PRINCIPAL RIVERS FOR ADVENTURED RAFTING SPORT

Köprülü Canyon River , Dalaman Stream , Coruh River , Zamanti River , Alara Stream , Aksu Stream,...

BARHAL - ALTIPARMAK  RIVER RAFTING /  YUSUFELI - ARTVIN - TURKEY :

The River Altiparmak ( Barhal ), located in the province of Artvin, emerges from the southern side of the Kackar Mountains and runs about 40 km to join the Coruh river 2 km south of Yusufeli.

The Altiparmak flows through a strikingly beautiful valley enveloped by high mountains.Recommended for canoeing and rafting, the river has a rich selection of flora and fauna, and a high flow-rate year round because of the run-off of melting snow.
The basin of the Altiparmak can be reached by Yusufeli via Artvin or Erzurum. Ogdem Creek joins the Altiparmak 6 km from Yusufeli, and the town of Sarigol is 19 km from Yusufeli and accessible by a stabilised gravel road.

The area of Deftise, situated about 1.5 km beyond Sarigol, is distinguished by wooden two-story houses built in traditional Black Sea style. Edged by dense green forests, these picturesque houses and the misty summit of the Kackar Mountains create a very beautiful panorama. The village of Altiparmak ( Barhal ) is accessible from Sarigol via a narrow, 12km long road, and the people here are very hospitable and friendly, with accommodation available in simple guest-houses. This village serves as one of the main campsites on the climb up Kackar Mountain. A stabilised road leads to Yaylalar, 24 km beyond Altiparmak, and west is the Artvin Kackar Tourism Centre.

COURSES
The pretty hamlet of Deftise, north of Sarigol, provides the best starting point for canoe and raft expeditions down the Altiparmak, which runs approximately 22 km from this point to the junction with the Coruh, with class 3-4 waters. The riverbed is rocky, and special care needs to be taken when the river flow rate is low.

Three km from Sarigol, the ruins of citadel of Bahceli lie to the right of the creek before reaching Yusufeli, after crossing the concrete bridge near the junction of Ogdem creek and the Altiparmak. The run may be completed either at Yusufeli or 2 km ahead, before the Altiparmak flows into the River Coruh River.

The best months to plan a canoe or raft trip on the Altiparmak is between May and August.

CORUH RIVER RAFTING COURSE;

A trip down the Coruh starts at Bayburt, passing through Ispir and Yusufeli and on to Artvin, a distance of approximately 260 kms.

Bayburt - Ispir 0-106 km ;
An ideal starting point for the expedition is the Dikmetas Bridge near Bayburt, which has good areas for camping on either side of the river. Aslandede and Laleli also make pleasant campsites.

With a class 2-3 water, the trip from Bayburt to Ispir can be completed within three days on average. Approximately 3 kms before arriving at Ispir, the left bank affords a convenient campground. The nearby gas station and the shops in Ispir are useful for reprovisioning.

Ispir - Camlikaya 106-134 km ;
Following departure from Ispir ( stabilized road entry: 0 km), one should watch the rapids at 3km, 6.6 km, 7.4 km, and 8 km. The small hut on the left side of the road before arriving at the road junction for Camlikaya at 28 kms makes a good rest stop. Drinking water can be obtained either from the brook flowing from the mountains, located 200 meters ahead on the left side of the road, or from the spring to the right of the transformer station past the concrete bridge at the Camlikaya road junction. Food can be purchased from Camlikaya (4 kms from the road junction). The Ispir-Camlikaya route is class 3-4-5 water.

Camlikaya - Tekkale 134-178 km ;
After Camlikaya, rice plantations, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards prevail on the river banks. The river passes by Köprügören at 48 km, coming to the hamlet of Alanbasi at 54 km. It is possible to camp there next to the brook that joins the Coruh on the left bank immediately before the village.

Past the concrete bridge, the river becomes rockier, class 3-4-5 water. An old watch tower is visible before arriving at Cevreli. The garden in front of the village primary school, to the right immediately after the concrete bridge, makes a good campsite. There are also places to overnight in Tekkale, 7 km ahead. From Tekkale, guides can take you up the mountains to see the historic Dörtkilise, a medieval Georgian church. Fishermen will enjoy angling for speckled trout (alabalik) in the brook flowing nearby the church.

Tekkale - Artvin 178-261 km ;
From Tekkale, the expedition proceeds to Yusufeli, 6 kms away, where accommodations and simple cafes can be found. The Altiparmak, one of the major branches of the Coruh, joins the river close to Yusufeli.

As the flow-rate of the river picks up speed, the route becomes increasingly challenging, class 3-4-5 water. " Oltu Creek " joins the river 9 km after Yusufeli, near the Artvin-Erzurum highway junction, behind a concrete bridge. The rapids begin 22 km from Yusufeli. This 100 meter stretch of white water, nicknamed "King-Kong", cascades around sharp boulders with breathtaking velocity, making it the high point of the expedition. The water is dangerous here, class 5+ water, so less experienced expeditions should not plan to cross this section when the river is high. A large concrete sign inscribed with the letters EIE to the left of the highway identifies this section of the Coruh.

Expeditions can make camp 33 km before Zeytincik, stopping to pick up any necessary provisions in the village. At 43 km, the river enters a narrow 3 km long canyon class 3-4. The gas station and inn at Oruclu, at 57 km, provides a convenient finish for the trip. Boats can be pulled on shore here and there are a few rustic rooms and a cafe. Artvin is 20 km further on from Oruclu, with mostly class 1-2 water. Some groups prefer to extend the route right through to Artvin.

WHAT TO SEE ;
As one of the first places in Anatolia to be settled by the Turks, Bayburt is renowned for its music, folklore and historic buildings. The town's location on the Silk Road made it a stopping place for travellers from the east and west. It has retained its importance militarily and culturally throughout the centuries.

Today, the imposing Bayburt Fortress, Clock Tower, old Turkish baths (hamam), mosques and churches are worth seeing.

Also of interest are javelin contests, a traditional type of polo, water buffalo wrestling and local folk dances.
Ruins of several citadels can be seen in Ispir. The medieval fortress of Ispir citadel was repaired and used in turn by the Saltuks, Seljuks and Ottomans. The castle contains a small mescid or chapel.

Yusufeli is particularly interesting for amateur historians and archaeologists. The Barhal church, Ishan fortress and church, Demirkent fortress and church, Cevreli-Meydan citadel, Kilickaya fortress and hundreds of underground storerooms tell the fascinating history of the area.
In the province of Artvin, the most important things to see are the fortresses of Artvin, Okumuslar, Bakìrköy, Saribudak and Yukarimaden.

Regional festivals give a fascinating insight into local customs. The best known among these is the Kafkasör Cultural and Arts Festival held each year in the second half of June. The festival is unique in the world, featuring a Turkish version of bullfighting. Prize bulls, classified according to their neck thickness and weight, are pitted against each other in fights that stop short of mortal injury. The festival attracts a growing number of tourists from around the around the world.

Bayburt Rafting Yusufeli Rafting     Ispir Rafting Camlikaya Rafting Tekkale Rafting    Artvin Rafting    Barhal Rafting     Coruh River Rafting Maps 
 

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