Travel info
Plane
To access our bases in Ayder and Ikizdere you fly to Trabzon International Airport (TZX).
You transit in Istanbul (IST) which is served by most airlines and is the main hub for Turkish Airlines.
From Istanbul a domestic flight will take you to Trabzon, which is served by Turkish Air-lines, Onur Air, Pegasus and Atlas.
You can make your own arrangements with your preferred travel agency. We are also happy to provide various flight details, help you with your plans or book your travel for you.
Important: if you make your own arrangements , make sure you have a ticket that allows you to change your return date and time
" ...After a few hours on the plane we reached the snow-covered village of Ayder and your welcoming staff..."Fabrice
Safety
Click the link below for information on the safety regulations concerning liquids and hand luggage in European airports.
Safety regulations at European airports (pdf)
Visas
Citizens of the countries listed below must obtain a tourist visa to enter Turkey. All other nationals do not require a visa and can enter Turkey with a valid passport only. Please ensure your passport is still valid!
The following nationals will need a tourist visa to enter Turkey. You can obtain your visa upon your arrival in Istanbul: Albania, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Granada, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, St. Christopher & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA.
Luggage
You can check your luggage straight through to Trabzon. You should be able to obtain both boarding cards at once when you check in at your departure point.
You have a 20kg luggage allowance with Turkish Airlines. There is no additional charge for ski bags and they are not included in these 20kg.
Important: Always carry your ski / snowboard boots as hand luggage! Should your luggage be lost or delayed we can help you with all equipment needed for heliskiing , but replacing your own comfortable ski boots is almost impossible!
Transit in Istanbul
Upon arriving in Istanbul you must first clear customs. If your luggage is checked through to Trabzon you can proceed to the domestic terminal. Here you will have to pass through airport security again.
Arrival in Trabzon
At the airport in Trabzon you have two possibilities: arriving at the domestic or the international terminal.
- If your luggage was checked in straight through to Trabzon, it will arrive at the international terminal (building on the left) and you have to leave by the international exit to claim your luggage
- If you collected your luggage in Istanbul and re-checked it in for your domestic flight (IST-TZX), it will arrive at the domestic terminal (building on the right).
Important! The majority of passengers will arrive at the domestic terminal. Make sure you don't go to the exit for domestic flights if you have to collect your luggage at the international terminal. If in doubt, ask the Turkish Airline staff on the tarmac.
Transfers
'Prestige' Packages:
The scheduled transfer is included in your package. Departure is at 7pm, upon arrival of the Istanbul-Trabzon flight (TK 2830).
Your scheduled transfer back to the airport at the end of your stay (Saturday, around 4pm) is also included in the package.
Should you arrive/depart at any other time you will be invoiced for your transfer(s) .
'Private' Packages:
A single transfer for your group on arrival and at your departure is included in your package. Please advise us of your arrival and departure times so we can arrange these transfers for you. Any additional transfers (for group members wishing to arrive/depart at different times) will be added to your account.
Final night in Trabzon
You stay in the Novotel in Trabzon for your last night in Turkey. This is also included in your package. The following morning the hotel bus will take you to the airport for your flight.
Departure Novotel - Airport at 06 : 00 for Flight TK 2839 ( 07:00 - 08:50 )
Departure Novotel - Airport at 08 : 45 for Flight TK 2827 ( 09:45 - 11:35 )
"You stay in the Novotel in Trabzon for your last night in Turkey"
Istanbul
You fly in and out of Istanbul and if you have never visited this historic city, this is a great opportunity to do so.
This huge city is home to around 15 million inhabitants and is certainly a sight to behold. Situated on two continents and divided by the Bosporus, the city seemingly never sleeps and has numerous famous sites that are well worth a visit, including the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazar and Spice Market.
A few days spent exploring the city will give you a taste for its bustling streets and the history to be found around every corner.
For those wishing to stay in Istanbul, please do contact us if you would like us to book hotel rooms, tourist guides and recommend places to visit.
" Istanbul spice market "
Turkey Heliski