Every year Mount Ararat attracts not only adrenaline-hungry climbers wanting to conquer another mountain peak, but also travellers fascinated by the Bible story of Noah's Ark.
The program of our trip has been prepared for all those who would like to visit places related to the history of Noah’s Ark, as well as visit some of the most interesting places of Eastern Turkey (Urartian castle in Van, Akdamar Island and palace of Ishak Pasha).
Day 1: Van - Dogubayazit
You will be welcomed at Van airport by our tour guide and we will drive to Gevas. There we will take a ferry to Akdamar Island to visit an old Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross which was built by Armenians in the 10th century. Then we will have lunch next to the shore of the Van Lake and will back to Van for visiting Urartian Castle and place where beautiful Van cats are bred. Afterwards we will drive to Dogubayazit. On the way we can stop at the Muradiye waterfall.
Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 2: Dogubayazit, Uzengili, Sagliksuyu
After breakfast we will visit Ishak Pasha Palace - one of the most important and unique Ottomans palaces, built in 17th century. About 200 meters from the palace there are ancient Urartian Castle and two mosques from Ottoman time, which we will also visit. Then we will drive along ancient Silk Road to the place where Noah's Ark rested: Durupinar Site, a ship-shaped area on the hill between Telceker and Uzengili villages. We can walk down to view the remains of the Ark and later visit small Museum of Noah's Ark.
Afterwards we will see the crater, which was formed due to meteor fall, and is located just next to the Turkish-Iranian border crossing. From there we will continue our tour, driving to Sagliksuyu (Arzep) village, called also 'The village of 8', to see the stones which are believed to be anchor stones of the Ark.
Then we will return to Dogubayazit.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Mount Ararat Trek
That day we will have opportunity to spend time on Mount Ararat, the highest mountain of Turkey, which is traditionally considered the resting place of Noah's Ark.
After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to the foot of Ararat. We will stop close to Cevirme village at 2200 m., from where we will walk to Ararat Camp 1 located at 3200 m (our equipment will be transported by horses). After 3-4 hours we will reach the campsite. We will set up our tents, drink tea and have some snacks. Then we will have time to relax and enjoy beautiful scenery. At the evening our cook will serve hot meal (soup, second dish and salad).
Overnight at the campsite.
Day 4: Mount Ararat - Dogubayazit
After breakfast at the campsite we will walk down to the elevation 2700 m, to visit Kurdish nomadic village, before having lunch with villagers. There, we will have the opportunity to look at the life of the Kurds, who leave their villages in the summer and move to the slopes of Ararat to graze flocks of sheep and goats. After the meeting with Kurdish villagers we will continue descent to the place, where minibus will wait for us. We back to Dogubayazit, to the hotel.
At the evening we will drive to Diyadin village to see the natural hot springs in the Tendurek valley and soak our bodies weary after the trek.
Overnight at the hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 5: Transfer to the airport
Transfer to Van- Ferit Melen airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul or other city.
In the prices are included
- All
transfers during the tour
- 3
nights hotel accommodation in Dogubeyazit
- 1
night in tents on Mount Ararat Camp
- Breakfasts,
lunches and dinners
- Cultural
tour guide during the tour
- Mountain
guide during hiking on Mount Ararat
- All
entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Horses
to carry luggage and camping equipment on Ararat
- Camping
equipment, foam sleeping pads, tents
In the price are not included
- Domestic flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
