Ski touring in the Kaçkar Mountains, from the Silk Road to the eastern peaks
Nine days of ski touring in the Kaçkar, based around Erzurum, the Tortum waterfalls and a mountain pasture village, made to measure.
This programme combines the historic charm of Erzurum, a former caravan crossroads on the Silk Road, with five days of ski touring in the Kaçkar above Yaylalar. After the drive past the Tortum waterfalls, Yusufeli and Barhal, you stay in a family-run village pension, from which outings reach between 3,000 and 3,562 m: Modut plateau, Çovan Tepesi, Naletleme pass, the Bulut Mountains and then Hevek pass or Denizgölü Lake. A professional ski guide goes with you. Announced level: moderate to challenging.
CODE AA-MON-01
9 days · Level 4/5
Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.
- Five days of ski touring from the Yaylalar pension, up to 3,562 m
- Summits and passes: Modut and Çovan (3,000 m), Naletleme (3,100 m), Bulut (3,562 m), Hevek (3,275 m)
- Erzurum, former Silk Road crossroads: citadel, Twin Minaret Madrasa and caravanserai
- The Tortum waterfall (48 m), Yusufeli and Barhal village
- Family-run village pension, professional ski guide included
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Erzurum
Your representative meets you at Erzurum airport and takes you to the hotel in the city centre (15 to 20 minutes, 12 km). Depending on arrival time, a short walk through this historic city, a former caravan crossroads on the Silk Road: the Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai (Taşhan), now the Oltu stone bazaar, the citadel overlooking the old town, and the Twin Minaret Madrasa, a major Seljuk monument. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Erzurum to Yaylalar via Tortum, Yusufeli and Barhal
You leave Erzurum for the Kaçkar Mountains (about 3 hours' drive, 190 km, longer depending on winter road conditions). Tea break at the Tortum waterfall, which drops 48 m, lunch in Yusufeli, then a stop at Barhal, a small village of stone and wooden houses set among terraces irrigated by ancient channels. Arrival in Yaylalar, where you spend the night in a family-run pension, with tea in an authentic atmosphere.
Güngörmez Valley and Modut plateau (3,000 m)
After breakfast, and depending on snow, you can start on skis straight from the pension. You follow a stabilised road eastwards, then climb through the Güngörmez Valley to Modut Tepesi. Picnic, then a ski descent the same way back to Yaylalar. About 1,200 m of elevation change, 5 to 6 hours.
Olgunlar and Çovan Tepesi (3,000 m)
From the pension you climb towards Olgunlar village and on to Çovan Tepesi, with fine views of the Hastav Valley, the Kaçkar range and the Davut Mountains. Picnic at the top, then a ski descent via Olgunlar back to Yaylalar. About 1,200 m of elevation change, 5 to 6 hours.
Düpeduzu and Naletleme pass (3,100 m)
After breakfast, climb towards Olgunlar, then on to the Düpeduzu plateau, a summer campsite, and finally to the Naletleme pass (3,100 m). Picnic at the pass, then ski down via Olgunlar to the Yaylalar pension. About 1,300 m of elevation change, 5 to 6 hours.
Bulut Mountains (3,562 m)
You set off on skis from the pension heading north, via the Korahmet and Taşyayla plateaus, to the Bulut range. After a short break you climb to the summit of Bulutdağı (3,562 m), with a panorama of the Kaçkar summits. Ski back down the same way to Yaylalar. About 1,762 m of elevation change, 6 to 7 hours, the outing with the biggest elevation change of the week.
Dilberduzu, Hevek pass (3,275 m) or Denizgölü Lake (3,300 m)
Via Olgunlar you follow the Büyükçay River to Dilberduzu, one of the most famous pastures of the Kaçkar and the summer base camp for the Kaçkar summit. From there you have two options: climb via Büyükdağduzu to the Hevek pass (3,275 m), with fine views of the Dilberduzu plateau (about 1,475 m of elevation change), or go up to Denizgölü Lake at 3,300 m (about 1,500 m). Picnic, then ski down the same way. 6 to 7 hours.
Back to Erzurum via Yusufeli
After breakfast you leave Yaylalar for Erzurum (about 3 hours, 190 km, longer depending on winter road conditions). On the way you can visit the 10th-century Georgian church of Barhal, set on a hillside on the village outskirts. Late-afternoon arrival in Erzurum, overnight at the hotel.
Departure from Erzurum airport
After breakfast, transfer to Erzurum airport (15 to 20 minutes, 12 km), where the trip ends.
Included / Not included
What’s included
- Transfers and transport by private vehicle for the stages of the programme
- Arrival and departure transfers between Erzurum airport and the city-centre hotel (days 1 and 9)
- Local tour leader / mountain guide for logistics (not a ski specialist)
- Professional ski guide
- Hotel and pension accommodation in standard double or twin rooms
- Meals: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners (lunch packs or local restaurants; dinners served until 8:30/9 pm)
What’s not included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Additional transport and transfers not in the programme, including extra arrival or departure transfers
- Entrance fees to historical and natural sites
- Optional activities
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water, tea and coffee)
- Personal expenses
- Extra nights, single-room supplements and accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips