Place: Notnerneast and East of Turkey. Rize and Ağrı
Transportation: Domestic flights: İstanbul-Trabzon. Erzurum-İstanbul. Minibus transportation between cities.
Accomodation: Tourist class hotels in city centers. Pensions in villages and tent in mountains.
Activity: Mountaineering & trekking & sightseeing
Aktivity Period: 14 Days
Grade: Difficult. You must be healty and conditioned.
Necessary personal equipment: Gore-tex clothes. Crampons, Carabins, Helmet, Head lamp, İce Axe. (Sleeping bags, backpacks and tents are given by DEEPNATURE)
Person: Minumum 5 maksimum 20 person.
Tour dates: July- Agust ;
Guides: Professional mountainers who are member of Mountaineering Federation of Turkey. English speaking guides.
Price: FB. All bus transportations, all meals, needed camp equipments, english speaking guides.  

TOUR

Day 1: Meet in  Trabzon Airport and stay in 3 star hotel.

Day 2: Trip to Sumela Monestry, Karaca Cave, Zigana, Uzungöl and Ayder with a minibus. Stay in pension (wooden pension, toilet and bath in all room.) Total 8 hour drive.

Day 3: Departure to Yusufeli. Rafting possibility in Çoruh River. And stay one night in a pension (common toilets and baths) Total 4 hour drive.

Day 4: Departure to Hevek (1800m) and stay in wooden pension (common toilet and bath) Total 4 hour drive.

Day 5: Trek to Dilberduzu Camp site (2900m). Total 4 hour trek. Stay one night in a tent.

Day 6: Trek to Kaçkar Summit (3937m) Total 11 hour trek. People not have to climb to the summit. Stay one night in a tent.

Day 7: Return to Hevek. Stay one night in a pension. Total 4 hour trek.

Day 8: Transfer to Doğubeyazit. Ani Antic city.  Total 5 hour drive. Stay in 2 star hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to 2500m and trek to 3200m with a truck. Excursions of Noah's Ark, Glacier Caves, Meteor Hole. Total 5 hour trek. ( 0 C in nights at 3200m)

Day 10: Trek to 4200m base camp. Total 4 hour trek. (-15 C in nights at 4800m)

Day 11: Trek to Ararat Summit before sun rises. (5137m) Total 9 hour trek. Last 300m to summit is glacier climb. We need crampons.

Day 12: Return to Doğubeyazit. Stay in hotel.

Day 13: Transfer to Erzurum and İstanbul. Total 5 hour drive.

Day 14: City excursion and Departure to home.

All camp equipments carried by mules and transportation vehicles. (exept summit day)

Program can be changed according to group size, weather and people's conditions. This schedule can be changed according to the groups.

Airports: Trabzon airport for arrivvals, Erzurum Airport for departures

Hotels: Trabzon and Doğubeyazit tourist class hotels.

Pensions: Ayder, Yusufeli and Hevek local persions.

Trasportations: Plane, minibus, truck, mule.  

About The Trip

Age: We cannot accept bookings from unaccomained minors, although we can sometimes take accompained teenagers depending on their experiences and the suitability of the trip. We do not have a strict upper age limit, but as this is by nature adventurous active holidays and all contain elements that require a certain level of fitness and mobility, you must be certain that you are capable of fully participating in the activities indicated in the Fact Sheet. In certain circumstances  we may require reasonable proof of medical fitness and general suitability before accepting a booking for particular trip.

Medical Fitness: For your own safety, if you are over 55, if you are travelling on a high altitude trek (over 3000), or have a medical condition that might interfere with your enjoyment, we ask you to complete a medical form and seek your doctors’s consent to your participation. In the event that your doctor do not agree, we will allow you to transfer your money without penalty If you are booking less than 56 days before departure, we recommend that you obtain your doctors’ consent prior to booking.

Experience: For certain this trip we require further information to ensure that your experience and fitness matches that required to safety undertake the holiday. We ask you to complete the experience section on the Booking Form, whereas for grade D trekking trips, where ice axe and crampons are required.

