Day 1 – Van Airport to Doğubayazıt
Day 2 – Çevirme Village to Camp 1
Day 3 – Camp 1 to Camp 2
Day 4 – Summit Day & Descent
Day 5 – Return to Van Airport
HIGHLIGHTS :
Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) is not a mountain you simply walk past. The highest peak in Turkey and a sacred site in three major religious traditions — Christianity, Islam, and Armenian culture — it rises as a perfectly isolated volcanic cone to 5,137 metres above the eastern Anatolian plateau, visible from three countries and carrying a weight of myth and history that very few mountains anywhere can match. This seven-day expedition approaches the summit via the classic southern route from Çevirme Village, with a structured acclimatisation strategy designed to give every participant the best possible chance of reaching the top. Along the way the itinerary threads in two experiences unique to this corner of Turkey: a boat crossing to the 10th-century Armenian Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island, and an afternoon at Ishak Pasha Palace — the 17th-century Ottoman hilltop complex with Ararat filling its northern skyline. This is not a walk-up; it is a genuine high-altitude mountaineering objective that rewards preparation, patience, and a willingness to move slowly in thin air.
Akdamar İsland
Ishak Pasha Palace
Lake Van
Mount Ararat
Night Sky Watching
Discover Akdamar island
Experience Authentic Local Villages
Handpicked Comfortable, Unique Stays
Airport Transfers and Luggage Support
Van Airport to Doğubayazıt
Duration: 3–4 hrs transfer
Distance: Vehicle transfer
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 1,725 m – 1,950 m
Best Season: July–September
Start: Van Airport
Finish: Doğubayazıt
Accommodation: Hotel
Meet your guide at Van Airport and travel east toward Doğubayazıt, gateway to Mount Ararat. En route, visit the beautiful Muradiye Waterfall before checking into your hotel and attending the expedition briefing and equipment inspection.
Çevirme Village to Camp 1
Trail: Mount Ararat Standard Route – Camp 1 Ascent
Duration: 4–5 hrs
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 2,200 m – 3,200 m
Best Season: July–September
Start: Çevirme Village
Finish: Camp 1 (3,200 m)
Accommodation: Mountain Camp
Transfer to Çevirme Village and begin the ascent toward Camp 1. The trail follows broad volcanic slopes with panoramic views of eastern Anatolia. Mule support transports all heavy equipment to camp.
Camp 1 to Camp 2
Trail: Mount Ararat Standard Route – Camp 2 Ascent
Duration: 3–4 hrs
Distance: Approx. 4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 3,200 m – 4,200 m
Best Season: July–September
Start: Camp 1
Finish: Camp 2 (4,200 m)
Accommodation: Mountain Camp
Continue ascending through increasingly alpine terrain toward Camp 2. After arrival, rest, hydrate, and prepare equipment for the summit attempt.
Summit Day & Descent
Trail: Mount Ararat Summit Route
Duration: 10–14 hrs
Distance: Approx. 14–16 km
Difficulty: Challenging
Altitude: 4,200 m – 5,137 m
Best Season: July–September
Start: Camp 2
Finish: Camp 1 or Doğubayazıt
Accommodation: Camp or Hotel
Begin the summit push before dawn. Reach the highest point in Türkiye at 5,137 m before descending via Camp 2 and continuing to Camp 1 or directly to Doğubayazıt depending on weather, group condition, and guide decision.
Return to Van Airport
Duration: 3–4 hrs transfer
Distance: Vehicle transfer
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 1,950 m – 1,725 m
Best Season: July–September
Start: Doğubayazıt
Finish: Van Airport
Accommodation: N/A
After breakfast, transfer back to Van Airport and conclude your Mount Ararat expedition with unforgettable memories of Türkiye’s highest mountain.
* Airport Transfers – * Luggage Transfer
* Entrance Fees – * Trekking Guidance
Let’s make your
Lycian Way Experience
Unforgettable
