Peaks & Plateaus: Aladaglar and Kackar Mountain Odyssey

Peaks & Plateaus: Aladaglar and Kackar Mountain Odyssey

Total Time

14 days / 13 nights

Tour Calender

From Jun. to Sep.

Max Person

15 Person

Min Person

5 Min

Qverwiew

Embark on an unforgettable 14-day journey across Turkey’s most dramatic mountain ranges: the Aladaglar in the Central Taurus and the majestic Kackar Mountains of the Black Sea. From summiting Mt. Emler and Mt. Kackar to camping near alpine lakes and wandering ancient valleys, this trek blends high-altitude adventure with rich cultural encounters, historic sites, and breathtaking landscapes—from the rock spires of Cappadocia to the forested slopes of the Black Sea.

Highlights

  • Multi-day trekking & camping in the Aladaglar Mountains

  • Ascent of Mt. Emler (3,723 m)

  • Crossing the stunning Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) plateau

  • Summit climb of Mt. Kackar (3,937 m)

  • Exploration of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and valleys

  • Historic Sumela Monastery & Black Sea culture

  • Overnight on a scenic night train journey

Best Season Program

Meet your Nature and Sea Travel representative at Istanbul International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the historical peninsula. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

  • Transfer Time: 1 hour

  • Distance: 45–50 km

  • Overnight: Hotel in Istanbul

  • Meals: – / – / –

After breakfast, begin your day with a guided exploration of Istanbul’s historic landmarks: the iconic Hagia Sophia, the ancient Hippodrome with its obelisks and columns, and the majestic Blue Mosque. In the afternoon, fly to Kayseri and continue to the Aladaglar Mountains. If time allows, enjoy a warm-up hike through the dramatic Kazıklı Canyon en route to Emli Valley campsite.

  • Walking Time: 2–3 hours

  • Distance: 9–10 km

  • Ascent: 250 m

  • Transfer Time (Istanbul – Airport): 1 hour

  • Transfer Distance (Airport – Aladaglar): 145 km

  • Overnight: Emli Valley Camp (1,800 m)

  • Meals: B / – / D

Begin your ascent through pine forests and plateaus inhabited by semi-nomadic herders. Visit Eznevit Plateau and enjoy its panoramic views before continuing toward Sakartas and the Sokulupinar campsite.

  • Walking Time: 5–6 hours

  • Distance: 14–15 km

  • Ascent: 788 m

  • Descent: 538 m

  • Overnight: Sokulupinar Camp (2,000 m)

  • Meals: B / L / D

Trek through the Karayalak Valley to the Celikbuyduran Pass (3,450 m), then make a non-technical ascent to Mt. Emler’s summit (3,723 m). After enjoying breathtaking views, descend to the expansive Yedigoller Plateau, where you’ll camp beside one of its serene lakes.

  • Walking Time: 7–8 hours

  • Distance: 15–16 km

  • Ascent: 1,723 m

  • Descent: 623 m

  • Overnight: Yedigoller Camp (3,100 m)

  • Meals: B / L / D

Depart the seven lakes region and ascend Teke Kalesi Pass (3,517 m) for stunning views and possible ibex sightings. Descend through remote alpine terrain past Yildiz Lake to reach your next campsite at Karagol Lake.

  • Walking Time: 7 hours

  • Distance: 13–14 km

  • Ascent: 417 m

  • Descent: 717 m

  • Overnight: Karagol Camp (2,800 m)

  • Meals: B / L / D

Descend through the Maden Gorge to Pinarbasi village. Drive to Cappadocia, stopping at the Derinkuyu Underground City en route. Upon arrival, visit the iconic fairy chimneys of Uc Guzeller and the surreal Devrent Valley.

  • Walking Time: 2 hours

  • Descent: 900–1,100 m

  • Transfer Time: 2 hours

  • Distance: 125 km

  • Overnight: Hotel in Cappadocia

  • Meals: B / L / D

Optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Later, explore Sword Valley and the Goreme Open-Air Museum. In the afternoon, hike through Meskendir and Red Valley, ending with a sunset viewpoint. In the evening, board the night train from Kayseri to Erzurum.

  • Walking Time: 4–5 hours total

  • Distance: 12–14 km

  • Overnight: Night Train to Erzurum (Sleeper Wagon)

  • Meals: B / L / D

After arrival in Erzurum, drive towards the Kackar Mountains. Stop for tea at Tortum Waterfall and visit the 11th-century Georgian Barhal Church. Continue to Yaylalar village and relax in this authentic mountain setting.

  • Transfer Time: 3 hours

  • Distance: 190 km

  • Overnight: Pension in Yaylalar

  • Meals: B / L / D

Begin your Kackar trekking with a scenic walk through alpine meadows to Dilberduzu Camp, accompanied by pack horses.

  • Walking Time: 3 hours

  • Ascent: 640 m

  • Overnight: Dilberduzu Camp (2,840 m)

  • Meals: B / L / D

Start before sunrise for the summit attempt. Pass Denizgolu Lake and ascend through glacier terrain and scree slopes to reach the peak. On clear days, views may extend as far as Mount Ararat. Descend to Dilberduzu Camp.

  • Walking Time: 9–10 hours

  • Ascent/Descent: 1,097 m

  • Overnight: Dilberduzu Camp

  • Meals: B / L / D

Descend via Olgunlar back to Yaylalar village, passing lush pastures and traditional stone houses.

  • Walking Time: 2–3 hours

  • Descent: 640 m

  • Overnight: Pension in Yaylalar

  • Meals: B / L / D

Hike over Naletleme Pass (3,100 m) and descend to the northern side of the Kackars. Meet your vehicle in Yukari Kavron and transfer to Ayder, a scenic Black Sea village.

  • Walking Time: 7–8 hours

  • Ascent: 900 m

  • Descent: 800–850 m

  • Overnight: Hotel in Ayder

  • Meals: B / L / D

Drive along the Black Sea coast to visit Sumela Monastery, perched on cliffs above the Altindere Valley. End the day in Trabzon with Turkish coffee in the city center.

  • Transfer Time: 3 hours (Ayder–Trabzon) + 45 minutes (Sumela)

  • Overnight: Hotel in Trabzon

  • Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, transfer to Trabzon Airport where your adventure concludes.

  • Transfer Time: 10–15 minutes

  • Distance: 10 km

  • Meals: B / – / –

Included / Excluded

Included

Trekking 360° and Tour Maps

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