Mount Artos, Suphan and Ararat Ski touring

Ski tour on three Turkish volcanoes is the biggest ski adventure of Eastern Turkey.

During our ski tour we will conquer summits of Mount Artos (3515 m) and Mount Suphan (4058 m) and then we will ski on the highest peak of Turkey – Mount Ararat (5137 m).

Artos and Suphan mountains are located in Van Province. From their summits we will have fantastic view of picturesque Van Lake (the biggest lake in Turkey). Skiing on Artos and Suphan will also give us necessary acclimatization before ascent to Mount Ararat. Then we will spend next three days skiing on Ararat.

Day 1: Sightseeing of Van area 
Meeting at the airport in Van. From the airport, depending on how much time we have, we can drive to visit old Urartian Casle and Akdamar Island on the Van Lake (where is located 10th-century Armenian church- Church of The Holy Cross). After lunch on the shore of the lake we will back to city centre of Van.
Overnight at a hotel in Van.

Day 2: Skiing on Mount Artos
In the morning minibus will transfer us from the hotel to the foot of Mount Artos. We will wear our skis and start to ascent to the summit of Mount Nemrut (3515 m.), from where we can enjoy great view of Van Lake and surroundings. After short break for taking photos we will start descent to our starting point, where minibus will wait for us.
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 where, according to some scientists, footprint of Noah’s Ark is.
Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport
In the morning we will have breakfast at the hotel. Then, depending on your departure time, we will drop you to the airport in Van. End of the tour.

Important notice: program of Ararat ski tour and campsites location could be changed due to weather and snow conditions!