7 places to visit in the Karaçoban district of Erzurum: Karaçoban Castle, Foothills of the Bingöl Mountains and Karaçoban Plateaus. Plan your trip to Karaçoban with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Karaçoban is a district of Erzurum province, located 166 km south-east of the provincial centre.
The history of Karaçoban district dates back to around 1400 BC, and it remained under Persian rule for many years. With the Seljuk Sultan Alparslan’s victory at the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071, Karaçoban passed under Turkish rule. A municipal organisation was established in Karaçoban in 1965, and in 1987 it was given district status by official decree.
The district was founded on a narrow, long alluvial plain of the Hınıs Stream, which forms an important branch of the Murat River, extending east to west. It is surrounded by the Akdağ Massif (2,953 m) to the north, the Akdoğan Mountain (2,879 m) to the south and the Güzelbaba Mountains (2,100 m) to the east. In Binpınar neighbourhood, as its name suggests, natural spring water rises throughout the neighbourhood.
Live animal exports abroad, in particular to the United States, European Union countries and Middle Eastern countries, are an important part of the economy.
The history of the district dates back to around 1400 BC; it came first under Iranian and then Byzantine rule. After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071, Karaçoban came under Turkish rule. Karaçoban became a district in 1987 with the union of the villages of Gövendik and Sarıveli.
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Castle remains on a hill overlooking the district centre. Its walls from the Seljuk period reflect the strategic importance of the region. The embrasures and towers still visible on the walls show traces of defensive architecture.
View on mapThe foothills of the Bingöl Mountains, which rise to the south of Karaçoban, are an ideal natural area for plateau tourism and trekking in summer. With rich vegetation and wildlife, they attract nature enthusiasts.
View on mapPlateaus in the high parts of the district, important for both livestock farming and nature tourism, with their cool summer climate and wide pastures. Local people hold traditional plateau festivals every summer, keeping their cultural heritage alive.
View on mapGrand Mosque in the district centre, built in the Ottoman period and notable for its traditional stone architecture. The calligraphic decorations on its mihrab and its wooden minbar are remarkable works of art.
View on mapBuilt in 1134 by Alaaddin Bey, one of the lords of Muş, this castle is one of the district's most important historic monuments.
View on mapA place rich in water, where natural spring water rises throughout the neighbourhood.
View on mapWhile you are in Karaçoban, you can also see the highlights of Erzurum province. These places are in other districts; Karaçoban is about 130 km from the provincial centre.
Cağ kebabı is prepared by roasting lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. In Karaçoban, it has a special flavour from the sheep raised on the district's plateaus.
Traditional soup made with yoghurt, cracked wheat and mint, a nourishing dish that never goes missing from tables during Karaçoban's cold winter days.
Traditional pastry made by wrapping a filling of lor cheese and herbs in yufka dough. It is one of the distinctive flavours of Karaçoban cuisine.
Karaçoban takes its name from the nomadic Turkmen tribes of the region. The plateau migration tradition, practised for centuries, forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.
The people of Karaçoban migrate to the high plateaus of the Bingöl Mountains in summer to raise livestock. This tradition deeply shapes the social life and food culture of the area.
The economy of Karaçoban rests largely on livestock farming. Cattle and sheep farming and dairy production are the main sources of income. Wheat, barley and fodder crops are grown.
Karaçoban is about 130 km from Erzurum city centre. Access is by road via the Erzurum–Bingöl route. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport. The district can be reached by minibus.
The seven highlights of Karaçoban are Karaçoban Castle, the Foothills of the Bingöl Mountains, Karaçoban Plateaus, Karaçoban Grand Mosque, Zernak Castle, Sarıveli Mound and Binpınar neighbourhood.
Cağ Kebabı, Ayran Aşı and Lor Dolması are the standout flavours on Karaçoban's tables.
Karaçoban is known for Karaçoban Honey and the Konar-Göçer Culture. The flower honey gathered on the district's high plateaus has an aromatic and natural character thanks to the rich flora.
Karaçoban is about 130 km from Erzurum city centre. Access is by road via the Erzurum–Bingöl route. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport. The district can be reached by minibus.
Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).