This exciting 8-day ski tour takes you on a thrilling journey across three of Turkey’s most impressive volcanic peaks: Mount Artos, Mount Suphan, and Mount Ararat.
Combining adventure, skiing, and cultural exploration, the tour offers breathtaking views, exhilarating descents, and the opportunity to experience some of Turkey’s rich historical heritage.
The adventure begins with sightseeing in the Van area, including visits to the ancient Urartian Castle and the stunning Akdamar Island on Van Lake. From there, the journey continues with ski tours on Mount Artos and Mount Suphan, both offering spectacular views of Van Lake and its surroundings. Each day offers new challenges, with ascents and descents of up to 9 hours.
The highlight of the tour is Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Turkey at 5,137 meters. The group will ascend in stages, skiing to Camp 1 and Camp 2 before making the final summit push. The reward is a stunning panoramic view from the summit.
Our ski tour on three Turkish volcanoes is perfect for adventurous skiers looking to combine mountain challenges with cultural experiences, all while skiing in the majestic volcanic landscapes of Eastern Turkey.
Day 1: Sightseeing of Van area
Arrival at Van airport, followed by sightseeing in the Van area. Depending on available time, we will visit the ancient Urartian Castle and Akdamar Island, home to the 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. After lunch by the shores of Van Lake, we will return to Van. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2: Skiing on Mount Artos
Transfer from Van to the base of Mount Artos. Begin the ski ascent to the summit of Mount Artos (3515 m), enjoying panoramic views of Van Lake. After a short break at the top, descend to the starting point, where a minibus will transfer our group to Tatvan.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Tatvan.
Day 3: Skiing on Mount Suphan, transfer to Dogubayazit
After breakfast in hotel we will drive to the foot of Mount Suphan. We will wear our skis and ski to the summit of Mount Suphan, from where we also will have breathtaking view of Van Lake. We ski down from the summit. Ascent + descent will take 7-9 hours. From the foot of Mount Suphan we will drive to Dogubayazit.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 4: From Dogubayazit to Ararat Camp 1
After breakfast in the hotel we will pack our equipment and drive to Cevirme Village, near to the foot of Mount Ararat. Porters will take our luggage and we will start to ski to the Winter Base Camp at 2800-2900 meters. On the campsite we will eat lunch, drink hot tea and pitch our tents. Rest time and dinner.
Overnight at Camp 1.
Day 5: Ascent to Ararat Camp 2
We will eat breakfast on the Camp, pack our equipment and start to ski to Camp 2. Today we will carry our limited equipment by ourselves. Porters also will help us and will take rest of things. We will stay on Winter Camp 2 (depending on snow conditions it can be between 3500-3700 meters).
Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 6: Ararat summit, return to Dogubayazit
After very early wake up we will eat breakfast and start to ski to the top of Mount Ararat (5137 meters). Before leaving the camp we need to get our duffle bags ready inside the tents (they will be directly brought down to Camp 1).
Depending on snow and ice condition might be necessary to leave ski on 4800-4900 and continue ascent with crampons.
After reaching the summit we will ski down to the point where snow finish and continue descent to the place where car is waiting for us. We back to Dogubayazit.
Overnight at the hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 7: Spare day
Extra day, in case of bad weather.
If we don’t use this day on mountain, we will have cultural tour in Dogubayazit area. We will visit Ishak Pasha Palace (17th-century Ottoman's palace, located 7 km from Dogubayazit), Meteor Crater and Durupinar Site (believed by some to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark).
Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Van airport for departure, marking the end of the tour.
Important notice: program of ski tour and campsites location on Ararat could be changed due to weather and snow conditions!
Included in full service option
- Transfer from the airport in Van and back
- Transfer from Dogubayazit to the foot of Mount Ararat and back
- Transfers between Artos and Suphan mountains,
- Professional local guide service
- Pack animals, which will carry your equipment on Ararat
- Accommodation at a hotel in Van (with breakfast) - 1 night; twin rooms
- Accommodation at a hotel in Tatvan (with breakfast) - 1 nights; twin rooms
- Accommodation at a hotel in Dogubayazit (with breakfast) - 2 nights, twin rooms
- Lunch packets during ski tour on Artos and Suphan
- All meals and soft drinks during the sking on Ararat, with cooking service
- Sleeping pads and tents
- Crampons (if you haven't got your own)
Not included
- Domestic flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Meals in cities
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.