MOUNT KACKAR & MOUNT ARARAT

A great trekking holiday with two mountains two summits...

ITINERARY

Day 1: Meeting in Erzurum. Transfer to Yusufeli, Hevek, Yaylalar village. Overnight in a pension at Hevek plateau. 1850m / 6070ft.

Day 2: After breakfast early in the morning, we hike up to Dilberduzu campsite at 2900 m / 9515ft. Before dinner, we will spend our time with rest and acclimatization treks.

Day 3: Early start for 2 hours trek up to Deniz Lake at 3435 m/11270ft for some rest, before we hike up the summit with additional 4-5 hours. Incredible panoramic view of the 3937m /12916 ft summit is a rewarding experience. At around 17:00, we arrive back to our campsite.

Day 4: After breakfast, we descend back to Hevek plateau and spend the rest of the day in Yaylalar region free. Overnight in pension.

Day 5: After breakfast we drive to south east to Dogubeyazit, the frontier town of Ararat region. Approximately 6-8 hours. Permits and gear check. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 6: Transfer to Mount Ararat, former Eli village region at 2200m / 7250 ft. We then load the duffle bags on our horses and the start trekking for 4 hrs before arriving "Green Camp" at 3300m / 10850 ft.

Day 7: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m / 13150ft for 4-5 hours. Dinner and overnight at Green Camp.

Day 8: Hike up from Green camp to 2nd camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (2-3 hours)

Day 9: Summit day. Early wake up call at 3:30 and start for the summit bid at 4:30 after a fine breakfast. We reach the summit at 5137 m / 16854 ft after 5-6 hrs hiking performance. It will take 2-3 hours to descend back to the camp site at 4150m / 13615 ft. Dinner and overnight in the 2nd camp.

Day 10: Descend all the way down to the village road to reach the minibus for the transfer to hotel in Dogubeyazit before lunch time. After lunch, we will see the art demonstration of the very best examples of local handcrafts and carpets. We will visit ancient Ishak Pasha Palace during the beautiful sunset. / Spare day in case of bad weather / Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 11: Transfer to Van airport early in the morning for the flights or continue with extension tours.

DETAILS

The Kackar (or Little Caucasus) mountains rising from the Black Sea, are hardly known outside Turkey. Here, the inhabitants still lead a nomadic life, traveling with their livestock from one valley to the next in search of fresh grazing. We trek through this beautiful area to climb Mt Kackar (3937m) with spectacular views of the whole range, and this prepares us for our next challenge, Mt Ararat (5137m). The ascent of Mt Ararat is non-technical but requires a good level of fitness, and the final optional summit ascent crosses both snow and ice. Both ascents involve crossing some very rough terrain and you need a head for heights.

PERMITS & VISAS

As it is well known, the Ararat Mountain which had been a favorite for climbers until 1980 was closed to the public during the Kurdish insurgence. It was reopened to visitors in 2001 when security in the area was reestablished. Nevertheless, to ensure continuance of security, visits to Mount Ararat are now under strict government control.

Individual climbers are subject to security investigation and only those who are approved are allowed to visit.

Foreigners traveling alone who wish to climb Mt. Ararat should apply to the Turkish consulate in their country and apply for an "ARARAT CLIMBING" visa. Even individuals from those countries that do not require an entry visa to Turkey, should have their passports stamped with a special purpose visa by the Turkish consulate in their own countries. Applications made through the consulate are then sent to the office of the General Staff of Turkey, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and the Ministry of Tourism. Those applications that are approved are then forwarded to the office of the governor of Agri city and the local military police. The same documents are sent to the Turkish consulate of the originating country. Upon entry to Turkey these special visas are shown to the appropriate offices.

These procedures generally take up to two months for individual applicants, but if you join in our Ararat tours, we carry out the proper procedures on behalf of you which is the fastest and easiest way to obtain the necessary visas and permissions.

CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1) In the booking form, please fill all personal and passport details completely.

2) Send your booking form together with a scanned photocopy of your passport either by fax to number: +902164184522 or by email to address: info@anatolianadventures.com

3) It is important that all participants should inform Anatolian Adventures about the name/location of the Turkish Consulate or Embassy closest to their hometowns. This location can't be changed after we send the application, and it is the place where you will pick-up your special purpose visa stickers after the permit procedure finishes.

Because of the sensitive position of Mount Ararat, being on the border of Turkey, it is officially declared to be 2nd degree Military zone. So without any exclusion, all EU members, USA citizens and citizens of all countries which Turkey does not demand ordinary visa procedure, will have to apply for the Special purpose visa, stating sportive aim.

As soon as we get the passport & Consulate information we apply to Ministry of Tourism for the permit authorization with an official paper.

Ministry of Tourism applies to the other authorities for authorization. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Military. When Ministry of Tourism gets authorization from all these authorities, Anatolian Adventures will be informed about the permit.

At the same time, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send an official paper to the Turkish Consulate or the Embassy which the participants should have informed the location before.

We then will inform all the participants to go to the consulate or the embassy they have stated in their application forms to get their special purpose visas.