Mount Ararat Expedition

8 days (Van)

Destinations visited: Turkey, Van

Grading:

Moderate to Challenging level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Ascend Mount Ararat (5137m), considered to be the resting place of Noah's Ark

Agri Dag, or Ararat as it is known in the west, is at 5137m. Tucked away near the borders of Iran and Armenia, Turkey's highest mountain is considered to be the spot where Noah's Ark came to rest after the Great Flood. Yet to be proved, this spectacular, permanently glacier-capped mountain is a great one week challenge and for the seasoned walker. Our fully supported trek with experienced licensed mountain guides will ensure your experience will be memorable and on fine weather we hope to have great views over towards Armenia, Georgia and the high Caucasus.

Highlights

Summit Mount Ararat - the highest mountain in Turkey
Visits to magnificent examples of ancient Ottoman architecture and Armenian churches
Experience local culture and nomadic groups

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Van and drive to Dogubayazit

Meet at Van Airport and transfer to Dogubayazit, via Tendurek Volcano (approx 3 hours drive). In the afternoon there is a possibility to visit Ishak Pacha palace built in the 18th Century, and located at the foot of Mount Ararat. Overnight hotel in Dogubayazit.

Day 2 Drive to Ararat and commence climb to Eli Village - Camp I (3200m)

This morning we will load the luggage and camping essentials on the truck and drive to Eli Village at 2500m. From here we will commence trekking up to our first campsite at 3200m. Our camping and trek luggage will be carried by mules or horses. Our trek support crew will establish the camp, and our cook will arrange the evening meal. Approx Walking time: 4 hrs; Ascent: 700m

Day 3 Acclimatisation day walks

Today is an acclimatization day, with some easy walks up to 4200m. We will spend the night back at the same campsite at 3200m. We can also use this day as an extra climbing day in case of bad weather. Approx walking time: 5/6 hrs; Ascent/Descent: 1000m

Day 4 Trek to Camp II (4200m)

This morning, we will ascend to the second campsite at height of 4200m. After reaching the campsite, we will set up our tents and have a little rest. In the afternoon, we can go for an acclimatization walk. Approx walking time: 4 hrs; Ascent: 1000m

Day 5 Climb Mount Ararat Summit (5137m). Descend to Camp I (3200 m).

We will commence our summit attempt very early in the morning in order to reach the top in time for the sunrise. The ascent will be difficult because of the steep terrain. Depending on the season, we will have to walk with crampons for safety reasons. From the summit, depending on the weather conditions, you can see other mountains like Little Ararat, Mount Suphan and the Armenian lands. We will descend back to the first campsite (3200m) for overnight. Approx walking time: 9/10 hrs; Ascent: 937m; Descent: 1937m

Day 6 Descend to Eli Village. Transfer to Van.

In the morning, we will descend to the village of Eli. Along the way we will meet several nomadic groups. We will be transferred to Van via Dogubayazit. Overnight hotel in Van. Approx walking time: 3 hrs; Descent: 700m

Day 7 Explore Van and surrounds

Today we will drive to Gevas town and take a boat to visit Akdamar Island, which is home to a 10th century Armenian Church, known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross (915-921), and was the seat of Armenian Catholics from 1116 to 1895. In the afternoon, we will visit Van Castle, which was constructed in 9 BC at 80m height from the lake by the Urartian king Sardur the First. One of the most remarkable structures in the area is the rock tomb of Argisti the First, with a long inscription relating the events of his reign. Overnight hotel in Van.

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Day 8 In Van, trip concludes

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward flights home.

Additional Information

Inclusions

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Tourist class hotels on twin share basis (3 nights)
All internal transportation by private vehicle
English speaking local guide and camp crew
Licensed mountain guide for Mt Ararat climb
Mt Ararat permit fees
Group camping equipment for trek including 2 person tents and sleeping mat (sleeping bag, crampons, ice axe, harness not included)
Porterage by mules and horses whilst trekking
Emergency medical kit
Pre-departure Information Guide, with all you need to know for your trek

Summary

8 day trip
5 day trek
3 nights hotel
4 nights camping

Trip Main Activities

Trekking
Mountaineering

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots, a day pack (35L minimum), crampons, ice axe and climbing harness. A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc. Mules or horses carry all group gear and your trek pack.

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

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