Getting to Know Hakkâri
Hakkâri lies in the south-eastern tip of Türkiye, where the Iraqi and Iranian borders meet, in the highest and most rugged part of the Southeastern Taurus. Almost all of the province is mountainous: the Uludoruk (Reşko) summit of Cilo (Buzul) Mountain, at 4,135 metres, is the second-highest point in Türkiye after Mount Ağrı, and the Cilo and Sat mountains hold the largest glaciers in Türkiye. These mountains were placed under protection on 25 September 2020 as Hakkâri Cilo and Sat Mountains National Park.
The province’s main river is the Zap River: it rises in the mountains east of Van, passes close to the city of Hakkâri through a deep gorge and joins the Tigris in Iraq. The city centre itself sits in a narrow valley carved by tributaries of the Zap, at an altitude of about 1,700 metres. Yüksekova is the province’s broadest plain and its most populous district; the Nehil reed beds on the plain are an important wetland.
The earliest known traces of the region are the Hakkâri stelae, found in 1998 at the foot of Hakkâri Castle: 13 stone stelae dated to the 15th–11th centuries BC, carved with armed warriors and female figures similar to examples from the Eurasian steppes, and displayed today in the Van Museum. In the Middle Ages the region was the centre of the Hakkâri Principality, which gave the province its name; buildings such as the Meydan Madrasa survive from this period. The village of Konak (Koçanis), in the central district, was for centuries the seat of the patriarchs (Mar Shimun) of the Church of the East. Because of its mountainous geography and many years of security problems, Hakkâri opened to tourism late; in recent years mountaineering, highland and nature tourism have been developing.
When to Go
Hakkâri has a harsh continental climate: winters are long, very snowy and cold; summers are hot and dry. Averages for 1961–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (provincial centre):
| Month |
Avg. high |
Avg. low |
Rainfall |
Rainy days |
| January |
−0.2 °C |
−7.8 °C |
90 mm |
11 |
| February |
1.4 °C |
−6.6 °C |
101 mm |
11 |
| March |
6.8 °C |
−1.6 °C |
125 mm |
13 |
| April |
13.2 °C |
4.2 °C |
126 mm |
13 |
| May |
19.6 °C |
9.3 °C |
66 mm |
12 |
| June |
26.1 °C |
14.2 °C |
15 mm |
4 |
| July |
31.0 °C |
18.4 °C |
6 mm |
1 |
| August |
31.2 °C |
18.4 °C |
5 mm |
1 |
| September |
26.7 °C |
14.2 °C |
12 mm |
2 |
| October |
18.7 °C |
8.0 °C |
62 mm |
8 |
| November |
10.1 °C |
1.3 °C |
88 mm |
9 |
| December |
2.8 °C |
−4.5 °C |
96 mm |
10 |
June to September is the best period. The roads to the highland pastures and the foot of Cilo open in June, and the inverted tulips (weeping bride) bloom from late April to May. In winter and spring, mountain roads may close because of the risk of snow and avalanches. Yüksekova is higher than the city centre, so it is colder in winter.
How to Get to Hakkâri
By air: Hakkâri Yüksekova Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport opened in 2015; there are direct flights from Istanbul, and these flights, which take about 2 hours, are among the longest domestic flights in Türkiye. Van Ferit Melen Airport is also an alternative.
By road: Hakkâri is reached from Van along a mountain road of about 200 km via Gürpınar and the Güzeldere Pass; the road runs along the Zap valley. Yüksekova is reached from the city of Hakkâri, and from Van via Başkale. There is no railway in the province.
Hakkâri Area by Area
- Merkez: the city in the Zap valley, Hakkâri Castle, Meydan Madrasa, Berçelan Plateau and the village of Konak (Koçanis).
- Yüksekova: the Yüksekova plain and Nehil reed beds, the valleys that open onto the Cilo and Sat mountains, and the airport.
- Şemdinli: wooded valleys, mountain villages on the Iraqi and Iranian borders, and the registered Şemdinli honey.
- Derecik: the new district south of Şemdinli, set in steep valleys.
- Çukurca: a border district in the valleys where the Zap crosses into Iraq, known for its registered Çukurca tahini.
Suggested Itineraries
Day 1 – Merkez and Berçelan: Meydan Madrasa and the area around the castle in the city centre; in the afternoon, highland life and a walk along the stream at Berçelan Plateau, close to the city.
Day 2 – The Zap valley and Yüksekova: Along the Zap gorge to Yüksekova; birdwatching at the Nehil reed beds and, in spring, fields of inverted tulips.
Days 3–4 – Cilo and Sat Mountains (with a guide): The highland pastures at the foot of Cilo, glacial valleys and the glacial lakes of Sat; climbing Uludoruk is only for experienced mountaineers and with a guide.
Hakkâri Cuisine
Hakkâri cuisine rests on mountain livestock and highland produce: lamb and goat meat, butter, herb cheese, honey and wild herbs. Among the products with a registered geographical indication are Yüksekova çirek cheese, Şemdinli honey and Çukurca tahini, and among the local dishes are Hakkâri doğaba, Hakkâri doleme, Hakkâri kıris, Hakkâri kadesi, Hakkâri kepaye, Hakkâri girara huluga, Hakkâri gulol, Gayle zengil and Hakkâri lalaped dessert. Herbs gathered in the mountains go into the cheese and into dishes; in spring, wild herb dishes are a fixture on the table.
Handicrafts
Hakkâri’s best-known handicraft is the Hakkâri kilim, with its vivid colours and geometric motifs; it has a registered geographical indication. Wool spinning and felt-making are also part of highland life.
Practical Tips
- For mountaineering and camping in the Cilo and Sat mountains you may need to get permission in advance from the governorship or the relevant authorities; travel with a local guide.
- In border areas some roads and areas may be closed to visitors for security reasons; find out the current situation before you go.
- The Van–Hakkâri road is mountainous and winding; in winter carry snow tyres and chains, and avoid driving at night.
- Even in the summer months nights are cold in the highland pastures; bring heavy clothing and a sleeping bag.
