Trekking & hiking · overview
About Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour
The Kaçkar range rises above the Black Sea coast with alpine peaks, mountain lakes, forests, and plateaus. The program includes the summit area, local landscapes, and a cultural visit in Trabzon.
Trekking & hiking · itinerary
Full itinerary · Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour
Read the complete route, day by day, without leaving this tour page. Weather, safety, and local operating conditions can require reasonable changes to the program.
Day 1
Arrival in Erzurum
Arrive in Erzurum and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a first glimpse of northeastern Turkey's mountains. Accommodation: hotel. Meals: dinner.
Day 2
Erzurum, Tortum and Yaylalar
Drive through the Çoruh Gorge and along Tortum Lake to Yaylalar, the base for the mountain section. Accommodation: tent or guesthouse. Meals: dinner.
Day 3
Acclimatization around Yaylalar
Hike through flower meadows and over Bodot Pass. About 15 km; 700 m ascent; 600 m descent; 7–8 hours. Accommodation: tent. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 4
Bulut Dağı and Dibe Valley
Walk through alpine landscapes and villages in the Dibe Valley, with time to meet local residents. About 18 km; 900 m ascent; 950 m descent; 8–9 hours. Accommodation: camp in Olgunlar. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5
Alpine meadows to Dilberdüzü Camp
Cross alpine meadows and pass nomadic settlements on the way to Dilberdüzü Camp. About 14 km; 600 m ascent; 250 m descent; 6–7 hours. Accommodation: camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6
Kaçkar Dağı summit
Make the demanding summit ascent to Kaçkar Dağı at 3,937 metres, with views of glacial lakes, snowfields, and surrounding peaks. About 12 km round trip; 1,200 m ascent and descent; about 8 hours. Accommodation: camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7
Descent to Yaylalar
Descend through alpine meadows and reflect on the summit experience. About 10 km; 200 m ascent; 1,200 m descent; 3–4 hours. Accommodation: tent. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8
Naletleme Pass and Aydar Valley
Cross Naletleme Pass and descend through rhododendron forests and mountain landscapes to Aydar Valley. About 16 km; 400 m ascent; 2,000 m descent; 7–8 hours. Accommodation: guesthouse. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 9
Ayder and transfer to Trabzon
Relax in Ayder's hot springs, then transfer in the afternoon to the Black Sea coast and your hotel in Trabzon. Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Day 10
Trabzon culture
Visit Sumela Monastery and the Hagia Sophia Museum, then explore Trabzon's bazaar. Accommodation: hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 11
Departure from Trabzon
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Meal: breakfast.
Trekking & hiking · tour inclusions
What is included · Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour
- Admissions according to the program
- Hotel accommodation and simple local guesthouses during the mountain tour
- Two mountain camping nights with tents and cookware
- Luggage transport during the mountain section, up to 15 kg per person
- All meals according to the program
- Cook and accompanying support team during the trekking section
- Mule luggage transport
- English- and German-speaking mountain and trekking guide
Not included
- Flights, available on request
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
- Individual activities
- Single-room supplement
2027 Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour departures
2027 departure dates for Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour
Existing groups only. We do not assemble open groups for this tour. Departure minimum: 6 participants. These are the planned 2027 departures for this route. Send a reservation inquiry and we will confirm availability with you.
Availability guide
Each listed departure shows its current status, kept up to date by TAF Travel.
Printable guide
Download the current tour brief
Save the itinerary, included services, equipment, and applicable terms as a PDF. Language: English.
Route-specific equipment
Pack for this itinerary, not a generic mountain.
Kaçkar days combine wet trails, alpine camps and a possible summit section. Keep waterproof layers and dry clothing accessible rather than buried in luggage. This checklist follows the selected route, season, accommodation, and published inclusions. Read the four categories separately: bring, consider, provided, and confirm or rent.
Essential personal equipment
- Passport and a copy stored separately
- Travel insurance that covers the route, rescue and evacuation where relevant
- Personal medication and any prescription details
- Comfortable daypack for water, layers and personal essentials
- Water bottles or hydration system sized for the day
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen and lip protection
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
- Layered clothing with a warm mid-layer and insulated jacket
- Warm hat, neck protection and gloves with a spare pair
- Broken-in hiking boots with a firm, grippy sole
- Trekking poles suited to uneven ground
- Spare walking socks and a dry base layer
- Dry bags or waterproof protection for clothing and electronics
Recommended or optional
- Cold-rated sleeping bag for high camps; confirm the comfort rating with the team
- Insulated sleeping mat when the route does not include a mat
- Gaiters for snow, wet grass and loose ground
- Personal energy snacks for long walking or summit days
- Small personal first-aid and blister-care kit
- Light shoes or sandals for accommodation and rest
TAF Travel provides or arranges
- Local guide, accommodation and meals stated in the selected trekking itinerary
- Tents, cookware, cook and support team for the mountain camping section
- Mule luggage support up to the limit stated in the confirmed Kaçkar program
Rent or confirm with the team
- Whether this itinerary includes camping, and whether a sleeping bag or mat is supplied
The list is based on the published itinerary and included services. Weather, snow, access, and the guide’s final equipment check take precedence.
Not verified in the published program — ask TAF Travel before buying or packing it.
frequently asked questions · Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour
Questions about this tour
The practical answers below cover the route, preparation, changes, and the reservation process.
What is included in the tour?
The complete included-services list appears above and follows the published itinerary for this route.
Who can join this tour?
The group policy and minimum participant number are shown in the route summary. TAF Travel confirms the final group and availability after your inquiry.
What equipment should I bring?
Use the route-specific equipment checklist on this page. The guide’s final check takes precedence when weather, snow, access, or local rules change.
Can the itinerary change?
Weather, safety, permits, access, and local operating conditions can require reasonable changes. The confirmed program and guide instructions take precedence.
How do I request a place?
Choose a listed departure or send your preferred travel window through the reservation form. TAF Travel confirms the route, availability, and next steps before payment.
No payment is taken with this inquiry.
Ready when you are
Plan your Kaçkar Mountains 11-Day Tour with TAF Travel.
Existing groups only. We do not assemble open groups for this tour. Departure minimum: 6 participants. Tell us your preferred departure and group details. This is a reservation inquiry, not an upfront payment.