Climbing Mount Ararat in Turkey
Climb to the top of the gorgeous Mount Ararat on this 8-day guided expedition and discover the wonders of Turkey from the top of its highest point. Visit Akdamar Island and places of cultural and historical interest as well on this comprehensive all-in tour.
Private
8 Days
Jun - Sep
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Climb to the top of Mount Ararat, a symbolic mountain and the highest in Turkey!
- Visit Akdamar Island and some of its amazing cultural and historic landmarks.
- Enjoy gorgeous landscapes and a unique nature and culture experience.
Description
Climbing Mount Ararat in Turkey is a unique experience that combines rich natural and cultural aspects. On this 8-day adventure, we will reach the top of this holy peak and also visit some of the most stunning cultural landmarks in Turkey.
At 5,137 m (16,854 ft), Mount Ararat, a dormant compound volcano, is the highest point in Turkey. It is also a cultural landmark due to its biblical significance, as Ararat was the resting spot for Noah’s arc in the Old Testament. Climbing Mount Ararat is therefore both a mountaineering and nature experience as it is a cultural one. Furthermore, on this tour, we combine the Ararat ascent with a short trip to Akdamar Island, which is also culturally and historically significant.
We set off on our adventure after an airport pick-up and drive to Dogubeyazit. From there, the next day we head to Eli Village (2.000m) and begin our ascent to the first camp. After an acclimatization day, we continue on to camp 2, and finally, on day 5 of our tour, we will attempt the summit. Additionally, we have an extra day scheduled, just in case we need it for another summit attempt. When we descend, we will visit Akdamar island before returning back home. You can find a detailed itinerary below.
To join this adventure you need to be physically fit and ideally have some prior experience under your belt. However, this is not a highly technical climb. If you are in doubt about your preparation level, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
So, are you ready to climb Mount Ararat? Then contact us today and we will be happy to help you plan your ascent to the top of this emblematic peak in Turkey!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Tents
- Cooking utensils
- Sleeping bag
Price details
- Price Includes
- – All transfers and transportations with private
- vehicles to the places mentioned in the Itinerary
- – Days 1 & 8: One (one way) arrival/departure
- transfer from/to Van airport/ Hotel in Dogubeyazit
- & Van
- – English speaking Tour Leader/Mountain Guide
- – Hotel accommodations, rooms on double/twin
- share base;
- – Half Board (HB) service; Important: HB Dinner
- Service available until 20:30/21:00 h
- – 7 x Breakfast, 6 x Lunch (Lunch Packages &
- Restaurants where available), 6 x Dinner
- – All necessary Camping Equipment’s (Tents,
- Mattresses, necessary Kitchen Gears & Dinnerware)
- – Ararat Permit Fees
- Price Does Not Include:
- – All International and Domestic Flights
- – Travel insurance
- – Extra transports and transfers other than stated in
- the Itinerary
- – All kind of Soft and Alcoholic drinks, Bottled Water
- – Meals other than stated in the Itinerary
- – All kind of personal expenses
- – All kind of Entrance fees
- – All kind of optional activities
- – Extra Nights
- – Single supplements
- – Single Tents
- – Personal Equipment
- – Tips
Itinerary
Day 1: MEET AT VAN AIRPORT TRANSFER TO DOGUBAYAZIT
An Overland Travel guide meets you at Van Airport and we drive to Dogubeyazıt. 175 km (2 h, 15 min)
Depending on arrival time, overnight in Van.
Overnight: in Dogubeyazit at a hotel
Meals: –
Day 2: ASCENT TO MT. ARART CAMP 1 - 3200 M
After breakfast we load our luggage and camping equipment on our vehicle and drive to Eli Village (2.000m), Our
luggage will be carried by mules and horses.. On the way it’s possible to meet some semi nomadic families, who use
the fresh green Plateaus of the Mt. Ararat for their sheep flocks. We walk to our first Camp Site (Base Camp) which is
set up on elevation of 3.200m.
