Ararat mountain  - Ascent to the top
Ararat mountain

Ascent to the top

Ararat mountain
(Ascent to the top )

Mount Ararat mentioned in the Bible, covered with many legends and revered as the site of the first altar erected after the Flood attracts an incredible number of tourists and novice climbers to its peak every year.

The volcano consists of two peaks – Big Ararat (5137 m) and Small Ararat (3925 m) the circumference of which reaches 130 km, and the glacier of St. James which we will meet on the way to the top has a length of more than 2000 meters in length.

Big Ararat appeared about 3.5 million years ago and is the highest mountain in Turkey: its height is 5137m above sea level. Starting from a height of 4200m, the slopes here are covered with snow and glaciers.

Small Ararat is located on the eastern side of its older brother. It appeared much later about 150 thousand years ago, and its height is much lower - 3896m above sea level. Despite the fact that this mountain is low there is little vegetation both on it and on the slopes of Big Ararat. Sometimes only solitary birches and wild grapes are met here. This is explained by the fact that these mountains are covered with a thick layer of ash, lava and tephra deposits.

The climate of Mount Ararat is quite severe: in the summer season at an altitude of over 2 thousand meters there are always winds blowing, and the daytime air temperature even in summer can be below +10°C. The most comfortable weather here is in July when the air temperature is about +25°С. Even in the middle of summer, the weather on the mountain can be quite changeable, so we advise you to bring warm, windproof clothing and appropriate footwear. However, despite such climatic conditions, thanks to a smooth ascent it is not difficult to climb the mountain.

After a successful ascent, you will have an opportunity to visit the local attractions. You can visit the ancient palace of Ishak Pasha built in the 17th century, and you can also enjoy the color and culture of the local residents of Dogubayazit - a town at the foot of Mount Ararat.

Available Dates

  • 2024-2025 | 6 places Book
  • Individual dates are available. Please contact the program manager.

Trip details

Intensity Level 3
Season Summer
Begins in -
Ends in -

Price:

Great for Couples Families Individuals

Climbing Ararat is an opportunity to climb the legendary five-thousander without any experience in mountaineering with the professional support of the team of organizers and guides of the Asia Mountains company. In addition, you will plunge into the ancient culture of eastern Turkey, get an unforgettable high-altitude experience and feel the beauty and power of the sacred mountain.

What's Included:

  • 2 nights at the hotel
  • Guide
  • Horses/ mules for carrying luggage
  • Airport transfer to Eli and back
  • Meals on the mountain (it is recommended to bring nuts and chocolate bars with you for light snacks along the way)
  • Main equipment (tents, ropes, gas, burners, kettles, avalanche shovels, walkie-talkies, etc.)

What's not included:

  • Rental of personal equipment (you can check the availability of equipment for rent with the program manager)
  • Meals in cities
  • International flights
  • Personal expenses (bar, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.)
  • Early check-in and late check-out
  • Any service not listed above
Day
1

Arrival at the airport and transfer to Nemrut base camp. Our guide will meet you at Igdir or Van airport from where we will drive 33 km to the ferry terminal and take a short cruise to Akdamar Island. After visiting the island, we will move to the base camp near Mount Nemrut. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day
2

Trek to Mount Nemrut. We will need a little physical preparation and acclimatization before climbing Ararat and this hike to Mount Nemrut is more than suitable. After breakfast, we will start our hike to the western side of Crater Lake and climb to the top of Mount Nemrut. After the ascent, we will descend back to the base camp. Dinner and overnight in tents.

Day
3

Transfer to Dogubayazit, sightseeing. On this day, we have to move to the border town of Dogubayazit from where all the Ararat climbing routes begin. On the way we will visit Lake Van and Muradiye Waterfall.

Hotel accommodation. We will check the equipment, get permits, and we will still have time for an independent evening walk around the city. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Dogubayazit.

Day
4

First day of ascent. We will have to wake up early, have breakfast at the hotel and start packing. First, on a comfortable minibus we need to move to the village of Eli which is located at an altitude of 2000m. Here we will load our rucksacks onto horses and walk to our first camp at 3200m. Lunch will be in the form of lunch boxes, and upon arrival at the camp you will be provided with a full dinner. Rest and overnight in tents.

Day
5

Trekking to camp 2. Today we will get up early and after having breakfast we will pack up the camp and go to a height of 4200m. This is our last and highest camp. Having arrived at the spot we will settle down and prepare for the ascent. Dinner, rest. It will be necessary to go to sleep early as we will have very little time left before reaching the top.

Day
6

Ascent to the summit. Around 1 am we have to wake up and have breakfast. After breakfast at about 2:00 we will leave for the ASCENT. The climb to the top takes about 7-9 hours. At an altitude of about 4800 m above sea level, where eternal snow and ice begins (this varies depending on the time of year), we will put on crampons. Having conquered the summit, we need to go down to the 2nd base camp where we will have a snack, take a little rest, then we will roll up the tents and continue the descent to the first camp. Hot dinner will be waiting for us at the camp. Rest and night in tents.

Day
7

Transfer to Dogubayazit. This morning, after a good rest we will go down to the village of Eli, where the car will pick us up and take us to Dogubayazit. Check into a hotel. Optionally you may visit the Turkish bath this evening or visit the Ishak Pasha Palace. At dinner time we will celebrate our successful ascent!

Day
8

Departure. Today we are going home. The car will take you to the Igdir or Van airport. Flight home. End of the program.

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