Walking In North-East Turkey: Ani, Sumela Monastery & the Kackar Mountains
Walking In North-East Turkey: Ani, Sumela Monastery & the Kackar Mountains
9 Days Starting in ERZURUM and ending in TRABZON
Visiting: Erzurum, Kars, Şavşat, Altıparmak, Trabzon, Soumela Monastery
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WKM
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Private Available:
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Tour Overview
Join [exclude_white_label]Wild Frontiers on [/exclude_white_label]this magical walking tour which travels far from the resorts and beaches of Turkey’s better known tourist haunts. Here in the country's north-east lies another Turkey, where remote mountain monasteries and ancient Armenian churches cling precariously to landscapes that have lain unchanged for centuries. Across the vast Caucasian steppe, amongst the towering peaks of northeastern Turkey, awaits a world stepped in the blood and history of medieval conquest, where bears and wolves still roam the dark forests and timeless traditions survive and endure amongst mountain strongholds.
Beginning amongst the highlands of eastern Anatolia, this spectacular adventure takes us into the heart of a land scattered with the reminders of Turkish conquest, Russian expansion and Orthodox doctrine. We’ll discover Seljuk treasures and historic markets, visit the spectacular Armenian ruins at Ani and the iconic cliff-top monastery of Sumela and walk amongst the landscapes of the dramatic Kackar Mountains.
With a chance to sample local cuisine and local traditions along the way, our journey follows a route through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country, as we pass through the Karagol National Park and Mt Ovit area (3060m) and on towards the Black Sea and the coastal city of Trabzon. Fascinating and dramatic in equal measure, this is a Turkey that few visitors experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Erzurum
Location: Erzurum
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Rafo Butik Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
The tour starts this morning in Erzurum, Turkey's highest city at 1900m. After checking in to our hotel we will visit the sites of Erzurum on foot. Erzurum was an important stopping point on the Silk Road and has always been a strategically important border town between empires, be it the Romans and Persians, Byzantines and Seljuk Turks, the Ottoman and Russian empires, or most recently between NATO and the Soviet Union. The hinterland is scattered with fortifications from all ages and is now home to Turkey's finest winter sports facilities at Palandoken. The city is decorated with Seljuk monuments and we will visit the finest of them - the Twin Minaret and the Yakutiye Madrasas. This evening we will head out to dinner to sample the rich cuisine of the high steppe, no doubt with an opportunity to try the Çag Kebab, a horizontal döner kebab served sliced onto little skewers.
Day 2: Erzurum - Kars
Location: Kars, Erzurum
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Katerina Sarayi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Erzurum, heading east, we will visit the Cobandede bridge dating from the 16th century. After lunch in Kars we’ll arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ani. At ground zero of the still closed Turkish/Armenian border, Ani is perhaps one of the most unforgettable sites in Turkey. This powerful Armenian trading centre, lying on an off-shoot of the Silk Road, was well fortified, and was known as the City of 1001 Churches. At its height during the 10th and 11th centuries it was one of the world's largest cities. We will walk this large site taking in the churches, cathedrals and mosques of this tragic but beautiful city, including the 'forbidden zone' fortress right on the Armenian border. We then return to the small city of Kars, with its castle, Armenian church and some very unusual examples of Russian architecture which the town acquired during the Russian occupation. Tonight, there should be the chance to enjoy the local specialty of Piti, a slow cooked lamb and chickpea stew.
Approx. 3-4 hrs walking (150m ascent, 150m descent. Total distance 4kms)
Day 3: Kars – Savsat
Location: Kars, Şavşat
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Tuğra Butik or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Kars we head north around the shores of Lake Çıldır. At 2000m of altitude, this lake freezes over in the winter, and is a vital rest stop on this important bird migration route in summer. We continue across the vast Caucasian steppe to the deep ravine system ruled over by 'Satan's Castle' and we walk in the area to appreciate this wonderful spot. While little evidence exists as to who built this castle or when, the foundations are thought to be Hellenistic. Its situation on an outcrop of rock commanding the deep canyon meant the castle was of strategic importance and was continuously occupied until Ottoman times. Having explored the fort, we climb up a steep grassy slope – reasonably challenging as there is no path – to the top of the escarpment where we’ll rest and have our picnic lunch. From here we will walk amongst these impressive mountain landscapes, before continuing on a scenic drive to Şavşat, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Approx. 4.5-6 hrs walking (720m ascent, 846m descent. Total distance 9kms, highest point 2076m)
Day 4: Savsat
Location: Şavşat
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Tuğra Butik or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Using Savsat as our base, today we head into the Karagol (Black Lake) National Park. Blanketed in high upland pastures and dotted with traditional villages and dense forests, the park provides us with a stunning setting for a walk around the lake. A riot of wildflowers in the late spring, the park is a haven for brown bears, who use the autumn falls to forage for fruit in the local orchards. After a lunch where there should be opportunities to try the local trout, we’ll pay a visit to the ruined Georgian church of Tibeti before returning to Savsat.
