Turkey
Country
9 days
Duration
Mountaineering
Format
Moderate
Difficulty
Confident trekking
Preparation level
Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and the highest volcano in the Armenian Highlands. Greater Ararat stands at 5,165 metres. The mountain lies in eastern Turkey, close to the borders with Armenia and Iran. The legend of Noah’s Ark has made Ararat famous far beyond the mountaineering world. Our journey begins in Van. We spend the first two days exploring the region: we visit Van Fortress, take a boat to Akdamar Island and see the Church of the Holy Cross. We then travel to Doğubayazıt and head to Ararat. The mountain section includes hikes between camps, an acclimatisation hike and a night-time start for the summit. A professional photographer and videographer join us on this programme. They document our journey: walks by Lake Van, the hikes, life in camp and the ascent. After the trip, you will have professional photographs and a film of our shared adventure to keep alongside your memories. Photography and filming are included in the programme price.
Lake Van and Akdamar Island — Two nights at Elite World Hotel Van and a chance to explore the region before heading into the mountains. We visit Van Fortress and take a trip to Akdamar Island to see the Church of the Holy Cross. On arrival day, we get to know the team over a celebratory welcome dinner.
An ascent with acclimatisation — We stay in two tent camps on the mountain. We first hike to the lower camp, make an acclimatisation hike and return to the same altitude to sleep. We then move to the upper camp and prepare for the summit. A reserve day is included in case of bad weather.
Horses carry the main luggage; 4×4 vehicles take us down — Horses carry our main luggage during the mountain section. We hike with summit backpacks. After the ascent, we walk down to the first camp and then return to Doğubayazıt by 4×4 vehicle. The Tehran Hotel and a group celebration dinner await us in town.
Day 1
Arrival in Van. Please arrive by 13:00 local time. Airport meet-up, group transfer and check-in at Elite World Hotel Van. Visit to Van Fortress. In the evening, a celebratory welcome dinner and introductions to the guide, photographer, videographer and other participants. We discuss the route ahead. Overnight at Elite World Hotel Van, twin-share accommodation.
Day 2
After breakfast, we travel to the pier and take a boat to Akdamar Island on Lake Van. We explore the island and visit the Church of the Holy Cross. Today we discover the history and landscapes of the region, take photographs and continue filming our journey. We return to Van after the excursion. Overnight at Elite World Hotel Van, twin-share accommodation.
Day 3
After breakfast, we check out and travel from Van to Doğubayazıt. If time allows, we stop at Muradiye Waterfall on the way. Check-in at the Tehran Hotel. Equipment check and preparations for the mountain. We separate the items for our summit backpacks from the main luggage. Group briefing in the evening. Overnight at the Tehran Hotel in Doğubayazıt, twin-share accommodation.
Day 4
Transfer to the trailhead at approximately 2,100 metres. We hand over our main luggage to be carried by horses and start hiking with our summit backpacks. Today’s aim is to reach the first camp at around 3,250 metres at a steady pace. On arrival, we settle into our tents, rest and have dinner. Overnight in tents at the first camp, approximately 3,250 m, two people per tent.
Day 5
After breakfast, we set out towards the second camp for an acclimatisation hike. We climb to approximately 3,800–4,200 metres and return to the first camp. We do not move camp higher today: we climb to acclimatise and descend to sleep. Food and rest on our return. Overnight in tents at the first camp, approximately 3,250 m.
Day 6
We climb to the second camp at approximately 4,100 metres and stay overnight here. Once settled, we check our summit equipment: boots, crampons, headlamps and warm clothing. Early dinner and rest before the night-time start. Overnight in tents at the second camp, approximately 4,100 m.
Day 7
We set off at night for the summit of Ararat, 5,165 metres. We move together with the guides and use crampons on the snow and ice section. This is the main day of the mountain programme. If conditions allow, we reach the summit and then begin the descent. We return via the second camp to the first camp. From the first camp, we descend by 4×4 vehicle and travel to Doğubayazıt. Check-in at the Tehran Hotel. In the evening, we gather for a group celebration dinner, share our experiences and look back on the route. Overnight at the Tehran Hotel in Doğubayazıt.
Day 8
This day is reserved for bad weather. If we cannot attempt the summit on the planned day, we use the reserve to wait for suitable conditions in the second camp and postpone the ascent. If the reserve day is not needed on the mountain, we spend the day in Doğubayazıt and rest after the ascent. Optional visits to Ishak Pasha Palace or Noah’s Ark Park are available at an additional cost. The main plan is to spend the night at the Tehran Hotel. If the reserve day is used on the mountain, the descent and accommodation schedule changes.
Day 9
Breakfast at the hotel. Group transfer from Doğubayazıt to Iğdır Airport and your flight home. This marks the end of our nine-day programme. The order of the mountain section may change depending on the weather and the group’s condition. The guide decides whether to attempt the summit. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed.
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 June 15, 2027 at 11:59 PM (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:
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.
