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 June walks in the KaCkar (8 days)

This is a programme of daywalks in the foothills and ridges of the Kaçkar and Güngörmez ranges. It is designed for early to mid June, at a time when the snow still covers the main ridges, so the views towards Kaçkar are fabulous. Tiny alpine flowers have emerged from the snowmelt; snowcock and black grouse will be visible amongst the rhododendrons; we may see bears. Grade B-C.
 
The trek is suitable for reasonably fit trekkers; some experience preferred. Equipment required includes waterproof jacket and trousers, good quality waterproof boots, hat and gloves, lightweight trekking clothes and a daysack. Baggage should be packed in a soft kitbag or rucksack. Ascent is less than 1000m per day. On the last day we have an optional rafting excursion on the Barhal river (10-person river raft). Life-jackets, helmets, wetsuits, etc. and professional guide provided. Non-swimmers, diabetics, people with other health problems should not raft.

NB. The trek will be supported by a minibus with a local driver; anyone who doesn’t want to trek can travel by bus. The local roads are unsurfaced and the driving is sometimes bumpy and uncomfortable.

  ITINERARY
Day1: Transfer from Erzurum Airport to Yaylalar village.(5 hrs)
Day 2-7: Day walks
Day 8: Transfer from Yaylalar village to Erzurum Airport.(5 hrs)
EQUIPMENT
Trekkers need good quality thick-soled waterproof walking boots, daysack (approximately 40 lt), warm clothing, sunglasses, sunhat, suncream, raingear, gators, (preferably breathable such as goretex), sleeping bag. Walking sticks are recommended. Snowshoes or crampons will be provided if they will be needed.
departure dates for 2010
6 - 13 June
Grade
Grade C: Demands a bit of experience and fitness to tackle steep slopes and narrow, stony paths for up to 8 hours per day.
ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Accommodation: 8 nights half-board pension, No single supplement
Meals: Lunches will be picnics. Trekkers are expected to carry some part of the food for lunch.
PRICE
575 per person.
Price includes all transfers, all meals and picnics, accomodation, guide and cook wages and mules.
Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, tips and the optional raftingon the last day are not included.
Minimum 6, maximum 12 trekkers. For groups under 8 people, a surcharge of 50 € is added to the price.
 TOUR PROGRAMME
Day 1: Transfer from Erzurum airport to Barcelona Hotel on the Barhal river at Yusufeli. Dinner and overnight in twin rooms with ensuite bathroom.
Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel we drive alongside the Çoruh white water river to Tekkale, then on dirt road to Bölükbaşı (40 mins). We start climbing on rough road then footpath through fir forest to a ruined chapel (Bayır Kilise) in a spectacular setting. From here we descend footpaths past a waterfall to visit Dört Kilise (10th C Georgian church and monastery in ruins) and meet with our vehicle. We drive to village house at Sarıgöl; dinner and overnight (double rooms, shared bathroom).
Day 3: We drive to Hacioğlu Mah (30 mins). We start our walk to Uban and up a good path through forest to Sura Yaylasi (summer village in ruins). We climb steeply from the deserted yayla to Zitlop ridge and walk along the ridge to Satibe Tepe; views from the ridge top to both sides are superb. We descend through forest to meet our bus on a forest road. Drive to Barhal (20 mins). Dinner and overnight in pension (en-suite rooms).
Day 4: We drive to Naznara bridge and start to climb through the summer villages of Naznara and Amanesket to Karagöl (black lake), surrounded by snow and creamy white rhododendrons. We have chances to see black grouses in the rhododendron bushes. We descend to Amanesket and overnight in an old village house (2-3 person rooms, shared bathroom).
Day 5: We climb to the Sabahda pass (about 3000m), well above the treeline, with spectacular views along the Bulut (Cloud)Valley towards Kaçkar. From the pass we descend through rhododendrons to a tiny village of wooden houses. We continue through forest and across streams then on good paved path past traditional stone houses until we descend to Demirdöven, and transfer to Yaylalar village for overnight at Altunay Pension.

Day 6: Daywalk from Yaylalar to Modut summer village. We start directly out of our pension, walk in the forest, over a stream and we climb up the valley until we come to a pass. From here we descend steeply to Mikelis village and transfer back to Yaylalar for overnight at the same pension.

Day 7: We drive 1 hr to Sarigöl. Raft the Barhal river to Yusufeli, stopping for lunch en route. Free afternoon in Yusufeli. Time to relax in the comfortable Barcelona Hotel. Dinner and night in the Barcelona Hotel.
Day 8: Transfer to airport.

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