TOURS & TREKKING ARARAT EXPEDITION KACKAR EXPEDITION TRANS KACKAR ARARAT MT.NEMRUT, SUPHAN AND MT.ARARAT EASTERN TURKEY Mount Kackar And Mt Ararat Trek – 13 Days   Trip Itinerary DAY 1: Fly from Istanbul to Erzurum.  Transfer to Yusufeli Barhal (Altýparmak) Village. Overnight at the pension in Barhal.  Here you will have diner with your fellow trekkers and meet your guide.   DAY 2: Walk to from Barhal to Yaylalar, a small village at the foothills of Mt Kackar.  The area is known for its beautiful streams, flora and fauna.  We will stay overnight in Yaylalar – you can choose tos tay at the pension or you can camp.   DAY 3: We begin our trek to the Dilberduzu base camp - 2900m.  On the way we will pass through Hevak and Olgunlar villages.  As we begin to climb we will leave the grassy plains and start to head up through the  alpine plains.    DAY 4: Ascend Kackar summit. (3917m) – this takes around 5-6 hrs and involves some walking on snow but little actual climbing.  If you do not wish to go the summit there are many day trips that you can do instead.  There are many stunning lakes in the area and you can go for a swim. Camp at Dilberduzu   DAY 5: Trekking from Dilberduzu down to to Dobeduzu.  This is a nice and high trek with beautiful views of the lakes, streams and wildflowers. This provides for a stunning contrast to the jagged rocks of Mt Kackar. If you are lucky you may get to see the native bears.  Camp at Dobeduzu.   DAY 6: Trek back down to the Olgunlar Village and head back to Barhal (Altýparmak) Village for a well earned rest at the pension.  The delicious local cuisine and a hot shower await you.    DAY 7: After visiting the Barhal Church we will drive to Kars and visit the old Armenian capitalof Ani. The ruins are quite well preserved and are one of the highlights of visiting eastern Turkey. Very few people have been to Ani as it is on the border with Armenia and was difficult to Access for many years.  After visiting Ani we will drive to Dogubayuzit at the foothills of Mt Ararat. Stay overnight in Dogubayazit and have dinner with your new guide for Mt Ararat.   Day 8 Go to Mt Ararat by truck 2000m.  On the way you will see some small Kurdish villages/ Our first overnight camp here is at 3,200 – Green camp. On the way up to green camp you can observe some of the nomadic people who live on the mountain.  In the summer months the local people herd their sheep and goats in the rugged terrain of Mt Ararat. We can also arrange for you to visit the nomadic people and experience their way of life.   Day 9 Trek to 4,200 to the beach camp – the highest beach camp in the world.  Today will also be an important day for you to acclimatize before we head to the peak.   Day 10 Summit day – 5,165m. Early in the morning we will being our ascent to the peak.  You will have plenty of time to explore the peak before we return to green camp – 3,200m.   Depending on what you what you want to do we can stay overnight in the green camp or return back to a warm hotel and a hot shower in Dogubuyazit.   Day 11 If you chose to stay the extra night at green camp then today we will trek back down to 2,000m and then return to Dogubayazit.    Day 12 Today we will head to Van and visit Van Castle and Akdamar church.  Other sightseeing in Van includes the local bazaar and excellent museum.   Day 13 Farewell to all - fly from Van to Stanboul.      What is included Professional guide – many years of experience in taking people to the summit. Insurance All transfers Accomodation in Dogubayazit Van and Ýstanbul if you need that as well. Sightseeing entrance fees Mules – to carry climbing equipment and your main bag.  You will need to carry your own daypack. Tents Sleeping mattress Climbing ropes All meals and soft drinks Summit certificate     Not Included Special climbing permit – usually around 50 euros. Personal climbing equipment Alcoholic beverages.    Please note that a single person supplement may apply.      You will need the following personal equipment Cold weather gear – such as good quality hat, gloves, walking or climbing boots, sunglasses, sleeping bag, rucksack and daypack, walking stick, climbing crampons and ice axe.    Please note that we can arrange for you to rent the necessary equipment if you need.   Group Size Minimum 5 persons with a maximum of 16. If you book and there are less than 5 people we may contact you to see if you can select a different date for your trip.               For  more information and prices pleas contact us. Copyright © 2003-2007 Ararat Trek Tourism  Resources Corporation. All rights reserved.