Mount Ararat Trek
Dogubayazit, Agri, eastern Turkey
Mountain Climbing ~ Film Expeditions ~ Cultural Tours
Home Mountain Treks Cultural Tours Map Contact Warnings! Stories
Reservations Contact:
amybeam@yahoo.com
US tel: +1 240-696-1905
Skype: amyLbeam
Whatsapp: +12406961905
or
METIN EMLEK, licensed guide:
+905433978010
Mount Ararat Difficulty
This is a non-technical climb at 30 to 45 degrees. You must be in very good physical fitness with very good heart and lung endurance. The summit, at 5137 meters, is lower than Mount Kilimanjaro, but because of incline and cold weather, it is a harder climb.
Mount Ararat WeatherJune 1 - Sept 15
summer climbing seasonJuly 15 - Sept 5
best climbing; warm and dryOct 1 -Feb 29
Blizzards may delay climbing. Only the fearless or foolish climb in these months.March and April
best ski monthsMay and June
highest rain and hailAt camp 2, even in August, temperatures turn extremely cold after sunset, and you crawl into your sleeping bag to arise at 1 AM for the summit climb. The last 400 meters are snow- and ice-covered year-round requiring crampons. Winds can be 40 knots or more on the summit, making it bitterly cold even in August. You must dress in layers to keep warm, including your hands.
Mount Ararat, April 30, 2012
Mount Ararat in June, snow line at 3800 meters
Mount Ararat in August, driest month, meltback to 4600m
March - April best spring skiing on Mount Ararat
2021 Full MoonApril 26, Monday
May 26, Wednesday
June 24, Thursday
July 23, Friday
August 22, Sunday
Sept 20, Monday
Oct 20, Wednesday
Nov 19, Friday
Dec 18, Saturday
Full moon setting in shadow of Mount Ararat
REQUIRED Gearsleeping bag (-15C or -20C)
backpack or soft-sided duffle bag for horse to carry
small day pack you carry
sturdy trekking shoes
waterproof rigid boots for crampons on summit
gaiters (recommended)
jacket
waterproof heavy coat with hood
waterproof pants
thermal under clothes
waterproof poncho
waterproof ski gloves
warm glove liners
hat for sun protection
cotton neckscarf
warm wool hat
wool scarf or neck guard
facemask (optional)
2 pairs thick wool socks
2 pairs inner socks
2 water bottles (aluminum or hard plastic)
ski goggles (optional)
dark reflective sunglasses
headlamp for summit
mini pocket flashlight
whistle for emergency
crampons
walking poles
#30+ sunscreen
chap stick or lip balm
tissue packs
ear plugs to keep gnats out
water purification tablets
mini-first aid kit for pain, swelling, head cold, nose congestion, sore throat, infection, insect bites, diarrhea, constipation, sunburn, cuts, blisters, bad knees
How to Make a Tiny Camping Stove from a Beer Can You'll love this!
Photo stop at Muradiye Waterfalls.
Horses carry gear, food, backpacks.
Visit in nomad summer tent.
Mount Ararat Camp 1 at 3200m
Mount Ararat summit is snow-covered.
View Kurdish kilims and Persian carpets. Don't go home without one!
Mount Ararat History
Mount Ararat is the highest point in Turkey, rising in isolation above the surrounding plains and valleys and providing a panoramic view of Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. Ararat is a dormant volcano with no crater. It has not erupted in historic time. The most recent eruption was probably in the last 10,000 years. However, an earthquake rocked the mountain in 1840, burying a chapel, convent, and village on the slopes in Ahora Gorge. Today nomadic Kurds reside on the mountain from June 1 to September 1 with their herds of cattle and sheep. A smaller cone, Little Ararat (3896 meters) rises just southeast of the main peak.
The Search for Noah's Ark continues to attract archeologists, geologists, and historians from around the world. According to Old Testament legend, Noah's Ark came to rest on the "Mountains of Ararat" following the Great Flood.Raider's of the Lost Past: The Quest for Noah's Ark features the American team. It was shown on Yesterday TV in UK, Nov. 2012. Amy Beam and Richard Bright are interviewed in it.
The Noah's Ark Hoax
We are not associated with the Chinese-Turkish-Dutch-American hoax and Noah's Ark Ministries International (NAMI) who claim to have discovered Noah's Ark. We did have the misfortune to have the American Joel Klenck as one of our climbing customers in 2011. He raised the standard for astonishing deception adding to the growing body of "pseudo-scientific" lies causing so much damage to honest archeology. The Director of Archeology at Harvard University states there is little they can do to control what a graduate publishes after he leaves Harvard. A Florida court dismissed Klenck's claims for libel in 2021.
