Highlights
High altitude mountaineering
Climbing the Great Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest mountain, and the final resting place for Noah’s Ark! Mt. Ararat, the extinct volcano with a height of 5,137 meters, is a rewarding experience set in the wild breathtaking landscape that is South-East Turkey. The actual Mount Ararat trek takes 5 days, with 4 nights camping on the slopes of the mountain. Climbing Mount Ararat does not require any serious technical climbing but one should know basic self-arrest, ice-axe and crampon use for the last 200 meters of the mountain.
4 nights camping, 2 nights in a hotel in Dogubeyazit, starting and ending in Van. Also visiting Muradiye waterfalls, 17th-century Ishakpasa Palace. See the stunning mountain scenery and enjoy the moderate adventure at a high altitude!
Fully supported by our family of porters and kit carrying mules, you will experience what it's like to be on a high altitude expedition.
This unique itinerary also incorporates culturally fascinating visits to an ancient Ottoman Fortress and the site according to the book of Genesis, where Noah's ark came to rest.
Day 1
Day 1: Van city
Our trip will start when you arrive to Van airport. First we will go to visit Van Castle, then we will have boat trip to Akdamar Island and will visit Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, which was built by Armenians in the tenth century. After lunch on shore of Lake Van we will drive to Dogubayazit. On the way we will stop to see Muradiye waterfall.
Afterwards- arrive to Dogubayazit, dinner and spend the night in hotel.Day 2
Day 2: from Dogubayazit to Mount Ararat
Transfer from hotel to Eli Village at 2200 meters (with minibus). Then we will walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters (our equipment will be transported by pack animals). When we reach the camp we will drink tea and ea1.Climbing takes on average 3 hours.
Average ascent 1000mt hot meal. Overnight at Camp 1.Day 3
Day 3: Mount Ararat Acclimatization
Climb to 4200 meters (Camp 1) and return to Base Camp (for acclimatization). Dinner and next overnight at Camp 1.
Average climb – 8 hours.Day 4
Day 4: Mount Ararat Camp 2 at 4200 meters
After breakfast we start to climb to Camp 2 at 4200 meters. Equipment will be transported by pack animals. When we reach the camp we will have hot meal. Overnight at Camp 2. (We have to go to sleep very early. Next day we start to climb at 2 a.m.)
Climbing takes on average 5-6 hours. Average ascent 1000m.Day 5
Day 5: Summit day
We start climbing early in the morning (1 or 2 a.m.). After 5-7 hours we reach Mount Ararat summit at 5165 meters (depending on snow conditions, crampons may be needed for the last 200-300 meters).
Afterwards we return to Camp 2, we have a rest, eat meal and pack equipment. Then we start to descent to Eli Village at 2200 meters, where vehicles wait us. We back to Dogubayazit.Day 6
Day 6: Cultural tour
This day we will visit Ishak Pasha Palace – one of the most important palaces in Ottoman history.
Then we will visit Durupinar site. It’ s a canoe-shaped area that some people believe could be the “foot print” of Noah’s Ark.
Our last stop at this area will be Meteor crater. It’s the second largest meteor crater in the world, after the largest one located in Alaska. Meteor Crater is 60 meters deep and 35 meters across.
On the way of crater, we also can see Iranian borderDay 7
Today we say goodbye Drop offs at airport
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