1 1 2 2 3 ECOTOURISTS WHO RESPECT NATURE AND THE CULTURE, WHO LOVE ADVENTURE AND TO EXPLORE; ERZURUM IS WAITING FOR YOU. Contents Eco-, Agro- and Active Tourism in Erzurum 2 - 3 Why Erzurum? 4 - 5 Pehlivanlı - Serdarlı - Sırakonaklar 8 - 11 Uzundere Valley 12 - 13 İspir Verçenik Mountain 14 - 15 Erzurum Map of Eco-, Agro- and Active Tourism 16 - 18 4 5 ECO-, AGRO- AND ACTIVE TOURISM IN ERZURUM Erzurum is an unexplored paradise in terms of tourism, based on the nature. Are you ready for a visual feast by the deep valleys, broad bird and butterfly species, wild life from grizzly bear to lynx, colorful flora including endemic species, mountains ranged one after another, glacial lakes, fairy chimneys, vibrant rivers and waterfalls? Plateaus - villages - where traditional agriculture and husbandry, local texture - village architecture - which have you wander throughout the history, natural products - cuisine - which are prepared in home-style… The experience of being a guest in a village household, joy of working in a village garden - mulberry gathering - molasses cooking, stock prodding, intaking the air of a village… Here are tons of reasons why you should wander through the magic of nature and naturality… 6 7 WHY ERZURUM? Erzurum, 64% of whose geography is composed of mountains, has the feature of ecologically being an “Alpine Area” with its elevations over 3000 m and natural forests. The main reason for the biological diversity in the vicinity is the altitude difference between 800 - 3000 m and the temperature changing between 36,5 and -37,2 degrees. Çoruh Basin found on İspir-Artvin and Tortum-Artvin Highways is one of the magnificent treasuries of Turkey. This area is found on the western part of Caucasian ecological region which was selected by International Protection Agency and is one of the warn regions out of 34 in total with a wide bio-diversity. This region is used as a passage corridor for wild birds migrating by soaring as well as by migratory birds between Caucasian and Ana- tolia. This route is the passage corridor used by thousands of birds which try to reach Africa by passing from the western side of Caspi- an Sea and following Çoruh Valley over Anatolia to the Middle East and from here to Egypt and Arabian Peninsula. 8 9 WHY ERZURUM? That several bird species which are rather hard to be observed in the nature and require long distance walks to be seen can be seen without getting away from car roads in the district puts Erzurum on a more privileged state. Çoruh Basin embodies two third of butterfly species in Turkey. Eco-, agro-, and active tourism points of Erzurum are concentrated in the towns of Tortum, Uzundere and İspir inside Çoruh Basin. Uzundere Valley and İspir Verçenik Mountain Wild Life Management Area have been analyzed as selected areas with high value in terms of nature tourism in Erzurum Nature Tourism Master Plan (2013-2023) prepared by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs and the General Directorate of Nature Preservation and Natural Parks. During studies of the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Pehlivanlı - Serdarlı - Sırakonaklar were determined as Eco-, Agro-, and Active Tourism route. Moreover, Palandöken Mountain, Narman Fairy Chimneys, Dumlu Plateau and Ovacık are some other areas to be evaluated in Eco-, Agro-, and Active Tourism. Activities of Eco-, Agro-, and Active Tourism in Erzurum are available for experiencing in four seasons. June - September are ideal for bird-watching and May - September are for butterfly observation. Mountain goat and wolf are observable in winter, while grizzly bear in spring and autumn. Spring, winter and autumn offer choices for observing the vegetation cover of the region and tasting local food. 10 11 PEHLİVANLI - SERDARLI - SIRAKONAKLAR It is a challenging route bounding Tortum and İspir towns and including deep valleys, villages, plateaus, high hills and glacial lakes. It starts at the parting of the Pehlivanlı Road at the 80th km of Erzurum-Artvin Road. Through the route, one first encounters Pehlivanlı, Bağbaşı and Serdarlı Valleys, Kalavan Plateau and Uzunkavak Yedigöller. Then departing again from Uzunkavak Village for Devedağı Passageway on the side of İspir, passing from Araköy, Devedağı and Ahlatlı Villages subsequently, one can reach to Sırakonaklar. What can be done or seen throughout the route? Butterfly Observation Mountain Wagtail, Blue Rock Thrush, Approximately 50 butterfly species Ring Ouzel, Blue Tit, Rock Nuthatch, can be observed in Pehlivanlı, White-throated Dipper, Wallcreeper, Bağbaşı, Serdarlı and Sırakonaklar Red-billed Chough, Golden Oriole, valleys which are the ideal Blue Robin, Robin, Red-fronted Serin, observation points. In these points, European Goldfinch, Little Owl and Jay. there are the butterfly species of Mediterranean Honeysuckle, Caucasian Fritillary, Spotted Fritillary, Swallowtail, Brown Argus, Apollo, Cardinal, Freyer's Grayling, Polyommatus Eriwanensis, Turquoise Blue, Small Skipper, Yellow-legged Tortoisehell, Green Hairstreak, Anatolian Black-Eyed Blue, Black-veined White, Common Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Chelmos