MOUNT ARARAT 7-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!

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: Welcome at Van Airport, Transfer to Dogubeyazit, Overnight at hotel
Welcome at Van Ferit Melen Airport, 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 Kebaps for dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 demonstration 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 7: Transfer to Van airport, end of services.
After an early morning breakfast, we drive to Van airport for the flights to Istanbul or we continue with extension tours in the Eastern Anatolia region.

If you need assistance in booking hotels in Istanbul, arranging tours and transfers, and booking flight tickets, you can either contact us directly or refer to the link ISTANBUL HOTELS & TOURS

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.

Foreigners traveling alone who wish to climb Mt. Ararat should apply to the Turkish consulate in their country and apply for an "ARARAT CLIMBING" visa. Even individuals from those countries that do not require an entry visa to Turkey, should have their passports stamped with a special purpose visa by the Turkish consulate in their own countries. Applications made through the consulate are then sent to the office of the General Staff of Turkey, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and the Ministry of Tourism. Those applications that are approved are then forwarded to the office of the governor of Agri city and the local military police. The same documents are sent to the Turkish consulate of the originating country. Upon entry to Turkey these special visas are shown to the appropriate offices.

These 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 visas and 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

3) It is important that all participants should inform Anatolian Adventures about the name/location of the Turkish Consulate or Embassy closest to their hometowns. This location can't be changed after we send the application, and it is the place where you will pick-up your special purpose visa stickers when the permit procedure is complete.

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.

As soon as we get the passport & Consulate information we apply to the Ministry of Tourism for the permit authorization with an official paper. The Ministry of Tourism applies to the other authorities for authorization; The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Military. When the Ministry of Tourism gets authorization from all these authorities, Anatolian Adventures will be informed about the permit. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send an official paper to the Turkish Consulate or Embassy named by the applicants previously. We will then inform the participants to go to this consulate or embassy and collect their special purpose visas.