See Noah's Ark with your own eyes: climbing Mount Ararat. Tour to Turkey: Climbing Ararat - Refuge of the Ark Why is it beneficial for you to go on a hike with us

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Why is it beneficial for you to go camping with us?

Absence of diseases incompatible with active tourism:

Weather

The best season to visit Ararat is summer, from early June to September. At the same time, in the first half of June there may be a lot of snow, and September is characterized by cool temperatures. In Dogubayazıt, summer temperatures reach +35 °C, at night up to +25 °C. In the base camps during the day it is 20-25 plus, and with sunset comes frosts down to -5°C. At the peak of the mountain there is a drop to -15, wind, snow precipitation.

Accommodation and meals

During the hike we spend the night in tents, one for two people. Two meals a day are provided; food is prepared by participants in shifts. Snacks during treks. We will spend several days at the Dogubayazit hotel with breakfast included. Additionally, in cities we will eat in cafes.

Safety

This type of tour is accessible to most people with minimal physical activity.

Despite the official ban by the Turkish government on visiting the region due to political instability, the Kurdish people are always joyful and hospitable to tourists. The official Turkish company accepts travelers and everything is calm in the area.

You must follow all safety instructions from the instructor. When preparing for a trip, you must take an individual first aid kit and purchase insurance.

Guides

Mandatory accompaniment by a Kurdish/Turkish instructor and leader from the ExtremeGuide company. The price also includes the services of muleteers.

Leontyev Vadim- mountain guide.
the city of Odessa

Sports experience:Master of Sports in mountaineering. Mountaineering instructor.

He made his first ascent in 1969.
USSR champion and prize-winner of the USSR Mountaineering Championships in the ice class (1983-1987).
Champion of Ukraine in the high-altitude technical class.

Kovalik Yuri– mountain guide
the city of Odessa

Specialization:mountaineering, mountain tourism, ski tourism, caving and cycling tourism.

Sports experience:in tourism since 2002. CMS in ski tourism, CMS in mountain tourism technology.

Champion of Ukraine 2012 in mountain tourism technique. Winner of the Khortitsa Cup 2011. Champion of Ukraine among ski trips 5-6 k.s. year 2009.

Made 15 ascents of Kazbek. 3 ascents to Elbrus, Island Peak, Tetnuld, Toubkal, Klyuchevskaya Sopka and many other ascents of varying difficulty.

Day 1. Arrival in Yerevan. Meeting at the airport. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Excursions in Armenia: 1. Garni (the only pagan temple on the territory of Armenia. 1st century; similar to the Parthenon);
2. Geghard (rock monastery 4-13 centuries);
3. Sevan (freshwater lake, ranks second in the world in height - 2000m, in size and purity of water). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Excursions in Armenia: 1. Khor Virap (monastery-fortress, in the dungeon of which Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years in 301 for the spread of Christianity);
2. Noravank (monastery 7-14 centuries. The only complex where there is an image of God the Father. Unique canyon. Wine market);
3. Zorats Karer (Stone Hench; an open-air observatory that is 7500 years old);
4. Tatev (monastery 9-13 centuries. The longest and highest cable car in the world. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records).

Day 4. Long transfer to Dogubayazit. Departure by minibus from Yerevan towards the Turkish border through Akhaltsikhe (Georgia). At the border, transfer to another minibus - transfer to Dogubayazit. Stops for lunch along the way. Overnight at the hotel

Day 5. Breakfast at the hotel. Beginning of the ascent to Ararat: transfer to the village of Cevirme or Eli at 2200 m. Afterwards, luggage is loaded onto horses and hike to the 1st camp at 3350 m (about 4-5 hours). Rest, dinner at the camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 6. Acclimatization hike to 4100m. Return to 3200 m. Just 4-5 hours of walking. Night in tents

Day 7. Transfer to the second camp 4200 m (4-5 hours). Overnight in camp in tents.

Day 8. Climbing to the top of Ararat 5165 m (if the weather allows leaving around 2 am, travel time is 4-7 hours). Descent to the camp at 4200 meters for a short rest and snack. Further descent to the first camp 3200 m. Dinner, overnight in tents.

