MOUNT ARARAT 10-DAYS TREK (5137 m.)

A splendid experience of climbing Great Mount of Ararat, the highest mountain of Turkey, and final residence of Noah's Ark, with some extra days spent in Istanbul, the capital of Byzantine and Ottoman Era!

Mt. Ararat, the extinct volcano with a height of 16,854 feet and 5,137 meters, offers a rewarding experience in Turkey in the name of adventure. The Mount Ararat trek is generally 5 days, with 4 night's camp at the slopes of the mountain. Climbing Mount Ararat does not require any serious technical climbing but one should know basic self arrest, ice-axe and crampon use for the last 200 meters of the mountain.

DETAILED TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Istanbul, transfer to hotel, free rest of the day.
Welcome to Istanbul. Our transfer man will be waiting you at the arrival gate with a nameplate. Your hotel is approximately 25 km distance from the airport and located in the old city. According to your arrival time, free time at leisure. Welcome dinner in the evening.

Day 2: Full day sightseeing in Istanbul
After early breakfast at your hotel, you will meet with tour representatives in the lobby at 08:30. A guided tour in the old city will last until 17:00 and you will be transferred back to your hotel. The highlights of the tour will be the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. Art demonstrations of handcrafts and lunch will be included. *** Each museum is closed one day a week and will be replaced with another in the city.

Day 3: Arrival at Van, Transfer to Dogubeyazit, Overnight at hotel
Early transfer to Istanbul Ataturk airport and fly to Van city (2 hours). Welcome at Van Ferit Melen Airport by your guide, transfer to border town Dogubeyazit which takes approximately 3hrs. Heading toward Dogubeyazit, we take a short break at the "Muradiye waterfalls" for some Turkish tea and the outstanding scenery. After we check in our hotel, we have our lunch in a local restaurant in the city center. Having collected our climbing permits from the military and a gear check at the hotel, we taste the best examples of the Turkish Kebap for dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Transfer to Mount Ararat, trekking to 1st Camp called "Green Camp"
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Mount Ararat by minibus which takes 1,5 hrs approximately. We stop by former Eli village region at 2200m / 7250 ft. Loads will be carried by animals starting from this point and we trek until we arrive at first camp at 3340m / 10850 ft. On the way up to Ararat Base Camp at 3200m we will be able to see the Nomads and observe the Ararat mountain way of life. Total trekking time: 3-4 hrs based on performance.

Day 5: Acclimatization day. Overnight at 1st Camp
This is our acclimatization day on the mountain. We trek up to 2nd camp at 4100m / 13150ft then return back to 1st camp for overnight. This enables us to “climb high and sleep low” - an important step in acclimatisation. Total trekking time: 4-5 hrs based on performance.

Day 6: Move to 2nd camp
We hike on the south ridge up to 2nd camp at 4100 meters. Animals carry all the camp loads up to 2nd camp, and trekkers carry only personal belongings in their backpacks. Total trekking time: 2-3 hrs based on performance.

Day 7: Summit day. Overnight at 1st Camp.
We wake up at 3:30 and have a fine breakfast in the kitchen tent. We start the summit walk at 4:30, crossing the upper snow covered slopes; we reach 4950m where we put our crampons on before the summit glacier. We finally reach the Ararat summit at 5137m / 16854ft after 5-6 hrs hiking performance in total. Taking as many photographs we can and celebrating our success to the peak, we descend back to 1st camp to spend the night and refresh ourselves. Lunch is lunchpacks on this day, and given to everybody before the start of the day. Total trekking time: 5-6 hrs ascent, 5-6 hrs descent based on performance.

Day 8: Return back to Dogubeyazit, Overnight at hotel
Packing everything in the campsite, we start our descent until the Eli village region at 2200 meters. The minibus meets us at the village road and we drive towards our hotel in Dogubeyazit. After having lunch in a local restaurant in the city center, we visit local handcrafts and carpet house to see demonstrations of their very best examples. We then visit monumental Ishak Pasha Palace, a 17th century Ottoman gem, whilst watching the dramatic sunset sky. If necessary, in case of bad weather, this day may be used as a spare day for the summit ascent. In this case, we walk all the way down to Eli village from the summit point. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Total trekking time: 2-3 hrs

Day 9: Transfer to Van airport, fly to Istanbul, Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
After an early morning breakfast, we drive to Van airport for the flight back to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul and free time before dinner and overnight. Your dinner may be either in the hotel or in a local restaurant. You will be notified in your final trek file.

Day 10: Transfer to Ataturk airport, End of Services
After breakfast at the hotel, we pack up and prepare for check-out. Meeting in the lobby with the driver, you will be transferred to Ataturk airport for international departures.

ARARAT CLIMBING PERMIT & VISA

It is well known that the Ararat Mountain, which had been a favorite for climbers until 1980 was closed to the public during the Kurdish insurgence. It was reopened to visitors in 2001 when security in the area was reestablished. Nevertheless, to ensure continuance of security, visits to Mount Ararat are now under strict government control.

Individual climbers are subject to security investigations and only those who are approved are allowed to visit.

The permit procedures generally take up to two months for individual applicants, but if you join in our Ararat tours, we carry out the proper procedures on behalf of you which is the fastest and easiest way to obtain the necessary permissions.

CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1) In the booking form, please fill all personal and passport details completely.

2) Send your booking form together with a scanned photocopy of your passport either by fax to number: +902164184522 or by email to address: info@anatolianadventures.com