Pleasure tour to Ararat – with us on other paths
Come with us on an unforgettable tour of pleasure.
Overview
Other routes in Eastern Anatolia: Our most beautiful and longest tour to Ararat – at 5,165 m the highest mountain in Turkey. We start our introductory tours with Nemrut Dagi 3,050 m and a first camp in the huge crater. The Süphan Dagi 4,058 m is another highlight. Perfectly acclimatized, you then make your way to the summit in 5 days with panoramic views all around. Many cultural highlights, encounters with Kurdish families, campfires by the lake and bathing in hot springs make up the fascination of this enjoyable tour.
Duration: 14 days
Participants: min. 4, max. 10
Price : from € 1775.- plus. international flight
Difficulty (see requirements): Technique 2 / Fitness 3
Details
Our most beautiful tour to Ararat by other routes: We reach Van, Turkey’s largest lake, via Istanbul. After our arrival, we enjoy the wonderful panorama on a boat trip and also cross over to the island of Akdamar. Nemrut Dagi, at 3,050 m, is our first introductory tour. The hot springs are a wonderful place to bathe. We set up camp in the middle of the huge crater. Our second approach tour to Süphan Dagi 4,058 m already exceeds the 4,000 m mark. Optimally acclimatized, we drive to Dogubayzit at the foot of Mount Ararat and visit the Bendimahi waterfalls on the way. Nearby is the legendary place where Noah’s Ark is said to have stranded and you can take a refreshing dip in the hot sulphur springs at the source of the Euphrates. Our 5-day summit ascent with two camps and an acclimatization day takes us to the highest point in Turkey – the Great Ararat 5,165 m with fantastic panoramic views as far as Armenia and Iran. After our ascent, we have more than earned a dinner with a Kurdish family. The hospitality of the Kurdish people is touching. The next day, a special treat awaits you with the fish lake and an overnight stay there. We end the day around the campfire. After the return transfer, we can spend another evening at the hotel on Lake Van and start our flight home the next day well rested with many good memories and experiences in our luggage.
This challenging trekking tour takes you over passes at altitudes of up to 5400 m. The summit ascents are optional and your own decision, depending on your fitness and condition. The tour – like all our tours – is designed to allow enough time for good altitude acclimatization. You should be free from giddiness and sure-footed for this tour. You can move independently and safely on grassy slopes, scree fields and moraine debris. There are no technical difficulties. We spend several days at altitudes above 4,000 m. This is the challenge that needs to be mastered with a good walking pace and our professional group guide. It makes a difference whether you hike on the flat or uphill. You must be able to carry your daypack yourself for the entire tour. The walking time is up to 6 hours and you can climb or descend up to 1,000 meters in altitude. If you cross a pass, the walking time can be extended to 8 hours depending on the conditions. You should therefore prepare yourself well for the trek.
Services included
- All transfers, overland and sightseeing tours as per program
- All admission prices/tickets according to the program
- Accommodation in a double room or 2-person tent according to the program
- Meals: 13x breakfast, 12x lunch, 13x dinner
- Equipment on the mountain: provided tents incl. Dining tent and toilet tent, foam mat (approx. 4 cm thick)
- Support team and luggage transport on the mountain tours
- Load transportation of equipment on Ararat by mules (max. 15 kg per person)
- Equipment on the mountain: provided tents incl. Dining tent and toilet tent, foam mat (approx. 4 cm thick)
- Load transportation of equipment on Ararat by mules (max. 15 kg per person)
- Obtaining the permit number for the Ararat special visa, local and state fees + summit permits for Ararat and Süphan
- Boat trip on Lake Van as per program
- 8 guided hikes, including 3 summit ascents
- Licensed local English-speaking mountain guide (sometimes also in German)
- Additional German-speaking Hiking Inspirations guide for groups of 6 or more
Services exclusive
- Flights to/from Van from 380,-Euro incl. Tax (we are happy to help you with your flight booking)
- Rail & Fly 80,- Euro
- Missing meals and drinks
- Individual tours and excursions
- Tips (approx. 60,- Euro)
- Excess baggage
- Single room supplement 160,- Euro (incl. single tent on the mountain)
- Insurance
- any airport fees and taxes
- Extension in Istanbul: Price per night and per person: 140,- Euro in a single room or 110,- Euro in a double room (incl. half board) / Transfer costs from/to the airport: 85,- Euro each (per vehicle) German-speaking city guide included. Transfers (plus entrance fees) from 2 persons from 80,- Euro p.p.
Our recommendation – we are also happy to advise you personally if you have any questions:
Clothing
Mountain boots (min. category B), hiking socks + spare, hiking trousers, wind and water-repellent overtrousers, softshell jacket, thermal layer: e.g. Primaloft or down, wind and water-repellent overjacket (e.g. Gore-Tex), long ski underwear for the day of the pass, warm hat (tip: also take a buff – good against the wind), sun hat / sun cap, gloves: preferably multi-layer system: thin silk inner glove, windproof finger gloves or mittens, spare gloves (preferably down mittens), 1-2 sets of underwear, clothing tip: clothing and socks made of merino wool from Kaipara (discount for customers)
Personal equipment
Sleeping bag (suitable up to comfort range minus 15°C), possibly a thin inner sleeping bag, sleeping mat for tent trekking (tip: Exped downmat lite), sunglasses with very good UV protection, sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm, small toiletry bag, trekking towel, earplugs, photo equipment, cell phone/charging cable/power bank, ID/cash/credit cards, small first aid kit with personal medication/blister plasters/bivy bag, headlamp, drinking bottle or drinking system at least. 1 liter, thermos flask, snacks (muesli bars, nuts, dried fruit, multivitamin tablets)
Technical equipment
Telescopic hiking poles, waterproof trekking bag (tip: hard-wearing Tarpaulin bags with at least 80 liters have proven their worth), small daypack approx. 30 liters including rain cover and/or waterproof inner pack sack (tip: also take garbage or freezer bags – also good for dirty laundry), we also recommend a lockable small travel bag (deposit luggage not needed during the trek in the hotel)
Please pay close attention to our instructions on this website under country information, FAQ and requirements. Further information on this connecting program can be found in the detailed travel information, which we will send you on request before you book your trip or when you book your trip. Passport and visa requirements, vaccinations and our recommendations on insurance cover are important and must be observed.
This trip can only be carried out if the minimum number of participants is reached. If this is not reached 28 days before the start of the trip, Hiking Inspirations may cancel the event. However, in the event of a cancellation, we will endeavor to make you an alternative offer. Please refer to our additional information in the travel conditions.
The tour operator is Hiking Inspirations GbR, Katja Dörig & Arno Aigner.