Turkey Tours

Mount Ararat Expedition Group Tour

Do you want to do this tour on private basis? If so, please click here.

Day 1 — Arrive VAN / DOGUBAYAZIT

Meet at Van airport and transfer to Dogubayazit (approximately 2,5 hours drive) via Tendurek Volcano. In the afternoon, there is the possibility to visit (at extra cost) 17th century Ishak Pasha Palace. Overnight at hotel in Dogubayazit. (D)

Day 2 — ELI VILLAGE / CAMP I

Drive up to Mt. Ararat by truck (approximately 2 hrs drive) to the start of the trek at 2,200m. After walking 4-5 hours you'll reach the base camp at 3,200m (10,500ft) and overnight. Ascend 700m. (B-L-D)

Day 3 — ACCLIMATISATION DAY

Acclimatisation day up to 4,200m. Trekking up in the mountain for about 4-6 hours. Overnight in the same camp site at 3,200m. Ascend: 1,000m / Descend: 1,000m. (B-L-D)

Day 4 — CAMP II

Trek up to the second camp site which will take 4-5 hours walking. Camping at the intermediary camping site at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet), just before the summit slope. Ascend 1,000m. (B-L-D)

Day 5 — SUMMIT DAY

Weather permitting, very early ascend to the summit of Mt. Ararat (5,137 m - 16,853 ft) and walking on the glacier routes. From the summit, at sunrise you'll be able to see the summit of Mt. Elbruz and the little Ararat. Descend to Camp II for overnight. Total ascend and descending for 9-10 hours. Ascend: 937m. Descend: 937m. (B-L-D)

Day 6 — CAMP II / DOGUBAYAZIT

Descend down to Eli village via the first campsite, trekking about 4-5 hours. You'll meet the truck near the village and drive down to Dogubayazit. Time at leisure in the afternoon and overnight at hotel. Descend: 2,000 m. (B-L-D)

Day 7 — DOGUBAYAZIT / Depart VAN

Transfer to Van airport for your flight. (B)

(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner

During these programs, only 2 nights (beginning and end) will be spent at the hotel in Dogubayazit town, other overnights will be spent at camp tents. The program & dates might be changed depending on weather conditions or lack of participants or because of local authorities, please double check the date and program from Mr. Burak Sansal, just in case.

Expedition dates in 2010:

• For 7-days group tour: 10-16 July / 17-23 July / 24-30 July
• 2011 expedition dates will be published here around March 2011.
• For private tours to Ararat, we can arrange different dates but early application is very important. The expedition group can be a maximum number of 16 participants.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: For foreigners who'd like to climb Mt Ararat, there are special permissions that has to be taken from local authorities because the mountain is under a strict permit procedure. We handle these permissions in your behalf but we need your passport copy at least 70 days before the tour. Please keep in mind that permit and licensed mountain guides are mandatory to climb Ararat.

For Ararat Expeditions we provide climb permits from authorities, experienced mountain guide, kitchen services and meals during the trek (B for breakfast - L for lunch - D for dinner), all transfers as in the program, transfer of the equipments, 2 nights hotel stay in Dogubayazit, tent accommodation during treks, tent & mattress, personal safety equipment (helmet, ice-axe, crampon, harness), general security equipment (ropes, carabines, etc.), porters carrying personal belonging (max 20 kg / 44 pounds per person) with mules and trucks between camps, First Aid kit, entrance fees for parks. We can also arrange your domestic flights in Turkey (Istanbul - Van - Istanbul flights for example), at extra cost of course.

You should bring your personal camping equipment (sleeping bag, backpack, walking sticks or trekking poles etc) and clothes, mountain boots etc.

For Ararat treks, it's required that you are in good physical condition, experienced on long and high treks, and that you have appropriate gear (clothing, boots, etc). We also advice that you have a good health insurance covering these kind of treks. No technical difficulties are along the regular route of Mt Ararat. Our team assists the participants on the traverse of the high glacier plateau.

Important Note: All travel services in Turkey such as tours, hotel bookings, rent-a-car, transfers etc. are provided by an official & reliable local travel agency working with licensed tour guides, in order to secure your customer rights and fulfilling local regulations. Most of the regular tours are conducted in English. Please contact us for prices, quotes and other information.

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