The Kaçkar is a compact and beautiful mountainous region in NE Turkey, close to the Georgian border. The mountains rise from the sea or the Çoruh valley to approaching 4000m. The summits are bare granite but the slopes hide tiny mountain lakes and below them lush fir and pine forests clothe the hillsides.

The passes over the range are only snow-free from July – September, so the trekking season is short. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife, including bears and wolves, and a huge variety of butterflies.

Highlights:

Haho & Öskvank monastries
Waterfalls
Trek with mules and cook
Camp 1 night
MT Kaçkar summit ( 3.932 m)
Glacier lake Deniz gölü
Yaylalar village 2 nights.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Erzurum .Erzurum-Hahuli (Haho monastry) öşki ( Öşkvank monastry) – Lake Tortum and waterfalls- Yaylalar village.
After you are collected in Erzurum,departure to Yaylalar village( 2000 m.) During the 90 mins transfer stop for visit to Haho and Özkvank monastries ,waterfalls , lake Tortum and Yusufeli for shopping.
Night at a pension in Yaylalar. (HB)

 

Day 2: Yaylalar köyü-Olgunlar-Hastaf Yaylası -Dilberdüzü (2.840 m)
Today we hike to Dilberdüze basecamp. It’s a nice trek past the settlement of Olgunlar and Hastaf Yaylası. After arrival, we set up Camp and sleep early as it will be a long day tomorrow.
Night: Campsite at Dilberdüze yayla ( FB)

 

Day 3: Campsite-to Denizgölü lake-to Kaçkar Summit.
We get up early and after breakfast hike to the fascinating and icecold Denizgölü lake (3.200 m) Then to the summit of Mt Kaçkar (3932 m) which we will reach after approx 6/7 hrs hiking.After we signed the summit book return to Dilberdüzü Camp (4hrs) and after celebrated our achievement and dinner rest in our tents.
Night: Dilberdüze campsite (FB)

 

Day 4: Dilberdüzü-Hastaf Yaylası to Olgunlar to Yaylalar köyü.
After breakfast we collect the tents,clean up our camp and return to Olgunlar for lunch. After lunch return to Erzurum to take,bus or airplane to hometown.
* possible to extend your stay with some selfguided walks *

 

Price includes:
*all transfers, overnights, food
* 1 N in pension ( room + breakfast/dinner
* 2 N in tents ( tent & mat)
* 3 x breakfast, lunch, dinner
* professional mountainguide
* Transport
* entrance fees for NP Kaçkar
* mules to carry luggage

Price excludes:
* train,bus- and costs for flights
* drinks / snacks
* personal trekking equipment.

Minimum 6, maximum 14 persons.

What else:
Combine the trek with some selfuided walks in the Hevek valley.