Kackar Mountain Summit Trek 3937m

Initial region Black Sea

Duration 9 Days

Language English, Spanish

Price € 875 _{/ person}

Trek to the summit of Mount Kackar (3937m)

Discover the ancient city of Erzurum, once the caravan crossroad of the Silk Road

Relax at the Tortum waterfall

Visit Trabzon & the Sumela Monastery

Experience Black Sea culture & the warm and Turkish hospitality

Discover Osvank church, an 11th century Georgian churc

Enjoy beautiful mountain landscapes on this scenic hike

Flora, The most unique endemic flowers and plants

Fauna, Brown bears, ibexes, lynxes, wolves, snowcock and black grouses.

Black Sea Mountains, Kackar Mountains 3937 m are the most important trekking centre of Turkey. The most beautiful trekking routes are found at this marvelous terrain between the highlands which were used for thousand years by the locals.  These highlands are connected each other inside of forest trails, high hills or passages over 3000 m. These trails were always effective on this terrain’s endless tolerance, rich culture and ethnicity. Not only the farm animals and news from other villages, at the same time folk songs, language and folk tales were passed one highland to another by these trails. On these mountains Georgians, Armenians, Lazes and Turks lived together for a long time and performed a collective cultural structure. We are going to learn and live local names of villages, folk dances and tales of this cultural treasure on our treks.

On out tour we will be on the north side of Kaçkar Mountains. Especially during the summer period green and flowered valleys, stable weather conditions are the most important differences than the other parts of these mountains.  You can find exciting mountains lakes, historical churches, living and also forgotten highland villages. We will trek through the rivers and all green forests.

Our program is advised to the trekkers who would like to walk long trails and consecutive days as much as to the ones who would like to rest between trail days. Because our comfortable pensions and camp sites will give you opportunity to stay and rest any day you want. Three days camping and other days in hotels we have comfortable standards Our dinners will be ready when we arrive and will have always time to have hot shower for refreshing in hotels.  One condition is necessary to join this program; to love nature. You will find be loved back in this tour.

Day 1

Join Erzurum

We are meeting in Erzurum Airport or  in Erzurum city centre in our hotel today, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel located in the city centre (approx. 15-20min) . Erzurum is known as a city of history and, because of its geographical location a strategically important town for generations. Once caravan crossroad of the Silk Road; Erzurum today is an economic and cultural centre of East Anatolia. Many ancient structures such as its fortress, mosques, madrasas, tombs and caravanserais are located within the city centre. Depending on everyone's arrival times, we will have a short walk through the city centre, where we visit historical Rustem pasha caravanserais, also known as Tashan, which serves today as Oltu stone bazaar. We will visit the Erzurum castles, originally constructed by the emperor Theodosius, stands guard on a hill in the centre of the old town and offers a beautiful view of the entire city. Close to the castle we will also visit Twin Minaret Madrasa, a famous architectural monument of the late Seljuk period with a colourful history and known as the largest madrasa in Anatolia. In the early evening we head to historical Erzurum houses museum-restaurant for dinner. Consisting of 11 historical houses under the same roof, the restaurant is decorated with hundreds of centuries old items, and has become one of the most unique venues in the city. Here we will have the opportunity to taste a variety of traditional Turkish dishes in a lively and unique atmosphere. We will spend the night in Erzurum at a hotel. Overnight: Kral Hotel, or similar

Day 2

Erzurum – Tortum Waterfalls - Osvank Church -  Barhal - Yaylalar -Check-in to the pension

We will have breakfast in hotel and after our brifing we will be on the way to Yusufeli. On the way we will visit Tortum Waterfall and Osvank Church. For lunch and final needs we will stop at Yusufeli. Then we will continue to Barhal Village to visit Barhal church and continue to Yaylalar Village  that we are going to stay for 2 days in the hearth of Kaçkar Mountains. Our dinner is at our pension.
Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 5 hours.
Approx. Altitudes: Erzurum, 1853 m; Yusufeli, 696 m; Barhal, 1250 m Altitude Heveg, 1896 m
Meals Included: B- D

Day 3

 Heveg – Aksav – Modut – Mikelis – Heveg (Yaylalar)
Today we will start our trek from our pension. After our breakfast we start our slowly ascending trail through Aksav Valley. We will ascend through the Aksav stream in green field and flowers. On our last attempt we will reach a long concave passage to the Modut highland village. This is one of the most popular and alive village in the area. From here we will descend from zig-zag car road to the skirts of Mikalis village. Then we will take a narrow path inside of the planting terraces of Mikalis until we reach to the centre of the village. Our vehicle will be waiting for us on the entrance of the village to take us to our pension. Our dinner is at our pension.

