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You can drive in Turkey with an international driving licence. You should have a copy of this, together with your passport and insurance documents with you in the car at all times, as you will need it if you are involved in an accident. All of the major international car rental companies, as well as a number of local ones, have offices at airports and all major centres. Driving in Turkey is on the right, as in continental Europe.

Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs and archaeological and historic sites are indicated by yellow signs. Turkey has a good network of well-maintained roads.

There is a 50 km per hour speed limit within urban centres and 90 km outside urban centres. Petrol stations are fairly easy to rind and on main highways, they are often open 24hrs and have restaurants and other facilities attached.

Unleaded (kursunsuz) petrol is easily available. If you are planning on driving to Turkey, as well as your passport, you will need to take your international driving licence, car registration documents and international green card (insurance card) with the TR sign clearly visible (NB: This can be purchased on arrival at the border). You can bring your own car into the country for up to six months. If you wish to keep your car in Turkey for more than six months, you are liable to pay import tax.

Anatolia, due to its geographic location, is functioned as a gate and bridge between west and east as well as being a place on where various civilizations are founded and developed since ancient ages. As a result of this, during various periods, road webs with various directions and character such as Kings Road (VIth century B.C., Roman Era Roads (IInd century B.C.), have surrounded the Anatolia. Transportation of silk and spice as well as other products of east to west, is formed commercial roads named as “Silk Road” today and reaching Europe from China.

But, Silk Roads were not only the commercial roads but also maintained cultural relations between east and west for centuries. Anatolia, is formed one of the most important junction points of Silk Road. During Medieval Age, silk roads have reached Europe over Thrace with passing Anatolia, which has a characteristic of being a bridge with following more than one routes in Middle Asia, beginning from China. Also, Europe is reached by maritime lines with using important harbors such as Efes and Milet, at Aegean coasts, Trabzon and Sinop, in Black Sea Alanya and Antalya in Mediterranean.

Silk Road in Anatolia,Turkey

At North
Trabzon, Gumushane, Erzurum, Sivas, Tokat, Amasya, Kastamonu, Adapazari, Izmit, Istanbul, Edirne;

At South
Mardin, Diyarbakir, Adiyaman, Malatya, Kahramanmaras, Kayseri, Nevsehir, Aksaray, Konya, Isparta, Antalya, Denizli centers are followed. It is known that Erzurum, Malatya, Kayseri, Ankara, Bilecik, Bursa, Iznik, Izmit, Istanbul route is also used. Extension of Antalya – Erzurum route, composed with connections of Sivas and Kayseri on North and South routes, is connecting Anatolia to Iran and Turkmenistan.

On this commercial axis, maritime lines besides road is also used, and it is following.

In Black Sea
Coming from North to Trabzon, Samsun, Sinop, Istanbul, Bursa, Gelibolu, Venedik over Batum;

In Mediterranean
Antakya, Antalya, Izmir (Foca), Europe line over Syria.

After 14th century, Silk Road continued its importance, and begin to loose its vigor as a result of inventions made during New Age. On 16th and 17th centuries, after begun of cultivation of silk in Europe, it has faced with the danger of loosing its former importance. Caravans become vanish and products of Far East begun to loose their attraction with increasing maritime activities. Silk Road become not used beginning from 19th century. Seljukians who supplied the secure dispatch of rich products of east to West over Anatolia during Medieval Age, had remained the commercial activities live and increase the wealth of the state with the measures taken by them. Because commerce in Medieval Age Anatolia was among the activities which are first degree effecting the wealth of the state.

Seljukians, had signed commercial agreements with foreigners; had given commercial independence to Christian merchants in Anatolian lands like Muslim merchants; and had maintained state security against robberies and all kinds of damages that they can face during their voyages. Seljukians were the first state that used “state insurance system” for securing the commercial life and also they had tried to promote commercial life with the deduction applied on custom dues. Inn and caravansaries, are organization who played important role in this active environment. These magnificent structures who have a great impact on architecture with their appearances remembering a castle on desolate roads, their rick rock adornments and improved place designs, are carefully considered in connection with application of a strong road policy and a certain transportation program.

