Tunceli is a city in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey.
Tunceli, home of 31,600 people, is surrounded by Munzur Mountains, which are considered holy by locals, most of whom are Alevis, the largest non-Sunni Muslim group in the country.
The city and the surrounding area are also known by the locals and some non-locals by its ancient name, Dersim. Keep in mind that this name may be politically loaded in some factions of the Turkish society, as it likely evokes a (positive or negative, depending on the world view) feeling towards the Dersim Rebellion of 1936, one of the largest uprisings against the Republican Turkish government during its early years.
Tunceli doesn't have an airport. The nearest airport is in Elazığ. From Elazığ, you can find minibuses to Tunceli. The trip takes about 2 hours and you will also use ferryboat on the way, while crossing a dam lake.
Malatya-Erhaç Airport further southwest is another option, as is the airport at Erzincan.
There is no railway connection with Tunceli. Elazığ is the site of the nearest station for trains arriving from west. Erzincan is also connected with the rest of the national railway network, and is receiving trains from Ankara and Kars, among others.
Tuncelililer Bus Company has buses from the main cities of the country. Just show up at the bus station (otogar) and ask for them. They don't have a website yet.
Their phone numbers at various bus stations across the country are (April 2014):
Tunceli is a small city and you have few accommodation options there.
The area code for the city is (+90) 428.
Primary administrative division