Public and private Ararat trekking tours.
Tours for Armenians that include historical sites.
Private car tours for 2-4 people.
Mt. Ararat Slide Show
contact us for PRICING MADE EASY.
Scroll down for private group tour packages.
Point to each tour code to see popup window with itinerary.
Tour Code Description - Public Tours:
All tours are all-inclusive.Camp nights Hotel nights 5R Ararat for athletes 2 2 6R Ararat most popular 3 2 7R Ararat with acclimatization 4 2 8RA Ararat-Agri 4 3 8VRA
(standard tour)Van-Ararat-Agri 4 3
Mount Ararat Summit 8-Day Tour (8VRA)
Mount Ararat Summit 8-Day Tour Includes:3 nights in 3-star hotel with breakfast
Van airport pickup
return transfer to Agri airport
Lake Van cultural tour
Agri cultural tour
Visit to hot springs and relaxing in thermal pool in private room
all admission fees
all meals both on and off Mount Ararat
transportation to and from Mount Ararat, 2250m starting point
4 nights and 5 days on Mount Ararat
camp security guard on Mount Ararat
government climbing permit
licensed mountaineer guide
cook
food
water, coffee, tea, juice
porter and horse to transport backpack and gear
horses to transport food and cooking gas
dining tent
tent shared by 2
mat
crampons
climbing certificateUpgrades are available for a surcharge:
single tent
horse to ride
private guide from camp 2 to summit
return to town ahead of groupNOT included:
airline tickets
sleeping bag
clothing
boots
skis
walking sticks (required!)
headlamp
alcoholic beverages (buy or bring your own)
medicine
gratuities
Mount Ararat Trek All-Inclusive ToursContact us for prices. We specialize in all-inclusive tours, taking you to the summit of Mount Ararat. We package tours that combine the following modules. Point to each photo:
Van - Lake Van Tour
Nem - Nemrut Crater
Ara - Mount Ararat Summit
Agri - Dogubeyazit/Agri Tour
Kars - Ani Ruins Tour
Ist - Istanbul Self-guided Tour
PRIVATE Tours
The following tours are available ONLY to groups of 6 or more.
Groups may choose their own dates.
Tour leaders may receive a discount.
Tour Code Description - Private Tours: All tours are all-inclusive. Camp nights Hotel nights 5R Ararat for athletes; airport transfers not included 2 2 6R
Ararat without acclimatizaton; airport pickup not included 3 2 6VR
Van-Ararat 3 2 7R Ararat with acclimatization: airport pickup not included 4 2 8RA Ararat-Agri 4 3 8VRA
(standard tour)Van-Ararat-Agri 4 3 8VNRA Van-Nem-Ararat-Agri 4 3 8VRAK Van-Ararat-Agri-Kars 3 4 9VNRAK Van-Nem-Ararat-Agri-Kars 4 4 11IVRAI Ist-Van-Ararat-Agri-Ist 4 6 11IVRAKI Ist-Van-Ararat-Agri-Kars-Ist 3 7 12IVNRAKI Ist-Van-Nem-Ararat-Agri-Kars-Ist 4 7
Government Climbing PermitsMount Ararat is a national park. For your safety, the government of Turkey requires all climbers on Ararat to be led by a Turkish licensed guide. It also requires special permits to climb Mount Ararat. We get the permit for you. It costs $70 USD and is included in our tour prices.
Prices Please contact us for our competitive prices.
ReservationsPlease contact us to begin planning your trip. If you would like us to call you, please send your phone number. When you decide on your tour program, we will email you a reservation. It will include payment instructions.
In order to complete your reservation, we will need the following for each person:
- a copy of passport photo page (or Turkish ID)
- full name
- address
- email address
- mobile phone (set to roaming for Turkey arrival and emergency on mountain)
- profession (optional)
- social media contact (optional)
- emergency contact information
- blood type (optional for your benefit, but accidents can happen)
- flight arrival and departure information
We do not share or sell your information to anyone.
PaymentsTo confirm your reservation, guarantee the price, and begin the permit application process, a 50% payment is required. Payments are only refunded (minus expenses already incurred) if you cancel at least 4 weeks before your start date, or if the government closes the mountain, or if government-imposed travel restrictions prevent you from getting to Dogubeyazit during your scheduled trek. People may be added to a reservation or dates may be changed without penalty. Payments may be made online with PayPal or by bank transfer. Full payment must be received before checking into the hotel. You may pay by PayPal or cash.
Make your reservation in advance because airline seats are limited and hotels are full in the summer.