TREKKING TAURUS & MOUNT ARARAT - 14 DAYS

A 14 day trekking adventure on Taurus mountains and Mount Ararat combined with some leisure days in the Cappadocia Valley...

ITINERARY

Day 1: Meeting at the Kayseri Airport and transfer to Nigde, Aladaglar region. In the afternoon we arrive at our campsite at Sokullupinar.

Day 2: In the early morning from our campsite we start our long day trek along Karayalak Valley. After 5-6 hours trekking we reach the most beautiful campsite of this region. Dinner and overnight at the campsite near the biggest lake in Aladaglar, called the Yedigoller region.

Day 3: After an early breakfast we climb an enjoyable trekking route up the 3rd highest mountain of this region, Emler Mountain. After the summit we descend down to our camp. Free afternoon; we can swim in the lake or enjoy the lovely trekking routes.

Day 4: We leave the Yedigoller Region for another beautiful place called Sogukpinar. The path we will follow is surrounded with green and dense forests. At night we will camp in the forest after 5-6 hours of lovely trekking.

Day 5: In the early morning we start trekking until we reach the Barazama village which is our last stop and is famous for its waterfalls. We will rest and enjoy our drinks at the waterfalls before we drive to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Cappadocia region.

Day 6: Departing from the hotel early in the morning, we visit Devrent Valley to see the unigue fairy-chimneys. We then drive to Pasabag in Monk's Valley, to see the intriguing mushroom-shaped pinnacles. We drive to the city of Avanos to see the unique pottery art works. In the afternoon we visit another beautiful open air museum at Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Lastly, before returning to our hotel, we visit the natural castle at Uchisar. Full day sightseeing in Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 7: Departing from our hotel after breakfast, we drive to the Derinkuyu Underground City. This huge refugee settlement was carved by early Christians to hide from persecutors. From Derinkuyu, we continue to the beautiful valley of Ihlara, formerly known as Peristerema. Explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 4 km through the valley. Train overnight.

Day 8: Early morning flight to Van. Meeting the group in VAN city airport and drive to Dogubeyazit town in 3hrs average. On the way we stop by the "Muradiye waterfalls" and enjoy the view with Turkish tea. After lunch, check in to the hotel, permits and gear check. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to Mount Ararat, former Eli village region at 2200m / 7250 ft. We then load the duffle bags on our horses and start the trek of 4 hrs before arriving to "Green Camp" at 3300m / 10850 ft.

Day 10: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m / 13150ft for 4-5 hours. Dinner and overnight at Green Camp.

Day 11: Hike up from Green camp to 2nd camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (2-3 hours)

Day 12: 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 5137m / 16854ft after 5-6 hrs hiking performance. It will take 2-3 hrs to descend back to the camp site at 4150m / 13615ft. Dinner and overnight in the 2nd camp.

Day 13: Descend all the way down to the village road to reach the minibus for the transfer to the hotel in Dogubeyazit before lunch time. After lunch, we will see the art demonstration's 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 14: Transfer to Van airport early in the morning for flights or to continue with extension tours.

DETAILS

Our tour starts from the city of Kayseri, located in Central Anatolia. The same day, we drive to Nigde, Cukurbag village by minibus and continue to the campsite on the slopes of the Turkish Alps, Taurus Mountains (Toros - Aladaglar Range). Then from Pinarbasi village, we quickly climb into the high valleys and the pastures of the Taurus Mountains, staying in a series of fixed camps up to 3020m with an ascent to Mount Embler at 3723m. In this magnificent and seldom visited area we enjoy the exhilaration of mountain trekking at its very best. We expect to see nomads roaming around the upland pastures and they will almost certainly invite us into their camps as a guest - a privileged insight into a way of life unchanged for centuries. After Trans Taurus trekking, we head towards Cappadocia where we will spend 2 nights and explore the magnificent fairy chimneys, castles, underground cities and red valleys that Mother Nature has given in unique and varrying shapes.

We take the overnight train to Erzurum from Kayseri. Upon arrival to Erzurum, we head to Dogubeyazit and we check-in to our hotel. Next day we move towards Ararat Base Camp at 3200m. The next day's hike up to 4000m. and return back to base camp will enable us to “climb high and sleep low” - an important step in acclimatisation. The day before the summit attempt is spent at Camp 2 at 4100m. Then we set off for the summit at 5137m, past glaciers and through perennial snows.

We will return back to Dogubeyazit town for lunch after hiking for 2,5-3 hrs in order to descend down the mountain. After lunch we will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace; a 17th century Ottoman gem. Afterwards we'll see art demonstrations of the very best examples of Turkish handcrafts. Next morning we will transfer to Van city airport. We can continue with other extension Turkey tours or fly to Istanbul depending on your program.

For Istanbul hotels, istanbul tours and transfers, and domestic flight ticket services, please refer to the link ISTANBUL HOTELS & TOURS

ARARAT CLIMBING PERMIT & VISA

It is well known that 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 investigations 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 when the permit procedure is complete.

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 the Ministry of Tourism for the permit authorization with an official paper. The Ministry of Tourism applies to the other authorities for authorization; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Military. When the Ministry of Tourism gets authorization from all these authorities, Anatolian Adventures will be informed about the permit. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send an official paper to the Turkish Consulate or Embassy named by the applicants previously. We will then inform the participants to go to this consulate or embassy and collect their special purpose visas.