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
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 Turkish guide.
Full Moon Dates in 2010
Thursday, May 27
Saturday, June 26
Monday, July 26
Tuesday, August 24
Thursday, September 23
Saturday, October 23
Sunday, November 21
Tuesday, December 21 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)
Trekking Guide
Tent (for 2-3 persons)
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
2 nights
Hotel in Dogubeyazit
3 nights
3 nights
Hotel in Istanbul
3 nights
Airport/hotel Transfers in Istanbul
Cultural Tour Istanbul
PRICE Per Person
450 Euro
695 Euro
1200 Euro
Trekking Permits
The government of Turkey requires special permits to climb Mount Ararat. We obtain the permit for you. Please email us the following for each person:
a scanned copy of passport photo page
full name
date to begin trek
In addition, in order to email you your reservation agreement with complete details and bank deposit information, please email us the following:
address
phone (landline and mobile)
email address
emergency contact information (may be provided when you arrive)
flight arrival and departure information
To confirm your reservations and begin the permit application process, a 40% nonrefundable payment is required. Please contact us to begin planning your trek.
Special Requests and Discounts
Off-season treks may be scheduled upon request. If you are unable to begin your Mt. Ararat trek on a Friday, please let us know your desired dates and we will plan your trek to suit your schedule.
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.
Tents provided free
Rental services sleeping bag, ski poles, crampons
Tour Turkey from one end to another. Because of our discounts with hotels and guides, we can package a trip for you at much less than if you organized it yourself. Have a chat with us and let us suggest an itinerary.
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 2700 meters, then walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters with transportation of equipment by porter and/or pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 2 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by porter and/or 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 with transportation of equipment by porter and/or pack animals and overnight.
Day 4 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Walk from first camp to 2700 meters. Drive to Dogubeyazit.
7-Day Mount Ararat Tour: - begins every Thursday, June - September
Day 1 - Arrive Dogubeyazit
Arrive Van airport (or Agri or Kars) and transfer to Dogubeyazit (137km/85 mi), spend night in hotel.
Day 2 - Dogubeyazit to Mount Ararat
Drive to Eli village at 2700 meters, then walk to Yesil Yayala base camp at 3200 meters with transportation of equipment by porter and/or pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 3 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by porter and/or 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 with transportation of equipment by porter and/or pack animals and overnight.
Day 5 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Drive to Dogubayazit, relax with Turkish Bath, shop, spend night in the hotel in Dogubeyazit.
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; spend night in hotel in Dogubeyazit
Day 7 - Depart Dogubeyazit
Transfer from Dogubeyazit to Van airport (or 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, 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 porter and/or pack animals. Overnight at the camp.
Day 7 - Mount Ararat Trek
Climb to the second camp; transportation of equipment by porter and/or 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 porter and/or pack animals and overnight.
Day 9 - Mount Ararat to Dogubeyazit
Drive to Dogubeyazit, 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 (137km/85mi); 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.
The 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.
Mt. Ararat Slide Show Ararat Summit Map Ararat Climbing Map
Nomadic Kurds tend sheep on Mount Ararat.
