Mount Ararat Trekking Tour 6 Days / 5 Nights
Conquer Mount Ararat – Turkey’s Highest Peak
Embark on a thrilling 6-day Mount Ararat trekking tour across Eastern Turkey.
Summit Turkey’s highest peak, Mount Ararat (5,137 m / 16,854 ft), guided by certified local experts. This private trekking experience offers panoramic views, cultural encounters with nomadic communities, and full trekking support with professional equipment.
Quick Facts – Mount Ararat Trek
✅ Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
✅ Region: Eastern Anatolia (Van – Doğubeyazıt – Mount Ararat)
✅ Maximum Elevation: 5,137 m / 16,854 ft
✅ Fitness Level: Extreme – able to walk up to or beyond 20 km per day on successive days involving severe inclines
✅ Departure Dates: Every Sunday from late May to the end of September (Arrival Day – Trek starts Monday)
✅ Price: From $1550 per person
✅ Single Supplement: 15% surcharge for single occupancy
How Weekly Departures Work
Mount Ararat trekking tour departures operate on a weekly schedule from late May through the end of September.
Transfers take place on Sundays, when participants are picked up from Van, Ağrı, or Iğdır airports and transferred to Doğubeyazıt, the base town for the Mount Ararat climb.
The trekking program officially begins on Monday and continues according to the itinerary.
Example Schedule:
If you select a tour starting on Sunday, May 10:
• You should arrive on May 10 (Sunday)
• Airport transfer to Doğubeyazıt is included
• Overnight hotel stay on May 10 is included
• Trekking begins on Monday, May 11
• Summit program continues during the week
• Trekking finishes on May 16
• Departure follows according to your travel plans
Get a Taste for Your Trip
The Mount Ararat Trekking Tour offers one of the most rewarding trekking challenges in Turkey, with panoramic views over Eastern Anatolia and neighboring regions. While the mountain is famously associated with the legend of Noah’s Ark, its primary allure is its dramatic natural landscape, volcanic slopes, and exceptional high-altitude climbing experience.
During this expedition, a certified local mountain guide team provides complete logistical support, including tents, sleeping bags, mountaineering equipment, daily meals, and tea service during the trek. All required climbing permits are obtained in advance from local authorities.
A 4×4 vehicle transports participants to the designated official access point on Mount Ararat, from which the trekking route continues on foot. Horses/mules carry camping and general expedition equipment, allowing climbers to carry only personal essentials, hydration, and layers.
Acclimatization time is built into the itinerary to reduce altitude-related risks and help participants adjust safely to elevation changes. Proper fitness preparation is essential, as this expedition requires strong physical endurance and ability to hike steep terrain at altitude on consecutive days.
Optional short treks or horseback riding experiences are available for travelers who do not wish to summit but want to explore the foothills, nomadic settlements, and stunning mountain scenery surrounding Ararat.
General Information for Ararat Climb
Height: 5,137 m (16,854 ft)
Permit: Required and arranged by certified guides. Processing typically takes up to one month, as Mount Ararat is a restricted climbing zone under Turkish authority regulations.
Transport Access: A 4×4 vehicle transports climbers to the authorized starting point designated by local authorities. From this point, the trek begins on foot. Access routes and starting points may vary due to weather, seasonal regulations, and official permissions.
Climate: Highly variable at high altitude. Certified guides manage safety, monitor conditions, and plan route timing.
Difficulty: Extreme, prior conditioning required. Participants must be able to comfortably walk long distances (up to 10–15 miles/16–24 km per day) with steep elevation gain.
Acclimatization: High altitude begins around 3,000 m (10,000 ft). Acclimatization hikes and overnight base camps are included to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Gear Transport: Horses/mules carry camping gear and food. Trekkers carry personal backpack, water, and essentials only.
Equipment: Professional climbing gear (tents, sleeping bags, crampons, ice axe, headlamp) provided. Participants may bring personal equipment if preferred.
Optional Experiences: Non-summit travelers may take part in shorter hikes, horseback riding, or cultural visits in surrounding highland villages and nomadic areas.
Safety Note: Weather, snow conditions, and government protocols may require itinerary adjustments for safety and compliance.
Mount Ararat Trekking Tour Highlights
• Summit Mount Ararat (5,137 m / 16,854 ft) with breathtaking panoramic views over four countries
• Certified local guides with extensive high-altitude experience
• Complete trekking equipment provided: tents, sleeping bags, crampons, ice axes
• Acclimatization days to minimize altitude sickness risks
• Optional shorter treks and horseback rides for scenic exploration
• Cultural encounters with local nomadic communities
• Relax and rejuvenate with a Turkish bath and lakeside dinner at Lake Van
Necessary Equipment
✅ Backpack for your personal gear and clothes
✅ Day-bag for the hikes
✅ Hiking boots and trekking sticks
✅ Headlamp / flashlight
✅ Warm, layered, and waterproof outer clothing
✅ Crampons
✅ Pocket knife
✅ Sunglasses / eye protection
✅ Sleeping bag: if bringing your own, choose a good 3-season bag (0°C)
✅ Tents and sleeping bags can be provided by guides if requested in advance
Weather Note: At Base Camp 2 (approx. 4,200 m), temperatures can be chilly, and at the summit expect 0°C to -15°C. Proper gear and clothing are essential for safety and comfort.
