pdf - Eastern Turkey Tours

EasternTurkeyTours
Trekking Lake Van, Nemrut & Suphan
Exceed your expectations Email: [email protected]
Mt Suphan across Lake Van from the edge of Nemrut Crater
Day 1
Starting from Van we will travel along the southern shore of Lake
Van stopping to visit the Island of Akdamar with its 10th century
Church of the Holy Cross. After lunch in our own lakeside restaurant
we will proceed to Tatvan where we shall spend the night.
Day 2
Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island, Lake Van
From Tatvan we make an early start up into Nemrut Crater. We will
stop at the rim where your first day hiking will begin. This first dayapproximately 30 kms of moderate hiking- will take you around the
rim of the volcano providing you with spectacular views of both the
lakes inside the crater and Lake Van and Suphan to the north east
of the crater.
The main crater lake from the start of your hike (above) and near the
end of your hike (below). Below you can see both the hot and the
larger cold lakes. Your camp site lies between the two allowing you
to bath in warm water or cold after your day's hiking.
Overnight camping in the crater.
Day 3
Today you will have the time to explore the floor of the crater, the
lakes and the numerous thermal blow holes that dot the area…
There will also be the opportunity to explore the larger cold lake by
boat and to fish for carp.
Overnight camping in the crater.
…and you may even meet some of the locals
The view from the Selcuklu Hotel Ahlat.
Day 4
Today we leave the crater and head for Ahlat on the shore of Lake
Van to relax and visit the various attractions in and around the town
of Ahlat. We will stay at the Selcuklu Hotel right on the edge of the
lake with stunning views of Suphan to the north.
The ancient Seljuk cemetery at Ahlat with the crater of Nemrut in the
background still partly covered with the remains of snow even in the
late spring.
Overnight in Ahlat
Day 5
We depart, after a leisurely breakfast for Aydinlar on the north shore
of Lake Van and then on to our camp site on the slopes of Mt
Suphan.
Camp site on the slopes of Suphan
Day 6
Early morning start -2 am - for the summit of Suphan. With the aid
of head lamps we will start our ascent to allow us to reach the lower
levels of the rim of the crater just after dawn.
On the approach to the summit the peak looks very much like any
other summit approach. However, as one reaches the rim of this
extinct volcano there is a surprise in store; a perfect crater with a
lake. In June the lake is still frozen and one can walk across it but in
late summer after the ice thaws the lake is a deep blue reflection of
cloudless skies. At 4058 metres, Suphan is the second highest peak
in Turkey
…and across the frozen lake
Into the crater…
Day 6 - Continued
After your descent to camp we will after a short rest, return to the
city of Van for a well earned shower and a sumptuous farewell
dinner!
Overnight in Van.
Day 7
Depart from Van
On the top!
The 3000 year old Urartian citadel atop Van castle rock
overlooking the city and the lake.
Optional extensions touring the Lake Van region to visit the city of
Van with its ancient Urartian citadel, Hosap castle and the Urartian
site at Cavustepe are available in 1, 2 or 3 day segments. There are
also numerous Armenia religious sites around the lake and on the
lake in the various islands just off shore. Van itself is a lively city with
excellent shopping and wonderful restaurants.
Alternatively, you can add a five day trekking expedition to the peak
of Mt Ararat. Just couple hours, or so, drive to the north of Van is
Dogubeyazit, the base for Ararat expeditions
EasternTurkeyTours
Trekking Lake Van, Nemrut & Suphan
Exceed your expectations Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.easternturkeytour.org