ASCENT TO THE MYSTIC NOAH’S ARK

Turkey

ARARAT (5.137 m)

departure: June - September

Duration: 8 or 9 days

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810€

Turkey has several different mountain systems which all have different characteristics. From the limestone mountains of the Taurus in the south and the gentle coastal mountains of the Aegean coast, to the beautiful granite massif of the Pontic Mountains on the shores of the Black Sea. But, above all of these, the mountains which really stand out are the imposing volcanic structures that rise in the territory of Kurdistan, in western Turkey. Here we find the Agri Dag or Mount Ararat, which constitutes the highest elevation in the country with its 5,137. Traditionally it is considered as the point where Noah’s Ark rested after the great flood. To access its summit, various ascent routes can be used, although the normal route is the most popular and goes up the NW slope of the mountain to its summit. From the top you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the Anatolian plains and on the opposite side of the Armenian territories, with its highest summit, the Aragats and with a little luck the distant plains of Iran and Azerbaijan. To carry out a correct acclimatization, we are going to climb Mount Suphan, another great volcano of more than 4000 m on the shores of Lake Van. In this way we can approach the summit of Ararat in a more direct way and without the need for tedious acclimatization by ascending and descending the same route for several days.

Best season:
June - September

Selección X-Plore

TYPE OF ACTIVITY:

PHYSICAL:

TECHNICAL:

WILDERNESS:

TRAVEL ITINERARY

ITINERARY : SUPHAN & ARARAT

DAY 1. FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL – VAN
Flight to the city of Van. A necessary stopover in Istanbul. Late arrival at Van airport. Meet at Van airport and transfer to our hotel. This population of 330,000 inhabitants is located on the shores of Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, 120 km long and 80 km wide.

Hotel accommodation, Van.

DAY 2. VAN –BASE CAMP SUPHAN
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast we will leave Van on the road that borders the lake. On the way we will make passes to take photos and to enjoy and bathe in one of the beautiful beaches of Lake Van. Food in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, arriving at the town of Adilcevaz, we will take the track that slowly ascends the southern slope of the volcano, passing through the town of Harmantepe. We will arrive with the vehicles at an approximate height of 2,900 m, where we will strike camp. In the evening we will have a barbecue dinner to gather strength for the ascent to the mountain.

Tent accommodation, Suphan.

DAY 3. BASE CAMP – TOP OF MONTE SUPHAN (4.058 m) – DOGUBEYAZIT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

At dawn we will leave the camp following the route of the south face of the mountain. The trail is not difficult and climbes the sandy, volcanic slopes, gradually gaining height. Before reaching the edge of the summit crater we may find some residual snowfield that will be easy to avoid. The view of the crater is fantastic. The imposing volcanic caldera measures around 3 km and inside there are a couple of melting lakes and a rocky platform that constitutes the highest point of the mountain. After taking photos at the top we will return by the same route to the base camp. Difference in altitude: +/- 1,200 m. In the middle of the afternoon we will leave for the city of Dogubeyazit. A drive that will take us around 3 hours to cover the 200 km distance. Stop on the way to visit some waterfalls and have a drink.

Hotel accommodation, Dogubeyazit.

DAY 4. DOGUBEYAZIT – CAMP 1 OF ARARAT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast we will leave for the mountain. We will drive to the town of Eli, located about 40 km away. We are at an altitude of 2,200 meters and this will be our starting point for the walk. The 4-5 hour walk will take us to Camp 1, located at a height of 3,200 meters.

Tent accommodation, Camp 1.

DAY 5. CAMP 1 – CAMP 2
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Thanks to the previous acclimatization in the Suphan, during this day we will climb the 1000-meter ascent to Camp 2 and spend the night at this height (4,200 m). The idea is to leave camp 1 early to arrive at camp 2 in good time, relax, hydrate well, have dinner and go to bed early.

Tent accommodation, Camp 2.

DAY 6. ASCENT OF MOUNT ARARAT (5.137 m) – CAMP 1
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will wake up early for a light breakfast and prepare to leave around 3 AM towards the summit of Ararat. The total difference in altitude of 1000 meters will take us about 5 hours. Depending on the season and snow conditions, it may be necessary to use crampons in the last 200 meters of the mountain, entering the glacier. Once at the summit, there is time to take pictures and enjoy the panoramic views. On the north face of the mountain we will see the huge glacier that descends this slope for more than 1,100 meters of altitude. Under our feet the Aras river which is the natural border with Armenia. Return along the same path to Camp 2, where we will make a short stop to drink and eat and then continue descending towards Camp 1.

Tent accommodation, Camp 1.

DAY 7. CAMP 1 – DOGUBEYAZIT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

A quiet day. After breakfast we will return along the road to the town of Eli, where our vehicle will be waiting for us to return to the city of Dogubeyazit. Transfer and rest at the hotel. In the afternoon, walk around the city to visit its markets and have a drink to celebrate our summit.