In caravansaries constructed both during Seljukian and Ottoman periods, caravans were protected by military units. Lives and property of the voyagers were warranted during their stays in caravansaries, and there were foundations for covering the expenses incurred due to all kinds of maintenance and performance of services. These structures were the bases where reinforcement of army related with previously stocked ammunition and provisions during expedition is eased, and break points of merchants in which they had marketed their goods, besides the characteristics of voyages and commerce were under warranty and were maintaining the social solidarity.

They were generally constructed with distances of 30 – 40 kilometers, not exceeding 8 – 10 hours by foot and takes a day with camels. The ones constructed by statesmen or benefactors were known as “INN” and the bigger and magnificent ones constructed by Sultans were known as “SULTAN INN” among the accommodation organizations constructed by Anatolian Seljukians on these commercial roads. The reason for constructing rural areas established inns and caravansaries as structures similar to castles and closed to outside with their thick and dull walls at that age, was security. There were rooms for accommodation of voyagers, divisions for securing the goods and rest of their horses, small mosques, bath chambers, foundations as well as horseshoer, doctor, veterinary, cage and harness repair services within them.

The passengers accommodated within inn and caravansaries can stay for three days without paying regard to their religion, language and race, and they were cured if they were sick. No charge is taken from these passengers, who were given two meals Per day, whose bath needs were covered, whose animals were cared and fed for three days, and all expenses were covered by foundations. How to be managed these foundations in their founds, what were their incomes, working conditions of their staff and their wages were mentioned clearly. According to the results of the researches, it is determined that there were approximately 200 inns and caravansaries in Anatolia.

Train Rezervation Companies | Phone Numbers
Ankara Officce + 90 312 309 05 15
Istanbul Officce + 90 216 348 80 20 | + 90 216 336 04 75 | + 90 216 336 20 63
Izmir Officce + 90 232 464 77 95 / + 90 232 484 86 38
Eskisehir Officce + 90 222 225 55 55
Balikesir Officce + 90 266 241 03 00

Train Information Numbers
Ankara Officce + 90 312 309 05 15 / + 90 312 309 05 15 / + 90 312 311 49 94
Istanbul (Haydarpasa) Officce + 90 216 336 44 70 / + 90 216 337 87 24
Izmir Officce + 90 232 484 53 53

The best place on the earth for hot air balloon tours is Cappadocia region. It is the place where nature and history come together most beautifully within the world. while geographic events are forming strange rock formations, during the historical period, humans had carried the signs of thousand years old civilizations with carving houses and churches within these earth pillars and decorating them with frescoes. there are many places that are ‘must see’ in Cappadocia, such as; the various ‘fairy chimneys’, goreme valley, goreme national park, rock churches, the underground cities of kaymakli, derinkuyu or ozkonak, zelve valley, avanos, with its pottery, the uchisar and ortahisar rock fortress, the ihlara valley, red valley and soganli.

Flight via balloon sport, whose initial existence in the world reaches to the end of 18th century, is also densely drawing attention in our country. For long years, as well as it is performed with the aim of individual sports, city tours with balloons are also performed during regional activities in touristic regions of our country. Balloon takes off with heating of liquid propane gas filled into it. You can stay on air for long periods with a calm flight under appropriate wind (under 10 km/h). Directing balloon, whose appropriate flight height is between 500 – 1500 feet, altitude gain and loss, change its speed can be made easily by an experienced pilot easily.

Structure of the Balloon
There are propane gas tubes, altimeter, thermometer, wireless for communication with airport, variometer and fire extinguishers in the basket, manufactured from “vimin”, generally a light and synthetic material, and which carries the passangers of the balloon. Propane tubes, with approximately 20 kg. weight each within the basket, includes propane gas maintaining the expand of the balloon. Each tube maintains an approximately 40 – 45 minutes of flight possibility to the balloon. Total lifting force of the balloon is around 1.700 pounds.

Taking off of the balloon is maintained with heating of propane gas filled into the balloon via furnaces under it. Furnaces can be 2 or 3 pieces according to the volume of the balloon. Heat within the balloon should never exceed 120 degrees. For maintaining landing with stopping flight, red rope is pulled within it. In this way, activated falling valve maintains the air within it run out rapidly. In case of insufficiency of emptying speed of the internal air emergency hole at the top of the balloon is opened.

