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Trans
Taurus Trek: Bolkar & Aladag Mountains
A
two weeks moderate strenuous trekking through
the mighty Taurus range passing glistening mountain
lakes. An intricate topography of lofty gorges
and compact valleys make this part of the Taurus
(Known as the Aladaglar) a very attractive challenge
to trekkers like ourselves. The powerful “horseshoe-like”
limestone massif is almost naked of trees on its
high northern elevations, while on the southern
flacks there are majestic slopes of pine scented
forests and verdant open scrubby-land. The Bolkar
range offers plenty of limestone reef and a handful
fantastic panoramas and a magnificent scenery
at your feet - the beautiful mountain lakes of
Bolkar. The high meadows or pastures are inhabited
by semi-nomadic groups during the summer, in the
months of June to September - in particular, by
the yoruk, whose origins are Adana and whose traditional
occupation is grazing their goats and sheep. On
our trek, we will often meet with the hospitality
of nomads and local villagers of this area.. |
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Day
1
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Adana
Meet at the airport
of Adana and transfer to hotel for overnight.
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Day
2 :
Adana - Bolkar Range
Drive to the trailhead
village of Tekir (1600 m) where our trekking begins
from. More impressive scenery as we trek through
the Elmali Gorge on our way to our camp site at
2200 m. 3 hours walk through a pine forest. Dinner
and overnight at camp nearby nomadic ones.. |
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Day
3 : Elmalı
– Kızıltepe
We ascend the
impressive valley to the Kocagedik pass (3050
m), as we gradually climb up, the cool mountain
air refreshes us. En route to Kızıltepe camp
site (2800m), we pass some mountain lake with
refreshing water and some grassy Alps. Overnight
camp with all meals. 5 h. walking. |
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Day
4 : Kızıltepe
– Maden
3 h walking on
the plateau surrounded by the peaks of the highest
mount of the range and we trek up to the mount
Medetsiz (3524m) the highest peak of the Bolkar
range. Then the trail slopes down to the Maden
village (1665 m high), where the life style has
not change for centuries. 9 hours trekking. Overnight
camp with all meals.. |
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Day
5 :Maden
- Meydan
Walking up in the
Arpalik valley, to the Meydan plateau to join
our camp site at 2300 m. Possibility to spend
time around the Cini and Karagol lakes. Overnight
camp with all meals. 3 h. |
Day
6 : Karatepe summit (3266m)
This day will
be spared to Mount Karatepe ascension, which highest
point is at 3266 m. We’ll take opportunity to
spend swimming time in Karagol and Cinigol lakes
with cool and fresh water. We’ll certainly have
chance to contact with nomadic people pitching
their tent nearby this lakes and whose main activity
is grazing goats. Return to Meydan camp site for
overnight with all meals. 5/6 h. |
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Day
7 : Mount
Bolkar - Mount Taurus
Through valleys
and hills we follow the path sloping down to Darbogaz,
a rather rustic settlement, at 1450 m high. Then
drive to the Aladaglar range. On arrival to the
Cukurbag trailhead village, we have a lunch-break
in a guesthouse. Then we continue on, through
a pine forest to Alaca plateau where our camp
site is at 2450 m. 5 h walking. |
Day
8 : Alaca summit (3588m) - Emli valley
From our base camp,
we make an optional walk to Mt Alaca. We trek
on the Southern slops of the Taurus climbing gradually
up to a pass at just under 3000 m. The walk is
not too difficult, and as we ascend the cool mountain
air refreshes us. Arriving at the high peak, we
are rewarded with a nice panoramic view. We descend
back to the Emli base camp at 1800 m, for overnight
with all meals. 6/7 h. |
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Day
9 : Emli
– Kayacık
We descend to Siyirmalik
Valley before climbing up to the high pastures
of the Eznevit Yayla (2538 m). Depending on the
time of year, we may encounter the semi-nomads
of this area grazing their flocks. After lunch
we gradually descend to our campsite at Kayacık.
About 6 hours walking. Overnight camp with meals.
2000 m. |
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Day
10 : Optional:
Embler Summit (3723m)
Trekking in the
east along the Yalak Deresi trail to a narrow
canyon with spring water. Then cross the rugged
Celikbuyduran Pass (3450 m). Then it is very easy
to ascend to the summit. Splendid scenery and
possibility to see whole Taurus range mount Bolkar
and other summits, also a nice view of the Yedigoller
basin (Seven lakes) though most of the lakes are
still out of sight. Back to Kayacık camp site.
6 h. Overnight Kayacık camp site with all meals. |
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Day
11 : Kayacık
– Demirkazık
More impressive
scenery we see today is Cimbar and Narpuz canyon.
We follow the pass on the Eastern face of the
Demirkazik and go over the pass at 3300m. We go
on descending to the Dipsiz lake (2900m), a magical
place with wildflowers. Arrive to Demirkazik,
the trail end village. Overnight Demirkazik village
camp (1550m) with all meals. 6 h walk.
Day 12 : Demirkazık
– Cappadocia
In the morning
drive to Cappadocia. Three million years ago the
violent eruptions of Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan
covered the surrounding plateau with tuff. From
this brittle rock wind and rain eroded the Cappadocia
spectacular of surrealist landscape. During the
day we’ll discover this fantastic rock formations.
Overnight in regular camping. 4h. |
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Day
13 : Istanbul
Transfer to Kayseri
airport and fly to Istanbul. Known as Constantinople
until the first World War, Istanbul was the old
capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Nearly all the city's main sites of historic interest
are in old Stamboul. The Blue Mosque, Topkapi
Palace and the Hippodrome are ones of the most
interesting monuments of the old city. The Covered
Bazaar is not far a way and is well worth to visit.
Overnight hotel. |
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Day
14 : Istanbul
Free day in Istanbul |
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Day
15 : Istanbul - Home
Transfer to airport
and fly home. |
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Summits : Medetsiz : 3524 m, Karatepe : 3266
m, Alaca : 3588 m, Embler : 3723 m
Season : July / August
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Bike Trip in Cappadocia