Fodor's Expert Review Mt. Nemrut
Across the lake from Van is one of Turkey's loveliest natural wonders, the beautiful and rarely visited crater lakes of Mt. Nemrut (Nemrut Krater Gölü), which should not be confused with the more famous Mt. Nemrut farther west. From Tatvan, 146 km (91 miles) west of Van, a rutted road leads up the mountain to the 10,000-foot-high rim of what was once a mighty volcano. From the rim of the crater, you can see down to the two lakes below—a smaller swimmable one fed by hot springs and a larger, much colder one. A loose dirt road leads down to the lakes, where very simple tea stands are set up. The inside of the crater has an otherworldly feel to it, with its own ecosystem: stands of short, stunted trees and scrubby bushes, birds and turtles, and cool breezes. It's only open after the snow melts in May/June until the winter begins again in November. After this time, it's possible to visit a small ski resort located halfway up the mountainside, with a chairlift that takes visitors to the... READ MORE
Across the lake from Van is one of Turkey's loveliest natural wonders, the beautiful and rarely visited crater lakes of Mt. Nemrut (Nemrut Krater Gölü), which should not be confused with the more famous Mt. Nemrut farther west. From Tatvan, 146 km (91 miles) west of Van, a rutted road leads up the mountain to the 10,000-foot-high rim of what was once a mighty volcano. From the rim of the crater, you can see down to the two lakes below—a smaller swimmable one fed by hot springs and a larger, much colder one. A loose dirt road leads down to the lakes, where very simple tea stands are set up. The inside of the crater has an otherworldly feel to it, with its own ecosystem: stands of short, stunted trees and scrubby bushes, birds and turtles, and cool breezes. It's only open after the snow melts in May/June until the winter begins again in November. After this time, it's possible to visit a small ski resort located halfway up the mountainside, with a chairlift that takes visitors to the summit.
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