Taurus Mountains & Central Anatolian Volcanoes Ski Trip with Cappadocia
Anatolia’s Most Attractive Winter Trip for Alpine Tourers.
Duration
Best Season
Tour Type
Accommodation
Difficulty
: 8 Days
: January-February-March
: Ski touring-Backcountry Skiing
: Pension-Lodge & Hotel
: Moderate – Hard
Overview
Mountains in Central Anatolia are noncontestable the center of all mountain sports in Turkey. Especially Anti Taurus Mountains Range which is also better known as Aladaglar (The Crimson Mountains) is the Mecca of mountaineering in Turkey. Deep valleys, rocky peaks, unbelievably virgin faces and the snow covered wild slopes of Aladaglar make the region the first choice of the mountain lovers. Adventure seekers, trekkers, rock climbers and of course alpine ski tourers can enjoy the variety of choices from the beginners’ to the experts’ range. The idea of ski touring around the region sounds also like the best option in winter. Summits over 3000 m and ski descents on virgin slopes certainly put a value on every skier’s experience.
We designed a tour for our guests with not only Aladaglar and also with the most attractive mountains in the neighborhood. Mt Erciyes and his sister Mt Hasan are also in our list in this trip. These two are highest extinct volcanoes of Central Anatolia, both rising from the wide plains to the sky. So the majestic views and skiing down the slopes are worth to visit.
Get ready to experience your white dreams while you climb up 5 main peaks, stay in the original Anatolian villages, and discover the unique Cappadocia where the history and Mother Nature formed an extraordinary place. We are ready to make your dreams come true in Anatolia.
Itinerary Outline
Day 1: Meet in Kayseri – Transfer to Mt Hasan / Ihlara Village
Day 2: Ski Touring on Mt Hasan – Demirkazik Village
Day 3: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Alaca
Day 4: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Guzeller
Day 5: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Emler
Day 6: Transfer to Cappadocia – Cappadocia Day Trip – Kayseri
Day 7: Ski touring on Mt Erciyes
Day 8: Transfer to the airport. End of services.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Kayseri – Transfer to Ihlara Village
Our team will meet in you at the airport of Kayseri. After we load up all our gear to our private coach. We will drive to Ihlara village just at the foot of Mt Hasan. Our program experts will inform you about the entire itinerary and details. After all set ups, we will stay in a small and cozy pension in the village.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 2 hrs 30 min
Approximate Activity Time:-
Meals included: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Ski Touring on Mt Hasan (3268 m) – Demirkazik Village
After an early breakfast we will drive about 40 min to reach the start point. We will skin up on skis on Mt Hasan to the crater of the volcano. To reach the main summit a traverse with magnificient view of Anatolian plain is required. You can see Mt Erciyes and Cappadocia from the summit. A long and continuous downhill is waiting for you!
At the end of the day we will drive to Demirkazik Village to Aladaglar Mountain Range and stay in a mountain lodge.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 40 Mins
Approximate Activity Time: 6-8 Hours
Total Ascent+Descent: 2200 m
Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic) -Dinner
Day 3: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Alaca (3588 m)
Today we will drive to Emli Valley which is one the major entrances to the heart of these mountains. We start skinning up in a pine and juniper forest. Along the wide slopes of Mangirci Valley we will ascent the high pass. After a short break we will ascent to Kortekli ridge. Depending on the timing and conditions we ascent to the top of Mt Alaca by a long ridge traverse via the West Ridge and ski down on the virgin slopes of Mangirci valley.
Our crew has a surprise for you when you are back to the point they are waiting at.
We will drive back to the mountain lodge in the village.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 2:00 Hours
Approximate Activity Time: 8-10 Hours
Total Ascent+Descent: 3500 m
Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic) -Dinner
Day 4: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Guzeller (3461 m)
We will go to the Siyirmalik Valley via Emli Valley again. Siyirmalik Valley and Aksampinari high plateau are just at the crossroad junction to the most of the major peaks of Aladaglar range. Today we will ascent to the summit of Guzeller via the west face route. On the west face of Mt Guzeller our route will follow a steep snow couloir up the highest coll between Mt Guzeller Summit and Mt Istanbul Tepe. You can see almost all the southern summits just around you from the summit. Depending on the snow condition and participants’ skills we may either climb the couloir with skis attached on our backs or skin up all the way.
Note: Depending on the snow & weather condition as well as participants capacity we can alternate the climb to Mt Kucukcebel or Avcı Veli High Pass.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 45 Mins
Approximate Activity Time: 6-8 Hours
Total Ascent+Descent: 2900 m
Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic) -Dinner
Day 5: Ski Touring in Aladaglar – Mt Emler (3723 m)
It is time to discover another valley in the region. We will drive to Sokullupinar and walk along Karayalak Gorge which is one of the most spectacular valleys of Aladaglar. We will ascent to Celikbuyduran pass via Karayalak Gorge. After the gorge we are on the south eastern face of Mt Emler , the 3rd highest summit of Taurus Mountains. After a short rest on the summit we will enjoy wonderfull skiing down to Sokullupinar again.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 Mins
Approximate Activity Time: 8-10 Hours
Total Ascent+Descent: 3000 m
Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic) -Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Cappadocia – Cappadocia Day Trip – Cappadocia
It is time have an off day after a few ski touring days. We will drive you to Cappadocia. First stop and excursion is to Derinkuyu Undergroound City which has 8 floors descending down to 87 m under the ground. Then we will visit the Goreme Open air museum, a monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with wall paintings, one of the best known sites of Turkey. Most of the chapels date from the 10th and 13th centuries in the Byzantine and Seljuk periods, and many of them are built on an inscribed cross plan with a central cupola supported by 4 columns. After visiting the Avanos village, famous for its handcrafts as pottery and Carpet, we sleep at our cave hotel in Cappadocia
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 1:45 Mins
Approximate Activity Time:-
Total Ascent/Descent: -
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Ski touring on Mt Erciyes (3917 m)
We will drive to the start point on Mt Erciyes early in the morning. We have an opportunity to get on the chair lift to avoid climbing the pists of the resorts. Then we will be on pure mountain environment again and start skinning up to the summit.
