🏔️ Mount Ararat (5,137 m) - the Highest Peak in Turkey NEW
An ascent of the legendary Greater Ararat (5,137 m) - the highest point in Turkey and a sacred symbol wrapped in the myths of Noah's Ark. Join our expedition and live a mountain adventure of its own kind between Asia and Europe, with magnificent views, the spirit of the Caucasus and authentic Turkish culture.
This is a demanding summit, but entirely within reach for anyone in good physical condition, and standing on top of Ararat is one of the most stirring mountain experiences in the region. The adventure ahead brings together landscape, history and moments you will not forget.
A full equipment list, together with detailed guidance on what to bring and how to prepare down to the last detail, is sent out once you have signed up for the programme.
Tour Highlights
- The ascent of Ararat (5,137 m)
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Insurance assistance abroad with limit - 5,000 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
- Licensed guide
- Accommodation in glamping (See the day-by-day program for more details.)
- Accommodation in hotel (See the day-by-day program for more details.)
- Turkish mountain guide
- Climbing permit
- Transportation during the program (Ground transport in Turkey)
- Partial food
Not included
- Tips (Tipping the local staff is part of the culture here) — approx. 30–50 €
- Personal expenses
- Remaining food
- Plane tickets (Sofia – Istanbul – Van, both ways, with checked baggage) — approx. 440 € per person
Tour Itinerary
Our adventure begins! We fly from Sofia to Istanbul and continue on a domestic flight to Van in eastern Turkey. We fly instead of driving because in summer the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing often has queues of several hours, with heavy traffic from Western Europe heading to Turkey. Flying saves time and energy, so we arrive rested for the climb ahead.
Our Turkish hosts will meet us at Van airport. From there it is a transfer of about 2 h 15 min to Doğubayazıt, the town at the foot of Ararat. On the way we get our first views of the mountain.
The evening is free to rest and explore this colourful town where East meets West. We'll also hold a briefing for the days ahead.
Overnight: Hotel, double rooms
After a generous Turkish breakfast we head for the starting point of our mountain adventure. A transfer of around 40 minutes brings us to where the climb begins.
The walk to base camp is steady and takes about 4 hours. The bulk of the luggage is carried by horses, so we walk light and can enjoy the views opening out over the snow-covered slopes of the mountain.
Comfortable tents and good food prepared by our hosts await us at camp. The first evening under the stars of Ararat sets us up for the days to come.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water and soft drinks.
Overnight: glamping-style tents for two, with separate beds.
Accommodation in glamping-style tents, two people per tent.
After breakfast we begin an unhurried climb towards camp 2 (4,100 m) to acclimatise. The ascent takes around 3 hours with a few breaks.
At 4,100 m we take a short break with tea and something sweet, then descend to base camp. The afternoon is free for rest, photographs and swapping impressions over dinner prepared by the local cooks.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water and soft drinks.
Overnight: glamping-style tents for two, with separate beds.
After breakfast we pack up, load the horses and head up to the second camp. The pace is moderate, with time for breaks and photographs.
We reach camp around midday and settle in. An early dinner follows, and rest - the big day is ahead of us. The night will be short, because we set off for the summit before sunrise.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water and soft drinks.
Overnight: glamping-style tents for two, with separate beds.
Accommodation in glamping-style tents, two people per tent.
We rise at midnight exactly, when the sky above Ararat is thick with stars. After a light breakfast and final preparations we set off upwards by headtorch.
The climb crosses snow and rocky ground, and with every step the views grow grander. Between 6:00 and 6:30 we watch the sunrise from the summit of Turkey - 5,137 metres above sea level.
There is time for photographs and a well-earned rest, after which we begin the descent - first to camp 2 for a short break, then down to base camp (3,300 m), where we celebrate what we have done.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water and soft drinks.
Overnight: glamping-style tents for two, with separate beds.
After breakfast we take our leave of the mountain and head back down to Doğubayazıt.
The afternoon brings a cultural programme - we visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, whose construction took the best part of a century, and see the famous rock formations that many believe to be the final resting place of Noah's Ark.
The evening is given over to rest, good food and sharing impressions.
Meals included: breakfast. Water and soft drinks.
Overnight: hotel, double rooms
After an early breakfast we say goodbye to Doğubayazıt and head to Van airport, a transfer of about 2 h 15 min. Along the way we get our last views of Ararat and Lake Van.
We fly from Van to Istanbul and connect to our flight home to Sofia. Once again we fly rather than drive, so we don't spend hours waiting at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing.
The adventure ends, but the memories of mighty Ararat stay with you for life.
Required Documents !
- Valid Bulgarian ID
- Valid international passport
Important:
Three seasons trekking equipment
Shoes
Suitable shoes for the mountain, according to the weather forecast. High ankle or low shoes. You may wear sneakers to change into at the end of the program
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes.
Backpack cover - in case of rain
Clothing top
Depending on the season and weather conditions
T-shirt or thin thermal base layer - from merino or synthetic. In no case cotton material
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation - a thin down jacket is recommended. Evenings and mornings in the mountains, temperatures are low. No expensive down jacket needed
Wind and water proof jacket
Thin hat and gloves
Buff
Clothing bottom
Depending on the season and weather conditions
Comfortable long pants - in the perfect case with zippers for ventilation
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Summer hat
Sun cream with high protection
Buff with UPF protection
Rain protection
Raincoat
-or-
Waterproof top and bottom
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: