Trekking Up Mount Ararat in the Land of Noah

Mount Ararat, reputed to be the last resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood, forms an exciting trekking destination. It is a dormant volcano similar in shape and scale and only around three thousand feet lower than Mounts Elbrus and Kilimanjaro. It has been a training ground for European climbers to prepare for the big peak expeditions of the Himalaya. The trek offers much more besides the accomplishment of the ascent, including a trek in the Pontic Alps to Mt. Kackar and a visit to Istanbul.

This is a trek of two halves, firstly to the Kackar Mountains (also known as the Pontic Alps) on the extreme south east coast of the Black Sea, where we walk into the lands of the nomadic peoples. The trek here, forms an acclimatization and contrast to the second half of the holiday, as the surroundings are generally green and lush compared to the ice capped volcanic wastes of Ararat. There is an optional ascent of rocky Mt. Kackar (3937m/12915ft). After Kackar five days are then spent in the Eastern part of Turkey, making an ascent of Mount Ararat (5165m/16941ft). This is a tough but non technical walk, requiring good stamina. The upper third of the volcano is covered in snow and the last 100m or so is icy, requiring ice axe and crampons. (The actual climb to the summit from camp II at 4200m/13775ft is optional). After the big peak you will have a night in Van by the largest lake in Turkey and then for a grand finale, after an internal flight you have a couple of nights in Istanbul to experience the eastern delights of this great old city.

Accommodation and Itinerary

Day 1 Fly London Heathrow/Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. 2 Transfer to airport, fly to Erzurum, visit the Cifte Minareli Medrese, drive to Yusufeli. Pension overnight. 3 Bus to Yalalar at 2100m/6888ft. Walk to Korahmet village at the foot of the Bulut mountain chain. Return to Yaylalar, overnight camp. 4 Walk, passing the ‘Yaylas’ that the villagers inhabit during the summer and the Nomad’s camp.
5 Mount Kackar Summit (3937m/12913ft). The climb is optional. Return to camp. 6 Visit Hevek village, transfer back to Ysufeli village. Overnight at a pension. 7 Transfer by bus to the Ishakpasa Palace, continue onto Dogubeyazit and our hotel. 8 In the morning transfer to Eli village. Trek to base camp at 3200m/10500ft, camp. Ascent 1000m.
9 Trek to Camp 2 (4200m/13776ft). Return to Green Camp at 3200m. Free time for preparation. 10 Mt Ararat (to Camp 2) (4200m) about 4 hours trekking time. All luggage carried by the animals. There is a short course on how to use crampons. 11 Climb to the summit. Early morning start and onto the perennial snows at about 4500m. Normally the last section is a bit icy. Look out for Noah’s Ark memorabilia. Return to Base camp 1. Ascent 1085m/3580ft, descent 1962m/6474ft. 12 Descend to Cevirme, return to Dogubeyazit. Drive to Van, on the east coast of Lake Van. Overnight at pension, visit Van Citadel if time allows. 13 Normally a morning transfer to Van airport and flight to Istanbul. Transfer to your hotel. 14 A free day to take in the sights of what was the Byzantine capital of the civilized world. Visit the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and of course The Hagia Sofia or stroll in the world’s biggest covered market. Overnight hotel (dinner not included). 15 Transfer to airport, fly Istanbul/London Heathrow.

Sherpa Notes

Visa Requirements
Your details are submitted to ministeries in Turkey approx 8 weeks before departure and a group trekking list is assembled and returned to the Turkish Consulate in London. Your passports and payment will be required by Sherpa approx 2 weeks before the tour to apply for the combined trekking permit and visa that costs approx. £70 (not included)

Max Altitude
5165m/16941ft. No mountaineering experience is necessary as this is a non technical ascent. However a good degree of stamina is required and it is recommended that you have a fair amount of walking experience. Induction on the use of crampons will be given.

Accommodation and Meals
3* bed and breakfast accommodation in Istanbul, all meals on trek and at the hotels in Erzurum, Van and Dogubeyazit.

Support
Your baggage is carried by ponies and mules to the camps. Other transfers by private vehicles.

Air Travel
Scheduled services of British Airways Heathrow to Istanbul and Turkish Airlines to Erzurum. 

Internal Travel
Flight, Istanbul/Erzurum & Van/Istanbul (included).