Approx. 4hs hrs walking (564m ascent, 564m descent. Total distance 11kms, highest point 1900m)
Day 5: Savsat – Altiparmak
Location: Şavşat, Altıparmak
Accommodation: Barhal Karacan Pansiyon or similar
Accommodation Name: Barhal Karahan Pansiyon or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing Savsat we descend into the flooded valleys of Artvin this morning. A day filled with engineering marvels, we’ll take in the massive structure of the Deriner Dam and the astonishing network of tunnels and viaducts that were built to span the rising waters. Our first destination is the remote Georgian monastery of Ishkhani, which we will visit after a spectacular drive. We then continue into the valleys of the Kackar mountains where a local guide will take us on a gentle walk along the village-water channels to the site of Parkhali (Barhal) monastery, very close to the guest house which will be our home for the next 2 nights.
Day 6: Altiparmak
Location: Altıparmak
Accommodation: Barhal Karacan Pansiyon or similar
Accommodation Name: Barhal Karahan Pansiyon or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rising above the Black Sea coast, the Kaçkar Mountains represent the easternmost and highest portion of the Pontic Alps. Home to the towering summit of Mount Kaçkar (3937m), this is a stunning setting to explore on foot. After paying a short visit to the nearby Barhal Monastery after breakfast we then set off on a circular walk amongst the high pastures around Altiparmak, a 10 kilometre trek that takes in some of the most spectacular views of the surrounding alps, stopping off at small settlements where we’ll hopefully meet some of the local characters, and take our lunch, before returning to our accommodation. After the walk you probably won’t be able to resist a refreshing dip in one of the rivers clear mountain pools.
Approx. 4.5-5.5 hrs walking (875m ascent, 1130m descent. Total distance 13kms, highest point 2000m)
Day 7: Altiparmak – Trabzon
Location: Altıparmak, Trabzon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Usta Park Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving to the historic market town of Ispir we’ll have time for a short walk amongst the old town – this is a great place to buy local honey or dried fruit – before having our lunch and then continuing on towards the dramatic landscapes of Mt Ovit (3060m) for a memorable ridge walk followed by a drive down to our final destination, Trabzon.
Approx. 2-2.5 hrs walking (435m ascent, 435m descent. Total distance 6kms, highest point 3049m)
Day 8: Trabzon - Sumela Monastery - Trabzon
Location: Trabzon, Soumela Monastery, Trabzon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Usta Park Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beginning early this morning we drive away from the Black Sea and head into the densely forested hills to visit the iconic Sumela Monastery. Perched like an eyrie, high up on the sheer cliffs, this Greek Orthodox retreat can trace its antecedents back to the 4th century and the surrounding views make this one of the finest settings in Turkey. Having alighted from the minibus we will trek up through the surrounding forest to the reach the monastery, just as countless monks must have done over the centuries. Inside the monastery the frescoes, both inside and on the outer chapel walls, are exquisite. Following lunch at a riverside restaurant we then drive back to the coastal city of Trabzon, to visit the church of Hagia Sophia, considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture anywhere.
Approx 2hrs walking (300m ascent, 300m descent. Total distance 6kms, highest point 1200m)
Day 9: Tour Ends In Trabzon
Location: Trabzon
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends this morning after breakfast, depending on the time of your flight you may be able to enjoy a short walking tour of the Old Town.
What's Included
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MEALS
8 x Breakfasts8 x Lunches8 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses and our feet!
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate / High
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Turkey.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a good state of health who enjoys hillwalking should be able to cope with this tour. Please note that while all the walks can theoretically be opted out of, they are a fundamental part of the trip and so you should be fit enough to enjoy them. In general, the terrain is very varied throughout offering up a real kaleidoscope of experiences. There is the occasional steep drop and stream to be crossed but nothing too daunting!
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Turkey.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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