8 days tour with Kerem Karaerkek
Midsummer in the verdant Kackar Mountains is a time of peaceful walks and rich colours, when some of the regions loveliest flowers appear in high pastures with the deep pink of Stachys macrantha colouring whole slopes mingled with the big purple bells of Campanula latifolia, giant golden-rayed Telekia speciosa vying with even larger masses of Campanula lactiflora above carpets of Lady's Mantle. The first deep blue gentians will be opening on the alpine turf, painted with mats of Coronilla orientalis, campanulas and cornflowers. Local people will have moved their livestock up to these idyllic grazing grounds as the warm hues of the season gather and we can expect a charming and vibrant scene.
NB: You will only carry your day bags during the walks.
Weather can be very changeable and rain can be expected at times equally it can be very warm and sunny. Mountain weather can change very quickly so make sure you bring appropriate clothing.
After meeting at Trabzon or Rize airport we will transfer to Camlihemsin, making our way into the lush green hills for the first time. Overnight Camlihemsin.
Our first day sees us driving up to Avusor yayla, perhaps with the odd flower or view stops on the way for Aster caucasicus, Tanacetum macrophyllum and golden-rayed Telekia speciosa. Once there we’ll check in at Simge Pansiyon before starting our walk to Avusor Lake. (5 km distance, 330 metre altitude gain). It is a straightforward walk during which we have the chance to see some lovely alpine flora. Several orchid species such as Dactylorrhiza euxina, Dactylorrhiza urvilleana and beautifully coloured gentians especially Gentiana septemfida. We walk back the same way and spend the night here at the Avusor yaylasi.
In the morning we’ll drive from Avusor yayla to Kavrun yayla (1 hour) from where we walk up to the three lakes. (12.8 km return. 1000 metres altitude gain). This is a longish walk with a significant altitude gain, but one we will cover at a nice slow pace with stops to observe the many interesting plants. We will probably see more orchids such as Anacamptis pyramidalis and Gymnadenia conopsea, stunning black-eyed magenta Geranium psilostemon, as well as, Geranium ibericum, creamy Cephalaria gigantea and golden Inula speciosa, stately Campanula lactiflora and depending on the season we may see Fritillaria and Lillium as well. We will walk down from a different valley; Ceymakcur and meet with the vehicle at Ceymakcur yayla. Overnight Ayder.
The walk from Sal yayla to Pokut. (5 kms. 250 metres altitude gain) gives us the chance to observe yayla life including lunch at a yayla house as guests of a local family. Today's walk is partly in the forest and there are opportunities to see many different kinds of mushrooms along with the woodland flora. Overnight Amlakit yaylasi.
Starting out from Amlakit yaylasi we will walk towards Kermukerec lake as far as we can go. (7-8 km. less than 1000 metres altitude gain). Today’s walk will take us to snow line and we will snow melt flowers, gentians and perhaps lilies will also be there. We walk back the same way and stay one more night at Amlakit yayla.
Starting in the forest our walk will take us above the tree line to a green pasture and finally up to Samistal yaylasi (8 kms. 800 metres altitude gain), one of the highest yaylas in the region. We meeting the vehicle at Samistal yayla and enjoy a picnic lunch before driving down to Çat village with one or two flower or view stops on the way. Overnight Cat.
Our last foray into the flowery hills takes us to the superb Verçenik yaylasi. (1 hour) where we take walk up to Kapılı Lakes (4 km 400 metres altitude gain) with many flowers on the way. As always in the Kackar, there are wonderful views all around and at the idyllic lakes we will have our picnic lunch. The return give us the chance to enjoy the flora once again. From the trail head we will drive down to Camlihemsin once again.
Transfer to the Rize airport.
1-8 July 2025
Per person (twin share): 2400 Euros
Deposit 400 Euros
Single supplement: 400 Euros
Included:
Not included:
*Minimum number of participants 4, maximum 12.
For more information on our tours
Turkey: +90 535 4125286 | UK: +44 (0)795 854 6807
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