Climbing Mt. Ararat, 5165m (Turkey)
Agri Dag, or Ararat as it is known in the west, is the highest mountain in Turkey. Traditionally it is considered to be the spot where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood, and numerous expeditions have been mounted in recent years to try and find chunk of it.
The Blunttopped Mountain, permanently glacier capped, is in fact a dormant volcano which last erupted in 1840. All sides of the mountain are treeless, as much from the severe climate as the intermittent volcanic activity, but by no means lifeless.
The expedition starts with 3 days of acclimatization in two camps at altitudes of 3200 and 4200 m from where we make several ascends and descends. Next is the summit day. We start very early in the morning with a steep climb followed by walking on ice and snow to the top. After some time at the top at sunrise we go all the way down to camp 1 for overnight. The trekking ends on the next day and we finish this amazing trip with some sightseeing around lake Van.
Tour Highlights
♦ The snow capped volcanic cone of Mt. Ararat
♦ The complex of Ishak Pasha Palace - one of Turkey’s prime attractions
♦ The city of Van - the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa; The picturesque Muradiye waterfalls
Itinerary:
Day 1. Van Airport - Dogubayazit
You will be met at Van airport by your guides for the trip. After loading the luggage to minibus we drive to Dogubayazit. On the way, we will visit Muradiye waterfalls. In the afternoon there is an option to visit Ishak Pasha Palace from 17th century. We stay overnight in Dogubayazit.
Day2. Eli village - Camp 1
In the morning we load the luggage and camping essentials on the truck drive to 2500 m where we start walking up to 3200 m. Our luggage will be carried by mules and horses which will be arranged in advance and our cook will look after them along the way. We establish the camp and our cook will arrange the meals for the evening.
Day 3: Camp 1 - Camp 2 - Camp 1 (acclimatisation day)
Today is an acclimatization day up 4200m. High altitude is defined as altitudes grater than 3000 m. AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) may appear above this level and it doesn’t matter if you are fit or not, can happen to anyone anytime. We ascend up to second camp and even more depending on our limits and weather conditions and descend back to Camp 1 where we stay overnight. Ascent/descent 1100/1100m
Day 4: Camp 1 - Camp 2 (4200 m a.s.l)
We pack our luggage on the mules and horses and start walking up to Camp 2 like yesterday. After reaching the camp we can carry on further for another acclimatization or just rest and plan the next day which will be directly to the summit. Walking time - 4-5 hrs. Ascent/descent 1100/1100m
Day 5: Summit day
Depending on weather forecast and conditions the guide will decide on exact timing (may be very early, even 1.00 a.m. is possible to start walking). Last 100 to 250 m depending on year and season will be the ice part of our trek to the summit and ice crampons and axes are necessary for this part. From the summit, at sunrise we will be able to see Mt. Elbruz and the Little Ararat. After enjoying this mighty peak we start descending to Camp 2 and after having a hot soup and some tea we carry on descending down to Camp I for overnight. Ascent/descent 1000/2000m
Day 6: Camp 1 - Dogubayazit - Van town
After a good rest we have a late breakfast and load our luggage to the mules for the last time and descend down to Eli Village and take the truck here down to Dogubayazit town. Here we have our lunch at a restaurant and take the minibus to Van city back which takes 2h30 and check in our hotel. In the evening we go out for dinner and see the summer night life of locals here. Overnight at Hotel. Descent 800m
Day 7: Van - Istanbul
After breakfast you will be transfered to Van airport for departure.
Included in the price: ►Accommodation: 2 nights in 3*** hotels (days 1,6) and 4 nights on camping sites (rest days)►meal plan based on full board (two breakfasts (day 1 & 7) and breakfast and lunch (day 6) are included during the stay in Van and Dogubayazit►English-speaking licensed mountain guide►all ground transfers and luggage transportations►camping equipment (tents, mattresses and all kitchen gears)►permits for climbing Mt Ararat and permit fees►all entrance fees
Not included: ►Drinks►travel insurance►flight tickets (the domestic flights can be arranged upon your request; prices vary from 100 to 150 Euro)►tips
Other expenves: single room supplement: 95 EUR (available in hotels only)►water supplement costs appr. 20 euro/person (including 1,5l of water for each day spent in the mountains). Note that there is no drinkable water up in the mountain. You need to carry water or order water supplement.
Need to know: To climb this mountain, permission given by the government is compulsory and this process is takes 2 months. All paper works will be done by our agency and we need your passport details in advance to be able to complete this requirement. As details we need: your full name/surname; passport; number; issue; expiry date of passport; nationality; date; of birth and place; the nearest Turkish Consulate to each member of the group.And last at the end of this process, you will be asked to visit the nearest Turkish Consulate to get the special Ararat Permission Stamp on your passport, so please let us know the exact location (as city) of the nearest Turkish Consulate.
We recommend the trip in the period: 15th June – 15th September
Necessary equipment: Trekking shoes; loose, casual trousers for trekking; daypack for walking; waterproof clothes; pocket knife; torch; sleeping bags; sun protection creams; sun glasses; hat; walking sticks; ice axe; crampons. We will provide dome tents per two persons; Thick mattress per person; all kitchen equipment.For the full list with recommended items see detailed trip dossier.
Vacation Extensions:
From the Anatolian Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea (Turkey)
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