Blue, Eastern Comma, Eastern Bath White, Lesser Bath White and Large Jevel Blue. Bird-Watching There are 100 bird species, a majority of which is local type, in Bağbaşı, Serdarlı and Sırakonaklar Valleys which are the ideal bird-watching points on the route. The observable main bird species are Rock Eagle, Short- toed Snake Eagle, Lammergeier, Egyptian Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, Hoope, Bee-eater, Green Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, 12 13 PEHLİVANLI - SERDARLI - SIRAKONAKLAR Wild Life Observation Gastronomy Bağbaşı, Serdarlı and Sırakonaklar The local food such as village breakfast, Valleys, Plateaus, Devedağı salmon trout, molasses, dried fruit layers Passageway and Uzunkavak or roll-ups, fruit marmalade, dried fruits, Yedigöller are the ideal observation herbal tea, sour dried fruits, honey, cağ points within the route. Grizzly bear, kebab, kuymak, mıhlama, pickles, home hook-horned mountain goat, wolf, meals, local soups, village bread can be catamount, lynx, squirrels, vipera tasted in little restaurants and pensions kaznakovi, lizards, pigs, fox, weasel. in Pehlivanlı, Bağbaşı and Sırakonaklar Villages. Flora Genetic analysis present that the Agro- and Active Tourism region is rich in wild fruits and Molasses and marmalade preparing, gathering fruit and vegetable, working herbaceous plants. Here are found in garden and field in summer months the fruits like hawthorn, cranberry, in Pehlivanlı, Bağbaşı and Sırakonaklar mulberry, pomegranate, fig, green Villages, participating in husbandry, plum, cherry, oleaster, cherry laurel, cheese and butter production activities black mulberry, wild, sour plum, in Kalavan, Uzunkavak and Serdarlı wild pear, red barberry, rosehip, Tablelands may be experienceed. Rural raspberry, blackberry, apricot culture can be monitored at all points and almond. In the vicinity basil, on the route and hidden beauties of the spearmint, clove, annual nettle, region may be explored by cooperating beetroot, rack, apiaceae and with the local people. Historical stone mushroom grow in their natural houses in Sırakonaklar, Ahlatlı and environment. Devedağı and historical constructions in Bağbaşı and Sırakonaklar can be visited. Natural Beauties Photo safari can be done on green valleys reaching to the depths of Pehlivanlı, Bağbaşı, Serdarlı and Sırakonaklar Villages. Uzunkavak Waterfall in Uzunkavak Yedigöller is an interesting natural formation. Devedağı which is an important passageway on the route draws attention with the view of mountain ranges from Tortum to İspir. Natural beauties can be explored by trekking, cycling and jeep safari along the route. Block rocks, caves with cold air in Pehlivanlı Village are of the main geological formations that worth seeing. 14 15 UZUNDERE VALLEY Uzundere with interesting geological formations, a variety of vegetation cover, fauna and ecological features is one of the ecotourism areas worth seeing. Tortum Lake, Tortum Waterfall, Yıkıklar in the vicinity offer alternatives with seasonal waterfalls, lake, stream and streamlets for activities based on water. Here can be found areas ideal for butterfly and bird observation, flora, photo safari, nature walk and camping. Historical Öşvank Church, Sapaca Castle and Engüzek Castle may be visited. Bird-Watching Natural Beauties Altitude changes between the lowest Tortum Lake and around are almost and the highest points (800–3000 like a geological laboratory. Tortum m) of Uzundere Valley, micro-climate Lake which is a set lake caused by feature and climate changes caused landslides in the mid 1700’s lies as 11 emerging of more than 100 endemic km long on the direction of north- species here including very rare ones. south and 1000 m on the east-west. This condition puts the vicinity on a The depth is 40-50 m, while the special state in terms of bird species. altitude is 1027 m. Salmon trout and Each year in the last week of Sep- mirror carp are found in the lake tember, Çoruh Valley Bird-watching where case fishing is performed. Festival is organized in Uzundere. While the eastern side of the lake is Bird-watching Routes: decorated with fairy chimneys, very 1- Mescit Mountains, Uzundere - İspir steep and rocky formations stand Passageway, out on the west side. One might 2- Çamlıyamaç - Kılıçkaya Passa- need to climb up to one of the geway, peaks of Tevin Mountain (2400 m) 3- Tortum Lake, or Kemerli Mountain (2700 m) so to 4- Zuvar Strait, watch the lake view as a whole. 5- Engüzek Castle Valley Tortum Streamlet forming a new Butterfly Observation lake bed after the formation of the Topographic condition, climate fac- lake has created Tortum Waterfall tors and plant diversity of Uzundere with the width of 22 m and altitude Valley are the main causes of butterf- of 48 m. Tortum Waterfall, among ly variety. The Valley is found within the highest waterfalls of Turkey, is Çoruh Basin which comprises two one of the numerous waterfalls of third of butterfly species in Turkey the world with regards of its forma- and where approximately 100 species tion and altitude. can be observed.