Trekking on Ararat is planned for 4 days, with one additional day for better acclimatization to high altitude conditions, what increase our chance for reaching summit of Mount Ararat without any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Two days we will also spend exploring beauty of the region. We will visit Van city and have opportunity to swim in the biggest Turkish lake (Van Lake). We will visit also Akdamar Island, Urartian castle in Van and stunning palace of Ishak Pasha, located near to Dogubayazit.
Day 1: Van city and Akdamar Island
Our trip will start when you arrive to Van airport. Our tour guide will pick you up from the airport and we will drive to Gevas, from where we will take a ferry to Akdamar Island. On the island we will visit Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, which was built by Armenians in the tenth century. We can also swim the in the lake. After lunch on the shore of Lake Van we will drive back to Van city, to visit stunning Urartian Castle. Afterwards we will drive to Dogubayazit. On the way we can stop by the Muradiye waterfall.
Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.
Day 2: From Dogubayazit to Mount Ararat
Transfer by minibus from the hotel to Cevirme Village at 2200 meters. Then we will walk to Ararat Camp 1, located at an elevation 3200 m (our equipment will be transported by pack animals). Campsite we should reach after 3-4 hours of trekking. There hot tea, coffee, fruits and some snacks will wait for us. After small refreshment we will set up our tents and rest. At the evening we will have hot meal.
Overnight at Camp 1.
Day 3: Acclimatization day on Ararat
That day we will climb to 4200 m. (Camp 2) and return to Camp 1. This acclimatization walk will help us to acclimatise to high altitude. Ascent and descent take on average 6-7 hours.
Dinner and next overnight at Camp 1.
Day 4: Ascent to Mount Ararat Camp 2
After breakfast we will pack trekking equipment and food, which will be carried on horses, and start to climb to Camp 2 located at 4200 m. When we will reach the campsite (after 4-5 hours of walking) and set up our tents, we will have hot meal. Free time we can use to check personal equipment before the ascent to Ararat summit on the following day.
Overnight at Camp 2.
Day 5: Summit push
We start climbing early in the morning (1-2 a.m., depends on the weather condition and pace of the group). After 5-7 hours we should reach Mount Ararat summit at 5137 m. (depending on snow conditions, crampons may be needed for the last 200-300 meters).
Afterwards we will return to Camp 2, where we will have a rest, eat meal and pack equipment. Then we will start descent to Cevirme village at 2200 m, where minibus will wait us. We will back to Dogubayazit, to the hotel.
Day 6: Sightseeing of Dogubayazit area
That day we will visit Ishak Pasha Palace - one of the most important palaces in Ottoman history, built in 17th century.
Then we will visit Durupinar site. It's a canoe-shaped area that some people believe could be the "footprint" of Noah's Ark.
Our last stop at this area will be Meteor crater. It's the second largest meteor crater in the world, after the largest one located in Alaska. Meteor Crater is 60 meters deep and 35 meters across. On the way to crater, we can also see border crossing with Iran.
Notice: After the tour we will drop you back to the airport in Van, Igdir or Agri.
Included in full service option
- Transfer from the airport and back
- Transfer from Dogubayazit to the foot of Mount Ararat and back
- Professional local guide service
- Pack animals (horses), which will carry your equipment during trekking on Mount Ararat
- Accommodation at a hotel in Dogubayazit (with breakfast) - 2 nights, twin rooms
- All meals and soft drinks during the climbing on Ararat, with cooking service
- Foam sleeping pads and tents (1 tent for each 2 persons)
- Crampons (if you haven't got your own)
- Entrance fees to Van Castle, Akdamar Island and Ishak Pasha Palace
- Ferry cruise to Akdamar Island
Not included
- Domestic flights
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Meals in cities
