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 Day
1
Depart UK and fly
to Istanbul. Here you will be met by our representative and transferred to our
hotel in the central area of Sultanahmet, home to the Blue Mosque and Aya
Sophia.
A beautiful area to
sample Turkish hospitality!
Day 2
After breakfast, we
depart for the airport for our onward flight to Erzurum – a remote outpost in
the spectacular region of far eastern Turkey.
You will be met by
the rest of your guides, who will transfer you to the hotel you will return to
after the trip.
Here you will be
given some of the equipment required for the river, and you can also leave
behind any belongings you don’t wish to take with you.
Transfer by bus to
the beginning of our river adventure. This journey will take approximately 3 –
4 hours through stunning views over the giant plateau, into the heart of the
Kackar Mountain Range.
By late afternoon,
the camp on the banks of the Coruh will be set up.
Enjoy our first
night under canvas.
Day 3
After breakfast (a
wonderful introduction to the diversity of fresh food this region offers), we
load our equipment onto the bus and begin a comprehensive safety briefing. We
then begin to practise some of the paddle strokes and manoeuvres required to
tackle the forthcoming rapids of the Coruh.
The first day is
flat water with a few rapids to test newly learned skills.
Day 4
Today starts with a
3 km stretch of continuous white-water until we hit the first Grade 5 rapid,
affectionately known as ‘The Bitch’.
We have a short
section of fast water to the next Grade 5 called ‘Alexis’, then down into
‘Dynasty’ and finally ‘the Stud’. It’s not over there, as we hit ‘Mile Long
Rapid’, with its rolling series of towering waves.
This sets the scene
for the next three days as from then on the rapids don’t stop, as we continue on
this ‘thrill-a-minute’ roller coaster ride towards the first major village of
Asku.
Overnight camp at
Tekkale, where we sample the hospitality of Cemil, the ex-mayor of Tekkale who
is one of the most charismatic people of the valley.
Day 5
As we move further
downstream, the scenery gives rise to fantastic photo opportunities in the form
of Byzantine castles, which we take time out to visit. The climb to reach them
offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and the river below.
If possible, we
will also stop off at some of the villages along the river banks. These Turkish
people are renowned for their hospitality.
Day 6
A real gem today –
the technical Barhal rapid. We drive up to the put-in point (approx. 25 km
upstream) and then raft back towards camp.
This river is great
fun and will put all those different paddling strokes to the test as well as the
guides’ river skills.
At the end of the
day, climb the ladder to a local hotel and enjoy an ice cold beer.
Day 7
After breakfast,
another fantastic white-water day ahead of us. We pass the confluence of the
Barhal River, adding even more water to the already ‘pumping river!’
We plunge through
huge waves and manoeuvre around obstacles before finally leaving the river
behind.
The four hour drive
back to Erzurum is as spectacular as the trip to the river is, as we meander
through the Tortem gorges – an impressive array of twisted rock and turquoise
lakes of water.
In Erzurum, check
into our hotel and indulge in some ‘Retail Therapy’ or a visit to the local
Hamam for a Turkish bath, before enjoying our Presentation Dinner.
Day 8
After breakfast, we
make our way to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
*Please note that whilst we make every effort to adhere to this schedule and the
accommodation stated, this is subject to alteration. |
