Mount Ararat Expedition (5165 m.)

Day 1 DAY 1: MEET AT VAN AIRPORT TRANSFER TO DOGUBAYAZIT

1. 1

   Van

   1 hour

   DAY 1: MEET AT VAN AIRPORT TRANSFER TO DOGUBAYAZIT
   An Overland Travel guide meets you at Van Airport and we drive to Dogubeyazıt. 175 km (2 h, 15 min)
   Depending on arrival time, overnight in Van.
   Overnight: in Dogubeyazit at a hotel
   Meals: -

Day 2 DAY 2: ASCENT TO MT. ARART CAMP 1 - 3200 M

1. 1

   Ishak Pasha Palace

   8 hours

   After breakfast we load our luggage and camping equipment on our vehicle and drive to Eli Village (2.000m), Our luggage will be carried by mules and horses.. On the way it’s possible to meet some semi nomadic families, who use the fresh green Plateaus of the Mt. Ararat for their sheep flocks. We walk to our first Camp Site (Base Camp) which is set up on elevation of 3.200m.
   Walking time: 4 h; ascent: approximately 1.200m (depending on road conditions & starting point)
   Overnight: at Mount Ararat base camp 3.200m
   Meals: B / L / D

Day 3 DAY 3: ACCLIMATISATION DAY

1. 1

   Mount AgrI

   8 hours

   Trek to camp II (4. 2OOm), about 4 hours trekking time. Return to camp 1. Afternoon is free for preparation for next day, because we will go up to the summit. Dinner and overnight in camp. (Ascent = 1100m / Descent = 1100 m)
   Overnight: camp in 3200m.
   Meals: B/L/D

Day 4 DAY 4: Mt. ARARAT (Camp II, 4200m)

1. 1

   Agri Dagi Milli Parki

   8 hours Admission ticket included

   Trek to camp II (4. 2OOm), about 4/5 hours trekking time. All luggages will be carried by pack animals. A short course will be given on how to use ice-axe and crampons. Overnight in camp. (Descent = 1200 m)
   Overnight: Camp in 4200m.
   Meals: B /L/D

Day 5 DAY 5: Mt. ARARAT SUMMIT (5165m)

1. 1

   Agri Dagi Milli Parki

   8 hours Admission ticket included

   Between 2:00 - 2:30 in the morning we will have breakfast and start walking between 3:00 or 3:30 to get a good view at the sunrise on the top. After 650 m. ascent, we reach Glacier at 4.850m. After we fixed our Crampons we continue our ascent till we reach the Summit of the Mt. Ararat. If the weather is clear we can see the Mt. Damavand in Iran, the Elbrus in the Caucasus and the Kackar Mountains near the Black Sea. We enjoy the great panoramic view from the Summit and afterwards 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
   Meals: B / L / D

Day 6 Day 6: Mt. ARARAT – DOGUBEYAZIT

1. 1

   Mount AgrI

   8 hours Admission ticket included

   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 visit Ishakpaşa palace. There is a chance of trying Turkish Bath. Late afternoon free for visit city center Doğubeyazıt.

Day 7 DAY 7: AKDAMAR CHURCH -ISLAND of AKDAMAR

1. 1

   Noah's Ark site

   5 hours Admission ticket not included

   Transfer to Van and we visit Akdamar Island which is the most important Armenian Church in East Turkey. On the island it stands 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, daily Iife such as hunting, run along the exterior of the church. Overnight at hotel in Van.
   Meals: B / L / D
   Overnight: hotel in Van.

2. 2

   Akdamar Island

   8 hours Admission ticket not included

   Akdamar island and Akdamar church visit, boat trip to armenian akhurian church

Day 8 DAY 8: TRANSFER TO VAN AIRPORT FLY HOME

1. 1

   Mount AgrI

   15 min

   Group transfer to Van airport from hotel (15 minutes) fly back or depending on request we organize hotel and transfer in İstanbul and add 1 or 2 days extra sightseeing tour in İstanbul. Meals: B- -
   Tour ends.