Flight Rules for Foreigners
Prior to the flight via balloon, air vessel to be flight registration sign, flight aim, flight date, flight hour, flight region is informed and applied to Ministry of Communication, Civil Aviation General Directorate. In case of a flight via balloon exceeding 15 days in our country; licenses of foreign pilots should be validated by Ministry of Communication, Civil Aviation General Directorate.

As interest in nature oriented tourism activities rises, sports practiced without harming nature gain importance. Rafting is one of these sports which represents a most gentlemanly competition. Mankind for centuries has been attracted by the beauty of rivers and turned them into sources of life. Today, he is in need of challenging their exuberance and pitting body and mind against this natural force.

The birth of rafting doubtlessly began when man first grasped a branch floating on a river. Today, rafting is a popular sport in the Western world. This sport which is practiced in rapid rivers with 4 to 12 people on inflated boats made of thick latex material requires a combination of man’s physical energy, mind, geographical control and physical and psychological endurance. The only protection the sportsmen have in this struggle against nature is life vests and helmets.

Arriving at the goal is the ultimate fulfillment after struggling against the wild current of a river despite all difficulties. Exploring the unspoiled nature guided by the river is the greatest pleasure that one experiences with rafting. Many rivers in Turkey are suitable for rafting and canoe sports. Besides the river Coruh, the Firtina, Berta, Barhal, Oltu and Harsit Rivers in the Black Sea Region and the Goksu, Koprucay, Manavgat and Dragon Rivers as well as the Cehennem Stream in the Mediterranean Region are excellent routes for rafting.

Rafting is practiced with no harm to nature and without leading to over construction or pollution, and is truly nature friendly. The promotion of rafting will produce a positive effect in terms of both Turkey’s tourism, and the development of an awareness of nature conservation. The Great Adventure, the Most Exciting of Sports…

RAFTING IN CORUH RIVER
The rafting event to be arranged for the first time on the River Coruh, one of Turkey’s natural beauties, is going to draw attention to the touristic potential of the Black Sea Region, to the Coruh Valley as well as the natural and historical sites in the vicinity. Originating at the Mescit Mountains (3,225 m) and flowing 466 km before reaching the Black Sea in Georgia, Coruh River is one of the fastest flowing rivers in the world.

The small towns and villages located along the river are impressively authentic and interesting historically. The area as a whole represents the synthesis of the cultures of Eastern Anatolia and the Black Sea. Coruh River is frequented by local and foreign sportsmen, who travel each year to this area for canoeing, rafting and trekking in the Kackar Mountains. The best way to reach the summit at Kackar Mountains is via the villages of Yaylalar and Olgunlar. Dilberduzu makes an excellent campsite.

From there proceed to Deniz Lake and the summit at 3,9377 m. Local guides and mules to carry personal belongings may be hired. An alternative route is to the summit is to pass horizontally by Trans-Kackar on one of several trails. The natural habitat of Coruh River remains undisturbed. Colonies of red vultures, which are threatened with extinction, live among the rocks by the riverside.

The area surrounding the river is rich in wildlife, including gray bear, mountain goat with hooked horns, wild boar, wolf, jackal, fox, badger, marten, water sable, rabbit, partridge, wild rooster, woodcock, wild duck, stock dove, golden oriole, siskin, fieldfare, pigeon and wood pigeon. As the Coruh passes 150 kms through the province of Artvin, the river cuts through steep and impregnable mountains on its way towards the Black Sea.

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 Koprugoren 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 Dortkilise, 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 Cayi 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.

Important Subjects
International Difficulty Class
The following list of classes categorises the level of skill required to raft or canoe:
– Class 1: Small easy passes
– Class 2: Easy passes, regular flow, small rocks and waves
– Class 3: Hard, regular large waves, limited visual range, small falls, must be studied
– Class 4: Very Hard, large waves , Waters with counter-currents, long and unpredictable passes, dangerous rocks, big falls, must be studied.
– Class 5: Extremely hard, high flow and current, dangerous rocks, steep slopes, continuous falls, limited passes in advance, generally impossible.
– Class 6: impassable.

Agencies
To participate in watersports at which professional supervision is necessary, trips must be organised through the an approved agency.
Equipment
Participants must wear shoes and life jackets while rafting, and it is recommended to wear headgear and goggles.