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Day
1 - Istanbul – Erzurum (B)
(L) (D)
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From
Erzurum to the river Our guides meet you off the Turkish
Airlines internal flight that arrives mid-morning. After lunch
in the city we have a 3-hour minibus journey to our first
campsite at Catakbahce (1250 m).
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Day
2 – Ispir (B)
(L) (D)
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Rafting
grade 2/3 (Training Day) After briefing and training about
rafting techniques and equipment we start our journey
downriver to our next campsite at Ispir (1100m), a remote but
interesting little town with a castle perched on a rock
pinnacle. In the evening we have the chance to explore the
castle and shops, and to inspect the first section of the
exciting rapids that await us tomorrow.
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Day
3 – Camlikaya (B)
(L) (D)
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Rafting
Grade 5 'White Horses', 'Nightmare' and 'The Minister's Rapid'
are some of the rapids we will run today. The route starts in
a spectacular canyon and the adrenaline keeps pumping as we
pass through back-to-back rapids. Our campsite tonight is in a
pretty orchard at Camlikaya. (810m).
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Day
4- Tekkale (B)
(L) (D)
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Rafting
grade 5 On our left mountains rise to 2000m peaks, on our
right are tiny terraced paddy fields, and ruined castles
clinging to riverside rock pinnacles. After tackling rapids
such as 'Frog's Piss' and 'The French Hole' we arrive at
Tekkale village, also known in Turkish as 'Four Churches'. In
June this village of cherry orchards is laden with fruit.
(550m)
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Day
5- Resting (B)
(L) (D)
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Today
it's time to rest our arms and give our legs some exercise.
Our guide will lead the group through forests high into the
mountains (up to 1800m) to explore two remote ancient Georgian
churches. Those who are feeling brave can swim in the clear
mountain streams. We may come across tracks or even glimpse
one of the brown bears that still live in these mountains.
Approximately 8 hours walking - strenuous but not technical.
Those who prefer may rest in camp.
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Day
6- Yusufeli (B)
(L) (D)
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Rafting
grade 5 Today we raft the Yusufeli Gorge, where we tackle the
most exhilarating rapids of the week, including ''King Kong'.
Huge boulders the size of houses forces the water into steep
chutes and churning holes that seem bigger than the raft.
Dinner on the veranda of a restaurant in the small town of
Yusufeli overlooking the Barhal River.
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Day
7- Erzurum (B)
(L) (D)
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Rafting
grade 4 Today we test our skills on a different river, the
powerful Barhal that flows into the Çoruh at the Yusufeli.
This river is much narrower and steeper than the Coruh, with
many narrow passages. We return to Erzurum by bus, and spend
the night in a pension there.
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Day
8- Erzurum (B)
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After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight. If
time allows, you have the chance to explore Erzurum’s
bazaars and historical sites independently.
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