Day 9. Breakfast. Removing the camp. Descent to the village of Eli (2-3 hours). Transfer to the hotel in Dogubayazit. Possibility of excursion: Ishak Pasha Palace, site of Noah's Ark, meteorite crater. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10. Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Yerevan.

Day 11. Flight to the homeland.

Included in the price:

• services of a Russian-speaking mountain guide;
• services of a Russian-speaking guide in Armenia;
• meals during the climb, drinks, light snacks (prepared by a local chef)
• accommodation in Dogubayazit 2 nights in a hotel
• accommodation during the climb 3-4 nights in tents
• luggage transportation on horseback
• meeting at Yerevan airport;
• all transfers according to the program;
• all necessary permits from the Turkish government

• air flight to Yerevan;
• airport taxes;
• insurance (can be purchased through the Tropa Club);
• personal climbing equipment;
• accommodation in Yerevan (approximately $10 per night)
• meals during travel, lunches and dinners in cities; drinks (water, juices, cola);
• "pocket meals" and snacks for the day of ascent
• excursions in Dogubayazit;
• all expenses not specified in the program

August 25th, 2014 , 08:13 am

Ararat turned out to be surprisingly easy in every sense of the word, although of course I had to breathe often and deeply and even sweat a little sometimes. I would recommend Ararat as a weekend hike for the capital’s office workers, who daily practice climbing on the steps of the Novikovsky cafes, but if half of them die, then I will be accused of premeditated murder. On the other hand, no matter what age or build people climb Agri Dag!

The best way to start exploring Mount Ararat and prepare for the climb is to purchase an alcoholic drink from the plant of the same name. Thoughtfully combine the contents of the bottle with a generous but not excessive snack. Smoke a cigarette, feel energized, and get down to business. Take an empty container in your hand. On the label on the left you will see Little Ararat with a height of 3,896 meters, and on the right rises Great Ararat reaching 5,165 meters. Attention - Mount Ararat is not located in Armenia and this is a great sorrow for the Armenian people, so return the ticket to Yerevan that you have already bought! Mount Ararat is located on the other side of the state border - in Turkey. And you will have to climb the mountain from Turkish territory and along the opposite slope. Carefully peel the label off the bottle, turn it so that the image is facing away from you and apply it to the window glass. Small Ararat is now on the right, and big on the left.

View of Big and Small Ararat from the roof of the hotel

The name of Mount Ararat, apparently, came in a distorted form from the name of the state of Urartu. The mountain is known under this name throughout the world. For the Turks, who are the proud owners of the mountain, this word doesn’t mean anything, but if you say “Agı Dag”, everything will immediately become clearer.
Now you are ready to climb!

The rest of the preparation process is quite easy. First of all, you need a guide, and here's why. Mount Ararat has been captured by the Kurdish mafia. Oriental people with black beards traverse the slopes of the mountain at the head of small and large tourist groups. There is a widespread theory that it is very difficult to climb on your own due to possible obstacles from the local population. We used Google and went straight to the mafia.
There are about ten to twelve companies and a myriad of intermediaries feeding around the mountain. The intermediary can feed off a commission from the cost of the climb, or he can also increase his own on top, so you will end up in fools like those Swiss who were in the same group with us - they got the same mountain as us but for a lot of money. In 2014, the normal price for fast ascent was considered to be 400 euros per person. The entire amount must be paid in advance in two installments of 50%.
You can join a group or you can order an individual tour by climbing Small and Big Ararat in one tour over several days.
We joined the group that started climbing on July 12, 2014. It was a full moon, usually clear skies and warm at this time of year. In addition, we took the shortest version of the program - 3 days for ascent and descent, plus a day of departure and a day of arrival.

