A Rewarding Experience of Climbing Spectacular Mount Ararat , home of Noah’s Ark!

After a day spent in the magnificent Istanbul, we take an internal flight to eastern Turkey city VAN and after 2h 30min of drive reach the frontier town of Dogubeyazit. Having collected our climbing permits and gear check at the hotel, we will taste the best examples of the Turkish Kebaps in the dinner. The 3rd day is the start of climbing this Biblical Peak with 1h30min drive to Eli village (2200m) or Cevirme village (2600m) of Ararat with minibus or lorry. On the way up to the 1st camp we will be able to visit the Nomads, and observe the Ararat mountain life. We establish our base camp at 3350m on the slopes of mountain. Once acclimatized after spending 2 nights at the 1st camp, we hike up to 2nd camp site on the south ridge 4150m. Waking up early in the morning (03:30) , we make apre-dawn start at 04:30 for our summit ascent, crossing the upper snow covered slopes, we will reach 4950m where we will put our crampoons on before the Summit glacier. Finally reaching the summit of one of the world's most enigmatic peaks, we are rewarded by superb panoramic views of the surrounding plains and valleys on the frontiers of Turkey, Iran and Armenia. Spending the night at 2nd camp after descending down from the summit, we will refresh ourselves for the next day’s descend all the way to Dogubeyazit town before lunch. After lunch we will visit ancient Ishak Pasha palace and see the art demonstration of the very best examples of Turkish handcrafts before dinner and overnight. The last day in Eastern Turkey we will drive back to Van city to fly back to magnificent Istanbul for another cultural experience before departure. Highlights of our last day in Istanbul will be: Blue mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia sofia, Grand Bazaar.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul. Welcome at the airport. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Free time to explore the old city.

Day 2: Transfer to airport and fly to VAN city in Eastern Anatolia and drive to Dogubeyazit town, where the starting point of the Ararat Ascent part is. 180 km, 3 hours average. On the way we will stop by the Muradiye waterfalls and enjoy the view with Turkish tea. After late lunch, permits and gear check before dinner and overnight in our hotel.

Day 3: Transfer to Mount Ararat Eli village at 2200m / 7250 ft. After 4 hours trek, Camp at 3300m / 10850 ft. We call this camp site, "Green Camp"

Day 4: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m. 13150ft. / (4- 5 hours)

Day 5: Hike up from Green camp to second camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (4 - 5 hours)

Day 6: Summit day. Wake up at 3:30 and after breakfast we will start for the summit bid at 4:30. After 5 to 6 hours average we reach the summit at 5137 m / 16854 ft. It will take 2-3 hours to descend back. Total time: 8 hours average. Camp at 4150m / 13615 ft.

Day 7: ***Spare day in case of bad weather / Transfer back to Dogubeyazit town before lunch. After lunch we will visit ancient Ishak Pasha palace and see the art demonstration of the very best examples of Turkish handcrafts before dinner and overnight.

Day 8: We will drive to Van city early in the morning for the flight to Istanbul. Transfer from Istanbul Ataturk airport to the hotel in Taksim area. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 9: Half day guided cultural tour in Istanbul, rest, shopping, entertainment (optional) We will be able to see the great monuments of Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar.

Day 10: Transfer to airport for international departures or continue with extension tours.

Inclusion List

• Permit procedure
• Domestic Flights.
• All transfers stated
• Istanbul half day sightseeing transfers and entrance fees
• Dogubeyazit Ishakpascha Palace sightseeing transfers and entrance fees
• 3/4 star hotel in Istanbul. 3 nights half board basis  (B,D)
• 3/4 star hotel in Dogubeyazit. Full board basis (B,L,D)
• Mount Ararat full board basis (B,L,D)
• All hot drinks on the mountains. (Tea, Coffee...etc)
• Cooking service
• Mountain food expenses
• Mules / horse support for loads (max 17 kg per person)
• Tents (one tent for each 2 person)
• Sleeping mattresses
• Group technical safety equipments 
• Leaders and mountain guiding (english)
• Summit certificate 

Exclusion List

• Permit fee: 50 USD
• Single Supplement: 100 USD
• Special purpose visa costs
• Personal climbing clothes and mountain equipments. 
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls,mini bar etc.
• Unexpected costs due to any necessary changes in the program
• Tips to the staff.
• All drinks in the cities

A Rewarding Experience of Climbing Spectacular Mount Ararat , home of Noah’s Ark!

Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting in VAN city airport at 10::30 and drive to Dogubeyazit town, where the starting point of the Ararat trek is. 180 km, 2.5 hours average. On the way we will stop by the Muradiye waterfalls and enjoy the view with Turkish tea. After late lunch, permits and gear check before dinner and overnight in our hotel.

Day 2: Transfer to Mount Ararat Eli village at 2200m / 7250 ft. After 4 hours trek, Camp at 3300m / 10850 ft. We call this camp site, "Green Camp"

Day 3: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m. 13150ft. / (4- 5 hours)

Day 4: Hike up from Green camp to second camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (4 - 5 hours)

Day 5: Summit day. Wake up at 3:30 and after breakfast we will start for the summit bid at 4:30. After 5 to 6 hours average we reach the summit at 5137 m / 16854 ft. It will take 2-3 hours to descend back. Total time: 8 hours average. Camp at 4150m / 13615 ft.

Day 6: ***Spare day in case of bad weather / Transfer back to Dogubeyazit town before lunch. After lunch we will visit ancient Ishak Pasha palace and see the art demonstration of the very best examples of Turkish handcrafts before dinner and overnight.

Day 7: We will drive to Van city airport early in the morning for the domestic and international connection flights or continue with extension tours.

Inclusion List

• Permit procedure
• All transfers stated
• Dogubeyazit Ishakpascha Palace sightseeing transfers and entrance fees
• 3/4 star hotel in Dogubeyazit. 2 nights full board basis (B,L,D)
• Mount Ararat full board basis (B,L,D)
• All hot drinks on the mountains. (Tea, Coffee...etc)
• Cooking service
• Mountain food expenses
• Mules / horse support for loads (max 17 kg per person)
• Tents (one tent for each 2 person)
• Sleeping mattresses
• Group technical safety equipments 
• Leaders and mountain guiding (english)
• Summit certificate 

Exclusion List

• Permit fee: 50 USD
• Single Supplement: 50 USD
• Special purpose visa costs
• Personal climbing clothes and mountain equipments. 
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls,minibar etc.
• Unexpected costs due to any necessary changement in the program
• Tips to the staff.
• All drinks in the cities

You can find all the important tour details you would like to know before and after booking Ararat trips with us hereunder. Please choose the topic and it will take you to the information:

Permit Procedure
Special Purpose Visa
Permit Fee
Insurance
Domestic Flights
Istanbul Full day guided cultural excursion
Dogubeyazit Full day guided cultural excursion
Istanbul Hotels
Dogubeyazit Hotels
Cooking Service
Mules / Horse Support
Equipment List
Leaders and Mountain Guides

Permit procedure:

• The participant will send the passport details to Anatolian Adventures by fax to +902164184522 or by email to climb@anatolianadventures.com

We prefer scanned jpeg format passport copies to be sent via email

• All participants should inform Anatolian Adventures about the name/location of the Turkish Consulate or Embassy closest to their hometowns to get the Special purpose visa after the permit procedure finishes.

Refer to the link for the Special Purpose visa!

• As soon as we get the passport & Consulate information we apply to Ministry of Tourism for the permit authorization with an official paper.
• Ministry of Tourism applies to the other authorities for authorization. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Military. When Ministry of Tourism gets authorization from all these authorities, Anatolian Adventures will be informed about the permit.
• At the same time, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send an official paper to the Turkish Consulate or the Embassy which the participants should have informed the location before.
• We then will inform all the participants to go to the consulate or the embassy they have stated in their application forms to get their special purpose visas.

Special Purpose Visa:

Because of the sensitive position of Mount Ararat, being on the border of Turkey, it is officially declared to be 2nd degree Military zone. So without any exclusion, all EU members, USA citizens and citizens of all countries which Turkey does not demand ordinary visa procedure, will have to apply for the Special purpose visa, stating sportive aim.

Permit Fee:

50 USD permit should be paid to the accounts of Turkish Mountaineering Federation in order to be authorized to climb Mount Ararat at the last stage when you arrive to Dogubeyazit town. You can pay the fee in advance during your booking.
This fee is being collected by the federation to clear the mountain from trash!

