner
Day 4: Dilberduzu
We have a spare day just in case of any bad weather or increase the chance to summit with a second day attempt. If not, we will enjoy the campsite and the surroundings. This campsite is always worth to stay one easy day longer. We will hike around and explore the natural beauties.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: -
Approximate Activity Time: -
Approximate Altitudes: Dilberduzu Base Camp, 2750 m.
Meals included: Breakfast- Lunch- Dinner
Day 5: Dilberduzu – Yaylalar
We will start the day with a leisurely morning. We will need a good rest because we will be climb up one of the heights mountain of theTurkey. After breakfast we will pack our camp up, departure from Dilberduzu.We will drive down to Olgunlar (Meredet) Village first passing by streams. Here we will have picnic lunch beyond the yayla on the bank of nice stream. Following that we will drive through our pension in Yayla. At this afternoon if you want you can have rest in our comfy pension or you can join one of our surrounding short trekking with our leader.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 15 Mins.
Approximate Activity Time: 3 Hours
Approximate Altitudes: Dilberduzu Base Camp, 2750 m. , Yaylalar (Heveg) Village, 2300 m
Meals included: Breakfast- Lunch (Picnic)- Dinner
Day 6: Yaylalar – Erzurum - Return
After breakfast we pack up. We will have a nice day in Erzurum city by walking around due to our late flights. At Barhal and Yusufeli we will have breaks there. After that we will drive through Tortum to Erzurum. At the city we are planning to visit historical bazaars, Cifte Minare and Erzurum Castle. Following that we will be airport at 18.00
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 5-6 Hours
Approximate Activity Time: -
Meals Included: Breakfast
Tour Dates & Prices
Please ask for new prices for group of min 6, max 14 pax.
For groups under 6 people, please also contact us.
Please ask our special prices for closed groups and Travel Agencies
Price Includes
MONTIS Trips & Expeditions Leader & Guiding (English Speaking)
All ground transfers mentioned in the program
All personal necessary technical equipment (Helmet, ice-axe, crampons, harness)
All meals mentioned in the program
Full board accommodation at twin rooms mentioned pensions
All general safety equipment
All camping equipment and utilities (Tents, Matresses, Kitchen utensils)
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
Sleeping bag *
*You can hire a sleeping bag for the tour for a surcharge of 20 Euros pp.
Accommodation
Camyuva Pension in Altıparmak, 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.
MONTIS Basecamp in Dilberduzu: Participants stays in dbl tents. We have a kitchen tent, mess tent to dine with portable tables&chairs and cabinet toilet facilities at the basecamp. Basecamp is located near by a little creek where guests can enjoy a refreshing bath on this meadow.
Meals
At the camps we also serve hot dishes for breakfast and dinner. Lunches are served as lunch pack and hot dishes as well in the rest day. We have minimum 3 course for any meal beside the side dishes, snacks, biscuits, dried fruit, cereals and etc. Hot drinks are available all day long in the base camp for free. No beverages and no alcoholic drinks are sold at the basecamp but wine is occasionally served complimentarily.
A Sample Meal Plan on the Mountain
Breakfast at the basecamp: Buffet
Black Tea, Herbal and Fruit Tea Sorts
Instant coffee, coffeemate (cream ) , milk for coffee
Black olive
Green olive
White Cheese
Yellow Cheese (Cheddar)
Cream cheese or gravier cheese
2 different sorts of jam
Honey
Cream Chocolate
Tomato
Cucumber
Hot breakfast dishes as baked sausages, omelet with tomato and sausage.
Lunch Pack
1 bar of chocolate wafer
2 packed cake
1 pack of cracker
200 ml fruit juice (every day different sort)
80 gr – 180 gr of 1 canned food
1 Fresh fruit or vegetable (apple, cucumber etc.)
2 sheet of bread (Lavas)
1 sandwich (on the first day)
Tissues
Plastic fork and spoon
Dinner: Buffet
Soup (tomato, lentil, Mushroom with cream, vegetable, chicken)
Pasta or Rice sorts
Salat
Main Dish (e.g. greenbeans with meat or sausage, Orman Kebabı (A Turkish dish with meat), mixed season vegetable meal , green bean meal with chicken )
Desert (Pudding , Kemal Paşa (A Turkish Desert ) , Sekerpare ( A Turkish Desert ), Cake with sherbet, fruit)
* Please inform us if you have any restrictions in your diet or any diet code is well catered if only informed in advance.
FAQ
Travel Plan
Recommended Domestic Flights:
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.
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.
At the basecamp we also serve hot dishes for breakfast and dinner. Lunches are served as lunch pack and hot dishes as well in the rest day. We have minimum 3 course for any meal beside the side dishes, snacks, biscuits, dried fruit, cereals and etc. Hot drinks are available all day long in the base camp for free. No beverages and no alcoholic drinks are sold at the basecamp but wine is occasionally served complimentarily.
Weather
If travelling in July and August you must be prepared for high temperatures up to 35 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- 4 (Moderate-Hard)
Click here to see the difficulty grading
This trip gives you the chance to climb the highest summit of Northern mountains of Turkey. Mt Kackar is also one of the highest summits of Turkey as well. The region is known as the Swiss Alps of Turkey. 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.
We have a day-off to rest at the basecamp if this day is not spent as a reserve day in case of bad weather or so. Trip leaders may take you a lovely hike from camp back to camp. Depending on the weather, we have an opportunity to enjoy a bath in the creek 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 will be transferred by vehicles and mules to the camp