Once you have decided on a guide, you need to buy plane tickets to the Turkish city of Dogobayazit in advance. Calling it “Turkish Kathmandu” is a stretch, but the city is beautiful in its own way. Since you will definitely receive a detailed letter from the organizer regarding logistics, we will not dwell on this point.
zerokol on the main street of the city

If this is your first time in the mountains, then keep in mind that it is hot below and cold above. In addition, fierce winds blow above. Cover your head, ears, buy real mountain gloves. Depending on the organizing company, you may or may not be offered a tent. It’s better to have your own sleeping bag - the ones I saw looked like a donkey slept in them. If you have your own “cats” then that’s even better. In short, find out in detail what is included in the price and what is not.

In Good Shape
Fast Ararat is like a game of checkers - once twice and kings. There is nothing more sporting than climbing to the top in two days and going down to the bottom in one. All you need are strong legs, a trained heart and large lungs to supply oxygen to your carcass. Then you won’t even notice how you will be at the top. If you don’t have any of this, then you either won’t climb or you’ll climb with the feeling that it’s Everest. There is a widespread opinion that if you run “ten”, then you can safely go for “five”. At best, a fifth of our team would have run ten kilometers, so this is not that important, but certainly the lack of preparation will affect the speed of recovery and, as a result, the speed of ascent.
Here is our altitude and time schedule:

1st day
1,600 meters, we leave the hotel in Dogobayazit in the morning and drive 40 minutes by minibus to the starting point
2,250 -beginning of the walking part
3 350 - first camp, overnight

On the way to the mountain

We got together. Farewell photo is not a memory

On the first day, everyone is in good spirits. There is a lot of strength, the slope is gentle, the mountain does not yet hang over you but somewhere ahead

The peak, at maximum magnification, seems distant, lifeless and angry

Clouds often cling to it and don’t let go for a long time.

Along the way you can buy some ayran from the shepherds

Dima discovered a gorgeous view of the valley and doesn’t want to leave

Well, where would we be without the British with their delicate white skin - it seems they rubbed three kilograms of ointment into themselves a day

By evening we reached the first camp and set up tents.

Ararat is both close and far at the same time

I forgot to tell you about the horses - horses make the ascent very easy - they carry tents, food and other junk. You carry in your backpack only those things that you need during the day. This is why climbing Ararat becomes easy! Although, on the other hand, if I had to carry the camp on myself, I would pack a backpack of no more than 12 kg for three days, so there is no difference.

Serving dinner

The only entertainment available here

In the evening I look at the mountain. Now it seems very close and simple

2nd day
3 350 - continuation of the track
4 200 - second camp, arrive in the afternoon

We go out slowly, and all because we need to acclimatize and we are already gaining 1 kilometer of altitude per day

Speculators are selling drinks, but the prices for local conditions are divine - Cola for 5 lire and beer for 10

We go up all the time, as if on steps. Gorgeous views open up. A lack of oxygen begins to be felt. Breathed

We reached 4,200 and set up tents. I climbed a little higher and took a photo of the view of our camp

Little Ararat is on the horizon. It seems that he is taller than us, but this is not true - he is shorter

And this is a group of Russian tourists. In addition to the Russians there were British, Swiss, French and Kurdish Norwegians

Suddenly the sky became cloudy and it began to hail with squally winds. Well, of course we all hid in tents

Just like in the good old pioneer camp, at the signal from the pioneer leader, everyone goes to bed after 18.00, and in their sleep, ideomotor training for storming the summit takes place.

3rd day
4,200 - everyone woke up happily at one in the morning. Dark, cold and windy. But my soul is light.
5 165 - the summit is reached in approximately 4-6 hours depending on the speed of the group
1,600 meters - hotel in Dogoboyazit at approximately 17.00. Depending on the fitness of the legs and the strength of the menisci of the knee joints.

I must say that we were lucky - the night was very quiet, without gusts of wind and very warm. Feels a little below zero. I took the first photo when it was already getting light

While we are climbing without crampons, the firn holds well and the owners are worried about the rental pieces of iron - but if we break a tooth on a stone, what then?

The summit is getting closer and the sky is getting brighter, a little more and we’ll see the sun

The shadow of Ararat falls into the valley. Unfortunately, it was not possible to convey the full drama of the moment. Fingers are frozen

The plateau in front of the summit is almost visible. We stop and put on our crampons

We reached a plateau. The last 80 meters of height are ahead

Well, here is the actual top. As always, the wind blows thickly. 10 minutes was enough for me in my jacket

And then we ran downstairs (in crampons and therefore quickly) and by five in the evening we reached our hotel.

