20-26 July 2024 // 3-9 August 2024 // 17-23 August 2024 | In the Lush Hills, Plateaus, and Passes of the Black Sea… EARLY BIRD BOOKING UNTIL 20 MAY 2024
The Kaçkar Mountains are one of the most important trekking centers in our country. A significant portion of Turkey’s most breathtaking trekking routes has been traversing these beautiful landscapes for hundreds and thousands of years among the plateaus used. The transition paths between these plateaus, set on lush high mountain meadows at the edge of the forests, sometimes pass through passes exceeding 3000 meters. The impact of these routes is undoubtedly significant in the rich cultural and ethnic structure of the region, with its broad and tolerant culture. These trails have not only witnessed the passage of goods and news but have also served as conduits for cultural elements such as language, songs, and folk tales. A collective cultural structure has emerged in these mountains, formed by Georgians, Hemshin people, Laz people, Armenians, and Turks coming together. From local names to traditional dances, this multiculturalism will be experienced in our trekking adventures, where we will explore the unique beauty of Kaçkar’s valleys, endless ridges, clouds, mist, and traditional dances and music.
In this tour, we will be in the southern part of the Kaçkar Mountains. The green and flowery valleys, along with less rainy and stable weather conditions during the summer months, are the most striking details of our trekking adventures in this region. Beautiful mountain lakes, historical churches, and both living and forgotten plateaus can be discovered in this program. The ever-flowing streams will accompany our journey. Our program is preferred by those who enjoy long days of trekking as well as those who prefer short breaks in consecutive walks. We will stay in comfortable village pensions and our main camp throughout the program. At the end of each day, we will relax with a sigh, sipping our drinks against the mountains and tasting delicious local flavors. The only requirement for participation is to have a love for nature. In this tour, you will find reciprocation for this love.
Our goal is to create unforgettable nature and mountain holidays for you. Here is one of them…
Summary Program
Day 1: Erzurum – Tortum Waterfalls – Öşvank Church – BarhalDay 2: Barhal – Amanesket – Naznara – Satibe – Transfer to PlateausDay 3: Barhal – Şabangil – Kilyon – Barhal – PlateausDay 4: Plateaus – Karamolla – Sulementa – Varhal – DemirdövenDay 5: Olgunlar – Hastaf – DilberdüzüDay 6: Dilberdüzü – Büyükdeniz Lake – DilberdüzüDay 7: Dilberdüzü – Olgunlar – Erzurum
Single Supplement for tent and pension accommodation: 150 euro
We will meet participants arriving on the specified flights at Erzurum Airport. After a brief introduction and information session, we will head towards Yusufeli. On the way, we will visit the Tortum Waterfalls and the Öşvank Monastery. After a short break in Yusufeli for final needs, we will pass through the villages in the heart of the Kaçkar Mountains, reaching Barhal Village. Once settled in our pension in Barhal, we will enjoy the surroundings and make final preparations. Dinner will be at the pension.
Approximate transfer time: 5 hours
Approximate Altitudes: Erzurum, 1853 m; Yusufeli, 696 m; Barhal, 1250 m
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Barhal Church – Amanesket – Naznara – Karagöl – Satibe Amanesket Trek.
After breakfast, we will check out of our rooms as we will be staying in another pension for the rest of the tour. We will have a short transfer through a valley with streams and flowers on all sides. Before leaving Barhal, we will visit the magnificent Barhal Church. Our trek will start from a trail just below Amanesket and Naznara Plateaus. We will gradually ascend through these beautiful plateau-villages and eventually reach Karagöl, a hidden lake nestled in an old glacial basin among the Altıparmak Mountains. The serene lake shore will be a perfect spot for a long break and a picnic lunch. Afterward, we will continue along an old watercourse towards Satibe Ridge, one of the most scenic and airy camping spots in the Altıparmak Mountains. We will have a panoramic break on this open ridge under the shade of Nebisatgur Peak. Then, we will descend back to where we left our vehicle and return to the pension in Barhal.
Approximate transfer time: 1 hour
Approximate Altitudes: Amanesket, 2000 m; Satibe, 2700 m Approximate Trekking time: 6 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast – Picnic Lunch – Dinner
Day 4: Barhal – Şabangil – Kilyon – Barhal
After an early breakfast, we will prepare for our first trek of the day. Since we will return to the same pension in the evening, there is no need to check out of the rooms. The trek will start from our pension towards the village’s exit. We will cross a narrow canyon through a concrete bridge by the road and then climb this narrow canyon with zigzag trails. At the top of the canyon, we will reach one of the characteristic plateau-villages of the region, Şabangil. It is a clean and airy small village. After a short break and a visit to the village, we will move on to another village. Then, we will descend back to Barhal along a dirt road and transfer to our pension in Yaylalar Village.
Approximate Activity Time: 5 hours
Approximate Altitudes: Barhal, 1250 m; Kilyon, 1500 m
Day 4: Karamolla – Sulementa – Varhal – Demirdöven/Zamevan
Looking out from the veranda of our pension, we can see a part of the pass we will be climbing this morning. After breakfast, we will first have a short transfer to Karamolla Village. We will start our trek by climbing the large mountain ridge on which the village is nestled. Our goal for the first two hours of the trek is to reach Sabahda Pass. The breathtaking heights of the Bulut Mountains and the valleys carved by the streams will be our scenery. After the pass, we will descend following the Sorunpiyat stream. Passing through the Sülemanta and Veknal plateaus, we will reach the village of Demirdöven, formerly known as Zamevan. This long trek will take us through ridges, streams, and villages nestled between the Altıparmak and Bulut Mountains.
