overview
Ararat: Ascend to the top of the stunning Mount Ararat on this 8-day guide led expedition and discover the marvels of Turkey from the highest point in the country. Visit Akdamar Island to see the cultural and historical sites of interest on this complete tour.
Day 1: MEET VAN AT AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO DOGUBAYAZIT
Overland Travel guide meets you at Airport and drive out to Dogubeyazıt. 175 km (2 h, 15 min)
Depending on arrival time, potential overnight stay in Van.
Otherwise, overnight in Dogubeyazit at a rustic hotel
Day 2: CLIMB TO MT. ARART CAMP 1 – 3200 M
Post breakfast, load luggage and camping equipment into van and drive to Eli Village (2.000m). Luggage will be transported by mules/horses. Potential to meet nomadic families who use the fresh green Plateaus of the Mt. Ararat for grazing of their sheep herds. We walk to Base Camp established at an elevation of 3.200m.
Hiking time of 4 hours and ascending approximately 1,200m (depending on road conditions and starting point)
Overnight at Mount Ararat Base Camp 3,200m
Day 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
Trek to Camp 2 (4,2OOm), in 4 hours hiking time. Return to Base Camp. Afternoon is free for to prepare for next day which will be summit day. Dinner and overnight in Base Camp. (Ascent = 1100m / Descent = 1100 m)
Overnight: camp in 3200m.
Day 4: Mt. ARARAT (Camp II, 4200m)
Trek to camp 2 (4,2OOm), approximately 4-5 hours trekking time. Luggage will be transported by pack animals. Expect a short course to be given on proper use of ice-ax and crampons. Overnight in base camp. (Descent = 1200 m)
Overnight: Camp in 4200m.
Day 5: Mt. ARARAT SUMMIT (5165m)
Departure between 2:00 – 2:30 in the morning. Breakfast and then departure between 3:00 or 3:30 to get a good view of the sunrise at the summit. After 650 m. ascent, we reach Glacier at 4.850m. After we affix our crampons we continue the ascent until we reach the Summit of the Mt. Ararat. If the weather is clear we can see Mt. Damavand
in Iran, the Elbrus in the Caucasus and the Kackar Mountains near the Black Sea. Enjoy the great panoramic view from the Summit and then start descending to our Base Camp at 3.200m.
Walking time: 9-10 h; ascent: 937m; descent: 1.937m
Overnight: at Mount Ararat base camp 3.200m
Day 6: Mt. ARARAT – DOGUBEYAZIT
Extra day, depending on the weather conditions on Day 5, we may make another summit attempt. Otherwise, omit
this day. If the extra day isn’t necessary, that day will be spent in Dogubeyazıt. Descend to Cevirme Village about 3
hours and return to Dogubeyazit. We can visit Ishakpaşa palace where there is a chance of trying Turkish Bath. Late
afternoon free for visit city center Doğubeyazıt.
Day 7: AKDAMAR CHURCH -ISLAND of AKDAMAR
Transport via Van to Akdamar Island which is the most important Armenian Church in Eastern Turkey. The island is home to the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross, Architect Monk Manuel built the church between the years 915 and 921. The Church was consecrated in honor of the holy cross. Reliefs depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments such as hunting, run along the exterior of the church. Overnight at hotel or in Van.
Overnight: hotel or in VAN.
Day 8: TRANSFER TO VAN AND DRIVE TO AIRPORT TO FLY HOME
Group transfer to Van or Agri airport from hotel (15 minutes) fly back or depending on request we can organize hotel and transfer in İstanbul and add 1 or 2 days extra sightseeing tour in İstanbul.
Tour ends.
Mount Ararat
• August 18– 25, 2023
Cost: USD 2,500
Deposit: USD 500
Costs Include:
– Guiding fee
– Accommodation included
– Transportation start and back
– Transport during the trip
– Permit and entrance fees
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
– Camping equipment tents
– Camping equipment sleeping bag
– Camping equipment cooking utensils
Costs Do Not Include:
• Personal items (see Equipment list)
• Wire transfer fee
• Alcoholic beverages
• Bottled or canned beverages
• Specialty coffee or espresso drinks
• Option to upgrade to single room
• Trip cancelation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
• Any costs as the result of an early departure from the program
Cancellation/Refund Policy
• There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of MounTurtle.
• Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
• Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
• MounTurtle operated by JOYCE AZZAM, LLC highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
• Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, MounTurtle must adhere to a stringent refund policy
• Deposit due with registration materials
• All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified
• Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition
Note: JOYCE AZZAM, LLC reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer personalized service, we will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Deposits paid by participants acknowledge the above cancellation terms
Base Layers
- Synthetic Short Underwear (2-3 pair): non-cotton style underwear
- Lightweight Long Underwear (1-2 pair): long sleeve shirt and long pants
- Heavyweight Long Underwear (1 pair)
- Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt (1-2)
Mid Layer
- Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
- Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
- Lightweight Nylon Pants (1-2 pair)
Waterproof/Rain Layers
- Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
- Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants
Insulation Layers
- Insulated Down Jacket with hood
- Insulated Pants (optional)
Headwear
- Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
- Balaclava: to protect your neck and face in high winds
- Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
- Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun
Eyewear
- Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around
- Ski Goggles (optional): to be worn in the event of high winds
Gloves
- Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer Gloves: for wearing on a hot day
- Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
- Shell Glove with Insulated Liner: to wear for severe cold/strong wind
Footwear
- Liner Socks (3 pairs)
- Wool or Synthetic Socks (3 pairs)
- Heated Socks (optional)
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: comfortable boots or shoes for the trek to base camp
- Gaiters (optional)
- Booties (optional): for wearing about the lodges
Sleeping Equipment
- Sleeping Bag: rated to at least -20°F
- Earplugs
Trekking Gear
- Trekking Backpack: to carry on the trek to base camp. Simple and light.
- Compression Stuff Sacks: for reducing the volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc., in your pack/duffels
- Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
- Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
- Trekking Poles with optional Snow Baskets: adjustable poles
- Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries
Travel Items
- Large Duffel Bags with Locks (2): for transporting gear
- Carry-on Backpack: can use trekking backpack, approximately 18” x 16” x 10” (46cm x 41cm x 26cm)
- Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
- Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen
- S. cash: for currency exchange to purchase SIM cards or merchandise in cities and villages
Additional Food Items
- Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc.
variety of salty and sweet is good
Other Equipment
- Water Bottles (2): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
- Water Treatment (optional): UV-based or tablets
- Sunscreen: SPF 50 or better
- Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
- Toiletry Bag: include small towel, toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Pee bottle: 1-liter minimum bottle for convenience at night
- Female Urination Device (FUD)
- Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
- Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, cough drops, etc.
- Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone
- Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)
Optional Electronics
- Country-appropriate power plug adapters and power transformers
- Adventure Sports Watch: such as Garmin fēnix 6
- GPS/Personal Satellite Communicator: such as Garmin inReach Mini
- Personal Power System: such as Goal Zero Nomad 28 Plus Solar Paneland Sherpa 100AC Power Bank
- Digital Entertainment: movies, tv shows, music, books loaded on to smartphone, iPad, Kindle
- Camera: bring extra batteries, charger, and memory cards
MounTurtle stands out by offering delicious balanced meals, Medical Check & oximeter, weather forecast, GPS-tracking online.
MOUNTURTLE is recognized for well thought out strategy in leading high altitude climbing expeditions, as well as high-quality service throughout. We have two decades of experience in the planning and coordination of mountaineering expeditions, our reputation is excellent. We strive to make each expedition the best possible experience for our climbers and focus on our 3 primary goals of success in reaching the summit, returning safely, and having fun! Safety is always our number one priority.
Our guides are some of the best and most experienced in the industry, having a strong grasp of technical climbing, expedition, and high altitude experience, along with strong interpersonal skills. Our teams are small and equipped with the best support available to ensure the highest chance of success. We are renowned for our comfortable base camps, high-quality food, first-rate communications, and medical support services, all of which are overseen by a professional member of our team.
Most of our climbers have either climbed with us before, been referred by a friend who has climbed with us, or met one of our teams while attempting another peak and decided to join us for their next expedi