CLIMBING THE BIBLICAL MT. ARARAT

EASTERN ANATOLIA - CLIMBING MT. ARARAT (5.137 M) (on request with a pre-tour)

"And Noah's ark stood still on Mount Ararat."
With this statement, the Bible has made the shapely volcanic cone in the world-famous. In the very east of Turkey, high above the eastern Anatolian veldt, its crown of ice and snow hovers in the blue of the sky.

Regardless of the biblical meaning of the Ararat, the volcanic cone (last eruption 1840) radiates a tremendous fascination. Here, in eastern Anatolia, the foothills of the Taurus Mountains unite with the eastern foothills of the Pontius Mountains in a wide plateau. From this 1700 m high plateau the Ararat towers powerfully and freestanding over 3000 m. Even in midsummer, the dome is covered in ice, the flanks of the volcano without vegetation. Cloud fields below the summit make the giant seem to float.

Pre-tour for acclimatize (optionally):

Our experience says (confirmed in the previous years) that the climb of Mt. Artos with an altitude of 3.537 m is enough for the acclimatization to Mt. Ararat. But whoever does think that this not enough or would like to climb some more mountains to have more, have the opportunity to take part of our pre-program for 3 days. You can book this tour in advance, but not on spot. You can book this tour independently from the number of the members to the group of Mt. Ararat. This tour is going to start already with 1 person. The itinerary of this tour is like following:

Wednesday: Arrival in Van, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel in Van

Thursday: Climb of Mt. Erek, 3250 meters. This mountain is located beside the city of Van. Transfer back to the city for overnight in the hotel.

Friday: Transfer to the village of Bagriyanik and climbing the mountain of Mt. Baset. After the climb, transfer back to the city of Van and overnight.

Saturday: Meeting the rest of the group, start of the program below.

If you want to book this tour, don´t forget to mention this when you are going to book the Ararat - tour.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Van

Flight via Istanbul to Van. Late afternoon arrival in van, transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Ascent of Mt. Artos (3,537 m)
In the morning we drive to Gevas. From here we climb the summit from the south. The mountain offers a fantastic view over Lake Van. If the weather conditions are fine, the Ararat can already be seen from here. We stay overnight at the hotel in Van. Walking time: 7 hours. +1.200m/-1.800m

Day 3: Around Lake Van to Dogubayazit

In the morning we first drive to Gevas, from here we take a boat tour to Akdamar Island and visit the medieval, Armenian church. Then we drive around the lake to Dogubayazit. In total 5 hours of driving

Day 4: To the base camp
After breakfast we drive to Cevirme, the starting point of our Ararat tour. After the luggage has been loaded onto the horses, we hike comfortably in about 5 hours to the base camp at an altitude of 3200 m. Overnight stay in tents. Walking time: 4-5 hours, +1.100m/-0m

Day 5: Camp II
After a good night we climb back up to the high camp. Those who are not yet fully occupied by the 4-hour ascent can walk a little further towards the summit. Early dinner, because the ascent to the summit starts in the night.

Walking time: 4 hours, +1.000m/.0m

Day 6: Summit Ararat, 5,165 m
At around 2-3 o'clock it is time to get up and have breakfast. A steep climb of around 5 hours takes us to the summit. The glacier begins at an altitude of approx. 4900 m, from now on we continue with crampons. After 5 to 6 hours of climbing, we made it, we are standing on the highest peak in Turkey, the mountain of Noahs. In good weather and visibility, the view extends to Iran and the Caucasus, Eastern Anatolia is at our feet! Then the descent begins, first to the high camp (3 hours). After a breather and a bite to eat, we break off our camp and descend to the base camp. The walking time from the summit to the base camp is around 5-6 hours. Overnight in the base camp. Walking time: 11-12 hours, +1.050m/-2.050m

Day 7: Descent, Dogubayazit (reserve day)
There is still a 3-4 hour descent ahead of us, then we continue by vehicle an hour to Dogubayazit. The afternoon is free. Overnight in the hotel.

Should we use this day as a reserve day, we will climb from the summit all the way down to Cevirme and then drive to Dogubayazit to the hotel. Walking time 3-4 hours, +0m/-1.100m

Day 8: Drive to Van, flight home

In the early morning we drive to Van to the airport, flight home.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Anyone who has never been to Istanbul should definitely take the opportunity to explore the up-and-coming city on the Bosphorus !!!!
A night including airport transfer costs € 75 .- / per person in a double room based on bed and breakfast. Important: Must be pre-booked in advance!

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