MOUNT ARARAT WITH CULTURAL TOURS - 9 DAYS

MOUNT ARARAT WITH CULTURAL TOURS - 9 DAYS

About the tour

Mount Ararat with cultural tours

EXPEDITION “MOUNT ARARAT WITH CULTURAL TOURS” is our longest trekking to Ararat. Including travel/arrival, it takes at least 9 or 10 days. We pick up participants of this expedition from the airport in Van. This expedition is intended for all those who want to acclimatize well before reaching the peak, and after trekking would like to see interesting places in the surrounding area, especially the largest lake in Turkey – Van with the Armenian island of Akdamar, Ishak Pasha’s Palace and other monuments.

Trekking to Ararat lasts 5 days. Among them is an acclimatization day. The hike to the first and second camp itself should not pose any problems for active people, especially those hiking in the mountains. The summit attack can last from 8 to 14 hours (including the descent to the first camp). Walking times depend on the condition of the entire group as well as weather conditions.

“Mount Ararat with cultural tours” expedition is primarily for those who have never been to a 5,000-meter peak. It is perfect for a test of strength at such a height. There are no additional technical difficulties on Ararat. We invite active people to join the expedition, for whom several hours of hiking and a summit attack lasting several hours will not be a problem. The expedition requires average fitness because the mountain is not very physically demanding. We enter the camps lightly because some of the luggage is carried by horses. On each date of our tour we plan a reserve day in case of bad weather. If this day is not used on the 5,000-meter peak, there will be time for optional trips. Trips to Ararat in June and August can be combined with a tramping trip around Lake Van.

And HERE you can check the weather forecast for Mt Ararat.

Check our other expeditions to Mount Kazbek and Mount Damavand

Plan

1st Day– Arrival in Van* and transfer to Doğubeyazit

Arrival in Van*, visit to the Van fortress and the Van cat farm. Transfer to Doğubeyazit. Stop at the picturesque Muradiye Waterfalls. In Doğubeyazit, overnight stay at the hotel.
*flight to Van via Istanbul (flights are operated by various airlines, e.g. Turkish Airlines)

2nd Day – Approach to the 1st camp

After breakfast, departure by bus to the foot of Ararat to an altitude of approximately 2,100 m above sea level. From here, the trekking to the 1st camp begins, located at an altitude of 3,350 m above sea level. There will be a warm lunch and dinner and, after setting up the tents, overnight stay.

3rd Day – Acclimatization day

Breakfast at the camp. Climb to an altitude of 3,800-4,200 m above sea level, and then return to camp 1 for lunch and dinner. Overnight in tents in the 1st camp.

4th Day – Trek to Camp 2

Breakfast in the 1st camp and hike to the 2nd camp located at an altitude of 4,100 m above sea level. It takes about 4-5 hours with stops. Hot lunch and dinner on site and overnight stay in tents until midnight.

5th Day – Summit attack

Leaving the camp between midnight and 2 a.m. It takes about 5-9 hours to reach the peak. We usually reach the peak after sunrise. After reaching the summit – 5137 m above sea level. descent to the 2nd camp – about 4 hours, then to the 1st camp. There, a warm lunch and dinner and overnight stay in tents.

6th Day– Transfer to Doğubeyazit and rest

After breakfast, board the bus and go to the hotel. Free time, rest and relaxation. Hammam and dinner together. Overnight stay at a hotel.

7th Day– Reserve day/Optional trips

Today is a reserve day in case of bad weather in Ararat. If it has not been used at the top, we go to visit the Doğubeyazit City Museum and the İshak Paşa Sarayı palace complex dating from the 18th century. Overnight stay at a hotel.

On this day, you can also organize a picnic at the Fish Lake (Balık Gölü) located about 60 km from Doğubeyazit or bathe in the Diyadin hot springs (about 50 km). During good weather conditions, there is a beautiful view of Ararat from the Fish Lake. If conditions are good and the group is willing, it is possible to stay overnight in tents by the lake. In another version, return to Doğubeyazit and overnight in a hotel.

8th Day – Lake Van and Akdamar Island

After breakfast, departure towards Lake Van and a ferry crossing to the island of Akdamar with the Armenian church of St. Cross. There you can swim in Lake Van. After visiting the island, we go to the city of Van, where we stay overnight in a hotel.

9th Day– Return home

Transfer to the airport in Van and flight to Istanbul and then flight back to home.

*flights take place without the assistance of “ARARATTREK”

We send you a DETAILED EXPEDITION PLAN by e-mail. Please contact us.

Dates

15.06 – 23.06.2024 Available spots!
06.07 – 14.07.2024 CONFIRMED DATE!
20.07 – 28.07.2024 Available spots!
24.07 – 01.08.2024* CONFIRMED DATE!
03.08 – 11.08.2024 Available spots!
31.08 – 08.09.2024 Available spots!

*differences in the expedition plan on this date. More details are sent by e-mail. Please contact us.

 

Includes

  • local mountain guide
  • permit
  • transport according to the program
  • luggage transport on horses
  • meals according to the program
  • accommodation according to the program in hotels and tents
  • trip around Ararat
  • trip to the island of Akdamar, the Van fortress and the Van cats
  • camping and climbing equipment
  • tickets to places visited in Turkey

Extra services

  • flights
  • insurance
  • food outside trekking
  • additional nights
  • additional trips
  • and other necessary expenses

A TOUR INFO IN A NUTSHELL

  • the highest peak and volcano in Turkey – 5137 m above sea level
  • experienced Kurdish guides
  • tasty Kurdish food in the mountains
  • acclimatization day
  • real reserve day
  • camping and climbing equipment: tents, mattresses, crampons
  • certificate confirming reaching the peak
  • cultural trips included in the price
  • swimming in the largest lake in Turkey
  • visiting the cats with Van
  • monuments of eastern Turkey