Servas Turkey and Zirve Mountaineering Club are organizing a hiking trip to Kaçkar Mountains, a well-known mountain range and national park, rising above along the Black Sea coast in eastern Turkey.
The participants will be hiking on the mountain range, crossing many highlands, lakes, rivers, valleys, forests and rocky formations. Since Kaçkars are glaciated mountains, it is even possible to come across glaciers.
THE PROGRAM
19th June Meeting with the participants at Trabzon Airport
Driving with vehicles up to Bukla Oberj Hotel in Ayder plateau for lodging .
Hiking: From Ayder to Avusor plateau and Avusor lake.
Hit of the day: The group is invited to join to a traditional wedding ceremony in the evening in Ayder including a concert of local musicians. A great opportunity to seize the local Black sea culture!
Accomodation in Ayder. www.buklaoberj.com
20th June Arriving to Kito plateau via Zilkale route by vehicles. Koçira Pension for lodging.
Hiking : Ambarli plateau and lakes. Accomodation in Kito.www.kocira.com
21st June Arriving to Çat Village by vehicles, lodging at Cancik Bungalov Hotel.
Moving to Elevit plateau by vehicle. Hiking: From Elevit to Haçivanak plateau. Returning from Haçivanak to Çat. Accomodation in Çat.
Possibility of accommodation in bungalows and in serenders (Granaries built in wood, raised from the ground by pillars, to avoid the access of rodents) at the garden of Cancik Bungalov Hotel.
22nd June Arriving to Samistal by vehicle. Elevit-Tırovit-Palovit plateaus can be viewed on the way.
Hiking: From Samistal to Hazindağ and Pokut. Accommodation in "Plato'da Mola" mountain house in Pokut.
23rd June Visiting Pokut and Sal plateaus. Arriving to Çamlıhemşin by vehicles, a small trip to Konaklar district.
Transfer to Trabzon
TRACK INFORMATION
Routes are generally above 2000 meters. The paths can include 500 meters of up climb as well as walking on straight roads and forest roads. For example climbing to Avusor Lake takes approx. 1 hour, hiking from Kito plateau to Ambarlı plateau takes around 4 hours. Samistal to Hazindag is one of the world's most beautiful pathways.
Participants will not be carrying big rucksacks with them during the hikes. The load will be carried by vehicles.
HOW TO GET THERE
The trip will start on 19th in the early morning (the exact time will be announced in a short while) by meeting all the participants in front of the gate of domestic arrivals of Trabzon airport. There, the vehicles will be waiting for the participants to take them up to Ayder plateau. So all the participants are expected to be on the meeting point at the exact time.
If you like, the organization committee can arrange the flight tickets for you from Istanbul to Trabzon and Trabzon to Istanbul. Just specify your request on your registration form.
If you would like to stay with Servas hosts in Istanbul before or after the trip, you can specify this on your registration form as well.
ACCOMODATION and FOOD
The participants will be staying in 4 different hotels & pensions situated on the plateaus of the Kaçkar mountains.
Breakfasts and dinners will be provided by the hotels& pensions that we will be accommodating.
Menus are generally traditional; breakfasts include muhlama (corn meal with butter and cheese) and dinners include variety of traditional foods. Menus vary among the pensions.
Lunches will be arranged according to the daily route.
COST
The total cost of the trip is 300.-Euro excluding airplane tickets. The cost includes 4-nights of half-board accommodation (including breakfasts and dinners), transportation and guiding.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
People who have cardiac, diabetes and hypertension are recommended not to participate to the trip. If you have the mentioned illnesses, please take necessary action accordingly before you participate. High plateaus are far away from hospitals so medical intervention would not be so easy.
Kaçkars are subject to real mountain weather mist, rain, wind, sleet, hail etc. Therefore, the participants are requested to take necessary gear against the local climate conditions. Extra socks, underwear and boots supporting the ankle should not be forgotten. Furthermore a good raincoat and a small backpack for daily hikes are indispensable for the trip.
While hiking, except the guide, local people will also assist about hiking routes and pathways. This will not change the total trip plan and will not incur any additional costs. Program will be applied as planned day by day.
First aid set against various injuries, painkillers, cooler for leg sprain, etc. will be provided by the organization committee. Though we have enough stuff please do bring your necessary medicines.
The team will provide necessary navigation tools. No need to carry along.See you in Kaçkars!
The Organization Committee