Mount Ararat Trek
Continent: Asia
Country: Turkey
Region: Anatolia
Latitude: 39.7 N
Longitude: 44.3 E
Elevation: 5,165 m; 16,945 ft
Difficulty: walk up
Year first climbed: 1829
Hakan Basboga, member of Dogubeyazit Search & Rescue Team
In the summer, the weather on Mount Ararat is sunny, warm and dry. In the winter and spring, cold and harsh conditions prevail and mountain climbers occasionally face blizzards and turbulent weather. The last 400 meters are snow-covered year-round. For your safety, the government of Turkey requires all climbers on Ararat to be led by a certified Turkish guide.
Equipment to bring:
trekking boots with ankle support
good sleeping bag
down jacket
warm gloves
water bottle
sunglasses and sunscreen
headlamp
crampons
walking poles
The Ararat trek begins with a free transfer from the city of Dogubeyazit to 2,200 meters.
Satellite view of Mount Ararat
Porters and horses carry your gear, food, and camping equipment.
Ararat trekkers camp at 3,200 meters on their first night.
Nomadic Kurds tend sheep on Mount Ararat.
The Ararat Trek is a steady walk through beautiful terrain for anyone with reasonable physical fitness.
Ararat camp two, above the clouds, at 4,200 meters
Your last camp is on top of the left mountain peak.
Mount Ararat after sunset
Experience incredible photo opportunities while hiking through spectacular Ahora Gorge.
Mount Ararat (Agri) Treks begin every Friday morning from Dogubeyazit and return Monday afternoon, June - September. See our 4, 7, and 13-day tours below.
Ararat and Suphan (optional) Tour Prices
Services
4-Day Tour
7-Day Tour
13-Day Tour
Climbing Permit for Mt. Ararat
Food, Drink, Cook on Trek(s)
Certified Guide
Porter and Horse
Transfer Dogubeyazit to/from Ararat
Turkish Bath in Dogubeyazit
Agri/Dogubeyazit Cultural Tour
Transfer from/to Van Airport
2 Van Cultural Tours
Transfer Van from/to Mt. Suphan
Hotel in Van
1 night
2 nights
Hotel in Dogubeyazit
2 nights
3 nights
Hotel in Istanbul
3 nights
Airport/hotel Transfers in Istanbul
Cultural Tour Istanbul
PRICE Per Person
450 Euro
600 Euro
1200 Euro
Trekking Permits
The government of Turkey requires special permits to climb Mount Ararat. Allow two months for us to obtain the permit for you. Fax or email us the following:
photocopy of your passport photo page
your blood type
full name, address, contact phone/email
date to begin trek
To begin the process and make your reservations, a 50% nonrefundable payment is required. Please contact us for details to make your payment.
Special Requests and Discounts
Off-season treks may be scheduled upon request.
Private 4-day treks are available at a minimum price of 2700 Euro (6 persons). We can provide guides who speak English, German, French, or Turkish.
Rental services include tent, ski poles, crampons.
Travel agencies and tour leaders, please
contact us for private groups, group discounts, and dates. We are happy to work with you to customize package tours to suit your needs.
4-Day Mount Ararat Tour: - begins every Friday, June - September
Day 1 - Dogubeyazit to Mount Ararat
Transfer from Dogubeyazit to Eli village at 2250 meters, then walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters. Transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 2 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at 4200 meters.
Day 3 - Mount Ararat Summit
Depart from second camp at 4 AM and climb to Mount Ararat Summit of 5165 meters, afterwards return to Yesil Yayala base camp . Transportation of equipment by pack animals and overnight.
Day 4 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Walk from first camp to 2250 meters. Drive to Dogubeyazit.
7-Day Mount Ararat Tour: - begins every Thursday, June - September
Day 1 - Arrive Dogubeyazit
Arrive in airport (Van, Agri, or Kars) and transfer to Dogubeyazit.
Day 2 - Dogubeyazit to Mount Ararat
Drive to Eli village at 2250 meters, then walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters. Transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 3 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at 4200 meters.
Day 4 - Reach Mount Ararat Summit
Climb to the summit of 5165 meters, afterwards return to Yesil Yayala base camp . Transportation of equipment by pack animals and overnight.
Day 5 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Drive to Dogubayazit, relax with Turkish Bath, shop, overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 - Dogubeyazit Culture Tour Cultural and nature tour of Ishak Pasa Palace, Ahmedi Hani Tomb, Kurdish village, Meteor Crater, ice cave, hot springs, Noah's Ark National Park
Day 7 - Depart Dogubeyazit
Transfer to airport (Van, Agri, or Kars).
13-Day Mt. Suphan & Mt. Ararat Tour: - begins every other Sunday, June - September
Day 1 - Arrive Istanbul
Transfer from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to hotel, stay overnight in hotel
Day 2 - Van Tour
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Van, check in at the hotel, visit Van Castle, return to hotel.
Day 3 - Mount Suphan Trek
Drive to the main camp on Mt Suphan and overnight.
Day 4 - Mount Suphan Summit
Early morning climb to summit at 4058 meters. Afterwards return to main camp, lunch at scenic Muradiye Waterfall, then drive to hotel in Dogubeyazit.
Day 5 - Dogubeyazit Culture Tour Cultural and nature tour of Ishak Pasa Palace, Ahmedi Hani Tomb, Kurdish village, Meteor Crater, ice cave, hot springs, Noah's Ark National Park
Day 6 - Dogubeyazit to Mount Ararat
Drive to Eli village then walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters. Transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 7 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by pack animals. Overnight at 4200 meters.
Day 8 - Reach Mount Ararat Summit
Climb to the summit of 5165 meters, afterwards return to Yesil Yayala base camp . Transportation of equipment by pack animals and overnight.
Day 9 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Drive to Dogubayazit, relax with Turkish Bath, shop (cheaper in eastern Turkey than Istanbul), overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 - Van Cultural Tour
Transfer from Dogubeyazit to Van; visit Van Museum and Cavustepe Castle, boat tour to Akdamar Island; overnight at Van hotel.
Day 11 - Arrive Istanbul
Fly from Van to Istanbul, transfer to hotel, and enjoy free day.
Day 12 - Istanbul Tour
Tour of famous Blue Mosque and shopping at Grand Bazaar and elsewhere.
Day 13 - Depart Istanbul
Transfer from hotel to Istanbul airport.
Trek Mount Ararat in Summer
Mount Ararat (5165 meters), the highest point in Turkey, is a snow-capped volcanic cone, located in extreme eastern Turkey, 16 km west of Iran and 32 km south of Armenia. A smaller cone, Little Ararat (3896 meters) rises just southeast of the main peak. The noble mountain rises in isolation above the surrounding plains and valleys, providing an extensive panorama for those who climb it. Ararat has no crater and has not erupted in historic time. The most recent eruption was probably in the last 10,000 years. However, an earthquake rocked the mountain in 1840, burying a chapel, convent, and village that had previously occupied the slopes. Today nomadic Kurds reside on the mountain, migrating between the valleys and high pastures with their herds of cattle and sheep.
Mount Ararat videoThe Search for Noah's Ark continues to attract archeologists, historians, and scholars from around the world. Ararat is a holy mountain. According to Old Testament legend, Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat following the Great Flood.
Each year our guides lead scientific research expeditions in search of remnants from Noah's Ark. We can provide the guides and support team for your search and film expedition. We keep your research regarding locations visited strictly confidential. Please contact us to plan your expedition.
Nomadic Kurds tend sheep on Mount Ararat.