Approx. Vehicle Transfer Time: 30 min.
Approx. Altitudes: Heveg, 1896 m; Modut Yaylası, 2340 m
Approx. Trek Time: 6 hours 30 min.
Meals Included: B-L-D

Day 4

 Trek to base camp (4hrs / +900m), To Dilberduzu camp, via Olgunlar village

Today we will hike along Buyuk Cay Deresi to Dilberduzu, accompanied by horses carrying the luggage. We walk approximately 30mins until we reach the Olgunlar village. From there we follow the walking path and climb with an easy ascend until we reach the Dilberduzu campsite. On the way it is sometimes possible to meet local shepherds grazing their animals during summer season. We will spend the night at the Dilberduzu camp.

Walking time: approx. 3 hrs

Ascent: 640m / Descent: 0m

Overnight: Camp at Dilberduzu

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 5

Kackar Summit (3937m)

It is an early morning departure (before sunrise) to the Kackar summit. We climb up approx. 2 hours until we reach Denizgolu Lake at 3300m. From here we continue for approx. one hour, to get to the bottom of the Kackar massive. On our left hand we have the scene of a giant glacier; from here to get on the peak takes another hour, climbing up without any certain path, on sheer rocks. With clear skies, we might see the whole Kackar mountain range and even Mt. Ararat from a distance. Afterwards we return to Dilberduzu camp where we stay for one more night.

Walking time: 9-10 hrs.

Ascent/Descent: 1097m

Overnight: Camp at Dilberduzu

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 6

Dilberdüzü – Dobe (+300m / -400m)

This is a high walk over Pisovit pass with great views of all the Dilberdüzü valley. We descend into the next valley and camp at Dobe valley and campsite (H: 2500m). Dinner and overnight at Dobe campsite.

Walking time:4-5  hrs.

Ascent/Descent: 300-400 m

Overnight: Camp at Dobe yaylası

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 7

Dobe- Dupe Duzu Naletleme Pass- Yukarı kavron- Transfer to Ayder

We leave the Dobe Yaylasi (plateau) we continue our walk towards Palovit and Hevek Yaylasi, and after a short and easy descent reach famous Dupeduzu. From here we make our ascent to the Naletleme pass (3100m) and continue towards the highland village of Yukari Kavron. Yukari Kavron is set in a valley on the northern flanks of the Kackar Mountains, where our vehicle is waiting for us. After a short break and a cup of Turkish tea we drive down to Ayder village, boasting a beautiful pasture with traditional stone and wooden houses, where we spend the night where we can relax in the thermal bath. 

Walking time: 7-8 hrs

 Ascent: 900, Descent: 800/850m

Overnight: Yesilvadi Hotel in the Ayder village, or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Day 8

Transfer to Trabzon visit Trabzon and the Sumela monastery

After breakfast we leave Ayder and drive via Rize, located along the Black Sea coast with its beautiful tea gardens and endless lush green plateaus, to famous Trabzon. Trabzon is located on the historic Silk Road, a melting pot of religions, languages and cultures. Being open towards other cultures and religions plays a significant role in the lifestyle of the Trabzonites; Muslims and Christians have lived together in the past as well as today, making the city a proud heir to a rich cultural heritage. Here we take time to visit the monastery of Sumela, a Greek Orthodox monastery at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley. Founded in the year 386AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I., legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain. After visiting Sumela we drive back to Trabzon city centre and conclude the day with a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.

Transfer time: approx. 3 hrs Transfer Distance: 165 km (Ayder village to Trabzon)

Transfer time: 40-45 mins Transfer Distance: 45 km (Trabzon to Sumela monastery)

Overnight: Zagnos Pasa Konakları

Meals:  B

Day 9

In Trabzon, tour ends

Airport transfer from the hotel, and we wish you a good onward journey. Transfer time: 10-15 mins Transfer Distance: 10 km

Meals:  B

• all transfers and luggage transfers with private vehicle including driver and fuel
• mule/horse support during camp days
• all accommodation
• tents & sleeping mats
• meals stated as B L D: Breakfast / Lunch (picnic) / Dinner
• Licenced English or Spanish speaking mountain guide

• flights
• soft and alcoholic drinks
• entrance fees to historical sites and museums
• spa at Ayder
• tips
• personal expenses
• single room