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Mount Ararat ascent, 5,165 m

Mount Ararat rising above rocky foothills and yellow wildflowers
Climbers ascending the snowy summit slope of Ararat in sunlight
Participants hiking up the rocky slope of Ararat with the valley behind them

Turkey

Country

7 days

Duration

Mountaineering

Format

Moderate

Difficulty

Confident trekking

Preparation level

About the program

Mount Ararat is Turkey’s highest mountain and the highest volcano in the Armenian Highlands. Greater Ararat rises to 5,165 metres in eastern Turkey, near the borders with Armenia and Iran. The legend of Noah’s Ark has made the mountain famous far beyond the mountaineering world.

Our journey begins at Van Airport. On arrival, we transfer to Doğubayazıt, check our equipment and set off for Ararat the next day. The route takes us through two mountain camps, with an acclimatisation hike and a night-time start for the summit.

The programme lasts seven days and includes a reserve day at the second camp in case of poor weather. After the mountain section, we return to Doğubayazıt, then travel to Iğdır Airport on the final day.

Guides on the program

Ruslan Zaripov in a red jacket against snow-covered mountains

Ruslan Zaripov

Mountain guide

“In the mountains, people become their true selves. There is nothing unnecessary here — just you, your team, and the journey you share.”

8 years experience70+ ascents

What to expect

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An acclimatised ascent: two mountain camps, a hike above the first camp with a return for the night, and a night-time summit departure.

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Horses carry our main luggage. Tents and mattresses are provided in the mountain camps, with local guides and a cook on the route.

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After the ascent, we return to the Nuh Life hotel in Doğubayazıt. If the reserve day is not needed on the mountain, we spend it in town.

Route by day

Day 1

Arrival in Van and transfer to Doğubayazıt

We meet at Van Airport and take a group transfer to Doğubayazıt. If time allows, we stop at Muradiye Waterfall along the way. We check into the Nuh Life hotel and check our equipment before heading into the mountains.

Day 1Route dayNuh Life hotel in Doğubayazıt, twin roomsAccommodation type

Day 2

Hike to the first camp

After breakfast, we drive to the trailhead at around 2,100 metres. Horses carry our main luggage. We hike to the first camp at around 3,350 metres, settle into our tents and rest.

Day 2Route dayFirst camp, tents, usually shared by twoAccommodation type3350 mMax altitude for the dayTwo meals, a packed lunch and drinks during the trek.Included meals

Day 3

Acclimatisation hike

We hike towards the second camp, reaching approximately 3,800–4,200 metres. After the acclimatisation hike, we return to the first camp for meals and an overnight stay.

Day 3Route dayFirst camp, tents, around 3,350 mAccommodation typeTwo meals, a packed lunch and drinks during the trek.Included meals

Day 4

Hike to the second camp

After breakfast, we hike to the second camp at around 4,100 metres. We settle into our tents and rest before the night-time summit departure.

Day 4Route daySecond camp, tentsAccommodation type4100 mMax altitude for the dayTwo meals, a packed lunch and drinks during the trek.Included meals

Day 5

Mount Ararat ascent and descent

We set off at night for the summit of Mount Ararat, 5,165 metres. After the ascent, we descend through the second and first camps, then continue on foot to around 2,000 metres. A vehicle meets us there for the transfer to Doğubayazıt.

Day 5Route dayNuh Life hotel in DoğubayazıtAccommodation type5165 mMax altitude for the dayTwo meals, a packed lunch and drinks during the trek.Included meals

Day 6

Reserve day

The reserve day allows us to wait for suitable weather at the second camp and postpone the summit ascent. It is not intended for a second attempt after a summit outing has already taken place. A repeat attempt may be arranged with the guide for an additional guiding fee. If we do not need the reserve day on the mountain, we spend it in Doğubayazıt. We can relax or take optional excursions to Ishak Pasha Palace and Noah’s Ark Park. Excursions cost extra. The main plan includes an overnight stay at the Nuh Life hotel. If the reserve day is used on the mountain, the unused hotel night is non-refundable.

Day 6Route dayNuh Life hotel under the main plan; second camp if the reserve day is used on the mountainAccommodation type

Day 7

Departure

After breakfast, we take the group transfer from Doğubayazıt to Iğdır Airport, where the seven-day programme ends.

Day 7Route dayBreakfast at the hotel.Included meals

What is included

Included

  • A Sauvage Adventure guide.
  • Local mountain guides.
  • A cook during the mountain section.
  • One group transfer from Van Airport to Doğubayazıt.
  • Transfer from the hotel in Doğubayazıt to the foot of Mount Ararat.
  • Vehicle transfer after the descent on foot to approximately 2,000 m, to the Nuh Life hotel in Doğubayazıt.
  • One group transfer from Doğubayazıt to Iğdır Airport.
  • Three nights with breakfast at the Nuh Life hotel in Doğubayazıt, in twin rooms. If the reserve day is used on Mount Ararat, the unused hotel night is non-refundable.
  • Tents during the ascent, usually shared by two, and mattresses.
  • Breakfasts at the Nuh Life hotel.
  • Meals during the trek: two meals, a packed lunch and drinks.
  • Mount Ararat climbing permit.
  • Transport of main luggage by horses during the ascent.
  • Device charging at the first camp.