Insurance:

All Anatolian Adventures guests are being insured with the TURSAB travel insurance package. Being the member of TURSAB (Turkish Travel Agencies Association), Anatolian Adventures guides or the main office may keep your insurance until the end of tours.

Domestic Flights:

In all ascents and expeditions in Eastern Turkey, Anatolian Adventures uses Turkish Airlines morning direct flight from Istanbul at 08:20. This guarantees us to be earlier in the region to benefit the day light more and to get organized for the next days’ programs. In wintertime the early direct flights schedule generally changes. Please ask us about the flight you should book, if you are not joining a complete package!

Istanbul Full day guided cultural excursion:

For the clients who have booked Complete Ararat Packages starting from Istanbul and the clients who have booked extra, the daily excursion is being organized by Anatolian Adventures licensed cultural tour guides or combined with another travel agency service, in case the number of participants is not enough to form a group.
During the daily excursion in Istanbul you will be transferred from your hotel in the city center to the Old city of Istanbul, Sultan Ahmet area. The tour will start with Hippodrome, Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Afterwards we will visit the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia before Lunch in Topkapi Palace. The daily tour will finish at your hotel after visiting the Grand Covered Bazaar.
Anatolian Adventures or travel agencies cooperated; keep the right to change the program and number of places to be visited regarding to the season, working days and time management.

Dogubeyazit Full day guided cultural excursion:

During the daily excursion in Dogubeyazit you will be transferred from your hotel to the Turkey-Iran border to start the excursion from Meteor hole of 1892. Our tour will continue to with Noah’s Ark visiting center where was the main location for the Noah’s Ark researches at past. We will see the art demonstration of Turkish hand crafts and carpets before the lunch in Dogubeyazit. The daily tour will finish at your hotel after visiting the Ishak Pacha palace of 18th Century Ottoman Empire.

Istanbul Hotels:

Anatolian Adventures is booking the rooms from the carefully selected 4 star hotels situated exactly in the city center of Istanbul, Taksim area. All the hotels are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey. Please note that 4 star certification requirements can differ in each country. In Istanbul city center, most of the city hotels have land problem which may not offer you a pool or very big rooms but guarantees a clear and hospital service.
You can see the website of Taksim Select Hotel as an example. www.taksimselect.com

Dogubeyazit Hotels:

Anatolian Adventures is booking the rooms from the unique 4 star hotel in Dogubeyazit. Situated at the west of the Dogubeyazit city center with exactly 5 minutes drive.
The hotel is licensed by the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey.

Cooking Service

On Mount Ararat our cooks will provide you best available food on a mountain with at least 4 course menus and teatime after all meals.
We take care of the international tastes and vegetarians in all our cooking facilities. If you are vegeterian or have any other special desire to be much comfortable with food, please inform the office staff in advance or the climbing guide the day you arrive to Dogubeyazit.

Example menu
Soups: lentil, chicken, mushroom or tomato soup.
Main dishes: Chicken schnitzel, burgers & meat balls with rice or pasta.
Salads: Mediterranean salad or authentic shepherd salads.
Desserts: Puddings and authentic Turkish dessert “Kadayif”
Fruits: Water melon, melon, peach, apple, cherry
Drinks: Boiled water, Tea, Coffee, Chocolate, fruit juices

Mules / Horse Support

During the treks up to the camps and down, Anatolian Adventures guarantees you load support with horses, limited by 20kg per person. Not to damage your own duffel bags and a nice present to you from us, we give each of our clients a 90 liter Anatolian Adventures duffel bag for the mountain kits as a Gift. In winter ascents we use porters for the support. This is much more expensive than the horse support and Please NOTE that Anatolian Adventures may demand some part of the costs extra from the participants due to the unexpected weather and snow situation.

Equipment list

You can download a detailed equipment list from here: http://www.anatolianadventures.com/eng/files/Mount_Ararat_Equipment_LIST.pdf

Leaders and Mountain Guides

All Anatolian Adventures professional guides have at least university degree speaking English. All of the guides, young or experienced more than 25 years, have extensive knowledge about trekking, climbing, safety equipments, first aid and navigation.

Just for the Mount Ararat treks, Anatolian Adventures is always hiring the liaison officers of Mountaineering Federation. Regardless their experience, the decisions are always taken by the Anatolian Adventures professional guides.