Among novice Ararat climbers there are rumors about a certain “mountain sickness”. This disease manifests itself most clearly on the third day, at an altitude of 4,200 meters at one in the morning, when you have to get out of the tent and, instead of watching pornographic dreams, you have to trudge up the mountain. There is a known case when, immediately before the ascent, mountain sickness “cut down” zerokol . When the whole group left for the assault, Zerokol went to bed. Realizing at the end of the day, when all the participants returned from the climb, the lost profit and the tragedy of the situation, Zerokol offered that for money, his photo, using Photoshop, was added to the group photo at the top. He bargained for a long time, brought down the price, argued, and apparently he finally came to an agreement - this photo appeared on all mountaineering forums:

According to the second version, which Nikolai himself put forward, he did not go on an assault to support the statistics - about 10% of participants usually do not reach the top. And since there were no other volunteers, Zerokol took the entire blow upon himself.

According to an established tradition, the conquerors of Ararat bring with them a bottle of Ararat cognac, which they then happily drink with dinner. This photo shows three bottles brought by three Russian climbers. It's easy to guess which bottle you brought zerokol

What else Russian conquerors of Ararat need to know is the fact that for almost a hundred years, from 1828 to 1921, Greater Ararat was part of the Russian Empire. We were there after the annexation of Crimea and every first European we met asked us if we were Russian military and if so, where was the Russian flag that we would stick on the top to commemorate the return of Mount Ararat to Putin’s mother’s womb!

Throughout the mountain there is 3G from Turkcell and Vodafon, so you can post photos on Facebook and Instagram.

Together with the flight, the “fast Ararat” option takes only five days, either from Moscow or from any Turkish resort. It's time to go to the mountains!

After breakfast, equipment and information about the ascent are given. Then the participants, accompanied by guides, ascend by car to the village of Elli at an altitude of 2200m. From there, all things are delivered by horse and mule to camp I (3200m), and the participants climb on foot (4-5 hours). Setting up tents. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

After breakfast, continue the ascent to Camp II (4200m) along a rocky path (3-4 hours). Setting up tents. Dinner. Discussion with the guide about the plan to storm the summit. This camp offers beautiful views of Bayazet, Iran, Greater and Lesser Ararat.
Since the next day is difficult, as you expect to climb to the top and descend to Camp I (3200m), you go to bed early. Due to the low temperature, clothing should be selected according to the climate. It's quite difficult to sleep at that altitude in that cold.

Depending on the weather, rise from 01.30 to 04.00 in the morning. The path is quite steep, the group moves forward slowly. With the first rays of the sun you will be able to see the huge shadow of Ararat in the valley. The glacier starts at an altitude of 4900m. If necessary, crampons and safety belts are put on shoes. Approximately 4.5-5 hours after the start of the ascent, you will be at the top of the biblical Mount Ararat (5165m), one of the highest mountains in the world in terms of relative height (from the base to the top 4365m). In case of good weather, from the top you can see the entire Ararat Valley, Yerevan, Aragats and even Elbrus and Kazbek.
Descent to camp II (4200m) along the ascent route. After a short rest, the tents are assembled and the descent continues to Camp I (3200m). Dinner.
Overnight in tents.

After lunch, the entire load descends on horses and mules to the village of Elli (2200m), and the group descends on foot. From 2200m trip to the hotel in Bayazete. After rest there is a gala dinner on the occasion of the conquest of Ararat.
Overnight at the Boutique Arthur hotel.

After breakfast you head to Kars, along the way, a stop at the deposit of Drastamata Kanayan, better known as “General Dro”.
You reach Kars. In 928 Kars became the tenth capital of Western Armenia. Start your walk around Kars. Church of St. The Apostles, built under the Armenian king Abas Bagratuni, is a magnificent central-domed structure that has been preserved to this day. Today it has been converted into a mosque. You will admire the impregnable beauty of the Kars fortress; those who wish can climb into the fortress itself, from where the entire panorama of Kars is visible. On foot you will pass through the medieval stone bridge of St. Vardan, then you will see two-story houses built of black stone, and next to them are the ruins of Yeghishe Charents’s father’s house.
Stay overnight at the Grand Ani 4+* hotel.

