Tour Code: MAE

Mt Ararat Expedition
Agri Dag, or Ararat as it is known in the west, is at 5137m. It is the highest mountain in Turkey. It is traditional considered to be the spot where Noah’s ark came to rest after the Great Flood, and numerous expeditions have been mounted in recent years to try and find chunk of it.
Ararat is what the ancient Assyrians called the Urartian kingdom, which was centered here as early as the 13th Century BC; the word appears to be an elision of “Urartu” meaning ‘mountain of mountains’.
The blunt-topped mountain, permanently glacier-capped, is in fact a dormant volcano which last erupted in 1840. As is the case with the other dormant or extinct volcanoes of Anatolia (Erciyes, Hasan, Suphan) the lower slopes consist of basalt while the crater zone is characterized by andesite. All sides of the mountain are treeless, as much from the severe climate as the intermittent volcanic activity, but by no means lifeless. There is sufficient year round water (most of it from the glaciers, some of it potable) to support green turf where the local Kurds establish their summer “obalar” (tent clusters).

Highlights of The Trip
- Ishak Pasa Palace, 17th century.
- Legendary mountain, Mt Ararat (5165 m)


Itinerary 8 days

Day 1: Van – Dogubayazit
Meet at the airport. Transfer to Dogubayazit. On the way, visit Muradiye waterfalls and via Tendurek Volcano (3 hours drive). Afternoon there is the possibility to visit Ishak Pacha palace from 17th.Century, in the foot of Mount Ararat. Overnight at hotel in Dogubayazit. (B, D)

Day 2: Eli Village – Camp I
Drive up to Eli village by truck. The walking start from 2500m. After walking 4 hours we will reach to base camp 3200m where we spend overnight.
Ascend: 700m. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Acclimatization Day
Acclimatisation day up 4000m. Strolls up in the mountain. Overnight at same camp site 3200m. Ascend: 1000m Descend: 1000m. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Camp 2 – 4200 Metres
Trek up to second camp site; it will take 4 to 5 hours walking. Camping at the intermediary camping site, just before the summit slope. Ascend 1000m. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Summit Day (5137 m)
Very early ascend to Mt. Ararat. Walking on the glacier routes up to summit. From the summit, at sunrise we will be able to see the summit of Mt. Elbruz and the little Ararat. Descending to Camp 2 for overnight. Total ascend and descending for 8 to 9 hours. Ascend: 937m. Descend: 937m. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Camp 2 – Dogubayazit
Descend down to Eli village via our first campsite and nomad groups around. We meet a truck near Eli village and drive down to Dogubayazit. In the afternoon, free time for shopping. Overnight at Hotel. Descend: 2000 m. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Dogubayazit – Van
Drive to Van city back. In the afternoon, visit to Van castle, dates back to 840-825 B.C.
Overnight at hotel. (B, B)

Day 8: Van
Transfer to airport. Back to home.


Duration of Tour : 8 days
Duration of Trek : 5 days
Walking Grade : E
Best Season : 15th June – 15th September
Highest Point Gained : 5.165 m
Group Size : Minimum 6, maximum 16 persons.

Accommodation
Hotel & Pension : 3 nights
Camp : 4 nights

Price: 610 Euros per person

Price Includes
-All Accommodation.
-All Meals.
-All Transfers.
-Guiding.
-All transportation on Mt Ararat.
-All mentioned camping gears.

Price Excludes
-Travel Insurance.
-All Drinks.
-All Entrance Fees.
-All Airfares.
-Personal Expenses.

Necessary Equipments:
- Trekking Shoes
- Walking Dresses
- Day sack for walking
- Water proof clothes
- Pocket knife
- Torch
- Sleeping bags
- Sun protection creams
- Sun Glasses
- Hat
- Walking Stick
- Ice Axe
- Crampon

Camping Gears Provided by Demavend Travel
- Dome tents per two person
- Tick mattress per person
- All kitchen gears