Turkey
Highlands
Artvin Highlands
Yusufeli-Kaçkar
Tourist Center- Highland Village
Transportation: This highland village is located 53 km west of Yusufeli.
There is transportation provided by commercial vehicles on the 20 km.
gravel road between Yusufeli and Sarigöl. To make the trip down
the 33 km dirt road from Sarigöl to the village, you will need to
rent a car. The campsite at Dilberdüzü can only be reached
by a 10 km hike down a narrow path.
Description: Situated at 3200 m. the village has basic services such as a fountain, electricity and a health clinic as well as a small market, teahouse, restaurant, bakery and a butcher.
Yaylalar Village is a central stopping point for climbers going to Kaçkar Mountain. Provisions for the climb and pack animals to carry them may be rented here. The nearest campsite to Mt. Kaçkar is Dilberdüzü (3328 m.). There are no facilities at Dilberdüzü but the water is plentiful and ice-cold. It is dangerous to go beyond Dilberdüzü without a guide. Wildlife that can be seen in the area include lynx, bear, mountain goat, wolf, jackal and fox.
On the way to Yaylalar, in the village of Altiparmak is the Church of Altiparmak (Borhal), which is open to the public. There are also silk rugs woven in the village which can be bought.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: One can stay in Sarigöl, where there are a number of bed and breakfast places as well as other services such as a post office, toilets and electricity. The village also has a small market, teahouse, bakery, restaurant and a butcher.
Kafkasör Tourist Center (Kafkasör Highland)
Transportation: Access to the village found 10 km southwest of Artvin
is via a 10 km dirt road.
Description: The 1250 m. high village is gorgeous place well-worth visiting. Its infrastructure is completed and the municipal government has 10 bungalows with a 80 bed capacity. Every year in the last week of June there is a very festive 3-day bull-fighting competition, which is very popular with the locals. Three healing springs, Ciskaro, Yalnizhasan and Acisu are found in the area.
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Accommodation
- Food and Drink: If arrangements are made beforehand, it is
possible to stay in the bungalows. Basic necessities should be brought
in, however, though during the bull-fighting competition there are lots
of stands selling food and drink.
Borçka-Karagöl
Transportation: Turn east onto a dirt road at the 27 km mark on the Borçka-Camili road, the first 7 km of which are asphalt. The village can be reached by following this road for 20 km.
Description: In the forest around the lake is an abundance of wildlife including lynx, bear, curly horned mountain goats, hazel grouse and birds of prey. There is also trout fishing in the lake. The infrastructure is not complete but there are toilets, picnic tables, a fountain and a Forest Service guest house.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies.
Savsat- Karagöl
Transportation:
The 8-10 hectare Lake Karagöl is northeast of Savsat and can be
reached via a 30 km dirt road. You will need to have your own car to
get there.
Description:
There is electricity, a fountain, toilets and a building used by Forest
Service personnel. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies.
Ardanuç-Babilan Highland
Transportation:
You can reach this highland by taking a dirt road east from Ardanuç for
51 km.
Description: With no basic services other than a road and water, this mountain
village has a bazaar every Saturday. In the bazaar they sell food and other
basic supplies as well as animals in an auction. The whole event resembles
a country fair.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Bring your camping gear and other basic supplies. You can buy food stuffs here on Saturday and Sunday
Mosque and Church
Hamamli Church (Center): It is in the Hamamli village of Artvin province. The church is 32 km. from the city center, was constructed by Sembat I from Baghdad in between 923 and 958. It has an impressive architecture with its embroidered “sundial” which had maintained its characteristic on its door till today.Barhal Church (Altiparmak Church, Yusufeli): It is within the Altiparmak village, which is 12 km. away from north west of Yusufeli district. It is used as a mosque today and still protects its historical characteristic.
Ishan Church (Yusufeli): It is 11 km. east from Yusufeli district, and in Dagyolu (Ishan) village. The mosque which was previously constructed as a church in 1008 was converted into a mosque by Ottomans in 1549. Relief illustrating the challenge of a dragon and a lion among the adornments on window borders is interesting. Church with a conical structure still preservs its original structure.
Cevizli Church (Savsat): It is 6 km. from north east of Savsat province, in Cevizli village. It was constructed between 899 and 914 by one of the governors of Bagratli, Asut Kukh. Grave of Asut Kukh is adjacent to this church. A Georgian structure, Cevizli Church’s external face was adorned with columns and relieves. There is a relief of Jesus Christ on the north windows. Ram head relieves in the church and ram head statues on its ceiling is showing that Bagrats are fond of Huns for whom ram is deemed as holy.
Köprülü Bridge (Savsat): It is 7 km from north west of Savsat province and in Köprülü village. It is thought that this is considered as the center of the churches within the region. Only the remnants of the church constructed by Zortana,one of the rulers of Kipçakli has erected today.