Ararat is the highest, the widest, the wildest and the most spectacular mountain in Turkey. It is a holy volcano that can be seen in three countries; Turkey, Armenia and Iran.
This is not only a trekking and climbing tour, but also the ancient history around the mountain will change your expectations.
Ararat
The highest peak of Turkey with an altitude of 5137 meters
Ishakpasa Palace
Easternmost administrative palace of Ottoman era
Tushpa
9th BC capital of Urartu Kingdom
Aghtamar Church
10th AD Armenian Apostolic Church on an island on Van Lake; biggest lake of Turkey
DAY 1 Meet tour guide and transfer to the pension. (3hrs)
We meet our tour guide and driver at Van airport. Then drive to our hotel in Dogubayazit. We are going to spend the night in Doğubayazit.
Depending of arrival time we may have a visit to the main attractions of Doğubayazıt town (Ishakpasa Palace).
DAY 2 Drive to mountain and walk to 1st camp site (6-7km / +1000 meters / 3-4 hrs)
After having early breakfast at our hotel, we are driving to the beginning of our first day walk. Our bags and all necessary camping equipment will be transported to the camp site. We will walk up the camp site on a soft path with a gradual ascend.
Dinner and overnight at camp site.
DAY 3 Acclimatization Walk (6km / +1000 - 1000 meters / 4-5 hrs)
To get used to altitude we will be walking up to the second camp site at 4200 meters. We will be having our lunch and spending some time there. Then we will walk back to first camp site.
Dinner and overnight at camp site.
DAY 4 Walk to 2nd Camp Site (3km / +1000 meters / 2-3 hrs)
This is a stany path ascends to second camp of Ararat Mountain.
Dinner and overnight at campsite.
DAY 5 Optional Summit Climb (5km / +900 -1900 meters / 8-10 hrs)
After having an early breakfast, we are heading to Ararat Mountain summit; is the highest peak of Turkey. The narrow and stony path will take us to the glacier plateau of Ararat. The best photos can be taken early in morning. After a short break we will head to main peak of Ararat Mountain. The last section up to summit will be a glacier.
The same route will take us back to second camp site and have a rest. After the rest we will continue to first camp site.
Dinner and overnight at camp site.
DAY 6 Walk Down and Transfer to Hotel (3 hrs)
After having an easy walk back to the beginning, we will meet our driver. We will be having a Turkish bath experience to relax after Ararat summit climb.
DAY 7 Drive to Van and City Tour
Today is a day of exploration. On our way to Van we will be having a short break at Muradiye Waterfalls. Van city was the host for an innovative and ambitious architects known as Urartians. Their capital Tushpa is located by the sea of Nairi (known as Van Lake).
Afternoon visit is to Aghtamar Church; was built in 10th AD by an Armenian King who reigned over the Kingdom of Vaspurakan as a vassal under the Abbasids. It is located on Akdamar Island.
Dinner and overnight at hotel by Van Lake.
DAY 8 Tour ends. Transfer to airport (1/2hrs)
We drive to Van airport.
NOTE: In case of bad weather we may cancel our 7th day and spend this extra day in the mountain to try another summit attempt.
Challenging. Good level of fitness is required.
Optional summit climb; on a stony path with steep slopes.
Daily 4-6 hours of walk. Summit day; 8-10 hours walk. Max. altitude is 5137 meters
Average elevation gain / loss; +/- 1000 meters
2/3 nights at the pension or hotels and 4/5 nights camping.
Good quality trekking/climbing boots, 30-40 liters of rucksack, sun cream, sun hat, good quality rain gear, walking sticks, sleeping bags, crampons, ice axes and personal equipment should be prepared by the participants.
If needed please ask Cicerone Travel for any missing equipment.
Breakfast and dinners will be at the pension or hotels and camp site.
Picnic lunches to be prepared and shared by the participants before the walk.
Each participant should have a day pack to carry water, lunch stuff and personal items. The luggage will be transported to the camps or hotels by our company.
Each participant should bring a separate duffel bag to prepare their camping gears for camping which will be transported by our company (40 liters each)
| 2 Pax | 3-5 Pax | 6 + Pax |
| contact us | contact us | 925 € |
Includes: All meals all transfers,air conditioned bus,English speaker licensed tour guide, enterance fees at the sites written in the itinerary.
Excludes: Drinks,gratitudes for tour staff,personal expenses.
Tour staff: Licensed climbing guide, tour guide, cook at the camp site, porters and driver.
Season: Summer Best in August.
Taurus Range 
