Mount Ararat Expedition

Trekking Tour

Tour Program
Important Notes

About The Tour

Mount Ararat is a snow-capped and dormant volcano in the east of Turkey. It consists of two prominent volcanic cones: Greater Ararat and Little Ararat. Greater Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey, with a summit of 5.137 m. Ararat is the third most prominent mountain in West Asia.
The mountain has been called by the name Ararat since the Middle Ages, as it began to be identified with the "mountains of Ararat" described in the Bible as the resting place of Noah's Ark. Mount Ararat is located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey between the provinces of Ağrı and Iğdır, near the border with Iran, Armenia and Nakhchivan, between the Aras and Murat rivers.

Day 1 Airport – Dogubeyazit

Arrival at the airport. Meet your guide at the airport and set off to Dogubeyazit. Visit Ishak Pasha Palace, one of the most important palaces in Ottoman history, built in the 17th century. Transfer to the hotel. Have an orientation meeting and check the equipment. Have dinner at the hotel.
Igdir airport to Dogubeyazıt – 70 km (44 miles)
Agrı airport to Dogubeyazıt – 100 km (62 miles)
Van airport to Dogubeyazit – 176 km (110 miles)

Day 2 Dogubeyazit – Mount Ararat (Camp 1, 3.350 m)

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Eli or Cevirme village, the starting point at 2.250 m. Trekking to the base camp at 3.350 m. for about five hours. Horses or mules will carry the equipment—dinner and overnight at camp 1.

Day 3 Acclimatization Day

Breakfast and trekking to camp 2 (4.100 m) and return to camp 2. Daily trekking for about 4 hours. Dinner and overnight in camp 1.

Day 4 Mount Ararat (Camp 2, 4.100 m)

Breakfast and trekking to camp 2 (4.100 m). Daily trekking for about 4 hours. Horses or mules will carry the equipment. Preparations for the next day and rest. Overnight camp 2.

Day 5 Summit Day

Wake up at 1 am. Have breakfast and finalize the last preparations. Departure from the Camp 2 at 2 am. Climbing for about 5-7 hours, depending on weather conditions and the group's pace. Using crampons might be needed in the last 200-300 meters before the summit. Reach the ice cap of the Summit of Mount Ararat (5.137 m) at sunrise and time for celebration and taking photos. Return to Camp 2, have lunch and a short rest, then pack the equipment. Return to Camp 1. Horses or mules will carry the equipment. Overnight at camp 1.

Day 6 Mount Ararat – Dogubeyazit

Breakfast and trekking to Eli or Cevirme Village for about 3 hours. Horses or mules will carry the equipment—arrive at Eli. Drive to thermal hot-spring pools. Transfer to the hotel at Dogubeyazit. Farewell dinner. Overnight Dogubeyazit.

Day 7 Dogubeyazit – Airport

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Airport (Van / Igdir / Agri).

Professional guide using GPS and walkie & talkie, transfers to and from hiking, all large bag transfers, accommodation, breakfast & dinner are included in our package.

Please kindly note that climbing to Mount Ararat requires special permits given by the Turkish Government, and the procedures may take up to 6-8 weeks.

For better acclimatization, we recommend you climb another mountain before your Ararat escalade. We propose you book our Kaçkar Highlands trekking program as the acclimatization tour.

This program is suitable for fit walkers who are used to trekking on rough, sometimes rocky ground for 8 - 9 hours. Summit day in Ararat might be a 10-hour round trip. It involves walking on snow, which can be icy, and although not steep, you may need to wear crampons.

The best weather to climb Mount Ararat is July and August.

The Recommended Equipment:

Appropriate clothing for mountaineering trips with temperatures ranging from 30 °C to -30 °C, high-altitude boots, hiking boots, insulated booties, ski goggles, face mask, nose guard, -40 down sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad, foam pad, sun hat, knit cap, buff, gloves, sunscreen, lip balm, headlamp, crampons, carabiner system, trekking poles, ice axes, water purification kit, snacks (lightweight, high calorie, high energy), electrolytes (powder or tablets)

Vehicle Information Used During the Tour:
Transportation is provided by the most comfortable vehicles according to the number of people.
- Mercedes Sprinter & Volkswagen Crafter for 16 Pax
- Otokar Sultan Maxi & Isuzu Novo Lux for 27 Pax
- Mercedes Travego for 46 Pax

Type of Accommodation:

3*&4* hotel at Dogubeyazit and Camp at Mount Ararat