In the morning you head to the 11th capital of Armenia. In 961, the capital of Armenia was moved from Kars to Ani. Ani was considered a city of 1001 churches - the Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Savior, the Church of Tigran Onents, Gagkashen, the Church of St. Gregory Abugamrents, as well as the ruins of other buildings. Ani leaves sad and unforgettable impressions on tourists.
As usual, after crossing the border, you will have a farewell dinner at a restaurant.<<Романтика>> in Akhaltsikhe.
Arrival in Yerevan.

The main goal of the trip is to climb the mountain Ararat (5165 m), Biblical peak. For many, this is not only and not so much a sporting event, a way to test themselves and become closer to nature, but also a pilgrimage - this cannot be taken away! Except Ararat and nearby Bayazeta and excavations Noah's Ark, we suggest visiting other interesting historical places in the region. To do this, we are expanding the program and planning arrival through Kars with inspection Ani, and departure in Wang. In standard programs of competitors, Kars and Ani are very rare. Take a closer look at this:

Tour route: Istanbul - Kars - Ani - climbing Mount Ararat - Bayazet fortress - site of Noah's Ark - Van - Istanbul

Tour program:

Day 1. Evening flight to the capital of Turkey Istanbul from Moscow (St. Petersburg). Overnight at a hotel in Istanbul near the airport (optional, paid extra).

Day 2. In the morning around noon, flight to Eastern Turkey at Kars. Arrival at 14:00. Transfer to the city, lunch and hotel accommodation. In the evening, a trip to Ani(half hour drive) - stunning place, ruins of the ancient capital Great Armenian Kingdom, near the state border with the CIS. Views of Aragats within present-day Armenia. After sunset return to Kars, overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Morning inspection citadels of Kars, once conquered by Russian troops. Kars was the capital Transcaucasian province Russian Empire from 1870 to 1923. At noon, departure to Dogubayazit(4 hours drive). On the way, a picnic near the border with Armenia. At the end of the journey travelers are greeted Ararat, gradually filling the entire windshield of the car. Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit.

Day 4. Start climbing. Moving to an altitude of 2200 m, then walking to an altitude of 3200 m, in Base camp. Participants' bags and group equipment are transported on ponies. Tents stand in a green clearing near a stream.

Day 5. Acclimatization exit at 4200 m and return back to 3200 m. In the evening, final check of equipment.

Day 6. Collapse of Base Camp and transition to Assault Camp at 4,200 m. There are only rocks here, the areas are hard and rather uneven. In the evening, practice moving through the snow with crampons and self-restraint techniques in case of a breakdown.

Day 7. Early rise, light breakfast. Exit to the top at 4 in the morning. Depending on the situation with the snow cover, the first hour and a half is on a rocky path, then put on crampons. Estimated time to reach the summit Ararat- 10 a.m. Panorama of Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Iran and Azerbaijan from the top of 5165 m. Descent to a height of 2700 m. Transfer to Dogubayazit. Overnight at a hotel (it is possible to stay at Base Camp and go down to the city in the morning).

Day 8. Visit Ishak Pasha Palace, famous fortress Bayazet, occupied six times by the Russian army, as well as the ruins of a fortress Urartu nearby. After lunch, a trip to the archaeological site of the proposed Noah's Ark, which lies on the hillside opposite Ararat. Overnight at a hotel in Dogubayazit. This day is a reserve day in case of bad weather.

Day 9. At 8 am departure to Wang(3-4 hours). On the way, visit a beautiful powerful waterfall. Boat ride on Lake Van and visit to the old Armenian church on Akdamar Island, bathing. Overnight at a permanent campsite on the lake shore Wang(option - in a hotel in the city of Van, which has already been restored after the earthquake).

Day 10 Transfer to the airport, flight to Istanbul and then home, or additional time in Istanbul.