Mountain sights in Turkey
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Nemrut Dağı Park Eastern Terrace
Beyond the building, hike 600m (about 20 minutes) over the broken rock of the stone pyramid to the western terrace. Antiochus I Epiphanes ordered the construction of a combined tomb and temple here. The site was to be approached by a ceremonial road and was to incorporate what Antiochus termed 'the thrones of the gods', which would be based 'on a foundation that will never be demolished'.
Antiochus planned this construction to prove his faith in the gods, and in so doing assumed that upon his death his spirit would join that of Zeus-Ahura Mazda in heaven.
As you approach, the first thing you see is the western temple with the conical funerary mound of fist-sized stones…
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Mt Ararat
A highlight of any trip to eastern Turkey, the twin peaks of Mt Ararat have figured in legends since time began, most notably as the supposed resting place of Noah's Ark. For many years permission to climb Ararat was refused because of security concerns, but this fantastic summit is back on the trekking map, albeit with restrictions.
Permit and guide are mandatory and you'll need to apply at least 45 days in advance. Several guides and hotel staff in Doğbayazıt claim they can get the permit in a couple of days. Don't believe them. It's much safer to follow the official procedure, even if you have to endure the excruciatingly slow-turning wheels of bureaucracy.
Despite…
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Yeni Kale
Eski Kahta, also known as Kocahisar, is overlooked by castle ruins. Although there was once a palace here, built at the same time as the Commagene capital of Arsameia on the other side of the ravine, what you see today is the ruins of a 13th-century Mamluk castle, Yeni Kale (New Fortress). There are some Arabic inscriptions above the main and only gateway. You can climb up to look at the castle, but make sure you're wearing appropriate shoes and watch your step.
At the base of the path up to the castle is the Kocahisar Halı Kursu (Kocahisar Carpet Course), a rudimentary workshop where local women learn carpet-weaving techniques to keep the tradition alive. They don't sell…
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Nemrut Dağı Park Entrance
By the time you arrive at the car park and café you're well above the tree line. The Nemrut Dağı park entrance is 200m up from the Çeşme pension and 2.5km before the junction with the short cut to Arsameia.
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Karadut
Along the roads to the summit lies the pretty village of Karadut, 3km up the mountain from the turn-off to Nemrut. It has a few small eateries.
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Mt Ararat
A Kilimanjaro-esque snow-capped summit and, incidentally, Turkey's highest mountain, hovers majestically over the horizon.
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