Not included

  • Flights to Van and home from Iğdır, including domestic flights within Turkey.
  • Personal mountaineering insurance.
  • Lunches and dinners in Van and Doğubayazıt.
  • Personal equipment and its rental, including mountaineering crampons. Tents and mattresses are included.
  • Single-room hotel accommodation.
  • Optional excursions to Ishak Pasha Palace and Noah’s Ark Park, and a picnic by Lake Van.
  • Individual transfers outside the group schedule and additional hotel nights before or after the programme.
  • An additional separate ascent or descent by 4×4 vehicle.
  • Additional guide services for a second summit attempt.
  • Tips for guides and the local team, personal purchases and any other services not listed under “Included”.

Required gear

Clothing

  • A mountaineering down jacket suitable for temperatures around −20 °C.
  • An uninsulated waterproof shell jacket, rated 10,000–15,000 mm or higher.
  • Uninsulated waterproof shell trousers.
  • Trekking trousers, 1–2 pairs.
  • A fleece jacket.
  • Fleece trousers.
  • Synthetic long-sleeved tops, 2.
  • Synthetic T-shirts, 1–2.
  • Warm base layers, 1 set.
  • Lightweight base layers, 1 set.
  • Lightweight trekking socks, 2–3 pairs.
  • Warm trekking socks, 1–2 pairs.
  • Gaiters for protection from dust, small stones and snow.
  • Lightweight fleece gloves, 2 pairs.
  • Warm mountaineering mittens with a windproof outer layer.
  • A warm hat.
  • A balaclava, optional.
  • Neck gaiters, 1–2.
  • A sturdy knee-length rain poncho.
  • Shorts.
  • Swimwear.

Footwear

  • Mountaineering boots or sufficiently stiff trekking boots suitable for the ascent and compatible with crampons.
  • Trekking shoes.
  • Crocs or similar spare camp shoes.
  • Shower sandals.

Camping and sleeping gear

  • A 100–120-litre duffel bag or large rucksack for your main luggage.
  • A 40–60-litre summit backpack.
  • A sleeping bag with a comfort rating of −5 to −10 °C. Confirm a suitable model with your guide.
  • A 1-litre thermos flask.
  • A 1-litre water bottle.

Technical equipment

  • Telescopic trekking poles.
  • Mountaineering crampons, 1 pair compatible with your boots.
  • A headlamp and spare batteries or rechargeable batteries.
  • A power bank and charging cables.

Sun and wind protection

  • A sun hat or cap.
  • Close-fitting category 4 sunglasses.
  • Ski goggles with a dark category 4 lens for bright daylight.
  • SPF 50 sunscreen.
  • Lip balm with SPF.

Hygiene and personal items

  • A towel, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush.
  • A personal first-aid kit.
  • Tissues.
  • Wet wipes.
  • Chemical hand warmers for mittens, 1–2.
  • Personal hygiene items.

Nutrition and supplements

  • Isotonic drink powder or electrolytes to mix with water. We recommend bringing these for long hikes and climbing, especially in hot weather and when sweating heavily, to replace lost salts.
  • A vitamin and mineral supplement according to your individual needs. If you take one on medical advice, bring enough for the full programme.

Documents

  • Passport.
  • Insurance.
  • A waterproof document pouch.

Frequently asked questions

What is the reserve day for?
  • The reserve allows us to wait for suitable weather at the second camp and postpone the summit ascent. It is not intended for a repeat attempt after a summit outing has already taken place. A repeat attempt must be arranged with the guide and requires an additional guiding fee. If the reserve is used on the mountain, the unused hotel night is non-refundable.
Where will we stay?
  • In Doğubayazıt, we stay in twin rooms at the Nuh Life hotel. On the mountain, we sleep in tents, usually shared by two. Tents and mattresses are provided.
Do we need to carry all our luggage?
  • Horses carry our main luggage during the ascent.
How do booking, payment and cancellations work?

Start by submitting an application and waiting for approval from your trip manager. Pay the deposit within 5 days (120 hours) after your application is approved by the manager, and no later than the programme start. The exact deadline is shown on your trip status page. Your place is secured once we receive it.

The deposit forms part of the total trip price. The deposit pays for consultations, booking services with partners and organising the trip, so it is non-refundable if you choose to cancel your participation.

The remaining balance for your selected departure must be paid no later than April 6, 2027 at 02:00 AM (Astana).

If the deposit is received after the usual balance deadline, the balance is due by the end of the 10th working day in the Astana calendar following the deposit, capped at the programme start. The exact deadline is shown on your trip status page.

If your plans change, notify your trip manager that you wish to cancel. If you have already paid the remaining balance for the programme:

  • If the Company receives your cancellation notice at least 60 calendar days before the programme starts, the remaining balance paid is refunded in full.
  • If your cancellation notice is received fewer than 60 calendar days before the programme starts, actual, documented expenses incurred in preparing your trip and not covered by the deposit may be deducted from the remaining balance paid. If there are no such expenses, the remaining balance paid is refunded in full.

Amounts returned or due to be returned by partners are excluded from the calculation of deducted expenses. The Company’s fee is included in the retained deposit and is not deducted again.

Your trip manager checks the documents and confirms the refund calculation. If cancellation results from the Company’s breach of its obligations, the amount paid, including the deposit, is refunded in full. Refunds are paid within 5 working days in the Astana calendar from the date the grounds for the refund arise, without waiting for funds from the partner.

For full details, see Booking and Payment.