Groups and Discounts: We are normally able to give discounts to groups of 10 or more people booking together on one of our regular departures, and in many areas we can put together a special itinary if you have a group of friends interested. Minimum 8 pople needed for operation and maximum 20.

Fact Sheets: For this trip we attach a Fact Sheet containing a detailed itinary and essential tour information.     

                     

Before You Go

Travel Insurance: It is a condition of joining this trip you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance. You must also ensure that the policy you take provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved in your holiday. You must carry proof of insurance (eg your insurance certificate) with you on your trip, you will be required to take out a suitable policy at that time.

Health, Visas and Passports: It is a good idea to have a medical and dental check-up before you travel. On this trip a first aid kit is carried to deal vith minor accidents, but this is necessarily limited. You will need a fully Passport valid for at least six months. If there is a need you obtain a visa prior to arrival, and it is your responsibility to obtain those that are necessary.  

On Your Trip

Spending Money: It is difficult to give an average amount as so much depends on the individual and the destination, but it would be wise to allow a minimum of 10 $ per day for incidentals and trips, though on this trip it would be hard to spend as much as this. Remember there are often souvenirs to buy and you should allow some extra spending money for this.

Baggage on Flights: You are restricted to 20kg of baggage on most flights. We recommend you to take rather less than this to allow for souvenirs that you may want to bring back.

Baggage on Trip: On this trip there is restrictions as to the type and weight of baggage that you can bring; on trips where it is not possible to take a suitcase you will need a back pack. Generally you can take whatever type of bag will protect your belongings and stand up to rough treatment.

On-Trip Services: Our staff are there to help if you need any special assistance. This trip is more participatory: on some we have cooks and camp helpers to do the work, and you will not be expected to do any helping, but you will need to help by putting up your own tent, and sometimes also by joining a cooking.

Food: Meal plans prepared according to mountain menu. All you need to do is to take enough money to cover the cost of meals not included in the trip cost, and any of drinks and incidentals.

Hotels and Pensions: In the main centres we normally use at least tourist class hotels, wherever possible with twin rooms and private facilities. Accomodation based on twin-share, though single rooms are somatimes available for an extra cost. By nature, accomodation in remote areas is often of a simpler type; there may be only be low standart hotels, and lodges and pensions. In such places, services such as plumbing and hot water can be erratic and below the standarts found in your home country.

Camping Equipments: Where camping equipments is needed, all the communal items are supplied by DEEPNATURE, including tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, packs, cooking and eating utensils.

Clothing and Equipment: On this trip light, comfortable casual clothes are all that is needed, plus cold and wet weather protection. Gore-tex equipments strongly recommended.

What The Price Includes

Domestic Flights: Domestic flights in the destination country are included, exept where tickets for these have to be issued in conjuction with your international ticket 

Accomodation: Whether in hotels, lodges, pensions or camping this is always included during the tour.

Single Rooms or Tents: Our prices are based on twin share accomodation. If you book on your own, we arrange for you to share with a person of the same sex. We do not charge a single supplement. If you would like a single room or a tent on a particular holiday you should contract us. You can book and pay for this before, it may be necessary to make the request locally and pay the supplement if the room or tent if sharing. Please note on this trip single accomodation is may not available dou to local conditions.

Food: Meal plans vary according to area and circumstances; for every trip, details of what is included are shown in the food section of this trip, in the Fact Sheet.

Transport: All necessary transport during the trip is included, whether private or public, include airport transfers on arrival and departure.

Sightseeing: Included wherever it is part of the itenary ( as stated in the Fact Sheet) There are usually optional trips too.

Staff: On all trips we provide a leader, assisted by local guides, drivers and any other staff as appropriate. Leaders usually meet the group locally.

Permits, Taxes and Entrance Fees: We include all necessary local permits, taxes and entrancefees to National Parks or sites which are part of the itenary.

