Before Your Trip
Preparing well before your adventure will make your trekking or ski touring experience safer, smoother and more enjoyable. Here are the key steps to take before you arrive:
1. Check your passport validity
For most destinations (Turkey, Iran, Georgia), your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
2. Confirm visa requirements
Depending on your nationality, you may need an e-visa (Turkey, Iran, Georgia), or a visa on arrival. We recommend checking updated regulations at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.
Note: We can assist you with obtaining your visa for Iran.
3. Book travel insurance
Your insurance should include:
- high-altitude trekking
- emergency medical care
- evacuation and rescue
Please bring a printed or digital copy.
4. Start physical preparation
Even moderate treks require good fitness.
For most of our tours we suggest:
- regular hiking
- cardio training (running, cycling, fast walking)
- strengthening legs & core
Start 6–8 weeks before your departure.
5. Review your gear list
Pack smart — the horse/mule luggage limit is 15 kg.
Check our full equipment list and prepare your clothing and personal items in advance.
Full gear list you can find HERE.
6. Arrange your flights & arrival details
We provide airport transfers from:
- Van, Agri, Igdir (for Ararat & Eastern Turkey tours)
- Erzurum, Trabzon (for Kackar tours)
- Tehran (for Damavand & Tochal tours)
- Tbilisi (for Kazbek tours)
Send us your flight details at least one week before the tour.
7. Inform us about any health conditions
If you have allergies, chronic medical issues or dietary restrictions, please tell us in advance so we can prepare accordingly.
8. Prepare cash
In some mountain areas there are no ATMs, so it’s important to carry enough cash with you.
If you use a foreign bank card in Turkey, remember that:
- ATMs often have very low withdrawal limits,
- banks may charge high commissions or exchange markups,
- some ATMs allow only limited currency options.
Because of these fees, many travelers prefer bringing EUR or USD and exchanging them locally.
We recommend carrying:
- EUR or USD (for exchange),
- some local currency for small expenses.
The good news is that in most of places in Turkey and Georgia you can easily pay by card – both in shops and in restaurants.
Important for trips to Iran:
Foreigners cannot use ATMs in Iran and cannot pay by card (Visa, Mastercard and foreign debit cards do not work).
You must bring all the cash you need for your entire stay, preferably in USD, and exchange it inside the country.
