Dates of trips
- 23/03/2025-30/03/2025
Description
Ararat is 5137 meters high above sea level. an extinct volcano. The slopes of Ararat are gentle. As a result, the mountain is not too technically difficult and is perfect for skiing. There are no steep ridges on Ararat, rocks flying overhead, no sealed glaciers. Cancer may be necessary only occasionally in the highest parts. Generally, Ararat can be reached on skis without problems. That is why Ararat is the perfect peak to start your adventure with skiing down from fivethousanders.
Ararat is a holy mountain for the followers of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. These three great religions are connected by the figure of Noah and the story of his Ark, which was supposed to settle on the slopes of Ararat when, after 150 days of the Flood, the water level began to decline. To this day, treasure hunters come to the slopes of Ararat, believing that they will find the real Ark. We will be looking for skiing experiences on Ararat. The mountain provides a lot of these, and the joy of the descent can probably be comparable to the joy of a seeker who finds treasures from the Ark.
Ararat has two vertices. Little Ararat is 3896 m high. The Great Ararat, which we will climb, rises to 5137 m. According to the legend, the two peaks are two quarreling sisters who, even after being turned into stone, have not stopped competing with each other. Jealous of the beauty of the snow cover of the higher peak, the lower mountain is supposed to bring various dangerous creatures into the world. Fortunately, we will not go to Little Ararat. The ascent to the main peak of Ararat is much more interesting and scenic. Also, the descent, leading along a gentle wide slope, is not particularly difficult or dangerous. There is also no big avalanche risk there. On the other hand, in Ararat, altitude may be a threat. To prevent it, we will take care of proper acclimatization. We will gain height slowly and gradually. During the descent, we will stay close, and the route will be shown to us by a local guide who regularly visits the slopes of Ararat.
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Trip program
Day 1 – departure from selected airports to Igdir. Meeting of the whole group at the airport in Igdir on the second morning.
Day 2 – Transfer from Igdir airport to Dogubayazit (approximately 1 hour). Rest, going out to the city. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 – around 8.00 after breakfast, departure by bus from the hotel to the foothills of Ararat to an altitude of about 2100 m above sea level. From here, we start the ascent to camp I located, depending on the snow conditions, at an altitude of 2800 to 3350 m above sea level. The hike takes about 4-5 hours with stops. Dinner in camp I, overnight in tents.
Day 4 – acclimatization day. After breakfast in camp I, a ski trip to an altitude of approx. 3800-4200 m above sea level, and then a descent to camp I for dinner. Overnight in tents.
Day 5 – wake up at night, breakfast and start skiing to the top of Ararat. After reaching the summit (5137 m a.s.l.), we go down to camp I. Warm dinner in camp I, overnight in tents.
Day 6 – after breakfast, start the descent or partially descend to the place where the bus will take us. Then drive to Dogubayazit. Time to rest and change clothes, then go out to explore the city. The tour program includes the 18th-century Ishak Pasha Palace and the Dogubayazit City Museum. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 7 – reserve day in case of waiting for the weather in Ararat. Overnight stay at a hotel. If not used up, this day can be used for an optional excursion: to Van Town and Van Lake with a visit to the historic Akdamar Island, a picnic on the Fish Lake (Balık Gölü) or a dip in the Diyadin hot springs. From the Fish Lake, in good weather conditions, there is a beautiful view of Ararat. Overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 8 – Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Igdir. Departure to homes.
The trip price includes
- services of the expedition tourleader during the whole trip;
- services of the local mountain guide;
- full board during all days of trekking: breakfasts, lunch-packages and dinners;
- 3 nights in the hotel in Dogubayazit in double or triple rooms with breakfast;
- accommodation in tents provided by BluEmu on the slopes of Ararat during all days of trekking;
- local transfers: Iğdir airport – Dogubayazit – Iğdir airport, Dogubayazit – starting point of the trek (2100 m above sea level) – Dogubayazit, transfers during Dogubayazit sightseeing – transfer to Dogubayazit City Museum and Ishak Pasha Palace and back to the hotel;
- luggage transportation (max. 20 kg, own bag is necessary) on horses while trekking to and from camp I on the slopes of Ararat (luggage not necessary in the mountains can be left in the hotel deposit);
- camping equipment (two-person tents, plates, cups, cutlery) and climbing equipment – crampons;
- tickets to visited sites (Ishak Pasha Palace, Dogubayazit City Museum);
- medical expenses insurance and accident insurance for the entire duration of the trip (while in the mountains, the policy covers high-risk sports);
- unique t-shirt and buff;
- Polish Tourist Guarantee Fund contribution
The trip price does not include
- flight from the selected airport to Igdir airport in Turkey and back;
- dinner during stays in the cities;
- optional trips (e.g. Turkish baths and hammam ritual, hot springs in Diyadin, picnic by the Fish Lake;
- customary mandatory tips for local staff during trekking of $ 15-20 per participant;
- other personal expenses.