Not Included Visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, airport taxes, where not included in the price of the ticket, other personal equipments, entrance to historical sites if not specified in the fact sheet, extra optional excursions and any personal expenditure such as laundry, drinks and tips.

Kaçkar (Green Mountains)  

In the rainy and lush landscapes of northeastern Turkey, the Kackar mountains form the northern section of the Anatolian mountain chain. The Kackar Kavron summit, at an altitude of 3932 meters, is the highest point in the range.

Oved the tea gardens are the Kaçkar Mts. which has the wildest jungles of the country. Two glaciers on the north face of Kaçkar peak and one glacier on tha south face of Kaçkar peak which cherishes in the rivers sprining from the permamenet snows, the thermal healty waters and the glaciers, arriving at the rivers sprining from permanent snows, the thermal healty waters and the glaciers, arriving at the forest are another interesting property of Kaçkar.

Some of residents call the Kaçkar "Honey Mountains". With the help of a wide number of wild plants in region.

Extensive glacier and water erosion have given these mountains their craggy, rugged look, and they are known for the complexity and power of the streams and rivers which rush down to the lower altitudes. In fact, this range is the third most important glacial region in Turkey following the Agri (Ararat) and Cilo_Sat mountains. The geological and mountaineering aspects of the Kackars contribute to their importance in Turkey's economy and tourism. 

Climate The region enjoys an almost sub_tropical climate of temperate yet rainy weather with an average temperature of 14! C. The lowest temperature, 7! C., fall in the month of January while August sees the hottest days reaching a maximum recorded temperature of 22.6! C.

Location & Flora The Kackars rise in between the shores of the Black Sea to the north and the River Coruh valley to the south. On the northern flank, a good variety of vegetation flourishes in the rainy climate. Up to 500 meters above sea level, tea plantations and citrus orchards cover the hillsides. Chesnut, hornbeam, beech and other large leafed trees forest the slopes to 750 meters. Between 750-1500 meters of elevation, pines mix in with the broad leafed trees forest the slopes to 750 meters. Between 750-1500 meters of elevation, pines mix in with the broad leafed trees until gradually they remain the only species of tree from 1500-2000 meters.

Alpine Meadows Alpine meadows and other grassy vegetation covers the ground above 2100 meters. On the southern faces of the Kackars, which receive strong sunshine and less precipitation, the agriculture is based on the cultivation of fruits and vines. As on the north side in the higher elevations, meadows of wild flowers and grass blanket the slopes up to 2300 meters.

Trips & Climbs The Altiparmak, Kavron, Varsamba mountains are the principal peaks of the Kackars. Both the north and south faces of the Altiparmak and Kavron can be scaled but Varsamba should only be attempted from the north face. It is imperative to use a local guide when climbing the Kackars.

 

Ağrı (Mt. Ararat)

Rising at the borders of Turkey and Iran, Mount Agri, an inactive volcano capped year round with ice and snow, rises to 5137 meters. The Old Testament records that it was on this mountain that Noah's Ark came to rest after the great flood. Southwest of the mountain, the Little Mount Agri (Ararat) reaches up to 3896 meters; the Serdarbulak lava plateau (2600 m) stretches out between the two pinnacles. Climbing the spectacular Agri is a challenging and rewarding experience.

The top of Ararat is covered with a large cap glacier and many valley glaciers run from the top. The worlds attention has been drawn have due to Noah's history. In the south near a village theri is a long fossil which is supposed to belong to Noah's Ark because of similarity, according to some archologists studiying this subject.

In the summer, the weather in the area and on Mount Agri is sunny, warm and dry. However, in the winter and spring, cold and harsh conditions prevail, and mountain climbers occasionally face blizzards and turbulent weather. July, August, and September are the months when most world mountain climbers come to the area. Climbing up Agri is most enjoyable during this period. However, despite the usual sunny and clear weather at that time of year, high altitude mountain weather swirls around above 3000 meters. The southern side of the mountain offers the easiest and safest climb to the summit. With this route one has access to the best route communication and transportation facilities and it is safe. It is not recommended to climb Mount Agri alone and without a guide.