We will be back to the resorts where our private coach is waiting for us. Depending on timing you can enjoy skiing on the pists in the afternoon.
At the end of the day we will be in our hotel for the overnight.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 1:30 Mins
Approximate Activity Time: 8-10 Hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 3400 m
Meals included: Breakfast-Lunch(Picnic) -Dinner
Day 8: Flight to Istanbul – End Of Services
Transfer to airport in Kayseri or Nevsehir for the flight back home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Dates & Prices
Best Season: January/ February/ March
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)
1 tour leader is from Tour Operator is free of charge
All ground transfers mentioned in the program
All meals mentioned in the program
Full board accommodation at twin rooms mentioned hotels. (Guest house in Aladaglar possible triple accomadition)
Ski lift fees on Mt Erciyes First aid kit
Price Does Not Include
International and Domestic Flights
Personal equipment (Backpacks, skies, skins, helmets, walking poles, shoes etc.)
Out of program demands and expenses
Meals which are not mentioned in the program.
Beverages in the hotels and restaurants
Entrance fees for historical sights and parks mentioned in the program
Insurance
Tips
Accommodation
Bent Hotel in city center,Kayseri (Erciyes Volcano): This comfortable city hotel is at the city center. But Just 30 min. far from the ski lodge of Erciyes Volcano. Very suitable for a deep resting after the ski days up on the mountains. For all details please see http://www.benthotel.com/ing/kurumsal.html
Catlak Pension in Selime,Aksaray (Hasan Volcano): This small pension is very close to Hasan Volcano like 40 min. with nice food and friendly and warm atmosphere .
Taurus Guest House in Cukurbag,Nigde (Aladaglar) : This friendly family oireneted guest house located at the hearth of central Anatolian village named Cukurbag just on the skirts of Turkish Dolomites -Aladaglar.There are private facilities in the rooms, 2-3 and 4 beds in one room. For all details please see https://www.taurusguesthouse.com/en-gb
Holiday Cave Hotel (or equivalent) in Cappadocia,Nevsehir : This unique Holiday Flintstones Cave Hotel, located on the southern corner of a small hill, sunshine from sunrise to sunset, has a beautiful garden, When you are watching the breath-taking snowy scenery of fairy chimneys and famous Pigeon Valley from your room.
Pensions & Mountain Lodges have all private facilities in the rooms beside, hair dryer, central heating system. Pensions & Mountain Lodges have internet conditions in the lobby and / or in the rooms.
We will have electricity 220 Volt 50 Hz with plugs. 24 hrs hot water is a standard in the rooms.
FAQ
Travel Plan
Recommended Domestic Flights:
This itinerary starts and ends in Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport in Turkey depends on the avaible 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 skiing 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.
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.
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 – Hard (3-4)
Click here to see the difficulty grading
This trip gives you the chance to climb the highest summit of Central Anatolia , Erciyes Volcano, 3917m. Erciyes Volcano is also one of the highest summits of Turkey as well.
Mt Hasan and Mt Erciyes are both solo standing extinct volcanoes in central Anatolia. They 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 Turkiye while Mt Hasan is almost a remote mountain for skiing just in the heart of Turkiye. Any traveler passing through the Central Anatolian plain will realizes these two huge volcanic massives. The majestic view of the mountains are just so attractive that we can not remain blind to visitors interest to combine skiing trip with these two mountains. Skiing up to those two majestic mountains is intermediately challenging but the view and feelings will be worth for that.
Also gives you a chance to see Aladaglar (Crimson Mountains , Turkish Dolomites) is the mid Taurus Range in between the triangle of Adana , Nigde and Kayseri provinces.
The Aladaglar range runs from the southwest to the northeast for approximately 50 kilometers. It is between 25 and 30 kilometers wide and boasts the region’s highest peak, Demirkazik which stretches to 3756 meters. The highest summit Kizilkaya in the center (3767 m), and Mount Vayvay in the East (3565m). The long range is situated in the provinces of Nigde and Adana and rises between Lake Ecemis and the Zamanti river.
The geological formation of the area is responsible for the interesting rock formations and waterfalls. The erosion of limestone has created a fascinating karstic topography and hydrography, especially in the Yedigoller valley, where karstic underground rivers and caverns collect the surface water. Both the Mediterranean and Anatolian weather systems influence the climate of the Aladaglar bringing warm summers and cool winters to the mountains.
Those karstic mountains are also known as the mountaineering center of Turkey or Mecca of Mountaineering in Turkey by other words. In winter the region offers some of the best slopes available for ski mountaineering. Real wild and remote slopes wait for you in winter.
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