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Turkey’s highest peak. Mt Ararat is an extinct volcano that provides a long but fairly easy mountaineering objective that takes you over 5000 metres.
Mount Ararat
A wonderful mountain experience that takes you to Turkey’s highest peak, it is believed to be the final resting place for Noah’s Ark. Mt Ararat is an extinct snow-capped volcano with a glaciated upper section providing a good mountaineering objective that will take you over 5000 metres. It is suitable for fit hill walkers and is a good progression for those who have climbed Kilimanjaro or want to progress onto 6000m peaks. We acclimatise on Mount Artos (3,550m) near Lake Van, prior to travelling to Ararat. The ascent of Ararat then takes 5 days with the support of porters and mules to enable you to enjoy the freedom of a day sac and the opportunity, given clear weather, to concentrate on taking photos looking out towards Mt Elbrus, Georgia and Iran.
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Day 1 & 2 | Depart UK in the evening. We fly to Van via Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel in city centre. |
Day 3 | Ascent of Mt Artos 3550m In the morning, we drive to Gevas (approx. 1 hour). We start climbing Mt Artos from the north – it’s a steep, but not a technical mountain. The summit offers a fantastic view over Lake Van. If the weather conditions are fine, Mt. Süphan and even the Ararat can be seen from here. We stay overnight at the hotel in Van.1200m Ascent 7 hrs. |
Day 4 | Lake Van and Akdamar Island 1640m After breakfast, we drive first to Gevas, from here we take a boat tour to Akdamar Island and visit the medieval Armenian church. We then drive around the lake to Dogubayazit. In the afternoon visit of the Ishak Pasa Palace from the Ottomans time. |
Day 5 | Ararat Base Camp Drive to the village of Cevirme 2200m the starting point for our ascent of Mt. Ararat. Horses carry kit, after walking 4-5 hours we will reach the base camp at 3200m and overnight. Ascent 1100m. |
Day 6 | Acclimatisation day. We Trek up towards C2 for about 4-5 hours before returning to BC for a second night. Ascent: 800-1000m |
Day 7 | Trek up to the Camp 2 at 4200m which will take 4-5 hours walking. Ascent 1000m. |
Day 8 | Weather permitting, we set off early for the ascent to the summit of Mt. Ararat (5137m). The glacier is reached at around 4900m after about 4 hrs walking from where we continue with crampons. After another 1 or 2 hrs we reach the highest peak in Turkey at sunrise.On a clear day we should be able to see the summit of Mt. Elbrus and Little Ararat, Iran and Armenia. Descend with a short refreshments stop at C2 to BC for overnight. Total ascent and descent time 9-10 hours. Ascent: 937m / Descent: 1937m. |
Day 9 | Descend down to Eli village via the first campsite, trekking about 3-4 hours. We will meet our transport near the village and drive down to Dogubayazit. Free time in the afternoon to explore this small town. Overnight at hotel. Descent: c1000m. |
Day 10 | Transfer to Van airport for flight home via Istanbul. |
It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:
Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/
We are aware the following provide insurance:
Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks
HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)
HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)
You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.
Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com