Mountain Expeditions in Turkey Trans Kackar Range

Day 1 : Istanbul - Arrival

Arrival at Istanbul, transfer to the hotel and overnight

Day 2 : Istanbul - Erzurum - Yusufeli

Transfer to airport for the flight to Erzurum, driving to Yusufeli, overnight at the hotel

Erzurum is the largest city in Eastern Turkey, sprawls on a high plateau at an altitude of 1,950 meters. As you enter the city, the large Aziziye monument commemorating the Turkish–Russian war will catch your eye. The city walls and fortress are reminiscent of the period of Byzantine rule. You can see Ottoman buildings in Erzurum. The great architect Sinan left his mark on the city in the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque.

Day 3 : Yusufeli - Kackar

Driving to Altiparmak village, half day trekking, overnight at the camp

Day 4 : Kackar Range

Departure from Altiparmak village to Olgunlar village, overnight at the camp

Day 5 : Kackar Range

Departure from Olgunlar village to the base camp ( Dilberduzu ), overnight at the camp

Stretching for 30 km parallel to the Black Sea between Rize and Hopa.That range peaks up to 3,932 m. In height with numerous glaciers,lakes, forests and hot springs. The Region covers the Eastern Black Sea Area. Peaks of the range are long a path parallel to the Black Sea coast and are seperated by deep valleys. There are some persistent snows and glaciers on the north slopes and many glacier lakes. The highest point of the Eastern Black Sea Range, is the Kaçkar Peak (3932m). The ranges are made up of Vercenik Range in the West, Altiparmak Range in the East and the Kackar Range in the Center. The region is a forest area with tree level of 2500m. There are plenty of water sources as well as some thermal springs. This region is very suitable for trekking,summer climbing and sky climbing.

Day 6 : Kackar Summit – 3932 m.

Climbing to the summit of Mt. Kackar. Afterwards return to the base camp and overnight

Day 7 / 10 : Kackar Range

Four days trekking on the Kackar range starting from base camp, arriving Ayder village via Yaylalar village, Deniz Lake and Kavron plateau (crossing from South to North). Transportation of equipment by pack animals to the camp sites. Overnights at the camps

Day 11 : Kackar - Trabzon

Driving to Trabzon, visiting Sumela Monastry, overnight at the hotel.

Trabzon, the major city of the region, was founded in the 7th century B.C. by Miletian colonists, and was later at the center of the Comnene Empire established after the fall of Byzantine.The exiled Byzantine court ruled until 1461 when the Ottomans conquered the area. The jewel of Trabzon's monuments is the restored 13th-century Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque and now as the Ayasofya Museum. Splendid frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine painting, cover every one of the interior church walls.

Day 12 : Trabzon - Istanbul

Transfer to airport for the flight to Istanbul, transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Day 13 : Istanbul

Full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul and overnight at the hotel First we will visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish etc., Then we will the ferry for a Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential and luxurious apartments.

After lunch we will drive through Bosphorus Bridge, Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA) to another (EUROPE) in 2 minutes. We will have a break in Camlica Hill, Exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view

Day 14 : Istanbul - Departure

Transfer to airport

Additional notes:

Rates are valid for 2007 in US$.

Tour Cost: Per person in Double or Twin accommodation

2 - 3 people : 2575US$

4 – 5 people : 1750US$

6 – 7 people : 1475US$

8 – 9 people : 1375 US$

10 – 14 people: 1275 US$

Domestic flight tickets

Istanbul – Erzurum: 95 US$

Trabzon – Istanbul: 95 US$