Hotel accommodation, Dogubeyazit.

DAY 8. TURISM or FREE DAY
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This day is reserved for a possible second attempt to climb Ararat, if due to bad weather or any other circumstance it has not been successfully achieved during day 7. In case we do not need this day for the second attempt, we will dedicate the day to do a little tourism and get to know some of the interesting places in this corner of Turkish Kurdistan: the Ishak Paşa Palace, built at the end of the 17th century, Noah’s Ark, the tomb of Ahmedi Xani and some of the Kurdish villages that we meet on the way.

Hotel accommodation, Dogubeyazit.

DAY 9: FLIGHT FROM AGRI OR IGDIR HOME
Breakfast.

Transfer to Agri or Igdir airport. Boarding in the morning for the flight back home. 1 mandatory stopover in Istanbul. Arrival the same day in the afternoon / evening at our airport of origin.

ITINERARY : ONLY ARARAT

DAY 1. FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL
Flight departure. Overnight on board and stopover in Istanbul. Waiting time at the airport.

DAY 2. ARRIVAL IN IGDIR / AGRI – TRANSFER TO DOGUBEYAZIT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Flight from Istanbul to the city of Igdir or Agri. Arrival in the morning. Reception at the airport and transfer to our hotel in the city of Dobubeyazit.

Hotel accommodation, Dobubeyazit.

DAY 3. DOGUBEYAZIT – CAMP 1 OF ARARAT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Tent accommodation, Camp 1.

DAY 4. CAMP 1 – CAMP 2 – CAMP 1
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Acclimatization day where we will go up to 4,200 meters high. After a break at that height, we will return to field 1.

Tent accommodation, Camp 1.

DAY 5: CAMP 1 – CAMP 2
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Thanks to the acclimatization of the previous day we will go back up to camp 2 and spend the night at this height (4,200 m). The idea is to leave camp 1 early to arrive at camp 2 in good time, relax, hydrate well, have dinner and go to bed early.

Tent accommodation, Camp 2.

DAY 6. ASCENS TO MOUNT ARARAT (5.137 m) – CAMP 1
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will wake up early for a light breakfast and prepare to leave around 3 AM towards the summit of Ararat. The total difference in altitude of 1000 meters will take us about 5 hours. Depending on the season and snow conditions, it may be necessary to use crampons in the last 200 meters of the mountain when travelling on the glacier. Once at the summit, time to take pictures and enjoy the panoramic views. On the north face of the mountain we will see the huge glacier that descends this slope more than 1,100 meters of altitude. Under our feet the Aras river, natural border with Armenia. Return along the same path to Camp 2, where we will make a short stop to drink and eat something and continue descending towards Camp 1.

Tent accommodation, Camp 1.

DAY 7. CAMP 1 – DOGUBEYAZIT
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Quiet day. After breakfast we will undo the road to the town of Eli, where our vehicle will be waiting for us to return to the city of Dogubeyazit. Transfer and rest at the hotel. In the afternoon, walk around the city to visit its markets and have a drink to celebrate our summit.

Hotel accommodation, Dogubeyazit.

DAY 8: TURISM or FREE DAY
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

This day is reserved for a possible second attempt t climb Ararat, if due to bad weather or any other circumstance it has not been possible to successfully achieve this during day 7. In case we do not need this day for the second attempt to the top We will dedicate the day to do a little tourism and get to know some of the interesting places in this corner of Turkish Kurdistan: the Ishak Paşa Palace, built at the end of the 17th century, Noah’s Ark, the tomb of Ahmedi Xani and some of the Kurdish villages that we meet on the way.

Hotel accommodation, Dogubeyazit.

DAY 9: FLIGHT FROM AGRI OR IGDIR HOME
Breakfast.

Transfer to Agri or Igdir airport. Boarding in the morning on the flight back home. 1 mandatory stopover in Istanbul. Arrival the same day in the afternoon / evening at our airport of origin.

INCLUDED

4 nights hotel accommodation
4 nights of accommodation in tents
Diet according to program
Local English-speaking X-plore guide
Arrival and departure transfers at the Van and Agri / Igdir airports
Private ground transportation throughout the tour
Camping equipment (bi-personal tents and mats)
Camping equipment (dining tent, chairs, tables)
Cook and kitchen equipment
Mules or horses for carrying material in high altitude fields
Entrances to the places of visit (palaces, baths, tombs, etc).
Registration / climbing permit

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic air tickets
Personal and mountain equipment (sleeping bags, poles, front, clothing, boots, etc.).
Turkish visa fee
Single room supplement
Travel and accident insurance in the mountains
Tips and personal expenses
Anything not specified in the “INCLUDED” section.