EASTERN ANATOLIA VOLCANOES
(MT. NEMRUT - MT. SUPHAN - MT. ARARAT)

The 3 significant volcanoes of Turkey, offering spectacular trekking routes with their natural beauties

ITINERARY

Day 1: After welcome at VAN city airport in Eastern Turkey, we visit Van castle and taste the best examples of Turkish Kebabs in the lunch. Before leaving the city, we visit Akdamar Island after a short boat cruise. Seeing the ancient 10th century Armenian Church called Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross is a rewarding experience. The church was built by Bishop Manuel under King Gagik I, between AD 915-921. Before sunset, we arrive to campsite near the Nemrut Crater Lake, for dinner and overnight in the beautiful nature.

Day 2: After breakfast, we will pass to the west side of the Crater Lake with a short boat cruise to trek for 4 hours. We meet with our vehicle at the road head to transfer Mt Suphan for dinner & overnight in camp at 2750m / 9025 ft.

Day 3: With an early start after breakfast, we hike up to the 4058 m / 13315 ft. summit of Mount Suphan with a great panoramic view of the Van Lake. Average: 8 hours. We descend back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: After breakfast we drive to Dogubeyazit town in 3 hours 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 5: 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 6: Rest at camp. Acclimatization hikes up to 4000m / 13150ft for 4-5 hours. Dinner and overnight at Green Camp.

Day 7: Hike up from Green camp to 2nd camp at 4150m / 13615 ft. (2-3 hours)

Day 8: 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 5137 m / 16854 ft after 5-6 hrs hiking performance. It will take 2-3 hours to descend back to the camp site at 4150m / 13615 ft. Dinner and overnight in the 2nd camp.

Day 9: 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 10: Transfer to Van airport early in the morning for the flights or continue with extension tours.

DETAILS

Starting from Van city, we will spend 1 night camp at Mount Nemrut, 2 nights camp at Mount Suphan, then we will drive towards Dogubeyazit town. After spending 4 nights at Ararat camp we finish the tour in Van city. We can continue with international flights from Istanbul or extend the holiday with extra 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.