2008 TRIP DATES & AVAILABILITY

2008 TRIP PRICES

BOOKING FORM

To book this adventure, please fill the booking form provided below with payment details and fax to +90 216 418 45 22.

http://www.anatolianadventures.com/eng/about/bookingform.pdf

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Anatolian Adventures is the trademark of HTC Tourism company which is under the laws of Turkish Republic and it accepts your reservations under the following terms and conditions.

1. To book a trip from Anatolian Adventures, you must complete the booking form provided in our website. That form must be completed by a person who is at least 18 years of age. He/she must sign the reservation form, therefore agreeing to the terms set out below.  

2. Your booking will be confirmed on receipt of your deposit of 35% of the price of the holiday/tour/trek. Anatolian Adventures keeps the right to charge the remainder of the cost from the same credit card, which is payable no later than 3 weeks prior to the departure without any further notice. If bookings are made within 3 weeks of departure, payment in full is required on confirmation of the booking.

3. If your balance is not paid at the specified time (unless previously arranged with us in writing) we reserve the right to cancel your booking.  

4. If you cancel your booking, your deposit will not be refunded. However, provided you notify us of your cancellation within 6 weeks before departure, your deposit may be transferred to another tour listed in our website for the next year. The written notification should be done no later than 6 weeks prior to the departure date. Otherwise any direction of deposits for any other services will not be accepted. Any permit fees or advance costs will be deducted from the refunds.  

5. Should you cancel your booking after you have paid for the holiday in full and less than 6 weeks before departure the following charges are applicable (calculated on the day written notification is received by us and expressed as a percentage of the total tour price):  

More than 6 weeks prior to departure: Deposit only
Between 6 to 3 weeks before departure: 60%
Less than 3 weeks before departure: 100%  

6. Should we cancel your holiday, your deposit and any other payments made will be refunded in full. However, if our cancellation is due to 'force majeure' any reasonable expenses we have incurred will be deducted from your refund. (War, civil or political unrest is usually known as force majeure). All refunds and compensation are strictly limited to monies paid to us and we are not liable for any expenses you have incurred as a result of this booking. Anatolian Adventures keeps the right to cancel your holiday /tour service for any reason with written notification no later than 6 weeks prior to the departure date.

7. We reserve the right to alter prices quoted in this web site in the event of external factors beyond our control, e.g. changes in exchange rate or government action etc. Should any price increase exceed 10% of the total cost, you are free to cancel your booking and will obtain a full refund of all monies paid, excluding the permit fees and/or advance costs. Every effort will be made to avoid any increases to the prices shown in this web site.

8. Although we are trying to arrange your hotel room according to your requests, bed type and smoking preferences are not guaranteed.  

9. The tour leader or local ground operator who represents Anatolian Adventures has overriding authority on our tours. By signing our booking form, you agree to do this. If you commit any illegal act on a tour with us or if in the opinion of the tour leader or ground operator your behavior is detrimental to the safety and welfare of the group as a whole you may be asked to leave the tour without any right to refund.

10. Any complaints with regard to our tours must be immediately brought to the attention of the tour leader, ground operators or hotelier so that the necessary action to rectify the matter can be taken. However, if by the end of the tour you still feel you have a valid complaint you must notify the company, in writing, within 7 days of the end of your tour with Anatolian Adventures.  

11. Most of the services we provide are adventure holidays organized mostly in developing countries or regions where lower standards of infrastructure and efficiency often prevail and we can only accept your booking on the understanding that you are aware of the risks involved in this kind of travel. The company cannot be held responsible, unless as a direct result of negligence, of any mishap to you or your property. Route and hotel changes may be necessary and will always be at the discretion of the trek leaders and Anatolian Adventures. They do not constitute an alteration of your holiday and will not be compensated.

12. It is essential that you obtain suitable holiday insurance before joining one of our tours. This must cover you fully against repatriation costs should you become too ill to continue with the tour and must, above all, cover the evacuation of yourself from remote regions, should the need arise. Therefore, we recommend you to use an insurance package with a good coverage.  

13. You are responsible for ensuring all necessary travel documents are in order. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after entry and some do demand special documents for the visa procedures.

14. The responsibility of any airlines used is limited to the carriage of passengers and baggage in accordance with the conditions of their carriage.  

15. On signing the booking form you show your willingness to accept our terms and conditions. On accepting your booking we agree to carry out our obligations to you as defined in our web site.