Approximate transfer time: 30 minutes
Approximate Altitudes: Karamolla, 2100 m; Sabahda Pass, 2740 m; Sulementa, 2250 m; Varhal, 1850 m; Demirdöven, 1370 m
Approximate Trekking time: 8-9 hours
Day 5: Olgunlar – Hastaf Plateau – Dilberdüzü
After breakfast, we will have a short transfer to Olgunlar Village. Our trek will start from here, the southernmost village of the South Kaçkars, heading towards Dilberdüzü, used as the base camp for summit climbs on Mount Kaçkar. The equipment we will use in the camp will be taken to our campsite by mules. Along the way, we will pass through Heveg’s plateau and Hastaf Plateau. We will reach Dilberdüzü in the afternoon, where we will enjoy the view of the high mountains amidst colorful tents and spend the night at the camp.
Approximate Altitudes: Olgunlar 2130m; Dilberdüzü 2860m
Approximate Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast – Picnic Lunch – Dinner (Camp)
Day 6: Dilberdüzü – Büyükdeniz Lake – Dilberdüzü
After the famous breakfast at Montis Base Camp, our route leads to the legendary Büyükdeniz Lake. Located at an altitude of approximately 3000m, we will enjoy the scenery while swimming in this magnificent lake. We will have plenty of time to spend by the lake. Afterward, we will return to our campsite along the same path.
Approximate Altitudes: Dilberdüzü 2860m; Büyükdeniz Lake 3400m
Approximate Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast (Camp) – Picnic Lunch – Dinner (Camp)
Day 7: Dilberdüzü – Olgunlar – Erzurum – Departure
After breakfast, we prepare to leave. We will trek for about 3 hours to reach Olgunlar. We will meet our vehicle in Olgunlar and then, if time permits, we will visit the historical bazaars, Çifte Minareli, and Erzurum Castle in Erzurum. We will be at the airport by 18:00.
Approximate Trekking time: 3-4 hours Approximate Transfer time: 5-6 hours Meals Included: Breakfast (Camp
Barhal Pension: This cosy pension is at the entrance of the Barhal Village with good humored staff and delicious meals will be cooked by the owner Mustafa.
Camyuva Pension: This pension is one the iconic accomodation in Kackar which is popular by climbers and trekkers.
Montis Base Camp Accommodation:We are staying in double person 4 season mountain tents in camps. There is a toilet at camp site. There is no electricity in the camps but solar panels are at your service. In case of cloudy days and participant number it is highly recommended to bring power banks and/or solar charging units with you. In addition to dining tent, there is also a kitchen tent.
We have classified the necessary information for our tour.
Our tour program is planned according to the following flight options. There are different flight, airline, and flight time options available for the region. You can contact our office for different options suitable for the program, extra transfers, and additional accommodation services. Our agency is not responsible for changes made by the airlines.
Ankara → Erzurum → AnkaraArrival: Ankara (ESB) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK 7070 / 08.30-09.50Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – Ankara (ESB) / TK 7075 / 20.00-21.30
İstanbul → Erzurum → İstanbulArrival: İstanbul (IST) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK 2704 /06.00 – 07.50Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – İstanbul (IST) / TK 2707 / 18.45 – 21.00
Sabiha Gökçen → Erzurum → Sabiha GökçenArrival: Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) – Erzurum (ERZ) / TK7400 / 08.20 – 10.05Departure: Erzurum (ERZ) – Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) / TK7409 / 20.30 – 22.20
Backpack: A proper day-pack for trekking which is 35-45 lt is required. Please have a rain cover for you backpack and/or have your dry bags. We do not recommended carrying stuff in your hands or hang outside of your back pack.
Boots: If you are a stable hiker, a pair hard sole rigid walking/trekking/backpacking boots are required.
We should remind you that especially in rainy weather, your boots should be waterproof.
Spare pair of sneakers: A pair of sneakers or sport shoes will be comfortable while travelling. Recommended for wearing in hotel and during trip.
Hat: We recommend you to have some sun protection hat in 4 seasons. Also you can have bandana and buff instead of hat or you can wear them with hat for 4 seasons.
Jacket: A lightweight, breathable and waterproof jacket with hoody whether a outdoor-casual is required. A goretex or equivalent fabrics are meant.
Socks: Proper trekking socks will be fine with supported heel and toes. We recommend that you should have spare pair of socks with you for all your trekking activities. Should be suitable to your boot.
Sunglasses: UV protected proper sunglasses are must every season. Especially in winter snowy days, sunglasses are a great of importance. This is the only precaution for retinal burns or snow blindness due to overheating.
Sun protection cream and Lipstick: Min. 45 factor sun protection creams and proper lipsticks are recommended.
Head Lamp: As the daylight lasts shorter in winter or summer time, we strictly recommend to have a head lamp for emergency. It helps you to use your both hands.
Water bottle: We recommend you to have Camel bag style water bottle in your trekking and climbing. It is convenient to drink water any time. But you can have any type of water bottle with you
Walking Poles: Please choose telescopic, shrinking type models.
First Aid Kit: MONTIS Trips & Expeditions guides always carry first aid kits and they are certified as ECSII Wilderness First Aid, CPR & AED standard responder certification. However, you should bring your regular used medicines and keep a small firts aid bag with you all the time.
Repair Set: You should carry a set which includes hooked needle, sewing set, duct tape ext.
Pocket Knife: You should carry a pocket knife or multitool type and spare items in all your camp activities.