Getting There The Trabzon- Erzurum- Iran International Transit Highway, an asphalt road skirts the western and southern flanks of Agri before leading into Iran. Dogubeyazit, 270 km from Erzurum and nearby Igdir, the two closest towns to the mountain, are located on this route. Planes, trains, and buses connect Erzurum with Ankara.

Regional Attractions The area surrounding Agri has retained its natural beauty. The local population still engages in a traditional life styles. In the summer months the villagers move to the yayla, the summer pastures, to find fresh grazing for their herds of sheep, goats, cattle and horses. Women continue to weave carpets and kilims in time _ honored designs; Village of Ortulu is particularly renowned as a center of beautiful handicrafts. Other nearby tourist attractions include the Ishakpasha Palace, a fabulous 18th century castle of a local potentate, and the meteor hole near the Iranian border.

Do not miss the spectacular site of the Ishak Pasa Palace, only 6 km from Dogubayazit. Ishak Pasa, Ottoman governor of the province, constructed the palace in the 17th century with a mixture of architectural styles. Nearby you can see a bas-relief of an Urartian king, and a rock tomb from the ninth century B.C. Near Dogubayazit, Turkey's most scenic natural monument, Mount Agri rises to a height of 5,137 meters. To see the place where it is believed that Noah's Ark came aground, go to Üzengili Village, 25 km east of Dogubayazit. Be sure to try the local dessert (Actually it is very widely popular all around Turkey) Asure (Noah's Pudding), believed to have first been made by Noah's wife from the last bits of food in the ark.

Ararat is the largest and highest (16,940 feet, 5,165 m) volcano in Turkey. Ararat is located at 39.7N, 44.3E. In this image, north is to the lower left. The border with Armenia is 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the summit and is roughly along the left edge of the image. Ararat has not erupted in historic time. The most recent eruption was probably in the last 10,000 years. The volcano is thought to be the resting place of Noah's ark. The observation of vessel-shaped features in aerial photographs of Ararat caused a stir in the late 1950s. Expeditions found the features to be landslides and lava flows.

The cause of volcanism in eastern Turkey has not been established. However, the region lacks moderate and deep earthquake activity common to most subduction zones. An alternative model proposes renewed subduction of continental lithosphere  A third model proposes that volcanism is related to shear along the contact of the two plates.

Mount Ararat lies in the far east of Turkey close to the borders with Iran, Iraq and Armenia. Kackar mountains, which are still accessible to visitors and in many ways more attractive to mountain walkers since they comprise a complete range of mountains, rising to 3932m, rather than the isolated volcanic cone of Ararat. Ararat is the great prize however for mountain collectors, not only because it is the highest summit in Turkey but also for its historical significance.

(Armenian Masis; Turkish Agri Dagi; Persian Koh-i-Nuh), mountain, extreme eastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia and Iran. Except on the northwest, where a spur nearly 2134 m (7000 ft) high merges with a long ridge, the mountain is completely isolated, being surrounded on all other sides by elevated plains ranging from about 760 to 1370 m (about 2500 to 4500 ft) above sea level. From an elevation of about 2680 m (about 8800 ft) Ararat rises in two peaks, known as Great Ararat (5122 m/16,804 ft) and Little Ararat (3914 m/12,840 ft). Above the 4267-m (14,000-ft) level, Great Ararat is perpetually covered with snow. Vegetation, consisting for the most part of grasses, is chiefly confined to the area between about 1525 and 3355 m (about 5000 and 11,000 ft). According to the Old Testament (see Genesis 8:4), Noah's ark landed on the “mountains of Ararat” after the deluge. On July 2, 1840, great masses of the mountain were torn loose by a violent earthquake. The resulting avalanche buried a village and the St. Jacob's Monastery on its lower slopes producing the Ahora Gorge.