Walking time: 4 h; ascent: approximately 1.200m (depending on road conditions & starting point)
Overnight: at Mount Ararat base camp 3.200m
Meals: B / L / D
Day 3: ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Trek to camp II (4. 2OOm), about 4 hours trekking time. Return to camp 1. Afternoon is free for preparation for next
day, because we will go up to the summit. Dinner and overnight in camp. (Ascent = 1100m / Descent = 1100 m)
Overnight: camp in 3200m.
Meals: B/L/D
Day 4: Mt. ARARAT (Camp II, 4200m)
Trek to camp II (4. 2OOm), about 4/5 hours trekking time. All luggage will be carried by pack animals. A short
course will be given on how to use ice-ax and crampons. Overnight in camp. (Descent = 1200 m)
Overnight: Camp in 4200m.
Meals: B /L/D
Day 5: Mt. ARARAT SUMMIT (5165m)
Between 2:00 – 2:30 in the morning we will have breakfast and start walking between 3:00 or 3:30 to get a good
view at the sunrise on the top. After 650 m. ascent, we reach Glacier at 4.850m. After we fixed our Crampons we
continue our ascent till we reach the Summit of the Mt. Ararat. If the weather is clear we can see the Mt. Damavand
in Iran, the Elbrus in the Caucasus and the Kackar Mountains near the Black Sea. We enjoy the great panoramic view
from the Summit and afterward start descending to our Base Camp at 3.200m.
Walking time: 9/10 h; ascent: 937m; descent: 1.937m
Overnight: at Mount Ararat base camp 3.200m
Meals: B / L / D
Day 6: Mt. ARARAT – DOGUBEYAZIT
Extra day, depending on the weather conditions on Day 5, we may make another summit attempt. Otherwise, omit
this day. If the extra day isn’t necessary, that day will be spent in Dogubeyazıt. Descend to Cevirme Village about 3
hours and return to Dogubeyazit. We visit Ishakpaşa palace. There is a chance of trying Turkish Bath. Late
afternoon free for visit city center Doğubeyazıt.
Day 7: AKDAMAR CHURCH -ISLAND of AKDAMAR
Transfer to Van and we visit Akdamar Island which is the most important Armenian Church in East Turkey. On the
island it stands the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross, Architect Monk Manuel built the church between the
years 915 and 921. The Church was consecrated in honor of the holy cross. Reliefs, depicting scenes from the Old
and New Testaments, daily Iife such as hunting, run along the exterior of the church. Overnight at hotel in Van.
Meals: B / L / D
Overnight: hotel in Van.
Day 8: TRANSFER TO VAN AIRPORT FLY HOME
Group transfer to Van airport from hotel (15 minutes) fly back or depending on request we organize hotel and
transfer in İstanbul and add 1 or 2 days extra sightseeing tour in İstanbul. Meals: B- –
Tour ends.
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Fatih
5.0
(1)
Tour Operator
We are OVERLAND TRAVEL a tour operator and travel agency specialized in trekking, cultural, mountaineering, cycling, hiking, blue cruise, snowshoeing and adventure tours all around Turkey and outbound.
We promote Turkey’s and Fethiye's peerless potential of sustainable tourism opportunities for the environment-conscious locals and travellers. Anyone into responsible holidays and activities is welcome to join Overland Travel.
Our beloved country, Turkey, is truly a unique part of the globe and has a lot to offer; not just sea, sun, sand or sightseeing in summer. The region’s idyllic nature, vast history, fascinating culture, friendly locals and delicious food welcome keen explorers all year round.
Languages
| French | English
What people are saying about Fatih
Ben
Just epic. 3rd trip with ES - always delivers. Fatih was a great guide; flexible and personable. We got on great. Everything ran like clockwork. This trip is extremely underrated and should be promoted. Great mix of mountains and culture. And an interesting part of the world. English is barely spoken so it’s certainly off the beaten track. Would highly recommend the tour or any others that Fatih runs.
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