Nemrut - Süphan & ARARAT Climbing - 10 DAYS

Day 1
Welcome to Turkey! Today, your 10-day Ararat Summit Tour begins. However, you won't need to think about climbing just yet. After a challenging journey from your home country to the large city of Van in eastern Turkey, you'll spend your evening enjoying a pleasant dinner filled with delicious Turkish dishes. The shared welcome dinner is the perfect start to get to know other participants. In a relaxed atmosphere, you'll have the opportunity to introduce yourselves and share your initial expectations for the Ararat Summit Tour. (-/-/D)

Day 2
After breakfast, you will leave Van. But today, you'll first be discovering the beauties of nature. In the distance, the unusual panorama of the Bitlis Plateau rises. This impressive landscape, with its mountains and volcanoes, will accompany your journey to Akdamar Island. The Van Lake, which covers more than 3,500 square kilometers, is the largest lake in Turkey and will be crossed by boat. On Akdamar, the "Holy Cross" monastery awaits you, the last remnants of a monastery complex from the 10th century. You'll spend an exciting morning where nature and culture intertwine.

After returning to shore, we will take you to Mount Nemrut. At an elevation of 2,948 meters, it will be the target of the day. Even the journey there is an experience. The ride along the Van Lake is filled with endless water surfaces and majestic mountain panoramas. In the massive crater, you can explore the lakes and even swim if you wish. After setting up our camp at a higher location, you can enjoy a perfect time outside to stargaze after dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 3
The ascent to Mount Nemrut at 2,935 m serves as an acclimatization tour for your Ararat ascent. Mount Nemrut is located near the Tigris River, in southeastern Turkey, about 90 km from Adıyaman. In the early morning hours, we will begin the ascent to the crater rim of the extinct volcano. The three-hour tour takes you to the highest point of the volcano and helps you understand the immense power that once erupted here. Indeed, an eruption of Mount Nemrut thousands of years ago led to the accumulation of water that formed Lake Van. Now you will have a breathtaking view of this beautiful lake. After a sufficient break, you will return via an alternative route. Here, we will stop in the small town of Ahlat to see the massive Islamic cemetery with its large 12th-century tombstones.

In the afternoon, we will head towards Mount Süphan. This stratovolcano, standing at 4,058 meters, is located at the northern end of Lake Van and will be where you set up your camp at an elevation of 2,500 meters. (B/L/D)

Day 4
Today, you leave your camp at 2 a.m. while others are still sleeping and begin the ascent to the summit of Mount Süphan. Your headlamps will illuminate your path through the darkness on this long ascent; this tour will take you up 1,500 meters. Half of the ascent will take place at dawn, but the difficulty will increase. You will need to navigate rocky and small stones. Depending on the season, you may encounter large snowfields in the summit region. But don’t worry: you don’t need any special climbing skills to reach the summit. Above 4,000 meters, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view.

After the summit, you will take a relaxing break in the camp before you dismantle your tents and prepare for the Ararat Summit Tour. After about an hour and a half of driving, you will have the opportunity to pause at the lively Muradiye Waterfall to assess your expectations. After another hour of driving, you will reach our comfortable hotel in the city of Doğubayazıt at the foot of Ararat. Now you have earned a delicious dinner!
Hiking time: 9-11 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 5
Now your Ararat Summit Tour begins! You will leave the last night behind in a comfortable hotel bed and head towards the beautiful little village of Eli. The one-hour drive will take you past breathtaking views of Ararat. Eli village is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters at the foot of the massive mountain. Now there is no turning back; you will begin your ascent to Ararat. The day's goal is the first campsite, located at about 3,200 meters elevation. You can expect about four hours of climbing. Along the way, a group of pack horses will carry your loads. Therefore, you can fully focus on the journey while carrying only a light backpack.
Hiking time: 4 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 6
The Ararat Summit Tour continues. Today, you will move to the second campsite at an altitude of 4,100 meters. The hike is not technically difficult, but the views are extraordinary. As you proceed upward on the wide curves, you will enjoy the fantastic views and experience the unusual yet captivating tranquility. This is something only a mountain hike can offer!

In the afternoon, you have free time to prepare yourself and your equipment for the upcoming summit day or to explore the beautiful nature around your tent. But most importantly, make sure to go to bed early because a short night awaits you.
Hiking time: 4 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 7
Around 1-2 a.m., you will wake up and begin preparations for the summit. A long journey awaits you. Your Ararat Summit Tour is finally approaching an exciting finale. You will embark on a 5-6 hour journey to ascend to 5,137 meters. The route will involve a moderately steep ascent. However, you will need to tackle the last 200 meters with crampons and ski poles, as the glacier begins here. But don’t worry; you do not need any prior knowledge for this. When you finally stand on the small summit of Ararat, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views. You can see the lower regions of Turkey and gaze into the distance towards Armenia and Iran. Congratulations! You made it!

Since an overnight stay on Ararat is not possible, you will have to leave and begin your descent. You will descend from the summit to the second campsite and from there spend a restful night at the first campsite.
Hiking time: 11 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 8
It’s time for a shower! After your descent, you will be taken to your comfortable hotel in Doğubayazıt. Rest and be fit enough to visit the Ishak Pasha Palace in the afternoon. The ruins of this impressive palace offer you a fascinating insight into the cultural history of the region and will perfectly complement your trip.
Hiking time: 2-3 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 9
According to legend, Ararat is the holy mountain where Noah's Ark landed during the great flood. Whether this is truly the case will never be fully clarified. But come see for yourself; this legendary place is located very close to Doğubayazıt.

In the afternoon, an adventure awaits you as we take you to the sources of the Euphrates. It is believed that the hot sulfur springs here have healing properties. After the strenuous heights and adventures of recent days, you definitely deserve a relaxing bath in a sulfur spring. (B/L/D)

Day 10
Today, your Ararat Summit Tour ends in Van. Board the plane and return safely to your homeland. (B/-/-)