Miss Sushi

June 14 -21, 2009

Butterfly spotting, cheese making and dancing are on the agenda for this seven day trek around the rugged Kackar region which was once part of the Georgian kingdom. Scheduled for mid June when the snow still covers the majestic peaks and the rapid rivers are roaring, the walks will take us through wild flower valleys and over thgh passes to altitudes of 2,700 meters.

Renowned for their flora and fauna, especially rare and endemic butterflies, the beautiful valleys narrowly escaped flooding by a gigantic dam project which caused mass migration from the area over the past 15 years. As a result, development was halted leaving the area pristine but the few remaining natives are in need of incomes to sustain their nature based lives.

United Nations Development Programme’s Mr Egemen Cakir and Margaret Scully have created this trekking holiday as part of an Eco tourism project to rejuvenate the mountainous communities without damaging the natural habitat. Particular attention is given to supporting local enterprise and sourcing the best food and activities the mighty range has to offer.

The eight day trek and tour costs €865 (ex flights) and includes:

• all guided walks with qualified local guides

• all accommodation

• all meals (cooked from locally grown/sourced produce)
  

• transport throughout entire tour

• transfers to and from Erzurum Airport
  

Numbers  limited. BOOKING deposit required to secure place.

email: onlymisssushi@hotmail.com

phone +353 85 1655575

Flights to the Kackar

Given the destination being a remote outpost there are no direct flights from Europe/Dublin to Erzurum.

Return flights with Turkish Airlines from Dublin to Istanbul. Dep 13/06, Return 22/06 € 225

Overnight in Istanbul (believe me this is not a bad thing!!) for a little glimpse of the enchanting historic city. Return flights with Sun Express from Istanbul to Erzurum. Dep 14/06, Return 21/06 Approx €100

Istanbul

If you can spare the time at all it would be well worth giving Istanbul a day for exploration.  The city is very clean and safe and it’s possible to ferry boat around, avoiding traffic and crowds, making it an excellent stop over. After a week of trekking a visit to one of the city’s famous Hammam’s(Turkish Bath) for a scrub and massage is highly recommended.

Accommodation can range in price from basic €30 (2*single room per night) to boutique €100 (top location/views) and welll beyond depending on ones pocket and preference. Most of the main attractions are in the historic Sultanhamet area, which  is laden with hotels of every standard. The group will stay in the same hotel on the first night. To be arranged in coming weeks.

Photos from Kackar Trek, June 2008

White rhodedendrons

The local’s in Yaylalar are happy to see visitors after being snowed in for the winter months. I met this lady just across the road from the girl with her cow in the earlier photo.

Lady of the Blue House, Yaylalar

Due to their caucasian origins, many of the native people have fair hair and blue eyes like the man in this photo.

The Good Life

The women look after the cows and cheese making is a part of Kackar life.

Ayse making Cheese

Cow dung has many uses: fertiliser for crops, fuel for fire and plaster for this window.

Cow plaster

While flora and fauna have thrived, the high altitude communities and traditions are becoming extinct. Children were a rare find in the mountains due to the dwindling population. These four were the only ones in the 2,000 meter village of Yaylalar.

Future Generation

The Kackar natives are recent converts to Islam. Up until two hundred years ago they were Georgian Christians, and the valleys around Yusufeli have several churches and are known as the Georgian Valleys. The Islamic Ottoman’s didn’t destroy the churches but converted them into mosques. This church in Barhal is the village Mosque.

Barhal Church

June is a wonderful time to walk the Kackar as the hills are alive and aromatic with all the wild flowers.

Wild Flower Meadow

The Barhal valleys are home to 100 species of butterflies, including fritillaries, blues and apollos. Egemen Cakir from the UNDP project took this picture of Parnassis Apollo.

The Apollo

We came upon musicians playing the Tulum bagpipes, encircled by Horon dancers. We had good fun learning the steps and chants.

Tulum bagpiper

Miss Sushi loves good food and was very impressed with the Kackar cuisine. Breakfast usually consisted of eggs & bread served with home made butter, cheese, jams, honey and fresh fruits. Kackar cherries were in season and delicous.

Breakfast

The bees are dining on the finest organic wild flowers and the divine honey is abundant on every breakfast table. So sweet.

The Kackar Eco Trek and Tour 2009

The Itinerary

The series of day walks will take us up and around the valleys of Barhal, Altiparmak and over the range into Sirakonaklar. Altitudes will range from 500 to 2,700 meters. Grade C-D. (approx walking time in brackets)

Day 1 Transfer from Erzurum Airport/City to Uzundere village for welcome Dinner and briefing with guides.

Day 2 Visit Tortum Waterfall en route to Yusufeli, white water rafting capital of Turkey and gateway to the Kackars.

An opportunity to go white water rafting or visit Georgian Churches and break into the trek on a loop walk(3.5 hour).

Transfer to Barhal Village.

Day 3 Visit Barhal Village and Church before heading off on a day walk (5-6 hour)to Uban Mezzra village. Evening picinic with the Uban villagers. Return to Barhal.

Day 4 Walk through the Barhal valley to the Yayla village of Yaylalar. Visit cheesemakers. Stay in Yaylalar.

Day 5 Walk from Yaylalar to Shepherds place.(6 hrs)

Day 6 Walk from Shepherds place to Sirakonaklar Armenian Village.(7 hrs)

Day 7 Loop walk in the beautiful Sirakonaklar area(3-6hr).

Day 8 Farewell Breakfast and transfer to Erzurum

The Practicalities

A list of items necessary for the trek will be sent in coming weeks. Its the usual stuff and a good sleeping bag if you have one. If not, dont worry, we can hire one for you. You won’t be staying in tents but on Day 5, we stay in the Shepherds place which is simple Yayla (high altitude summer village) accommodation. This is the only night you need a sleeping bag.

Luggage will be transferred so you dont have to worry about carrying all your gear.

Walking times are estimated and subject to change depending on snow melt etc.

As with most mountainous regions, the weather is changeable so waterproof boots and clothing is essential.

Passengers will be met in Istanbul and the group will travel together, arriving in Erzurum on June 14 at 13:50.