RIZE: THE KAÇKAR SKYRUNNING EXPERIENCE

٨ أيام

معتدل

RIZE: The Kaçkar Skyrunning Experience is a deep dive into the raw, vertical world of the Eastern Black Sea.

Experience Overview

RIZE: The Kaçkar Skyrunning Experience is a deep dive into the raw, vertical world of the Eastern Black Sea. This journey is meticulously designed for trail runners who seek more than just miles—it is a fusion of elite athletic challenge and the legendary "S4HT Touch" of cultural immersion.

From the doorstep of the historic Şatıroğlu Guest House, you will navigate ancient tea trails, humid rainforests, and rugged alpine ridges that mirror the world-renowned Kaçkar by UTMB® race profiles. Your limits will be tested on the Marsis Summit (3,150m), while your spirit is restored through tea-harvesting workshops, river-cooling recovery sessions, and starlit bonfires above the clouds. Guided by experts and supported by mobile nutrition stations, you will experience the true rhythm of mountain life through local folklore and high-carb culinary masterclasses.

The Experience in Detail

The Vertical Rhythm of the Kaçkars Prepare for a "Skyrunning" adventure where the vertical gain is as breathtaking as the scenery. Over 8 days, you will tackle 11 diverse routes, ranging from technical single-tracks in the İgnar Merze valley to the high-altitude challenges of the Sakura and Sırt Plateaus. Every run is supported to UTMB® standards, with lead and sweep guides, satellite communication, and hydration stations strategically placed every 7–10 km to ensure you can focus entirely on the trail ahead.

Authentic Heritage & The "Loaf" TouchWe believe recovery is just as important as the run. Your home for the week is the Şatıroğlu Guest House, a historic mansion that serves as the perfect sanctuary for tired legs. Here, the experience goes beyond the trail:

  • Gastronomy: Fuel your recovery with a Black Sea culinary masterclass, learning to craft high-energy local delicacies like Muhlama and Laz Böreği.
  • Culture: Step off the trail and into the fields for a traditional tea-harvesting workshop, or find your rhythm during a high-energy Horon folk dance celebration to mark your final miles.
  • Nature: Experience "Forest Bathing" in the humid ferns of the rainforest or soak your legs in the ice-cold glacial waters of the Fırtına River beneath 300-year-old stone bridges.

The Marsis Finale The crown jewel of the trip is the ascent of Marsis Mountain (3,150m). This technical 6-hour trek takes you past the emerald Çalikan and Green Lakes, climbing through alpine meadows to reach a summit that offers a 360-degree view of the Pontic Alps. It is a demanding, high-energy finale that captures the true essence of running in Rize: wild, vertical, and utterly unforgettable.

ما الذي يشمله العرض؟
  • رسوم دخول المتنزه الوطني
  • تذكرة الحافلة
  • ضريبة إضافية على الوقود
  • ضريبة المغادرة
  • رسوم انتظار السيارات
  • ضريبة الدخول
  • الأغذية والمشروبات
  • رسوم الهبوط والمرافق
  • شبكة WiFi
  • رسوم الدخول أو المرور
  • ضريبة البضائع والخدمات

Accommodations & Logistics

  • 7 Nights Stay: Enjoy an authentic stay at the historic Şatıroğlu Guest House.
  • Round-trip Transfers: Group transfers to and from Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV) are included.
  • Professional Guidance: Access to 6 days of expert trail running guidance.
  • Safety & Communication: Lead and sweep guides for every run, equipped with satellite communication and first aid.

Food & Hydration

  • Full Board: Daily breakfast, lunch packs prepared for the trail, and traditional dinners are provided.
  • Unlimited Refreshments: Access to unlimited tea, coffee, and water throughout your stay.
  • On-Trail Support: Mobile hydration and nutrition stations positioned at accessible trail intersections approximately every 7–10 km.

