Itinerary for Kackar Circuit (Turkey)

Day 1 Friday: We meet in Istanbul where we'll be spending Shabbat. Optional city tour. Overnight: Galata Residence Hotel.

Day 2 Shabbat: Tefillot at area synagogues. Meals at the Galata Old Age Home. Overnight: Galata Residence Hotel.

Day 3 Sunday: Morning flight to Trabzon. Organizational briefing and start of trek. First of four nights in tents.

Day 4 Monday: Today's hike takes us into the Kackar toward the Kara Deniz Lake, where we’ll stop for lunch. We then climb over Caymakcur Pass and descend into the valley on its Southern side, where we’ll set up camp by a mountain stream.

Day 5 Tuesday: A morning hike down the valley will get us to the farming village of Olgunlar, where we’ll stop for tea. We then head due west on a moderate and steady ascent to Dilberduzu (2,800 meters), where we’ll encamp in preparation for tomorrow’s summit climb.

Day 6 Wednesday: We first ascend a fairly steep section to the beautiful Deniz Golu, a spectacular tarn nestled in the rocky terrain at 3,450 meters. Three hours later, weather permitting, we reach the summit of Mt. Kackar, and are rewarded with a panoramic view of the entire range. We soon return to our previous night’s camp at Dilberduzu.

Day 7 Thursday: Over the ridge and down the other side to the Nameless Lake. A long day’s hike brings us back to Ayder and a welcome bath in its hot springs.
Farewell dinner, and return to Trabzon for flights back to Istanbul and home.