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ogzala@ogzala.com
The Bird Man
(from the Museum of
Anatolian Civilizations).
Two Bird Men.
Basalt.
Late Hittite Period. Traditional
Style II. B.C.850-750 |
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Our passion and
love for mountaineering and nature started in 1978 with the trekking trip
to the Altıparmak mountains in Ardeşen, Rize. We developed this passion
with regular camping tours of a small group we formed in 1985. In 1991, we
decided to have regular trips with a group named Grup Gezi (Travel Group). In 1993, we set up the OGZALA Tourism Agency. OGZALA has contributed to the development of ecotourism in Turkey, and since then has introduced many novelties in this area. OGZALA is celebrating its
15th anniversary in 2008. We are still as enthusiastic and sensitive to nature as on the day we started. One of our aims is to contribute to the development of two outdoor sports--trekking and hiking--in Turkey. We organize daily hiking tours, camping tours, tours that include hotel accommodation at weekends around Istanbul. We also organize week-long trekking and expedition tours to the mountains and plateaus in Turkey. Throughout the summer, we organize tours to the plateaus of the Black Sea region. Apart from these tours, we have activities that include photography (slide shows, photo trips, slide sales), interviews and discussions. We also work together with environmental groups and
organisations. The Inspiration of Our Logo
The logo of OGZALA is inspired by the Bird Man.
This item is on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Kargamış was a Hittite city in the upper Euphrates region. This was where the Egyptian king Ramses had a battle with the Hittites. According to the beliefs of the Hittites, the wishes and demands of Gods could be understood with the help of birds (from the way they fly and land, how they move their beaks, etc.) Bird fortune-telling played an important role in the Hittites' lives. The city of Kargamış retained its Hittite culture until II Sargon, Assyrian King, conquered the city.
Our Principles of Ecotourism
1. Most importantly, we are lovers of
nature; therefore, we never get involved in activities that might be
harmful to it.
2. We try not to get anything out of nature (such as plants or flowers); we
only try to take memorable shots with
our camera.
3. We follow the trails when we go trekking so that we don't tramp through vegetation.
4. We avoid any activity that might result in any kind of threat to the wildlife. And we try not to disturb animals in their own habitat.
5. We don't do anything that might endanger food-cycle in the nature.
6. When nature calls (!), we stay at least 5 metres away from any body of water and preferably we go to a place which gets direct sunlight.
7. We always keep in mind the fact that the water we use is also the water people use for drinking in the area. Therefore, we don't pollute it.
8. We respect the traditions, customs, and lifestyles of the local people.
9. We avoid imitating the
dialect of the local people and we also avoid any pretentious behaviour.
10. We are aware of the fact that it is difficult for plants to flourish in high altitudes, so we act accordingly.
11. We only light fire only when we need it, and when we do, make sure we have put it out before we leave.
12. We don't act like a typical consumer during our trips. We never litter our environment.
13. We remember the fact we are part of the group and we act as a team.
14. We are not self-centered and we refrain from passing our problems to other people, and we love helping those in need.
15. We keep in mind that we are involved in ecotourism; therefore, we are not ambitious, in other words, we are content with what we have.
Turkish Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Agency C Group License
Date: 23 February 1994 No: 2600 |
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