Cultural & Peak Experiences

  • Black Sea Culinary Masterclass: A hands-on workshop at the Guest House to learn how to make local delicacies like Muhlama and Laz Böreği.
  • Tea Harvesting Workshop: Opportunity to join local workers in the fields to harvest and traditionally dry your own tea.
  • River Cooling Experience: A post-run recovery session soaking legs in the ice-cold Fırtına River, followed by coffee at a 300-year-old stone bridge.
  • Horon Dance Training: A final celebration featuring training in the rhythmic steps of traditional local folk dance.
  • Village Family Lunch: A mid-run stop at a local family home for authentic home-cooked meals.
الاستثناءات
  • بقشيش أو إكرامية

Exclusions

  • Travel & Protection: Flight tickets to and from Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV) are not included.
  • Insurance: Personal sports insurance is not provided and must be arranged independently.
  • Personal Costs: Personal expenses and any alcoholic beverages are at the traveler's own expense.

Optional Add-ons (Can be purchased during travel)

  • Private Transfers: Individual transfers outside of the scheduled group times are available for 70 €.
  • Specialized Workshops: While some activities are included in specific itineraries, additional sessions can be purchased:
    Black Sea Culinary Workshop: 20 € per person.
    Tea Harvesting & Traditional Processing: 40 € per person.
    Black Sea Night & Folklore Culture: 40 € per person.
    River Cooling/Stone Bridge Experience: 30 € per person.
يرجى الملاحظة
  • يمكن للأشخاص ضعاف البصر الوصول إليه
  • يمكن للأشخاص محدودي الحركة الوصول إليه

Physical Requirements & Difficulty

  • Technical Terrain: While daily distances are capped at approximately 21 km, the vertical gain and terrain profiles mirror the challenging "Skyrunning" standards found in the Kaçkar by UTMB® races.
  • Altitude: The itinerary includes high-altitude challenges, reaching a peak elevation of 3,150m at the Marsis Summit.
  • Difficulty Rating: The most challenging route (Marsis Summit) is rated 4/6 in difficulty and requires approximately 6 hours of sustained physical effort.
  • Fitness Level: This experience is designed for athletes and trail runners capable of handling steep vertical inclines and technical single-track paths.

Health & Safety Standards

  • UTMB® Standard Support: The trip provides professional safety measures, including lead and sweep guides for every run.
  • Communication: Guides are equipped with satellite communication and comprehensive first aid kits.
  • Hydration: Mobile hydration and nutrition stations are positioned at accessible trail intersections roughly every 7–10 km.
  • Insurance: Travelers are responsible for securing their own sports insurance, as it is not included in the package.

Accessibility & Logistics

  • Terrain Accessibility: Due to the nature of "Skyrunning" and ancient mountain footpaths, these routes are not wheelchair accessible and require high levels of mobility.
  • Age & Suitability: The program is tailored for trail running athletes and active individuals; it may not be suitable for infants or those with limited physical endurance.
  • Accommodation: Guests will stay at the historic Şatıroğlu Guest House, which offers an authentic mountain experience.
  • Transfers: Round-trip group transfers are provided from Rize-Artvin Airport (RZV).
ما الذي يجب إحضاره؟

    To ensure a safe and comfortable "Skyrunning" experience in the unpredictable terrain of the Kaçkar Mountains, travellers should bring the following essential items:

    Running & Technical Gear

    • Trail Running Shoes: High-traction footwear is required for technical single-track paths and ancient highland footpaths.
    • Hydration Vest or Pack: While mobile hydration stations are available every 7–10 km, carrying personal water and nutrition is recommended for the steeper sections.
    • Running Poles: Highly recommended for the "Marsis Summit" and "High Plateau" routes, which feature significant vertical gains.
    • GPS Watch: Useful for tracking your progress on the 11 different routes provided in the program.

    Clothing for All Seasons

    • Layered Technical Clothing: Weather in the high plateaus (up to 3,150m) can change rapidly; moisture-wicking base layers and insulating mid-layers are essential.
    • Waterproof Jacket: Necessary for the "Rainforest Recovery" runs and potential high-altitude rain.
    • Warm Hat and Gloves: Required for the summit finale and midnight stargazing sessions above the clouds.
    • Swimwear: Essential for the "River Cooling" recovery sessions in the Fırtına River.

    Personal Care & Protection

    • Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Crucial for high-altitude running where UV exposure is significantly higher.
    • Sports Insurance Documentation: Travellers must provide their own sports insurance as it is not included in the package.
    • Personal First Aid: While guides carry kits, bringing your own blister pads and specific medications is advised.
    • Casual Wear: Comfortable clothes for your stay at the historic Şatıroğlu Guest House and for the "Horon" dance training