Ararat Climbing Expedition from Tbilisi (Türkiye) – 6-11 Aug

Join us on a summer Ararat Climbing Expedition to conquer the highest peak in Türkiye (5137 m). 

Dates: Tue 6 Aug – Sun 11 August
Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights (+1 extra backup day)
Driving distance: 1050 km

Trip difficulty: Mountaineering – moderate, trekking – hard

Mount Ararat is not a very difficult peak to climb but it is over 5000 m high, so its biggest challenge is the altitude.
The summit route is not technical. Mount Ararat is suitable for fit hikers who are used to trekking on rough, sometimes rocky ground for 8 – 9 hours. Summit day on Ararat might be a 10-hour round trip. It involves walking on snow for the last couple of hundred meters and requires wearing crampons. Travelers must have trekking/camping/backpacking experience. They must be in good physical shape. Summit does not require any other mountaineering technical equipment than crampons.

Group size: Min. 5. participants. The tour fee will be refunded if we can’t reach the minimum number of participants.
Accommodation: On the first and last day – Shared twin/double rooms in a hotel in Dogubeyazit (2 nights); tents for the rest of the nights.
Pick-up:  Tue, 8 Aug, at 8:00, Samaia Garden, Tbilisi
Drop-off: Sun, 13 Aug, around 21:00, Samaia Garden, Tbilisi (Arrival time depends on the group’s speed and traffic)
Price: 2500 GEL

This tour requires PASSPORTS. Some of you may also need a visa. Please check the requirements here  Visa Information For Foreigners / Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.tr)

Itinerary:

Day 1
Tbilisi – Georgia Turkey’s border – Dogubayazit 
We will depart Tbilisi in the morning and head towards the border with Turkey. We will cross the border near Kartsakhi Lake and head towards a small city named Dogubayazit. On this day we will travel around 500 km, stopping on the way to rest and admire the views. We will also have time to buy local Turkish sim cards. Upon arrival in Dogubayazit, we will check into our hotel, before heading for dinner, during which we will meet our local guides. Overnight in Dogubayazit in twin/double shared rooms.

Day 2
Dogubayazit –  First base camp
Breakfast. Transfer from Doğubayazıt to the beginning of the Mount Ararat trekking trail. Upon arrival, we will load most of our luggage on the hired pack horses and start hiking only with personal backpacks. Today, we will trek up to 3200 m to the first base camp. It will take us around 4-5 hrs. In the base camp, we will set up tents and eat dinner before heading to sleep.

Day 3
First base camp – Second base camp
Today we will reach the second base camp at 4200 m.a.s.l. The trek will take us 3-4 hrs. In the base, we will have time to relax, adjust our equipment, learn how to walk with crampons, and prepare for the summit day.

Day 4
Summit day
Snacks and light breakfast in the morning. We will monitor the weather to decide the best time to depart for the summit. The climb usually takes 7-8 hrs but may differ depending on the group’s fitness level. During the last section of the climb, we will face an ice field where we will use crampons. We should reach the peak of Mount Ararat (5037) around noon. Return to the camp for dinner and rest.

Day 5
Second base camp to Dogubeyazit
After breakfast, we will load our equipment on pack horses and head down to Doğubayazıt. The trek will take us all day, but the path is clear and downhill. After reaching our cars, we will drive to the hotel for a hot shower and rest.

Day 6
Dogubayazit – Tbilisi
Today will be the last day of our  Tour. After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and head back to Georgia. Once again, we will take plenty of time to enjoy the drive and the stunning nature. We will arrive in Tbilisi in the evening. The end of the tour.

Day 7
Backup day
An extra day that we will use in case of difficult weather conditions or other circumstances.

Inclusions:

1. 1. 1. Transfers
      2. Services of professional mountaineering instructors and guides
      3. Accommodation in shared twin/double rooms in Dogubayazit (two nights)
      4. Dinner in the city on Day 1.
      5. Breakfasts in the hotel.
      6. Cook and 3 meals per day during the trek
      7. Porter service
      8. Equipment (tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, crampons)
      9. Climbing permit

Price doesn’t include:

1. 1. 1. Travel/ health insurance
      2. Gratitudes
      3. Private expenses

Equipment you MUST have:

This tour has a special cancellation policy:

1. If you cancel the tour up to 48 hours before the tour you will receive a refund of 80% of the tour fee. 20% of your fee won’t be refunded.
2. If you cancel within 48 hours before the tour, you won’t receive any refund.