Kackar Kaçkar

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Kaçkar Mountains

Turkey

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Kackar Mountains
7 days Grade B or C  Vehicle and Mule Supported
Dates and Prices
This trip can be arranged for private groups between June and September.
Book Now See also 4 day programme



Videos:
   movieOlgunlar to Kavrun Traverse
   movieMount Kaçkar Ascent
   movieYaylalar to Mikelis
   movieDoğa Hotel area and beyond
dilberduzu
Dilberduzu

The Kackar (Kaçkar) Mountains are composed of several ranges lying in the north-east of Turkey, just south of the Black Sea. The many summits between 3000 and 4000m and deep forested valleys cover a vast area some of which is inaccesible on account of the deep snow between November and April.

Bears, ibex, wolves, mountain goats, deer, Persian red-squirrels, wild pigs amongst other animals inhabit the forested slopes and numerous birds, many on their migration routes, may be seen. In fact the Kackar are one of the world's most biodiverse regions and the flowers from spring through to late summer are stunning. The northern slopes are heavily forested up to about 2000m and are affected by the humid air to the north; they are misty and rain and snowfall are quite high. The southern Kackar are drier but still receive more precipitation than other areas in Turkey. Maximum precipitation occurs between late April and mid-June.

Our 7 day trip explores some of the more remote yaylas, valleys and ridges, before an ascent of the highest summit, Mt Kackar 3937m. This provides a non-technical trek but there is a rocky section where you have to use your hands and some sections of boulders and scree to negotiate. Early in the year crampons may be useful. This ascent provides excellent acclimatisation for anyone wishing to make an ascent of Mount Ararat. Those preferring an easier day can visit the Deniz and Atsız Gölü lakes. The trip finishes with a traverse of the mountain range to the lusher northern side with an optional visit to the Ayder thermal baths. It is fully mule and vehicle supported with all food provided and an English speaking guide.


Programme
  1. Arrival in Olgunlar. Overnight in a guest house.
  2. Drive to Yaylalar, walk along a forest path then alongside a stream up to high mountain meadows to reach open ridges. These are traversed and we drop down to Modut yayla and finally the beautiful village of Mikelis. Lift back to hotel. 5-6 hours walking. Night in guest house.
  3. A short day walk up a beautiful valley to Dilberduzu which will be our base camp for Mt Kackar, 2850m.
  4. Breakfast will be between 5am and 6am. We walk up to Denizgölü Lake 3200m. where we have a snack and rest. We then continue to Kackar Summit 3937m, sections of the ascent are over scree slopes where ski sticks are useful for balance. Early in the summer snow could cover these making the ascent a bit easier. After snacks on the summit we descend to Dilberduzu camp. Here we have some hot drinks, soup and relax before going down to Olgunlar village. Night in the guest house.
    The ascent is approximately 2100m and takes about 5 hours. The total descent time to Olgunlar takes between 5 and 6 hours. Those preferring an easier day can walk up to Denizgölü and then continue on a bit further to the more remote Atsız Gölü lake. This variant reduces the trip grade to B.
  5. A fairly gentle day's walk takes us to Dupeduzu meadow in a remote mountain valley.
  6. The trail gently rises out of the valley and finally zig-zags through screes to reach the pass overlooking the northern slopes of the range. We descend on a good path through screes passing several beautiful lakes to reach the summer yayla Yukarı Kavron. Here your luggage is transferred from the mules to a minibus which takes us to the Doğa Hotel. Along the way there is an option (time permitting) ti visit the natural hot water baths in Ayder.
  7. Depart.

The programme is available as a private trip throughout the summer, contact us for more details.


Included:

  • Half board, en-suite accommodation in Olgunlar and Çamlıhemşin
  • Mountain Guide
  • Cook and all meals on the trek
  • Tents and sleeping mats.
  • Mule Support

Not Included:

  • Transfers to and from the area.*
  • Personal Equipment
  • Alcoholic Drinks

* Olgunlar may be reached by public transport from Yusefeli from where there is an afternoon bus. Yusefeli is reached easily from Erzurum which in turn has excellent connections by rail and air with Istanbul and Ankara. The last bus from Erzurum leaves at 1pm. The journey takes about 4-5 hours by bus. To reach Olgunlar in the morning from Erzurum a very early start by private transport is necessary. We can arrange private transfers on request from Erzurum or other locations in and around the Kackar.

The Doğa Hotel is a short taxi drive from Çamlıhemşin from regular dolmuses connect with Rize and Trabzon.

Purchase detailed guidebook and map to the Kackar.

KAÇKAR TREK AND SUMMIT ASCENT
Price per person for a 7 day trip to Mount Kaçkar - Kaçkar Pansiyon (Olgunlar) to Doğa Hotel (Çamlıhemşin) (Euro). Trip Details
Group size123456
 980540475420415410
Extra days at Olgunlar Kackar Pansiyon or Doga Hotel (Euro per day)*
 403030303030
*This is basic Half Board price combined with route notes for two unguided possible acclimatisation walks.

Map of Turkey

top
Mikelis
Ridges above Yaylalar

Deniz
Deniz Gölü

Flowers
Flowers

Dupeduzu
Dupeduzu

Kara Deniz
Kara Deniz

Doga Hotel
Doga Hotel


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ALW 20/07/13
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