Van Trip Overview
Mount Ararat is 5137m (16854 ft), and you will need a special permit to climb the mountain which your guides will organise. However, this can take a couple of months to process.
We have an acclimatisation process as altitude sickness can be a problem with some climbers. This is something our professional guides are familiar with and are happy to direct you to good sources of information.
For those who wish to experience the impressive, beautiful scenery of this region without the trek to the summit, we are happy to arrange treks on foot or horseback.
We arrange all equipment for the climb including tents, sleeping bags, pickaxe, hand lamp, mountaineering clothing and shoes and you will have a professional and certified local guide who will prepare three meals a day for you, and, of course, tea.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Van, Turkey
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Van Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Van, Van Province, Turkey
Mount Ararat is 5137m (16854 ft), and you will need a special permit to climb the mountain which your guides will organise. However, this can take a couple of months to process.
We have an acclimatisation process as altitude sickness can be a problem with some climbers. This is something our professional guides are familiar with and are happy to direct you to good sources of information.
For those who wish to experience the impressive, beautiful scenery of this region without the trek to the summit, we are happy to arrange treks on foot or horseback.
We arrange all equipment for the climb including tents, sleeping bags, pickaxe, hand lamp, mountaineering clothing and shoes and you will have a professional and certified local guide who will prepare three meals a day for you, and, of course, tea.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Van Airport
Stop At: Van Ferit Melen Airport, Eminpaşa, Havaalanı Yolu No:6, 65300 Edremit/Van, Turkey
Arrive at Van airport where you will be greeted and brought to your hotel or campsite, where you will meet with your mountain guide and enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Dogubeyzit.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Dogubeyzit
Day 2: Begin your hike on Mount Ararat
Stop At: Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey on the Armenian border, Agri Turkey
After early morning breakfast, start your trek with a drive to the highest truck stop (approximate elevation 2000 meters/6562 ft), then begin a four-hour hike that ascends around 1100 meters to Base Camp 1 (approximately 3100 meters/10,170 ft.) and the distance is 8-10 km.
Base Camp 1 is a green pasture surrounded by stone walls that shields the tents from the wind.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Base Camp 1 Tent
Day 3: High altitude acclimatisation day
Stop At: Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey on the Armenian border, Agri Turkey
Today you will have a climb to 4200 metres then return to base to acclimatise yourself to the high altitude.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Base Camp 1 Tent
Day 4: Hike to Base Camp 2
Stop At: Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey on the Armenian border, Agri Turkey
Today you will have a steeper six-hour hike to Base Camp 2 (approximate elevation 4200 meters/13,780 ft) with a distance of 10 km.
Circular clearings among the rocks provide our tent sites with a natural windshield, and melted glacier water runs freely near the campsite.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Base Camp 2 Tent
Day 5: Base Camp 2 to the summit
Stop At: Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey on the Armenian border, Agri Turkey
Today climb from Base Camp 2 to the summit (elevation 5137 meters/16,854 feet) taking around 6 hours and we usually start this ascent at 2:00 am.
Crampons and an ice axe are needed for the final hour of ascent.
Most people return to Base Camp 2 by 11:00 am, pack, and descend to Base Camp 1.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Base Camp 1 Tent
Day 6: Descent from Base Camp 1
Stop At: Mount Ararat, Eastern Turkey on the Armenian border, Agri Turkey
Take a 4-hour descent from Base Camp 1 to where a vehicle will be waiting to you back to lodgings in Dogubeyazit and a well-deserved visit to a Turkish bath and loosen up your tired muscles and then enjoy a relaxing dinner on the shores of Lake Van and with an opportunity to reflect on your achievement.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Dogubeyzit
