MOUNT ARARAT TREKKING (5137 m.)

A rewarding experience of climbing spectacular Mount Ararat, roof of Anatolia and home of Noah's Ark!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Meeting in VAN city airport before midday and drive to Dogubeyazit town in 3hrs average. On the way we stop by the "Muradiye waterfalls" and enjoy the view with Turkish tea. After lunch, check in hotel, permits and gear check. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 2: Transfer to Mount Ararat, former Eli village region at 2200m / 7250 ft. We then load the duffle bags on our horses and the start trekking for 4 hrs before arriving "Green Camp" at 3300m / 10850 ft.

Day 3: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m / 13150ft for 4-5 hours. Dinner and overnight at Green Camp.

Day 4: Hike up from Green camp to 2nd camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (2-3 hours)

Day 5: Summit day. Early wake up call at 3:30 and start for the summit bid at 4:30 after a fine breakfast. We reach the summit at 5137m / 16854ft after 5-6 hrs hiking performance. It will take 2-3 hrs to descend back to the camp site at 4150m / 13615ft. Dinner and overnight in the 2nd camp.

Day 6: Descend all the way down to the village road to reach the minibus for the transfer to hotel in Dogubeyazit before lunch time. After lunch, we will see the art demonstration of the very best examples of local handcrafts and carpets. We will visit ancient Ishak Pasha Palace during the beautiful sunset. / Spare day in case of bad weather / Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 7: Transfer to Van airport early in the morning for the flights or continue with extension tours.

DETAILS

After meeting in Van Airport, we reach the frontier town of Dogubeyazit with 2hrs and 30min. of drive. On the way to Dogubeyazit, we stop by Muradiye waterfalls to enjoy the view and Turkish tea. Having collected our climbing permits from the military and gear check at the hotel, we will taste the best examples of the Turkish Kebaps in the dinner. The 2nd day is the start of climbing this Biblical Peak with 1hr 30min 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 see the Nomads and observe the Ararat mountain life. We establish our base camp at 3300m on the slopes of mountain. Once acclimatized after spending 2 nights at the 1st camp, we hike up to 2nd campsite on the south ridge 4150m.

Waking up early in the morning (03:30), we make a pre-dawn start at 04:30 for our summit ascent, crossing the upper snow covered slopes; we will reach 4950m where we will put our crampons 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 Airport for the end of services or continue with extension Turkey tours.

For Istanbul hotels, istanbul tours and transfers, and domestic flight ticket services, please refer to the link ISTANBUL HOTELS & TOURS

ARARAT CLIMBING PERMIT & VISA

As it is well known, 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 investigation 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 after the permit procedure finishes.

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 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.