Mount Ararat Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Van / Doğubeyazıt
Arrive at Van Airport and meet your mountain guide. Transfer to your hotel or campsite in Doğubeyazıt. Overnight: Doğubeyazıt
Day 2 – Trek to Base Camp 1
After breakfast, transfer by 4×4 truck to approx. 2,000 m. Begin a 4-hour hike ascending about 1,100 m to Base Camp 1 (approx. 3,100 m / 10,170 ft). Pitch tents, relax, and enjoy dinner prepared by guides.
Day 3 – High Altitude Acclimatization
Morning climb to 4,200 m then return to Base Camp 1. This helps reduce altitude sickness. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 4 – Trek to Base Camp 2
Steeper 6-hour hike to Base Camp 2 (approx. 4,200 m / 13,780 ft) over 10 km. Camp site has natural wind shields and glacier water. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 5 – Summit Attempt
Start at 2:00 am, climb to the summit (5,137 m / 16,854 ft). Depending on snow conditions, crampons and ice axe needed for the final ascent. Return to Base Camp 2 by 11:00 am, rest, pack, and descend to Base Camp 1. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6 – Descent and Relaxation
4-hour descent from Base Camp 1 to vehicle pick-up. Transfer back to Doğubeyazıt or Van for a Turkish bath and a relaxing lakeside dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 7 – Departure
Depart Van and continue your journey or onward travel arrangements.
What’s Included
✅ 2 nights hotel accommodation in Doğubeyazıt (bed & breakfast)
✅ Airport transfers (Van, Ağrı or Iğdır)
✅ 2 domestic flights within Turkey
✅ All road transportation (tolls and taxes included)
✅ All state and local taxes
✅ All museum and site entrance fees
✅ Professional English-speaking guide
✅ Full camping and trekking equipment (tents, sleeping bags, crampons, ice axe, mountaineering gear)
✅ Horses / mules and porters for carrying equipment
✅ Three meals per day during the trek, plus tea service
✅ Official permits for the Mount Ararat climb
Terms & Conditions
• A 15% surcharge applies for single room occupancy
• Travel insurance is essential for all parts of Turkey. It is the traveler’s responsibility to purchase correct coverage, though we are happy to advise
What’s NOT Included
❌ All meals outside the trekking program (unless otherwise stated)
❌ Alcoholic beverages
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Travel insurance (mandatory – must be arranged by the participant)
Price: $1550 USD per person
This Mount Ararat trekking tour is one of the most iconic and rewarding high-altitude experiences in Turkey.
Book your Mount Ararat Trekking Tour today!
Take the challenge and experience Turkey’s most iconic trek with full support, expert guidance, and a professionally organized climbing experience.
Prefer to Explore Mount Ararat Without Climbing?
Travelers who want to experience the Mount Ararat region without a high-altitude trek can join our 5-Day Noah’s Ark & Mount Ararat Tour, a private cultural journey beginning and ending in Van.
Visit the Durupınar Noah’s Ark site near Doğubayazıt, Mount Ararat, Ishak Pasha Palace, Muradiye Waterfalls, Akdamar Island, Hoşap Castle, Van and Lake Van, combining Biblical tradition, history, culture and the landscapes of Eastern Turkey.
4 Nights / 5 Days | Private Tour | Starts & Ends in Van
Discover More Journeys Across Turkey & Beyond
Mount Ararat is part of a much wider cultural and geographical landscape that stretches across Eastern Turkey and beyond. Explore Anatolia offers a diverse collection of expertly curated journeys that connect ancient civilizations, sacred landscapes, and remarkable natural environments across Turkey and neighboring regions.
Whether your interest lies in archaeology, history, faith-based heritage, or immersive cultural travel, our programs are designed to deepen your understanding of Anatolia’s role at the crossroads of civilizations.
Explore Our Travel Collections:
Travelers who prefer the convenience of joining others may also consider our Eastern Turkey Heritage Tour, which offers scheduled departures throughout 2026 and 2027, including a guaranteed departure on September 22, 2026. View all tours to design a complete journey through Turkey’s most iconic regions, from high-altitude mountains and ancient ritual centers to imperial cities and cross-border cultural routes.
You can also explore our growing video library on our YouTube channel, featuring Göbeklitepe, Mount Ararat, Cappadocia, Istanbul, Mount Nemrut, Ani, Lake Van, and more. These videos offer real on-location insights into the landscapes, experiences, and destinations that define our journeys.
