Ballikayalar National Park – Private rock climbing tour for beginners and pros in Istanbul
No previous experience is necessary to participate on this trip. Even if you’ve never climbed before, you’ll be amazed by what you can achieve under the instruction of a qualified guide. Participants do not require any prior knowledge about belaying and tying knots. You do not even require any indoor rock climbing experience either. Throughout this trip you will be secured on a safe top rope.
Price
Price per person (Max 5 people – for more please read below)
| if you are a group of 1 person | 90 EUR total fee = 90 EUR |
| if you are a group of 2 person | 75 EUR each person total fee = 150 EUR |
| if you are a group of 3 person | 70 EUR each person total fee = 210 EUR |
| if you are a group of 4 person | 60 EUR each person total fee = 240 EUR |
| if you are a group of 5 person | 50 EUR each person total fee = 250 EUR |
Included Services
Guiding fee
Climbing equipment (such as quick draws, ropes, harness, helmet)
Meeting Point
Where will we meet?
- Pendik Metro Station
- Gebze Marmara Train Station
- Your location
You will be picked up in these meeting points by our minivan. or you can provide your location info in advance.
Please select one of the meeting options below for your convenience when you book. And contact guide for confirmation. The vehicle usage fee will be determined based on your drop-off location.
Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off is also available (Please take a look at next tab.)
1. Pendik Metro Station Address: Pendik Kavşağı, Bahçelievler Mah., 34893 Pendik
Coordinates: 40.8883°N 29.2387°E
2. Gebze Marmara Train Station Address:
İstasyon Mahallesi / Abdi İpekçi Mahallesi, Şehit Abdullah Horoz Caddesi / Ethem Bey Caddesi, 41700 / 41400
Gebze / Darıca, Kocaeli
Coordinates: 40°47′1.06868″K 29°24′41.46318″D
Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb?
Do you offer transfer from Hotel/Airbnb?
Yes, transfers are available. Hotel pick-up and drop-off can be arranged for an additional fee, which is determined based on your location. Please contact us for further details.
camping
Camping in the park possible?
Yes.
For those who want to extend the climb to more than a day, camping is also possible in the park. You can request tent accommodation if you wish. In this case, 2 days of climbing are guaranteed. A daily fee will be charged. 30 EUR for the camp. Equipments such as tents, mats, sleeping bags are also provided by us for 30 EUR.
Details
Details:
| Fitness level required | Open to everyone |
| Trip Duration | Half Day |
| Offer Period | The area is suitable for climbing year-round, the March-June and September-November periods are considered optimal. |
| Ballikayalar National Park Address | Baris Cd., 41400 Gebze/Kocaeli -Google Maps- |
| Enterance to the park | Entering the park is free. |
| Supermarket shopping | You can bring your own snacks and water. There is no restaurant, just two small huts offering tea & coffee and basic food. The nearest basic grocery stores (a101, bim market) are in Tavsanli Village, a 5-minute drive from Ballikayalar Park. |
| Can I bring my own equipment? | Yes, of course. All safety equipment will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own. |
| Things You May Need | Sun protection cream, comfortable clothes, shoes and thin socks |
| Toilet | There is a toilet in park entrance (toilet tissue and liquid soap are sometimes not available so it's good idea to bring your own). |
| Swimming | The canyon has a natural lake and small waterfalls which we love to swim after a long day of climbing. So its good idea to bring your swim suit, towel and spare clothes along with you if you would like to swim. |
| Cancellation Policy | Changes or cancellations made 48 hours prior to arrival date are fully refundable. Please pay careful attention to local weather forecasts for any outdoor activities if you feel that you do not want to participate in certain weather conditions. You will not be given a refund or a gift certificate due to weather, traffic or other unforeseeable conditions. |
| Climbing commands | In climbing we use some commonly accepted calls to communicate between belayer and climber. Best to take a look at these short commands in advance for a better understanding and communication on the rocks. |
Ask Guide Availability:
We recommend you to check guide availability for your desired date via Whatsapp before booking. Sönmez Erkaya Whatsapp Number: +905553188029
Booking:
About the Guide – Sönmez Erkaya
Mountaineering Federation of Turkey Trainer (3rd tier certification), Sport Climbing Trainer, Referee and Route Maker (2nd tier certification), He has Emergency First Aid and Rescue certifications, Rafting Trainer and Diving certifications. He has been guiding since 2008.
For many years, he has been continuing mountaineering and rock climbing together. There have been activities in almost all mountains of our country and abroad as follows…
Agri, Resko, Suphan, Aladaglar, Kackarlar, Erciyes, Hasandagi, Sultan Mountains, Giden Gelmez Mountains, Ilgaz, Uludag, Erek, Palandoken, Bolkarlar, Dedegol, Taurus Mountains etc.
Abroad… Korjenevskaya, Ismail Somoni (Ex-name Communism), Peak Lenin, Khan Tengri, Kilimanjaro, Demavend, Elbrus, Kazbek, Mont Blanc, Materhorn, Jungfrau (first Turkish climb), Wissechijen (first Turkish climb).
in 2018 he joined Turkish Alpine Club’s National High Altitude Climbing Team and completed climbing of Korzhenevskaya (7105 m) & Communism peak (7495 m.) successfully.
He is still an instructor and mentor in many institutions, organizations, schools (universities, colleges), associations, sports complexes. His interviews, articles and news have been published in some magazines and newspapers. Rock climbing, education and teaching programs have been broadcasted on nearly 10 TV channels. In places like Ballikayalar, Harmankaya and Zekeriyakoy, he has opened nearly 70 sports routes in climbing sectors.
He is the founder and chairman of Klosdag mountaineering club. He is a father to a girl. The philosophy of himself is based on the principle of “learning and teaching…” He continues his work and development actively.
Photos/Videos From Our Guests in Ballikayalar
